cityrebel

I saw Tooting there in the early 1980's. Cray Wanderers v Bishops Stortford today, my 15th ground this season.

Tooting and Mitcham v Waltham Abbey today.

That's the reason i go to non league football a couple of times a week.

I did attend a few meetings this season, but my prog board has now been put away for what could be a very difficult winter. When the sport does finally return, i suspect it will be an entirely different set up to the one we knew before. Finances and stadium availability will dictate the future of speedway in this country.

I was lucky enough to do Ilford, Romford, Leytonstone and Walthamstow Avenue. One of my School mates old man was something to do with the Surrey FA. He was also a fan of Wimbledon and Tooting and Mitcham. I cut my football teeth visiting those famous old non league London grounds. A very similar path to my speedway roots.

I did read an article the other day, that showed all of the crowd increases at non league clubs this season. It's a shame this increase in support doesn't encourage some clubs to return to printing their own programmes. I do download and print my own using Microsoft publisher, but i prefer the real thing.

At the end of Len's reign, the stadium was in decline. The wooden terracing and seating areas on the bends were in a state of decay and the electrics needed attention. Some of this work was carried out by BMR, but the place resembled a building site rather than a speedway venue.

At the games I've been to, crowds have varied from as low as 50 at Banstead to 600 at Horsham and Leatherhead.

What did Bill Shankly say, football is more in important than life or death. It certainly seems that way at premier league level. Grassroots football is a totally different sport. Very relaxed, without the win at all costs attitude of the professional game. It's been great for me, in these uncertain times.

Westfield v Hanwell Town last night.

Like you say, things were on the slide before BMR took over. Len knew the crowds were falling and the stadium needed major investment. He never leaves a track when it's making money.

I've always kept records. Even as a young child, i had lists of tracks i wanted to go to!

With speedway researcher, i find the results and fixtures for the year a great help, rather than any particular track. My speedway and football records are pretty basic. I only list the date and the the score of any event I've been to. I ain't got time to do anything else!

I thought Eastbourne won the meeting i went to. It was a lifetime ago though.

My first ever visit to Arlington against Rayleigh way back in 1972, ended in a massive punch up. Last seasons shenanigans against Glasgow, just kept up those traditions!

Eastbourne Town v Horley Town today. We drove past Arlington stadium on the way back to have a look. Shame to see the gates locked on a fine sunny Saturday evening.

Horsham v Bognor Regis Town tonight.

Enjoy Marcus!

That was my first visit to Tolworth. I've been to Richmond Road and Kingsmeadow several times. It was my 10th game of the new season. 4 revisits and 6 new grounds. Hopefully a couple more next week.

Kingstonian v Worthing today. Should have been Woodbridge Town and Ipswich!

I'm afraid it's live sport or nothing for me. I've never paid to watch a one off sporting event. I find watching the current football matches without fans, a real turn off. The lack of live speedway and premier league football has been replaced by local grassroots football matches, which have been a real life saver for me.

I don't blame him for blowing his top. I've been to two non league FA cup ties this week, with good crowds inside the grounds. I would have felt perfectly safe at Ipswich, social distancing in a large capacity stadium.

It sure is Arnie. I have been to nine different grounds since August bank holiday.

Grassroots football has been given the green light to continue with fans inside stadiums. Why should speedway be any different.

Not interested in televised sport Sid. I've gone back to my roots by doing non league football. Last night was my 9th ground since the new season started. How long i can keep going is another matter.