PhilK

It certainly didn't seem to be the case on Saturday Ken. The crowd must have been 60 - 40 Mildenhall followers (conservative estimate) and the rest mainly Rye House, I saw very little evidence of hoards of Hackney supporters in attendance. No disrespect, but if it had been the IoW or say Buxton there on Saturday it would have been a very small crowd indeed. I don't think the Hackney name has caught the imagination and may have even alienated some Rye House supporters who used to follow the Cobras

Cheers Dale, 7.30 start ?

May give this one a look, any chance of the confirmed teams please?

8th April 2006 part of a double header meeting! Mildenhall won 55-40.

Not all, but if you think whether he is a three pointer or not (in your opinion), has any bearing on any decision taken about whether he can or cannot ride, then I am afraid you may well be

And neither are we! I think though it would be a great final and would see two big crowds with an excellent atmosphere

Get real! Scandalous! –adjective . disgraceful; shameful or shocking; Really?? I do find it interesting that those who continuingly attack the possibility of Mildenhall tracking young Heeps, don't spend a little of their time attacking the PL clubs who fill their reserve berths with overseas riders rather than giving the young Brits their chance to develop! After all surely the development of a young rider doesn't begin and end in the NL? But maybe thats not in your/their (self) interest??

Good to catch up last night Arnie. Robert Lambert certainly impressed in the 2nd half, hopefully the Mildenhall promotion can encourage him that his future maybe lies with Mildenhall/Ipswich! Whether it is the cost of entry, or the name change, or a bit of both I am unsure, but Rye House was like a morgue last night until a good number of Mildenhall supporters arrived to bolster the crowd. The score doesn't really show how much in charge we were of the meeting, and victory could have been by more than the eight points. A decent meeting and the 'tricky ledge laden' track that aljack continuingly whines on about didn't pose any problems to these riders The team seem to be really clicking into gear now, and hopefully we can beat the IoW in the semi final and set up a final against Dudley

Odd shower forecast today, hopefully Silver won't go for one of his early call offs

Any news on the Hackney 1-7? Is Shane Hazelden fit to take his place at No1?

Certainly wasn't a poor spectacle! Mildenhall simply outrode Hackney, with a mixture of fast gating and clean passing. It is easy to blame Hackney's riders but it is more appropriate to credit the excellent efforts of the Mildenhall team without their Number One. As for your comments re Barrie Evans, it should be remembered that he has rarely in his time at Mildenhall experienced a track like yesterday, that is a lot different than the blue groove roads he had to ride on in 2009/10. His last two rides showed what he was capable of once dialled into the track. Plaudits have been given by others but I must also mention Aaron Baseby who was sensational, paid 17 was fully deserved. For Hackney Ben Morley was very competitive and sadly Shane Hazelden's injury prevented us from seeing this much improved youngster, hopefully he will be back quickly! Another good crowd, excellent track and a brilliant result! Oh yes and Uncle Len going ballistic when the first Hackney TR went very wrong

Looking at the BSPA site it will be Ben Morley!

It's R/R for Brundle today, as you said earlier 2ndbendpostie probably a decent option considering the alternatives with both Birks and Howarth injured. Joe is allowed seven rides from reserve, so he could take one R/R and two reserve replacement rides.

I think Kevin's naturally unassuming manner will mean that will always be the case FT666, but I am sure he knows that we the supporters appreciate what he has done for the club and give him great credit for it:approve: However this is a three way venture with Michael Lee and Chris Louis equaly involved in getting Mildenhall speedway back off the ground, and too suggest Chris Louis 'is just picking up the riders for Ipswich' is unfair in the extreme, and in my opinion totally unfounded. I am sure Kevin and Michael would say how valuable his knowledge in speedway is to the promotion especially when dealing with the BSPA etc, after all of his experience at Ipswich. If some of our current crop of riders progress into the PL with Ipswich then surely that is a good thing? I'd rather see exciting talents like Blackbird, Jacobs, Heeps ride for us for a season or two then move forward than have a side full of riders that just stagnate at NL level. You are right though that we need to build an asset base in time, and I am sure that is being addressed. Yesteray saw the first academy day, and hopefully in time future Fen Tigers can be found from that arena. It is early days yet, but what I have seen so far is a committed promotion, that know how to promote, will make the difficult decisions for the benefit of the club and want to put Mildenhall back on the speedwya map. They ave my 100% support for that, and if the rest of the seaosn is as enjoyable as the first four meetings that will be good enough for me!

The Risager injury was a big problem to Ipswich, as you say Lovey he was just starting to bang in some decent scores and look like the possible 2nd heat leader that Schramm unfortunately is not! I certainly don't agree with or like Aljacks continue abuse at Jerran Hart, but although Ipswich looked to have a team where riders could/should improve their averages, they don't have a reserve to take seven rides when things are not going well for some of the main body. Dakota North showed what a useful weapon that can be for Somerset in the early weeks of the season.

