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Just because everyone else does it…. 1.Ashworth 2.Bellego 3.Aspegren 4.Eklof 5.Alden 6.Edberg 7.Barret Better news..... Bandits Bosses Look Forward To 2013 - With Caution on Monday, 26 November 2012 09:34. Berwick Bandits Speedway Club are pressing forward with their plans for 2013 despite not, as yet securing a main sponsor for the team. The Club has entered into negotiations with several potential main sponsors, but nothing has been determined as yet, and despite rumours to the contrary, Berwick Bandits Speedway Club does not as yet have a team sponsor for 2013. However owners John Anderson, George Hepburn and George Fairgrieve were unanimous in their desire to push the club forward once again in 2013, with the Tweedmouth based team already being announced as the venue for the Speedway Benevolent Fund's now traditional curtain raiser - The Ben Fund Bonanza. The club is very excited with the honour of staging this meeting, not because of the prospect of some of the biggest names in world speedway gracing the Shielfield Park shale, but as a thank you to the loyal supporters who have donated in excess of £3500 to the Ben Fund from their annual collections at the track. The club were honoured with a special presentation from the British Speedway Promoters Association chairman, Alex Harkess at their 2012 End of Season Presentation evening a fortnight ago, marking the achievement of the Berwick fans in collecting these funds. This meeting is scheduled for Saturday March 9th, and coupled with the FIM World Under 21 Championship round 4 on August 10th, that the Bandits have also been allocated, makes the 2013 season a mouthwatering prospect for all involved with the Border based club. The three owners have stressed that much work is still to be done in raising the financial backing the club requires, in order to come to the tapes for the start of the Premier League season in 2013. John Anderson tells us, 'We are very passionate about the team here at Berwick, but the simple truth is we have lost our financial stability that we have had for the past three years through our wonderful deal with A&J Scott's of Wooperton. We have actively tried to encourage a new audience, as well as trying to attract former supporters who may have drifted away from the sport, by decreasing admission prices and next year I can reveal that the admission prices will be just £12 for adults, £10 for concessions and kids will be absolutely FREE when accompanied by a supervising adult." George Hepburn adds, "We recognise the hardship that many people in the country have faced in the past 12 months, and with an economy recovery not expected in the near future, we want to ensure that speedway at Berwick can be marketed as a fun night out for the family. We will be selling advanced tickets in books of 5 and 10 too, so that they may be given as gifts, and our season tickets are very keenly priced for our die-hard supporters, of which we are so thankful for." George Fairgrieve summed up the mood in the Bandits camp, "We are taking a positive attitude, we are a family-run club, with good ethics, and want to put on a good entertaining show on a Saturday night that can be enjoyed by all the family. We listen to what our supporters want, and try to give value-for-money entertainment. Make no mistake though, we are intent on running in 2013, and reach out to everyone in the Berwick area - remembering that the Bandits still have on average the highest attendance of any spectated sport between Edinburgh and Newcastle - please help your Club, not only to survive but to prosper. Too many people have put too much effort into the sport in the area, for us to become victims of the spiralling costs of Motorsport. We have associate sponsorships available to anyone, be it a small business, and individual or multi-national company. These are all by negotiation, with packages to suit your needs, and I urge you to contact Julie Newton on 07840998845 now, to not only help the Bandits survive but thrive in 2013." Club Promoter Dennis McCleary, "We are in negotiations with a number of riders for 2013, with most realising that they need to take a pay cut in order to race in the Premier League in 2013, and we have been enthused by the reaction by most of the riders. Most of the riders realise that without the clubs, there is no league speedway, therefore no job for them at all. It looks as though we will once again have 13 clubs come to the tapes for 2013, stretching the length and breadth of Great Britain, it would be a travesty if even one club folds as that is seven riders unemployed. We are not in a unique financial position at Berwick, and therefore league bosses have to be applauded for tackling the problems before they escalate beyond repair. Speedway has featured at Berwick every summer since 1968, we are not about to let that stop in the near future. I have been privileged to be involved with Berwick Speedway for a number of years, but for the Club to be recognised as it has been by the FIM, since the decision to install a state of the art Polyfoam Safety Fence, really has been a true reward for all the effort that has been put in by so many. We will continue to fight for the future of the sport."

An excellent offer, far more of importance to the future of the sport than what colour helmet a rider comes out in, full credit to the Workington promotion.

Dyer is as much an Edinburgh asset as Bellego was a Glasgow one.

