PhilK

Yes you are right Adz, the facebook group is where most things Mildenhall get discussed now. The track is in perfect condition and it is full steam ahead, for what Waco correctly describes as an exciting looking fixture Mildenhall are without Joe Jacobs who is replaced by Ben Morley, and we will be utilising R/R for Brendan Johnson who is ill Gates open at 2pm for a 3.30 start

Peterborough and Belle Vue helping to spread the word as well .. Approaching 10,000 signatures

Greg Hancock has tweeted to his 25,000 followers .... Top Man Over 7,100 signatures now and only a couple of days in

Up to 5847 now Adz, fabulous response and getting wider coverage all the time

I can't say this is an enjoyable thread to read, especially the attacks on Malcolm who is an old and valued friend. Someone who puts a great deal more into the sport than he ever takes out and he will always have my support. That said there is clearly something wrong at Stoke, which if not addressed will only see the club sink further. Without supporters there is no Speedway team at Stoke or anywhere for that matter, it seems to me that a number of clubs are like the big companies BT, The Banks, British Gas etc, they get you through the door then treat you poorly as they are only interested in new customers. These companies can get away with this approach due to size and their massive customer base, but Speedway clubs with crowds of 300-600 certainly cannot. Whilst there must of course be effort put into attracting new customers or getting old disenchanted supporters to come back, it is imperative in my opinion to listen to those that attend regularly as they are your eyes and ears on the terraces and in most cases tell you how it is, even though it may not be what you want to hear. Clubs that don't listen or treat supporters with disrespect if they don't say what the promoter wants to hear will only go one way .. down! With so many things to occupy peoples time in the entertainment industry once you lose someone they will rarely come back. When Mildenhall closed in 2010 crowds were just over 300, now they are double that, yes of course success helps, but the efforts of the promotion to engage with supporters and where possible take on board their views has no doubt helped. It is often small steps but in the right direction and of course you will never please everyone. Speedway clubs have a constant battle to retain their crowd whilst attracting a new one, it isn't easy and there is no simple solution, but alienating supporters certainly isn't a smart move in my opinion.

Official Press Release from Mildenhall Speedway - Mildenhall Speedway promotion moved quickly today to clarify their position to supporters following todays’ Supreme Court judgement that reversed the Appeal Courts decision in favour of the appellants. Club Chairman Kevin Jolly was quick to emphasise that as far as the club is concerned nothing changes - ... ‘This is obviously a big disappointment for the Stadium Owners who had hoped today would bring an end to this matter and remove a cloud that has been hanging over the stadium before we took over the running of the Fen Tigers. It now remains an ongoing case that will now go through the courts once again. However, as far as we are concerned nothing changes with regard to Mildenhall Speedway and we will continue to run until it is no longer possible should that day ever arrive. Everything is in place for the start of the season, we are looking forward to this year with great enthusiasm, we have a fine looking young side full of potential and I can’t wait for the season to start. We look forward to seeing as many supporters as possible at the ‘Meet the Riders’ evening on the 15th March and then it is full steam ahead to our opening meeting on Sunday 6th April when the Stoke Potters and of course Mildenhall legend Jon Armstrong will be the visitors’. END

While not really a forward step as you say Mike, at least it keeps him riding competitively and in the minds of NL promoters and we know from harsh experience that rarely do the seven riders teams start out with remain fit enough to complete the whole season . Opportunities are bound to appear at some point, riders like Kirby just need to be ready to take them

Press Release from Mildenhall Speedway - New Start time in 2014 for the Fen Tigers and Admission Charges Held at 2013 Prices! There will be a new start time for Mildenhall speedway in 2014 as the club have decided to bring forward race-day start times one hour to 3.30pm.... Club Chairman Kevin Jolly confirmed the change whilst explaining the thought process behind the move – ‘We gave out a questionnaire towards the end of the 2013 season and received some excellent comments and ideas from many of our loyal supporters, many of which are being looked at closely prior to the start of the season. I think supporters will appreciate these moves and although some will be seem quite small I am positive they will all add to the entertainment value of an afternoon out at Mildenhall speedway! One question posed was about our start time and the response we received was greatly in favour of an earlier start, many families stating it would be better as it allowed them to get home with their children at an earlier time with school on the Monday to consider. As a family club we are happy to help meet their wishes and whilst we appreciate it may not suit everyone, a large majority were in favour of the move. I’d like to thank our brilliant track staff team, who already work tirelessly from early in the morning on race-days for supporting the move. They really are a great bunch. Things are really starting to move along a pace now, what with the Snail Racing on 8th February and further exciting news due in the coming weeks, I personally can’t wait for the season to start!’ The Fen Tigers promotion are also pleased to advise supporters that there will be no increase in admission prices or the cost of the meeting programme for the 2014 season. Admission prices remain at - Adults £12 - Concessions (60+) £11 - Students £11 - Junior (15 and under) free *please note to qualify for free entry a ‘Junior’ must be accompanied by a paying Adult. Meeting Programme £1.50 – Car Parking Free.

