moxey63

It is frustrating. A sport or anything that loses customers must surely want to know why. Speedway's decline has been gradual since the mid-80s, and whatever's happened to folk who don't attend anymore. There are weirdos like me who just cling on for old times' sake. And I get called names for saying why I don't attend anymore. But the thousands of people that are allowed to disappear because of various reasons, and yet promoters just get over it by increasing the admissions for the ever-growing small number to cover. Without finding out those reasons, the promoters have a few days at the AGM to sort out the future (for next season) and believe their ideas will halt the slide which they have no idea why the slide is happening. You need feedback. Perhaps a site could be in place for feedback, for old fans, new fans and those who may be getting frustrated. Promote the feedback forum at the track, so those who attend can go back and report their findings. But I guess promoters are fans, and merely wash away any voice of criticism. "If you don't like it, don't come again." There so many reasons why people might stop attending. But no one knows those reasons. And that is what's frustrating.

Saving money on travel costs? Can't the riders arrange with supporters to take them to matches?

You are right, there were shady rules back then. But they just seem to have mushroomed so much now. Finch was brought in as a replacement for injured Alan Wilkinson in 1978, Wilcock covered matches for injured Mike Lohmann in 1980, whereas Hunter was a target for Belle Vue but chose to move up with Newcastle in 1984. You forgot Bobby Beaton, who signed for Aces in 1982 so the then Belle Vue manager Ian Thomas could use him on an assessed 7.50 average for his Newcastle team in the second league. Apart from the three you mentioned, I don't recall any other riders during that era who rode for Belle Vue but hadn't plans on racing full time for the club. Speedway does itself no favours with the stand-in utility. It is a sticky plaster so promoters don't have to find proper replacements.

It is a pretend sport. I don't mean the racing, I mean the make-up of it, how riders can ride here, there and everywhere. How teams can mysteriously drop points to sign riders, to reach the Play-Offs. It is like wrestling in this way, that it is sort of scripted. When I see an overtake in speedway, I now wonder if it's a cunning ploy to use tac-sub or manipulate averages. The racing is still fine, but a sport is only as good as its foundations and rules.

You deserted British speedway. Fullest of stops. You watch speedway for free but scoff at me because I didn, even though I didn't. I know I can remain silent, but when someone keeps knocking on my door, it is rude not to answer it. Darts is a game... wrestling is a pretend pantomime. American Football runs both close. I know they make loads of money... but in contrast, it answers speedway's state. That is a much better sport.

But you (we) were shouted at yesterday by ch958 for going off thread, and you said you don't normally do it and apologised. Don't you ever learn?

I must admit, when old moxey comes onto the forum... it don't half liven you up.

Show me them. Otherwise, shut up.

These are personal insults.

CH958 - only yesterday you interjected the discussion I was having with Chunky, saying we should PM each other with our views and keep them off the forum, stay on topic. But now you "like" Chunky's current rant. Not taking sides are we?

Why didn't you PM me with this? Must other forum members read this? Or do you like playing to the crowd?

A club like Poole dropping down should be a warning sign. The sport has lost the likes of Coventry, Oxford, Cradley and Reading that once dominated the leagues. And a lot more before them. Poole are the club of the last two decades. Perhaps Pirates deciding to do this will encourage the sport that the best way forward is to cut costs and plan for what each club can afford.

Boris Johnson has committed free mops for everyone who has flooded and goes further by saying there'll never be a speedway rain-off again and every track will get a mop.

Yes, when I've been criticised. You have to defend yourself. I defended myself against your posts because they were insulting. You got personal. I held back for ages... but you had it coming. Now, we are speedway fans, so let's just get along.

I know... and that's why fellow forumers have me on "ignore."

So I'm not the boss?

Despite the thread aimed at my interest alone, still nice to see some of the old guard tapping on the door. You have gone on "ignore" BWitcher. Return to the naughty step.

I would do that... but people, like you, who moaned about me on their thread are now on mine. I could be just a Mardy and put you on "ignore."

I understand. What I don't understand, is the current speedway fans visiting and commenting on a thread that shouldn't concern them. They have turned into being me.

This thread was meant for me... right? Well, I'm not biting.

I was just thinking of the 70s at Belle Vue. We had Les Collins, Chris Turner, Jim Brett, etc doubling up. But they were riding in the second division with the intent of moving into the Aces' team a year or tow later.

As someone who used to go to speedway, I often think if I'd ever return to the terraces. I know Belle Vue have a new exciting track and have yet to make my first visit to it. But in the past I have gone to watch the team, its riders, rather than the racing itself. There is nothing to attract me to support either team or riders in it. I know the racing is good, but there has to be more than that. Who will I wish to do well, feeling they are part of me, part of wishing for the next match to come so they can have a good match. They have a good match and I feel better for it. The real problem with doubling up came in the early 2000s, I think the time promoters stopped being energised into finding new talent. I recall Belle Vue and Workington having a bit of a conflict when both clubs wanted to use Workington's top man, the top man wanted to ride for both clubs, because he had the best of both worlds. It was no longer what was important for the club, for the fan, but how many extra meetings that rider could cram in. The only way I would return to the terraces will be the day the sport encourages it to be the team sport I fell for.

People say today's doubling up isn't any different to the past. But when doubling up in the past happened, it was normally by riders affiliated to the club they were doubling up with. I have read Andy Grahame mentioned back when he doubled up with Milton Keynes and Birmingham in 1979. But he actually transferred his full-time career for the Brummies shortly after that. Nowadays there is no affinity between riders, clubs and fans. As one rider said, they are self-employed and will take any job they're offered. The sport is there simply to pay riders mortgages than to form fan affiliation. That is no good when you expect fans to be attracted because it's a team sport. Another problem is riders admitting they have joined your club because it fits in with their other commitments. It is clear to see. Teams are built for the now, without an eye on the future. Fans are now brought up living for that season Play-Off push, and then teams all start again without trying to build a bond and establishing teams for the future. You may as well throw the riders' names in the air right now and see where they land for next season.

Love to keep you on in the background, but have other things to do. Catch you later. Don't forget the meds.