From a purely nights out entertainment point of view, Sheffield should have Hall in their team every time IMO, I appreciate he has his limitations, and his away form is questionable at best. But in order to attract fans, new or old, or even die hard fans, you need guys who will entertain. Hall around Sheffield really is fantastic, just what you want to watch when you pay your money IMO. While it is great to read what riders score at Glasgow, Newcastle or Plymouth etc, it fades into insignificance if you aren’t getting entertainment on your own track, this is something that could apply to many teams across the league in the PL, while their away performances differ on varying levels, guys like Complin, Tully, Hall, Garrity, Nelson going back David Mcallan even someone like Simon Walker or Scud Smith will attract more fans than a side scoring well on the road IMO. I appreciate for fans that do travel these riders can be a massive frustration (part of the reason being “how can he be so good at home and so poor away?), but its easy to take they kind of riders for granted when it comes to “entertainment” which seems to be the buzz word in speedway just now.

How many meetings did he ride for them on a Thursday?

Outraged when Glasgow signed Sweetman? These things happen….

Just out of interest…..when did Berwick either, kick up a fuss, or claim he was there asset before he had turned a wheal for them? Berwick always made it clear that their understanding was that he would become their asset once he had raced the required meetings…

Rye are like a lot of sides that are announced early IMO, some sides announce early and look exceptionally weak, or strong, over the course of the winter they normally balance out a bit. I don’t think that will be a bad side at all in the PL next season, I would expect to see a lot of sides of similar strength. If I was an EL side I would be making the addition of Mellgren to my squad a priority.

Great, screm can buy a brick now.

It isn't a party line. I do like it, to me it isn't any worse than something like the away goals rule in Europe, that can see sides unfairly punished. The tac rule has created some great moments, gets emotions going creates talking points. Everyone has the "was great" and "aw ya bas moment" from it. Berwick, KOC, Villar v Grieves (double points) the doubt, gutted emotion of the inevitable double points was blown out the water by the joy of Carlos turning him over. Peterborough v Reading, arguably the best meeting of the last 10 years. Speedway World Cup is phenomenal when the jokers come into play, it lifts the emotion in races. Fair poInt on the weather, I don't know how you overcome that.

The sport as a whole should be rebranded IMO, yes. Clubs should be working alot closer in terms of brand recognition and marketing. I would include things like doubts over weather etc in that. BSPA app, twitter etc with real time updates make it known that these are the locations you go for exact updates for weather, track condition, meetings being on, not dated 0906 numbers, calling an office or checking om here where you only get further doubt rather than clarity. The tactical rule helps create a closer contest, keeps meetings and intersts alive, for every newcomer who doesn't take it seriously, the same number will love that they are watching q close contest, as I say, it is tough. I wouldn't know how you overcome the impact the weather has, given technology relating to machinery cost etc has been looked at, and in recent years air fences have been looked at and brought in, I wouldn't be shocked if something was being looked at though, hopefully this comes to be known soon.

I genuinely don't know what that says, again I would say that's club by club. You sign Joe Screen, Fisher, fly Wolbert in week in week out and change the shape of the track, is it then sport or club related? I don't know, it really depends where the cost/expenditure is going. Scunthorpe more than likely done great out of it, self sustaining track, no rent etc, that's where clubs need to be, difficult though. It's a chicken/egg scenario for clubs, build a good side in hope of attracting fans, win heavily fans get bored, it really is tough, it's about getting the whole package right. If the weather isnt great, a rider getting 3 or 6 in a race won't make that massive a difference, the shape of the wheel isn't the problem. A comtigency plan for what is fundementallt a summer sport is a hell of a problem, I would hope something has been discussed relating to that but it's tough. I said on another thread I hope the majority of the weekend was spent discussing possible rebranding, promotion and possible customer related deals, that's where the connection needs to cone from IMO.

Next season is a crunch one, I can see why they have went for the safe option, as easy as it is to brush over it, the weather was a massive factor last season, from reading over the feedback alot of the issues the "die hards" seem to have are meeting length and presentation related, alot of that is club by club related, you could bring in a rule which says "track has to have this much dirt" or "meeting must be run in x amount of time" but very difficult to implement. Kind weather, couple of decent meetings and races, that's what people WANT to see that's what the sport fundamentally is, the rest is just minor detail and tinkering, in my opinion, it's sound simple, but maybe the solution is rather than the rubiks cube it can be made out to be.

For a reason, it's an excellently prepared track.... Dont have much a problem with the initial release on the BSPA site, the overhaul needed doesn't relate to the rules and basics of the sport IMO.

