Shadders

I know what happened at Workington on Saturday, but why did that post have in it that upset you so, apart from it mentioned Josh Auty?

Think I'm missing something here... How was that post "taking the mick"?

Beggars can't be choosers Sue. If we only rode when we had our full team out every season would last a decade. Thats what the rider replacement and guest rules are for. Them's the breaks (pardon the pun)

Not had enough rain off's this year Sue? We went into a Northern Tour last weekend without Jordan Frampton who "retired" the day before we were s'posed to leave. You just gotta get on with it. I reckon you'll get your wish though unfortunately.

Rained off by lunchtime I suspect looking at this forecast http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/2646807?day=1

Or fake a bad back, but race in Poland the following day

Yeah, great venue. Can the stadium accommodate the 40,000+ who will want to watch? My guess is that they are bringing others along who haven't booked

Leave even earlier and spend a couple of hours at the beach in Weston if the weathers decent. Why would anyone want to pitch up 3 hours early to a speedway meeting?

Nowhere in Bollys post does he claim Rye House "found" any of the above.

God help us!!

Or a young Aussie... Plenty of young Brits around at the start of 2012. How many did Ipswich manage to fit in? Stop the nonsense of lower averages just because you happen to come from an ex colony. You're taking up a Brits place whether you come from Denmark, Australia or Outer Mongolia.

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Surprising, but bold move by Len. Quick look at the fixtures shows 7 home and 5 away league fixtures. Is that enough to gain an average for next year? Something in the back of my mind says 6 & 6, if so its imperative we make the play offs and Kasper steers clear of injury. More info: http://teamlykke.dk/tl/index.php?option=com_zoo&view=item&Itemid=236 After doing some quick research I'm guessing he won't be making an immediate impact, so Rye House fans will have to be patient.

Did they explain why they stopped serving draught beer Bolly? From personal experience I reckon Berwick have it just about right... A proper supporters club run with the full backing of the promotion with over subscribed coach tours to away meetings... Riders, promoters and team manager that mix with the fans before and after the meeting. Ricky Ashworth even turned up at the supporters club quiz night last Friday unannounced. I'm sure this happens at some other clubs too. Contrast that to the experience we had on the 2005 Western Tour at hotel the supporters and team were staying at after we'd won at Newport. A group of us in the bar happily chatting with one of the Rockets side before he was wisked away by a stern faced part of the promotion. Couldn't have any of the riders mixing with the riff raff now could we? I can't remember the last time the Rye House team came over to thank the fans for travelling, just doesn't happen. The supporters club was done away with at Rye House years ago. The closest we had was Jan & Dave's great Northern Tours during the golden years of the mid to late 2000's when we used to win things, but they organised those off their own backs.

Have you asked yourself why the budget may not be a big one? Do you have any clues as to why attendances have halved over the past couple of years? Some of it can be put down to the recession, but little effort has been made to keep existing fans or attract new customers through the gate with reduced admission for students and families. Why are there no heat sponsors in the programme, bringing in a few extra pounds? Why isnt there a supporters club who could organise collections and functions to help out with riders costs? Len lost supporters after he spat the dummy out when heckled after he let Jason Doyle leave last year. A few more drifted off due to the uninspiring side put together at the start of the season; the will he won't he saga of Nelson has been a joke that has quickly become annoying and embarrassing. There have been some gripes about the quality of the fish bar. Not sampled it myself recently, but reports say the quality has definitely gone downwards. All these little things add up Len is an experienced businessman and doesn't need me telling him that the first rule of business is not to treat your customers like mugs. Gone are the days when all you had to do is open the gates and the crowds would flock in. People these days want more for their money. Before the weekend his CMA was 8.43 in the Speedway Star

Did we really watch such talent week in week out? I can hardly believe the club has sunk so low. We've turned into the Arsenal of speedway, living on reputation alone and years away from our last success, not looking like having any in the future unless there is a total rethink. You can't blame the promotion for snapping up Jason Bunyan, but its a gamble that ultimately failed. Hawkins is another matter and if he's going to be given another season then there will be a few more missing from the terraces next year. I can see a couple of teams going down the tubes during the winter, meaning less league meetings and more meaningless fillers.

Write this season off and look to bring an asset in from the continent, perhaps a young Swede. I believe there are still enough meetings to get him an average for next year. Wont happen though, so pointless even discussing it. Jason Bunyan hasn't looked like the rider he was before his injuries, not impressed. Charlie is still hit and miss, and Anders has been a pleasant surprise, hopefully already pencilled in for next year. Not keen on Hawkins. After two seasons I've seen nothing to get excited about. His duff performances at Somerset, where he should know the track inside and out, were the last straw. Jason Garrity is a must for next year, lots of improvement to come there. Can't see Neathy back in the saddle any time soon if at all and Luke will miss at least half of next year, so gawd knows what they're gonna do when he's fit and ready. Odds on they're trying to persuade Poole to release Ricky Kling for the remainder of the season

Edinburgh was very wet, but if anything we looked like adapting better to the treacherous conditions after a hesitant start. If it had stopped raining at heat 6 I'm sure we'd have gone on to win. Edinburgh didn't look like they fancied it.

Nothing's changed on this seasons evidence. Even without Chris Neath in the side we're still pish!

Thought it may be that, but was just checking. All I know is that a couple of weeks ago he was asking if he was required at another club while still a Rye House rider. Whether he's changed his mind since then and decided to retire I can't say. I'll lay you odds that he'll be back in speedway next year. Nelson Admirals?

Wrong

There you go what?

Not sure, not bothered. I support Rye House, not individual riders. You won't get many riders who are loyal to one club and not just looking for the next pay day. Luke Bowen and Chris Neath spring to mind. I never get attached too much to any in particular, prefer to distance myself. You never know if they're gonna kick you in the balls and sod off somewhere else like Mr Frampton.

How would you feel if I told you he'd been touting himself around to other teams a couple of weeks ago?

I'd take that at the moment, gladly