I don't think we could have used Jon as his average is higher, whatever Dudley are riding at Buxton tomorrow. If not Howarth there is little else bar perhaps Steve Worrall, but I agree 2ndbendpostie r/r wouldn't be a bad call, extra rides for Hargreaves, Blackbird, Halsey and Jacobs could be the best answer in the circumstances.

Birks has been withdrawn from the Berwick v Sheffield meeting with concusion and a sore shoulder according to speedway updates site Kyle Howarth would be a good replacement

Mildenhall meet the NL newbies the Hackney 'Hawks' at West Row for the 1st leg of the NL KO Cup tie! The weather is set fair for what should be another great meeting with a big crowd in attendance especially following the announcement made on the Mildenhall Fen Tigers Official Team website today. Mildenhall Fen Tigers teenage Aussie star Cameron Heeps is finally on his way to the UK and will be in this country in time to watch or even ride in this weekend's Knock Out Cup clash with the Hackney Hawks at West Row (Sunday 5th June). Tigers co-promoter Chris Louis said, "It's been a long haul but we are all delighted that Cameron is able to link up with us at last. "I'm not a hundred per cent sure yet that he'll ride against Hackney, as there is still some paperwork to be finalised. But we have a workshop ready for him, so hopefully we are almost there. "Whatever happens he will be at West Row on Sunday and I'm sure he'll get a warm welcome from our supporters who have waited patiently for this to happen. At the very least, fans should get the chance to see him put in some laps after the match." Heeps arrival ensures there'll be another bumper attendance at West Row on Sunday. Louis added, "We've been delighted with the crowds we've been getting so far and Cameron's arrival adds to the excitement that's surrounded the club, since we re-launched the Fen Tigers in April." Great news

Their closure had nothing to do with overseas riders! If you read this forum regularly you will know that. And my information is that neither of the two overseas riders used by Mildenhall in the last two NL seasons earned as much as the top paid riders at the club! Your dislike of Non Brits in the NL is obvious and if that is your view fine, but try and base it on fact!

What a tired old arguement this is getting, a Commonwealth rider in the NL, perish the thought! This arguement would hold some weight if there was any sign of the PL and EL working with the NL to progress these Young Brits you speak of. The PL this season has 15 teams giving 105 team places of which currently 56 are taken by 'overseas' riders. Put more simply on average 4 of every side are non British. The EL has 10 teams giving 90 places with double uppers of which currently and incredible 63 are taken by 'overseas' riders. So please dont critisise a National League stand alone club for signing the one commonwealth rider! As 2ndbendpostie correctly points out in 2009 the arrival of Taylor Poole not only lifted the club and provided great entertainment, but the word soon got about and crowds increased considerably for the time he was with us! However idealistic you want to be, you surely understand the need of standalone National League clubs to try and make money to ensure their survival, after all if they cannot make money they will close, and with that will go six places (at least)for young brits!!

Excellent performance by the Fen Tigers today, although sadly the bad crash and resulting injury to John Resch cast a shadow over the day, hopefully he will make a full and fast recovery For Mildenhall everyone contributed to another good afternoon in front of another very good crowd, James Brundle and Joe Jacobs both going unbeaten whist Lewis Blackbird coped with the move into the main body with another blistering display. He is a fantastic signing for Mildenhall and must be one of the, if not the, most improved riders this season at NL level. Rob Smith and Nick Simmons did their best for the Islanders but it was never going to be a close contest. Finally well done to Nick Laurence for the best performance I have seen from him since he first rode for Mildenhall in 2009! The 'comments' which seem to have offended some on here, certainly galvanised him into a positive response.

Agree with that waco, as you say it did for Laurence today! I think this whole issue has been blown out of proportion somewhat!

Isle of Wight line up tomorrow 1. Paul Starke 2. Rob Smith 3. Lee Smethills 4. Brendan Johnson 5. Nick Simmons © 6. Rikki Mullins (G) 7. John Resch Mullins guests for the injured Luke Chessell

Mildenhall will be looking to continue their unbeaten home record when the Isle of Wight visit West Row on Sunday. Another good crowd is expected for this bank holiday weekend meeting - Mildenhall line up 1. James Brundle 2. Aaron Baseby 3. Daniel Halsey 4. Lewis Blackbird 5. Jack Hargreaves 6. Nick Laurence 7. Joe Jacobs Any news on the IoW line up?

Reading the programme notes today Baggy it does seem the promotion want some dirt on the track, and although there may have been a bit too much in the first 4 heats once the track settled it rode well I thought. Mildenhall simply overpowered Kings Lynn in the second half of the meeting with Lewis Blackbird's paid 16 from reserve the highlight, along with Jack Hargreaves double pass in Heat 13 Mildenhall's gating was much the sharper and Birks apart Kings Lynn didn't offer too much, Knight in particular had a quiet day after some big recent scores. Another good crowd today even with the slightly inclement weather around, looked about the 800 mark again! Mildenhall seem to have a real gem in Lewis Blackbird who has improved markedly since his previous dabble with the sport, he can certainly gate and attacks the track every time he goes out Good too to see Joe Jacobs looking back to his best, there were signs on Monday at Belle Vue that he was on the way back!