Willowman

Gutted. Was a regular supporter from the time I was attracted back to speedway just missing a few weeks from the very start. Barr the odd meeting due to holidays, never missed any despite being the only one left out of a crowd of original regulars but making new friends there instead. Will miss DaveT, Statman, Bish, Najjer and my new friends Brian and Liz as well as loads of others I chatted to but never got to know their names. RIP Somerset Speedway.

Will be there; wouldn't miss the pairs. My favourite meeting of the season. Mind you, the Sheffield meeting, heats 13 and 15 were cracking. Will be on the rhs of the exit gate almost at the top. Willowman, aka Dave. RHS of the gate as you look at it.

Not at all. Was up against a couple of the better reserves in the league I would suggest. Just hope a blank scoreline doesn't dent his confidence. Great start from everyone else with a special mention for Valentin who looks good on a bike. His 0's were not through lack of effort. Hopefully this form will follow us away from home too.

As is the Eagles, Lions, Sheffield Tigers and Rebels value too. Don't know what all the fuss is about; Scorpions promoter bigging up what seems to be much of a muchness.

Oh how we've missed your wonderful words of wisdom, NOT.

Ditto. There's a real risk it could be an ex-Worky rider that could be a rival to my least favourite rider. Would severely threaten my seasons support. Adam Allott

What can I add to all that has been said already? Enjoyed a group of Workington supporters standing by us year-on-year at the Oak Tree Arena to support your representatives in the Premier League Riders Championship as it was then. Very vocal and were suitably rewarded as they were always there or thereabouts.

I suppose I'm going to be "Billy No Mates" at the OTA next season then; or will "curiosity kill the cat"?

Oh come on Naj; four who have ridden for Somerset (guests included) and an ex-mascot. That's not too bad!

In defence of our management, they were not happy at all with the points limit so that made it even more difficult to retain a core of ex-PL riders in a CL team. Also it sounds like other clubs pleading poverty are now the ones splashing the cash to poach riders, e.g. CW. Cliff, my negativity is around the points limit and bear in mind it's our promotions too. How on earth can anyone believe that this develops British Speedway? If this is perpetuated we'll end up with teams full of wobblers on heat leader averages. In fact, we won't even have that as there won't be enough wobblers taking up the sport to meet demand. Just because Speedway is there doesn't mean people will support it so it will die a long lingering death. Yes we've got a team and Speedway but, let's face it, by the standards of the days we were at this level, across the league, the teams are pretty rubbish.

Last season I asked myself would I be standing on my own? Now I won't need to ask the question!

No!

I hear and respect what you're saying. The way I see it, lowering the points limit to 38 is in general being accommodated at the lower end and as you say, forcing teams to include riders who are not necessarily ready for the step up. What has happened to the good old days where riders progressed on merit? This farcical points limit is driving me mad, diluting the CL, forcing riders out of work and killing speedway. I've never had such a downer about the season ahead as I have now and to be honest, I'm past the point of caring which is quite sad for a supporter of the Rebels since they started and a Bandits fan long before that. I will of course continue to support until the day I have nothing to support but many of the supporters I stood with years ago no longer do. I'm probably the last of at least 10. Watch out PL; the 38 points limit will be with you too!

Back to the bad old days of poor reserves across all clubs which was farcical a few years ago. Why don't the BSPA learn from their mistakes?

At the Somerset fans forum on Tuesday evening, it cropped up that one of the NL clubs (whoever they are) would not be stepping up. This was in answer to a question about the number of meetings. We (Somerset) can expect a maximum of 10 (9 + potentially 1 more, not 2) league, 3 (3 groups so at best, if we're in a group of 4) shield and 1 KO, i.e.14. It could be as low as 12.

Yes and I mentioned it too. It's an age thing with Oldtimer.

"It could be you!" as they say on a certain reality TV show.

According to Gary May at the fans forum last evening, all British riders over 2.00 in average will be given the 2.5% reduction, so Scott Nicholls and Chris Harris? Woopee, 2.5% versus 4 points off the limit!!! What a load of rubbish.

See above, ref. Charles. Jack Holder was informed that we were dropping down and was reported to be gutted as he wanted to be back at Somerset. He fitted in well with the management.

This is exactly what was being inferred without naming names. You can't argue for a points reduction of even greater than 38 points on one hand and then outbid Somerset for a rider who would have been offered a good deal to return. After all Gary did say he would do everything to bring him back to Somerset. The implication was it won't be Glasgow.

A few notes on the forum tonight. Decisions made were taken with the long term future of the club in mind. The promotion were keen to talk to the fans rather than sit behind closed doors and wanted to specifically talk about Somerset Speedway. They felt that the changes made to the Premiership had not gone in their favour, i.e. the new fixed race nights and the 42.5 points limit. The increase in the limit would increase costs and the race night would require more talks with Sedgemoor. They felt that they wanted some stability for the fans with a Wednesday race night but they don't want to now move back to Friday because of the travel problems. As no other Championsh clubs race on a Wednesday, this may actually help with guests if required. It would also help with promoting at the holiday centres. They felt that the city clubs hand much better footfalls while Somerset didn't. An example was given that the Poole semi at home only attracted a crowd of less than half of that of the away leg. Racing against our nearest rivals had not actually attracted the crowds anticipated. They felt that with the demands from riders for cars, mechanics, vans, hotels and other add-ons and the problems with the travel from Stanstead that they couldn't guarantee to be able to attract riders to Somerset. Although we have now elected to compete in the Championship, they were not very happy at all about the 38 point limit which could have potentially been lower. They discussed that one big league (not enough riders), 6 man teams (format not liked), 2 tier structure (no money available to assist NL teams) were all discussed at the conference. Cases were supportive of the club's decision. Hopefully this is a accurate and covers the gist of what was discussed regarding the decision to drop although there was much discussion around other topics like salary caps, promoting, effects of TV deal, spiralling rider offers, Charles Wright, Jack Holder reaction, to recall a few.

Two riders announced at the forum tonight: Chris Harris and Nico Covatti. No Charles Wright though. Chris Harris will not be our top averaged rider.

Think he's 'J'oking.

They will do at the fans forum tonight.

All this swapping back and forward between boards is getting tiresome. Very mixed feelings.