northyorksbear

Been watching all the developments at Newcastle with great interest, as I feel it is important to have strong setups at the North East clubs for all to thrive. Seems like you have got a good new promoter in Rob Grant, he seems willing to engage with fans and keep them informed of what he is doing and more importantly - why! Not everyone will agree with all his decisions but that's life! At least if he is up front about it all then he won't be accused of having hidden agendas. One part of the statement did make me smile - regarding doing the track Rob's family will be assisting as they have a farming background - expect some ploughed fields comments Anyway, Happy New Years to Diamonds fans and management here's hoping we get some exciting tussles between yourselves and the Bears in 2021 (with the Bears winning of course ) and if we can have a title deciding play-off final between the two of us that would be the real icing on the cake. All the best NYB

My Star arrived in post yesterday - Excellent first Christmas present

Hopefully Newcastle can survive and continue - I don't think a full track share is a valid option, but what should be seriously considered regardless of changes at Newcastle is Newcastle & Redcar sharing a junior team in hosting the meetings - seems totally logical to me and has so many advantages given what both promotions and venues can offer

Have to agree - excellent read each week Well done and Thanks to all involved Stay safe everyone

Jade Mudgway !!

You need to be careful asking Janice to keep you entertained - you might get a shock

3 more Redcar possibilities Wright/Riss Wright/MPT Riss/Andersen

Stewart & PalmToft

Back in 2008 I posted my dream team on the Speedway plus website, here it is reproduced with my comments at the time - Very poignant this week with the sad news about Jim Burdfield - who made my dream team!! Steve Wilcock Without question the number one Middlesbrough rider of the modern era, watched him progress from solid second string to THE best rider in the National League. He never really received the full accolades he deserved, possibly due to being too quiet both on and off the track, just basically piling the points unnoticed. I also had the thrill of winning his race jacket and getting a ride round Cleveland Park with Steve after the Ellesmere Port match in 1985!! Allan Brown My first hero in 1968 was Graham Edmonds, but after he was injured Allan Brown came in and he became my top man. I don't have many personal memories from back then, but know he was very stylish (and won lots of races). Tom Leadbitter As well as being a top performer for the Teessiders/Tigers Tom was a great team man, always helping teammates on and off the track. He was also great with the fans and loved to be involved in everything going on. I have a fantastic picture of an end of season meeting. Tom is covered in flour, riding a donkey like it's the finish of the Grand National. Martin Dixon Dicko in full action was worth the admission money alone!! I've witnessed numerous passes both inside and out at Cleveland Park, when the opposing riding hasn't known what's hit them. At the time of his serious elbow injury in the late 80s, in my opinion Dicko was the best rider in the National League and would have dominated for several years. He also had fantastic equipment, I remember one away match at Stoke, M'bro needed a 3-3 to win the match, Wilks (Steve Wilcock) had been struggling all night, but came out on Dicko's bike against Paul Thorp, gated and won by a mile. Gary Havelock Witnessed his after meeting rides, pre meeting rides, first "official" team rides and all the time we all knew he had that special something. Another who never looked overly spectacular, but had a great knack of gating when he had to and winning the important races. Nowadays at Redcar he leads by example and if heat 15 is vital then he brings out all the World Champion class to produce the goods. Bruce Forrester Another of my heroes sadly no longer with us. Bruce came to Cleveland Park a novice, but was a quick developer, and another who led by example. Very quick out of the gate, Bruce also wasn't afraid to move opponents if he had to. One meeting up at Sunderland he invariably was ahead after turn 2 and the Sunderland fans gave him real stick, but at the end of a superb maximum they all applauded a great performance. Jim Burdfield For my last rider I wanted someone who typified the Middlesbrough spirit of wholehearted trier, if not a top performer. I considered John Spilsbury, Dave Butt, Bob Watts and John Place amongst others, but eventually went for Burdy - mainly due to his personality, his ability to produce match winning performances and most of all his never say die attitude.

I would agree with that 6

OK to start on the negatives - at this moment in time virtually everyone's predictions will have the Diamonds finishing bottom of the league, and I can see many defeats to start the season off with. However positives - as others have said there will be speedway at Newcastle in 2020,and from Granty's comments for a number of years afterwards. The team which has been put together does have potential for improvement with several riders able to have substantial increases in averages, whether they will is the big question. If the new guys, who I assume will be assets, get a full season in then they should be good for 2021 and I fully expect diamonds to be much more competitive later in season. Bottom line is enjoy your speedway and support the new promotion - hope it goes well - as I have often pointed out it is to the benefit of Redcar and Newcastle for both to have strong teams, as was clearly demonstrated by last season's cup final. Merry Christmas to all up in Geordieland

I appreciated hearing your views and fully accept why Poole & Newcastle were not included, I'm expecting you to update your list when each is known. The flak you are getting appears to be more due to part of your name as opposed to your comments

Best top 5 in the league and two reserves with huge potential - IF one (or both) of them click 2020 will be the YEAR OF THE BEAR

nobody mentioning MPT??

Well no-one can claim this is regionalised !!!

Might be alot of fun with Barker and some of his other teammates (or teammate to be precise)

Top quality side in my opinion - I have installed them as my favourites for the title already Would have loved kemp at Redcar

Each team in Northern league will race the same opponents the same number of times eg twice against 5 teams and once against the other six,so it willbe a fair table. Then likewise in Southern league - Seems quite simple and straightforward to me

Are you going tomorrow?

Neither of those are any good, I don't get back till 8pm Monday evening (in Manchester!!!!)

One would hope commonsense will prevail and the riders can ride in a cup final as opposed to a totally meaningless match!!

lol You seemed to enjoy the comment too much Anyway as we are on a week later can you now make the final??

Whilst it is the correct decision, the major downside to it being delayed a week is that we will have to endure more of the drivel being posted on these threads (sadly I have to say primarily from a Redcar fan!!)

Whilst I obviously wanted the Bears to be in the final I think both Leicester and Glasgow deserve to be there - good luck to both sides - lets hope it's a cracking tie

If you met him in person you would be amazed he could string coherent sentences together, I think his young children do the posting on here (Note to Yearbyred - Visually impaired!! (I haven't forgotten!))