“the track” in general seems to have escalated its self over the last few years, everywhere in the country, in current testing financial times its really become a source of frustration for a lot of people, if people are parting with their hard earned they want to be entertained, and entertained close to 100% of the time (as I say, I don’t think that’s ever been the case with any sport) and when people aren’t its a lot easier to be knee jerk, and creates this chain reaction which really seems to have come to a head with forums in particular (across the board). If you have a season ticket for a football club, watch a speedway side regularly, watch a sport like F1, it’s very rare that you will see close racing, close games and great goals week in week out. Across the course of the season, sometimes, you wont see great racing, that’s just how it is. Speedway seem to be a great revisionism sport, everything used to be better, all the time, every week, it used to be packed out, the 4tt Qualifiers saved speedway, the old tactical rules were better etc. The reality is, it wasn’t like that, I see the Berwick supporters club are inducting Moggo into the hall of fame (rightly so and great stuff from the supporters club). Now, this isnt to do Moggo a disservice he was an absolute entertainer, but…..not every race he was involved in was elbow to elbow for 4 laps, a lot of the times, he was miles out in front or couldn’t pass, simply due to the guy in front of him being that bit better, faster or picking a better line. But, in your mind’s eye, he was always involved in a race every single time, that’s how it is (same thing will happen with Complin in 10 years time). You don’t remember crap races, because they aren’t worth remembering, but the truth is, that everyone that posts on here has sit through 1,000s of them at every track in the country, but it’s worth the 10 poor races, for the 1 or 2 good/great ones that you will remember in time, or the good meetings, that’s just sport in general. FWIW, this is neither a fix to anything or a dig at anyone its just how I see things. Speedway as a sport, its still the same thing as it was 20,30 years ago, its still 4 guys going around a track. You still get good races, you still get bad ones, you have good seasons, you have bad ones etc. Watching DVDs, or grainy videos on You Tube will make you remember things fondly, partly because what is being shown is the better races, people rarely stick crap races on You Tube. My own opinion is that the sport hasn’t changed much, the basic of it is still the same the way it pans across a season, the way it ebbs and flows, highs and lows etc. Time is more often than not kind to the past. It’s the “Customer Service” side of things that Speedway need to improve on as this is something that has modernised, as I said earlier I do feel this is something that Berwick have adapted to well….but like everything you can always improve, and it does seem as though a lot of clubs are willing to take ideas on board.

A major part of my enjoyment on a Saturday night (aye when I go emilali) is that it’s a laugh, you do sometimes wonder how much people do to create their own enjoyment. Atmosphere doesn’t have to be created by the centre green presenter alone, it can be created on the terraces, this isn’t aimed at any promotion or particular track… just a general observation. If anything it is aimed at the fans. This is something that might not be welcomed by a lot of speedway fans of the older generation but if Speedway is to move on…. It could do worse than trying to embrace the “ultras” attitude that clubs like Rangers and Celtic have latched onto on the back of mainly German football. One of the few things Speedway has in common with Football is that, it isn’t great 100% of the time. You aren’t going to turn up at every speedway meeting every week and see 15 great races, irrespective of the track, it just doesn’t happen, it’s the same with football you wont see a great 90 minutes every week. A lot of football fans have taken their entertainment into their own hands by creating a show on the terraces (Berwick Speedways away fans are outstanding at doing this and probably the closest thing to an “ultra” sort of support you will see in the UK). The same thing has been done in Poland, obviously there is a difference when you see 10,000 plus in a stadium a natural atmosphere will create, but speedway terraces in general have nothing going for them at times, little atmosphere other than people smacking a programme board or spinning around some clicker than no one outside a speedway stadium has used for 30 years. If you could get some sort of “singing/drinking” section and locate it somewhere in the stadium (possibly back straight for example) it might do more to create more of a spectical at a meeting, It might look fun? People might look like they are enjoying themselves, and maybe other people might want to join in, even none speedway fans who just fancy a laugh and a pint? Others may be irked by drunken yobs , but does that have to be a bad thing? You could move, if you are a neutral it might stir a bit more emotion to want to see they shower of loud mouths get beat? You only have to look at the thread where “best away fans” was covered to see that Berwick fans were well liked, partly because they put in the effort to make a meeting. Even at an enjoyable meeting a Speedway terrace can be a dull place to be, plenty of times when I am sure everyone has just been unable to get into a meeting, it’s because there can be a real lack of buzz at times. Even as someone that stands on the 3rd bend…..this might not be popular, but might be worth experimenting with allowing viewing from only the main stand or back straight to get more people in a closer area? This isn’t just a Berwick thing, but I would agree that speedway needs to modernise its self with music choice etc. This is a touch balance though, as was covered on the Edinburgh thread, a lot of Speedway fans are from an older age group and still need to be accommodated. FWIW even though they might not post on this forum there will be plenty who wouldn’t see a guy like Dick Barrie punted and want to see modernisation etc.