Always very sad when a club is lost , my daughter and I have spent many great nights on the Island with BDJ Racing and of course supporting the Fen Tigers. The Islanders were always good visitors to West Row too. It does seem though that there is a general apathy on the Island for their club which is where the root of the problem seems to be, with as someone posted, a population of 130,000 it wouldn't have been unreasonable to expect 500-600 to support the speedway. Sadly that has not been the case. Hopefully in time the Islanders can be resurrected on a stable footing

Will they all be double headers after a PL meeting Rob? Or will there be any standalone NL fixtures

Indeed Pitstop, Kent Kings is a great addition to the National League and should have a page where people are allowed to debate the sport freely!! I hope it is very successful and I wish all Kent supporters a good season in 2014. The NL would be poorer without them.

Look forward to seeing you at West Row mate

A sad but not unexpected situation Will miss you around Mildenhall next season mate, winter well

Williamson a certainty id say

The Official Fen Tigers line up to date 1. Joe Jacobs 2. Jack Kingston 3. Josh Bates 4. Brendan Johnson 5. Danny Halsey © 6. Connor Mountain 7. TBC (max 4.33 points available) The team has gone down very well with supporters of the MFT's

Josh Bailey and Lewis Rose to Kings Lynn

That is not fact Islander15, obviously a number of riders are under consideration but at this stage the only riders confirmed are Halsey, Bates and Jacobs

Mildenhall have signed Danny Halsey as their captain for 2014

Hi Mike, Do you have details of Josh Baileys performances in the MDL mate? If so could you email me please

The Fen Tigers are back in League action this Sunday when the visitors are current bottom of the table side, the Stoke ‘Potters’. For the first time since late June, the Fen Tigers are able to field their full 1-7 with the return of reserve Liam Rumsey following a wrist injury. With the race for the Play-offs hotting up now, three points is a must for the Fen Tigers and although the visitors have yet to win a league fixture there will be no complacency in the home ranks. Stoke will use Kings Lynn Young Stars Lewis Rose as a guest for injured Ben Reade, whilst recent signing Steve Worrall has replaced Lee Smart in their line-up. Club Chairman Kevin Jolly is clear about the importance of Sunday’s meeting – “There can be no mistakes on Sunday! The top of the league is getting very tight now and although well placed we are not sure of our place in the Play-offs just yet. We are pleased to finally be able to pick our starting line up again with the return of Liam (Rumsey), and will be looking for a fast start to the meeting, something that has proved difficult for us in recent weeks. We certainly won’t be underestimating Stoke as they have been spoilers before at West Row, but I expect the three points to be ours by the end of the meeting”. Immediately after the conclusion of Sunday’s meeting there will be a nine heat U16 second half, featuring 500cc, 250cc and 125cc competitors. Kevin Jolly is excited by the prospect of this additional event - "We are particularly pleased to have been asked to hold this event as this is what Mildenhall speedway is all about. With all the travelling involved for these youngsters and the costs that come with that it has been very hard to organise proper competitive second halves this season, but with Neil (Vatcher) and Phil's (Morris) help we have something I am sure supporters will want to stay on and see. A good field has been assembled and with it being the day before the bank holiday as well it will hopefully mean people won't be in a hurry to get away". Sunday’s line-ups - Mildenhall – 1. Stefan Nielsen (8.32), 2. Nathan Stoneman (4.46), 3. Josh Bates (7.25), 4. Jon Armstrong (8.31), 5. Danny Halsey (7.50), 6. Liam Rumsey (3.00), 7. Aaron Baseby (4.23). Stoke – 1. Lewis Rose (g) (7.70), 2. Luke Chessell (4.22), 3. Steve Worrall (6.43), 4. Luke Priest (3.58), 5. Kyle Hughes (6.12), 6. Shaun Tedham (3.58), 7. Lee Payne (3.00). U16 Second Half – 500cc – 8. Connor Mountain, 15. Reece Downes, 9. Alex Wilson, 28 Josh Bailey. 250cc – 5. Mitchell Beckett, 22. Lewis Whitmore, 33. Luke Woodhull, 34. Ben Woodhull. 125cc – 2. Tom Brennan, 18. Kyle Bickley, 25. Jordan Jenkins, 38. Macauley Leek. Supporters are reminded that the Annual Ben Fund collection will take place during Sunday’s meeting.

Surely as in football you play to the whistle? Lewis Rose should have stopped when he saw the red lights not because he thought they may come on? The referee didn't see it as an unsatisfactory start so let the race continue. You are making something out of nothing here, simply it was a mistake by Rose, no one else and to be honest I doubt he was looking at the centre green as he gated?

Be good to see you Mike, weather here is set fair

Lovely day here in West Suffolk, if you fancy a speedway fix come on down to West Row, action gets underway at 4.30pm

Steve Boxall and Ben Morley scored a 5-1 in a rerun of Heat 15 after Danny Halsey fell challenging Boxall and was excluded. I would assume the score from the Kent website was only up to Heat 14?

Thanks Laurence Just trying to put together our press release for tomorrow night. All sorted now.