cityrebel

I think the promoters are praying for a boom period after the pandemic, but it could easily go the other way. I'm hoping that grassroots football gets the nod on April 12th and speedway on May 17th. I'm getting fed up with this lark now.

The task in getting the couch potatoes back through the turnstiles, is virtually impossible. That ship sailed many years ago.

How dare you say that. You'll get accused of being negative!

I think a lot of people are living under a cloud at the moment. When the sun breaks through, their mood will lighten. Hopefully a Covid free summer will bring some optimism back.

Yes i have. I lasted half a lap on the track spare at Wimbledon before hitting the fence. It looks easy, until you start to turn left!

Why would any investors put their money into greyhound or speedway racing. Two sports that are on their last legs, with minimal financial return. Last night i checked the date of the 'farewell to the Abbey' meeting. It was 11th October 2015, how time flies.

A tale as old as time...

Any progress with the 'new' stadium?

So do Lydd. There is a full fixture list already published for Crayford meetings at Belgar Farm.

It's easy to do both. Barry crams the whole lot into a show that runs just over two hours on the Island. This includes plenty of interaction with the kids. At some tracks, half the night is spent watching the tractor go around. The whole package does need revamping. Nowadays, it's not enough to just open the gates and hope for the best.

Admission prices are due on website tomorrow.

Very similar at non league football Arnie. Some grounds were allowed to sell food and drink, some were not.

I suppose the councils will have the final say on any track being able to stage public events.

When i first went to Hackney in 1970, they had Biggs, Gooch and McGillivray. Riders who seemed to belong in a different era.

Must be one of the oldest teams ever!

According to the Spedeworth website. There will be no stock car meetings at the stadium until July. I don't know if this will have an impact on the speedway.

The Flyer ticket hasn't been available for a few seasons. It's seperate tickets for the boat and admission, although the taxi both ways was free, if booked in advance.

For me personally, i will miss my trips over to the Island. What i won't miss is, waiting for the taxi after the meeting and hoping the return ferry was on time!

Football's modernisation was forced upon it by the Disasters at Valley Parade and Hillsborough. Even non league grounds are light years away from what they used to be. Speedway charges champagne prices, but serves up lemonade. Until the facilities reflect the profile of a so called professional sport, it hasn't got a chance.

Now that schools are back, cases are bound to go up. Wether this has an impact upon other restrictions being lifted, only time will tell.

Whatever way it's dressed up, they are still charging the public an increased price for a product, the majority don't want. Delays are part of the reason crowds have declined over the years. A well run meeting, done and dusted within two hours, should be the target for all promoters.

Personally, i don't like double headers. They are far too long winded. Too many late night marathons at the White City have scared me for life. It was only 26 heats in those days as well!

Eastbourne is £24 plus prog for a double header. Do you consider that price is good value for money. I fear some of the 2nd matches might not go the full distance.

I fully understand that the politics involved pushed the Island to resign from the NL. From a financial point of view, 7 league matches plus a couple of fillers and the odd shared event might have been enough post Covid. No one really knows what the crowd levels will be, when the season finally gets going.

I was an IOW regular, but i wouldn't have gone. Maybe for a one off meeting, but i couldn't justify the expense for challenge matches. It's not cheap travelling from the mainland.