Speedway needs more of they Nick Mallet types

Thanks for saying it, couldn't mind at all (my bad) good guy, and a man worth listening too and debating with (my bad for taking it to far) should give your thoughts man, your opinions are always spot on.

A general speedway questionnaire to fans, would have been a good idea, however, there is little to stop individual clubs doing it, this thread suggests Berwick are open to ideas of inprobment, the floor is very much the fans in this instance, we might not be able to improve the sport as a whole, but Berwick fans are being given the chance to improve what affects then which is their Saturday nights entertainment.

No not really, because I have my reasons for not attending, but I am prepared to invest in a season ticket for next year to offer my support (despite not being able to attend on a regular basis) that's my choice, and my reason being is I back the current promotion, and speedway in Berwick. Not being able to attend regularly due to circumstance, doesn't mean I dont want to see meetings (and the club suceed) another opertunity to promote offers in conjuncition with DVDs, for a win/win? I appreciate I differ from others, like you. I do "back the club" in the way I can (irespective of owner, be it Wait, Hepburn, Hope or Anderson) and will do my bit to see it succeed. My suggestion to you would be this, if you have nothing better to say, say nothing, and you rarely have anything better to contribute, so don't. My suggestions aren't for my own intrest, they are to see Berwick Speedway succeed for your DRK, scoobies, Warm & Cosy, Goldmembers, Penchevs,mythmans, chequredflag B4E, B4L,falkirikbandit, tweedcider, Neil (and a member of track staff who wrote the Last Lough and I wish for the life of me I could mind what he posted as ), spittalbandit and plenty others( many of whom I have had my differences and disagreements with) BUT, decent people who give a sh*t and deserve a club to support, that, as much a the promotion, is reason for adding possibly positive contributions to this thread. I hold my hands up and admit I argue with people over Berwick, the reason being, is because, they, like me, give a sh*t.

That's because I said I am an arse aye I am unsure how they do but how about offers in conjunction with merchandise/DVDs? You attend 5 meetings you get a discount on a jacket/DVD ( just examples) a points rewards scheme as such, win/win for both parties? Maybe, maybe not. Working in a customer relations environment you do find people in modern society want a reward, again, not brown nosing, but something Berwick have embraced, centre green experience, discounted travel for supporters club etc. I feel for Berwick, they are doing all they can to maximise the experience for fans and the club, something slot of companies fail to do.

Possibly asking key questions on Facebook/ twitter would get a better spread of opinion? it's very much a select minority post on here(mostly arses, including me ) and it's easy to hide behind a screen name ( not for all, some). Maybe a 10/20 questionnaire with votes/likes on areas of "where we can improve" (as this can allow logical and realistic options) encourages a wider spread of the fan base? And gets a better general feel rather than a "my opinion is all that matters" as you maybe get on here. Encouraged on the site, local media you get a decent number and it gives the majority a chance to voice their opinion and feel like they are being heard? Possibly another for Speedway in general rather than Berwick specific FWIW, I dont know for sure how often this site is used for a source of is a meeting on/off, it is something Berwick deal with well on their site they are active, but possibly s BSPA encouraged app ( i appreciate I don't know how dear this is to implement) with real time it's on/off updates may work better than the "it's raining in Edinburgh" for a meeting at Newcastle updates you get on here. Alot only glance/ read through hear rather than post due to the somewhat hostile nature of forums.

Congratulations Glasgow, PL Champions, since it is just random teams being picked.

Of course it is, that’s an obvious statement. Losing you’re a heat leader and a decent talent before a wheal is turned is just as much a problem as any other trough the year, to gloss it over as an excuse is just nonsense IMO.

Its not really an excuse to be fair, they did actually get injured, and it did affect the dynamic of the Berwick side. As good as Ashworth was, and he was, a fit Smith and Barnfield means you could in theory start with Bellego at reserve, and don’t then have to sign Hertrich, King, Jacobsen, Tomiceck etc during the course of the season. Looking back over last season, the injuries to both did impact Berwick over the year.