bigeddiechek

If the crowds are low, then only the people who don't come through the turnstiles are to blame for that. Speedway is an incredibly badly supported sport. I say that for a number of reasons: Soi disant fans seem to revel in there being low crowds at meetings they attend. Soi disant fans seem to enjoy having a go at the people who fund and run the sport: even the good ones, Little men get close to the sport because they have a few hundred quid to spare now and again, then think they should have influence. Once they find out that is not the case, they become bitter and - perhaps unwittingly - damage their clubs. Soi disant fans attack fans who are positive and support their clubs as "brown nosers", etc. Contrast that with Sevco in Scottish Football, the old club is gone, new club not doing too well in Division 3, but by golly they still support their club. Let's just face it, the support base of speedway: i.e., the people one would expect to go through the turnstiles, just haven't got what it takes to keep the sport going. It also seems that those soi disant fans are so thick that they can't see that and try and blame it on a multitude of other things. It's up to us to keep the sport going, if we don't step up to the mark, then we only have ourselves to blame. Interesting bit in the Berwick programme about poor support and negativity from a certain contingent. It was spot on, and those that it was generally directed to should be ashamed of themselves.

Just breath-taking. Seen that many times at Shielfield over the last couple of years. Pure skill, balls, and entertainment.

Sad news to hear that Lee has decided to retire. He'll be a huge miss. It's worrying as the sport in general is really struggling and Lee was one of the valuable crowd pullers in the league. Wish him all the best, for me he was worth every penny of the admission fee alone.

Keep the good ones coming boy wonder lol

I would say that the majority of people do care about away results, Steve, but I agree home entertainment is by far top of the list.

If it increases appetite for the sport it may not be a problem.

I agree with your point about only having half of your actual team riding. Squads are surely the way to go?

Any other mix of motorsport with speedway would turn me right off. I've no interest in motorsports. Speedway is a very stark exception. I'm not too fussed about where we finish in the league, as long as it is not bottom. Clearly I would love us to win it, and that is a great dream/aim to have. Having no league to contest would signal the death of any sport. We do need drastic change, but one that is going to progress, not regress.

Me too, that's how I sniff them out. I know what it is like I didn't have you picked out as insecure though, Screm. We've agreed on most things, other than Lee Complin this season. Now that is progress! OK, you are obviously a bit too simple to think more deeply about what you post. You know that I'd be happy to pay £20 a meeting. So what, other than to remind me of that, was the point of your post? I go to every meeting that I can, that is not every meeting. I bring mates when I can (something you will find impossible to fathom), and I am grateful for everyone who has been involved in running that club since Peter stepped-aside. We mustn't forget Lynda Waite who was instrumental in saving the club at that point too. I'm grateful for all these people who put considerable money, considerable time, and considerable effort into keeping the club alive. Your comments towards the club are childish, thick, and reek of someone who thought they were special, then had the hammer of reality dropped on them. You might note that I was also a big supporter of Peter Waite; for all his idiosyncrasies, he kept the club running for 10 years and delivered a major trophy. Fairplay1 had a (legitimate) quibble with Peter, and was negative to him on here. However, he had the balls to drop me a message and give me his reasons. It was quite understandable and I stopped having a war of words on here with him, and we ended up respecting each other's points of view. Do you have the bottle to explain (in private, or public) what your quibble is? Hoy! Come on, if you're going to pick holes in my post, don't pick on the toilet ones! I think Alex should be our number 7 next year. Not just because he deserves it, but because he was starting to score very heavily before yet another unfortunate accident.

Still can't explain yourself? I wonder why...

Very informative and interesting post. A lot of folk have talked about introducing a squad system, that would be a big improvement, in my opinion. I don't know much about the safety aspects, but the riders and ex-riders should be listened to very seriously. Especially after this year.

He's stood with us on the 3rd bend plenty of times this year. He goes to every meeting that he is able to: so, not to your answer. It is aimed at people who choose not to go, and those who revel in low crowd numbers. Of course it is their choice. If they are not happy, either do something about it, or don't come on here and whinge. You can't call yourself a supporter if you do not support your club, irrespective of what relationship you have with the owners. A recent example of how to support your team through good and bad is - it pains me to say - all the Rangers fans who are still turning out to support their club, even though the guys in charge have royally (no pun intended) screwed them and their club. Speedway fans seem incapable of doing that and, sadly, I can't see the support surviving in this country unless they change. At Berwick we have had brilliant people take over the club, yet people still find things to complaint about, and people who support their club get accused of brown nosing. It makes no sense at all. They then hide behind pathetic excuses like "I pay my money, so I have a right to complain". Sorry, but if you don't like something, yet keep paying for it, then you are rather dull. Watch the telly then write in to Points of View. It doesn't cost anything, and you will get plenty of things to greet about, you might get your complaint published, so you will get the opportunity to feel important too. If you are a stay away by choice, then you are not a supporter, and can't be counted upon.

Who would have thought we would be agreeing a few years back! This is absolutely spot on. The Promotion have put a lot of money into Berwick Speedway, delivered us our first trophy for 10 years, and greatly improved the club. It's time for folk who whinge to show if they actually support the club, or are just insecure, insignificant little people who come on here to try and feel just that little bit more important in life. If they do go every week that they can and spend their money, then they are very important, and - as you point out - are really valued by the Promotion which has shown great goodwill by slashing prices over several meetings now. Time to step up and show your our true support.

What do you mean by that?

