Shadders

Go into any shop in Berwick and they'll be talking about speedway. You don't need the Internet, word of mouth spreads faster. Decent looking side, should be capable of a top 6 finish.

Despite the promotion insisting on the big fanfare every man and his dog knows the line up already.

How many of that line ups averages do you think will increase? Allen, Lambert, Bunyan? Mellgren will be the significant improvement with Lykke and Garrity close behind. There will still be around 7 points to play with should Nelsons "visa" issues be a problem. Hopefully Silver will make a decision on him before the season starts. Either Nelson is here before the end of March or don't bother. Last time I remember Silver making changes was with Kurt Shields. Hawkins had had enough and jumped. I doubt whether he'd been sacked, even during his poor run of form. Bookies gave stopped taking bets on Luke Bowen appearing in a Rockets race jacket sometime in 2013

Mentioned in the grasstrack section of the Speedway Star

Dodgy detergent

If you mean the photo in the Star it'll be an error during printing I should imgine.

Kent Carthorses

This is the part that interests me. I've never been to Central Park Stadum, so have no idea of the lay out. Does the above mean that spectators be watching from behind glass Wimbledon style? And will these bars and restaurant be open for speedway meetings? If it keeps Rye House Speedway going it's an excellent decision

I am!..... I'd welcome a few free Saturdays to do something else. By the end of last season the other half (a Bandits fan) was more enthusiastic about going to Rye House than me!

Shame he doesn't have a list of the hundreds of Rye supporters who've said nothing, but have stopped going over the past 2 or 3 years. At least I pitch up at Hoddesdon every week and at as many away meetings as I can get to. He should be thanking me, not slagging me off!

Do I get a mention?

How about the Kent Curfews? Not surprised that the Raiders aren't running next year. It was a nightmare fitting in the fixtures after the shocking weather... Really hope the venture succeeds, but I have my reservations about the 6.30pm start time. Doubt I'll be able to attend any of the Monday evening meetings, but may pop along to a Bank Holiday fixture if it doesn't clash with a Rockets meeting

On the wish list of most Berwick supporters I should imagine. And now a team mate of Alden's at Kings Lynn

That's a blow for the Bandits. Most fans had him in their line up for 2013.

I heard that story too

I've posted my theories earlier in the year, but I think it deserves another read... Nelson is what, 19 or 20? with a partner and a young child... His partner and child were with him when he came over in 2011 and spent the entire season here, I believe living in a caravan within the stadium... Now, put yourself in their position. In a strange country, thousands of miles from home and away from your family and friends for 8 months. Nelson is often away up and down the country riding speedway. I have no idea if his partner accompanied him to away meetings, if not thats a hell of a long time spend on your own. Nelson is unlike any other young Aussies I know that have come over, in the fact that he has a child. Usually they come over with no strings and often live with other Aussies of similar age, so basically can have a good time (if you know what I mean ) Rumour is that Nelson got himself a pretty decent job in Oz last year, paying good wages, maybe not as much as he'd earn riding speedway over here, but without the hassle and the upheaval of moving half way accross the globe. If I was in his position I know what I'd do. I don't buy this visa crap. It surely wouldn't take 6 months to process a visa if everything was above board. Either he really has a chequered past as some have suggested; the UK authorities were extremely slow processing visas in 2012, or he changed his mind about coming over. Whether Silver knows anything is open to question. If he did he wouldn't tell us! Please bear in mind this is only a theory of mine. I know as much as any of you and have only heard snippets here and there around the track.

That's if you believe it was a lack of a visa that kept him in Oz

Very good Can't imagine many Rye fans will be over the moon about it, but as you say, some good young talent there. Will be interesting to see if Anders Mellberg can do a Sundstrom in his second season at Rye and take the league by storm.

Slim to none... and slim just left town Me neither. He had almost 8 points to use and signed Simon Lambert!!

Your purile attempt at humour may have a grain of truth in it. If indeed Nelson fails to show we'll have almost 8 points to play with

Perhaps Silver is banking on Garrity making that step up. Nelson is gonna be very rusty and will take a while to get back in the groove. Still not convinced he'll be over.

Take out Lambert and you'd have enough points for someone like Ricky Kling Must be a very good reason why Silver thought with 6.87 points to play that Simon Lambert was the ideal choice to complete the line up, but there again I'm only a supporter, what do I know?

Silver is usually loathe to drop riders from the side, however poorly they're performing. Ritchie Hawkins is a prime example. He'd have been kept in the side had he not he decided to call it a day. Let's be honest, we all know who's place is in jeopardy when Luke decides the time is right to return.

What's a kasse?

How do you know?