MattK

Exactly. We've got average heatleaders, average second strings and average reserves. So far the team's performances have been pretty average. Swapping out one rider isn't going to make any significant difference.

I thought he did OK. He was very good at Poole when he made it past the second bend (50% of the time) and although he struggled in his first two rides and had an EF, he looked comfortable in all three attempts at heat 14 when the pressure was really on.

It's called "good" Friday because we don't have to go to work?

I see Belle Vue have announced the diving of Steve Worrall as an asset.

Yes they will pay the additional costs. The total cost is now £5.25m which will be paid for by Manchester City Council taking out a loan and Belle Vue Speedway paying it back over up to 24 years (was previously 60 years). Belle Vue Speedway will also be responsible for maintenance and repairs to the stadium.

Full report can be read here: http://www.manchester.gov.uk/download/meetings/id/16782/item_8_-_eastlands_community_plan_update Some interesting information which answers and informs points made above. No actual minutes from the meeting seem to be available.

I think this is a good result for both teams. Brum will be happy to get a win under their belts and I'm sure if you had asked Coventry fans this time last week if they'd like 5 points from two away fixtures, they'd have snapped your hand off.

You're forgetting one minor detail. Interest. I don't think Manchester City Council are going to effectively loan a private company a £5m stadium interest free. If you factor in 5% interest per year, then Belle Vue will be paying back £278,720 per year for 24 years followed by £225,000 per year until year 60.

If you line those two teams up side-by-side, I'm struggling to see a Swindon rider who you'd confidently back to outscore his Belle Vue counterpart.

Who owns the stadium and the land it is on?

A very poor meeting. I'm glad I saved my £17, although I lost 80p on bet365!

Given "The Home Team must notify their Opponents of the Team Line-Up at least 5 days before the Meeting I assume the identity of Swindon's guest or R/R must be known.

How did Poole manage to "sign" Ward and even announce him as their captain, without declaring him in their line-up?

And what percentage of the old deal was TV rights versus sponsorship?

Exactly. So Sky would actually save money if they walked away.

Do we know if Sky actually paid anything for the TV rights?

Oliver Greenwood was on the original draft of 30-odd riders, but didn't go forwards to the main draft. Does anyone know why?

And Bridger! Maybe Nick's lack of visibility on the world stage has not attracted the attention of foreign clubs. I wonder if he will race in the U21s this year, or if he is even eligible?

You don't sign Batchelor for his inter-personal skills.

Will there be a lot of swapping places, or will in fact third heatleaders find themselves getting dropped before they gain a new average?

Are you sure? This implies that further approvals are required before the full funding is agreed: Taken from the Manchester City Council Report for Resolution presented to the Executive Committee on 10 April 2013, with my emphasis.

That sounds like a perfectly achievable figure, especially if that stadium could also host FIM and national events.

The problem with speedway stadiums can be seen by looking at a map. They take up a massive amount of space. If you overlay the plans to build houses on the existing Swindon stadium and car park, there is room for about 200 homes. Assuming a "profit" of £100,000 per home that is £20m. How long would it take to earn £20m running a speedway/greyhound stadium?

Presumably the fee covers the cost of running the stadium. The question is of course, could the speedway afford the fee on a weekly basis?

But there is a cost associated with opening up the stadium and 2,000-odd fans are unlikely to come close to meeting that.