Crikey! So, when we were getting beat at home some Bandits posters are shouting that it is not good enough and that crowds are falling because of this. Now some of that same are saying that it is more economically viable to be less competitive at home. This really backs-up that most of the stuff posted on here is nonsense. The sad reality, as mentioned on this thread, is that British Speedway is on a shoogely peg. There really is only one bottom line when it comes to it surviving and that is for the fans to turn out in numbers. It is expensive, but a number of Promotions have slashed their prices and made it much more affordable. Let's not be sitting here in 12 months' time wishing we had not gloated about low crowds, and being expert armchair promoters: because there is no use coming on here and attempting to talk authoritatively, but not dipping into our pockets to go through the turnstiles every meeting that we can make it to. It is beyond belief that being positive about our club being run very, very well is seen as "brown nosing". That type of comment is immature, missing intelligent thought, and borne out of insecurity. Fans throughout the sport need to step up to the mark the rest of this season, and next season, or we'll really have something to greet about.

I think you're going to have to fill us in on who you are

Awfy unfair on Screm to lump him in with that lunatic. Screm's posts are never bitter, and he does post in a pretty balanced way. Lee will be back next year, he is black and gold through and through.

Thoroughly agree, a good bit of debate, Arson Fire makes some good points in response. As usual the well-known village (or town) idiot can only pick one point out of twenty, and it is a moot point that he makes. I didn't know that the football club had been approached, pity that it has been refused. It just shows what goes on behind the scenes as well as what the average punter sees. Absolutely, no point having great racing in a dump. The new punters that we so desperately need have to enjoy the overall experience as they get to know the sport. Catering and comfort of the facilities is very, very important. Most will not know what a good race is until the have been to a few meetings. I also think that something very important at the moment is family deals. Just taking Berwick as an example, the last few meetings could cost a family of four as little as £20, £22 with a programme. This is compared to the best part of £50 prior to that. The same old complaints about results and tracks is very wearing and does nothing to help progress the sport.

You wouldn't believe that going by most posts on here! However, you are probably right, and most on here are probably wrong. Didn't say it was. Running a business is a sophisticated, multi-faceted, task, it was one of a long list. You clearly don't have the depth of thought to understand that. Erm, do speedway fans bring their own portable latrines and commodes? Exactly, the complete package has to be there. So many people have complained on here about stadia being dumps, and it is a fair point. There are a number of tracks I have visited reluctantly because they are just not nice environments. I think we are doing not bad at Berwick. What would I like to see change? If we could sneak a bit of the grass behind the goals to widen the track, I'd like to see that.

Knowing several people who are in the pits each meeting, I laughed so much I nearly soiled myself. Also, now emilali's identity is known, there are a lot of people laughing at him.

The PL would sorely miss the Comets. Here's hoping you are running next year. Yet another stark warning against fans who wallow in dropping crowd levels instead of getting some friends to accompany them.

Can't argue with that, I have my gripes, but I put them directly to those in charge, not on here. This Promotion, as much as many - but probably more - listen to what the fans want. It is important that fans talk directly to their Promotion, and not come on here and bump their gums. It doesn't do anything other than harm. It is also cowardly, as the party being attacked have no means of defending themselves. Also, I know that the Berwick Promotion want to hear what fans want. If you give the fans what they want, then they will keep coming. The reasons I always try to be positive on here are: I remember how hard-up Berwick Speedway was when Peter had decided it was time to call it a day. The Waites and Andersons took over a tough sport in tough times. I doubt many have the financial, or business, wherewithal to do that. I know I don't. The facilities have been vastly improved. Most notable toilets and catering. The fans wanted a bar, it has been put in place. Hospitality has been greatly improved. Programme has been greatly improved. The 3rd bend area is now always well-kept, and has a decent fence to lean on (important for the more ample chap, like myself). I have brought several new faces this year, all have been personally welcomed by someone from the management team. The track surface is miles better than the ploughed-field days (just look at some old DVDs!). The once dangerous 2nd bend has been fixed. The lighting has been improved. New track shop. Rejuvenated supporters club. We are Fours Champions. Stages an FIM event. Did I mention we a Fours Champions? One of the unsung heroes, Dennis McCleary has been recognised and make a co-promoter. We've had some ambitious signings (not all have worked, and yes I know not all are assets): Alden, Ashworth, Kozza, Gjedde, Aspegren, Bellego). We've brought a number of new assets in (Edberg, Alden, Barrett, Bellego, Albin), sure I've missed some out there. We've had some really progressive ideas, especially the brave decision to drop admission to £10 for several meetings now. Very brave, and one that looks to have paid off handsomely. That alone, as a gesture, shows how much the Promotion value the supporters, and also realise that it is tough times for many. OK, we have had some ropey results, but we have been through 16 changes to the team through injury this season, and ended up pretty clear from the bottom. I support my team. That means not coming on here to air my gripes, because I can do that privately and with discretion. I actually don't really have any gripes, in general, I think it is an exceptionally well run club. Like I say, I support my team, and proud to say I am a Berwick supporter. Since this is a forum for discussion, I would welcome an opposite post to this with a list of what some of the less positive posters think could be improved.

It' these fans who are never happy, and almost revel in their clubs having low crowds, poor results, etc., that are the single most damaging factor to our sport. They are a real disease, hopefully not terminal.

I have his as the first name on the sheet.

Paperwork being sent to former Scotland speedway captain to finalise his bid.