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Premier League 4 Team Tournament


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Credit to Jonathan Chapman for coming on here and explaining the situation. My respect for the bloke has gone up massively - perhaps more promoters could take notice???

 

I agree, and said initially, that if this event has to be 8 selected teams this is probably the best way and I'd challenge anybody to suggest a better method. The problem is it's not really indicative of form or which sides have the best top 4. With so few meetings too much depends on who sides have ridden against and if they have had one more meeting at home than away or vice versa. Had Sheffield swapped their fixtures against King's Lynn and Stoke around they'd be in the final now - that tells you it's not the right way to do it surely?

 

As for Birmingham - there is still no valid explanation. I thought the Super 7 series was about taking the home track advantage that has spoiled these meetings away? The only justification for Birmingham seems to be Ostergaard has home track advantage at Peterborough - it makes no sense. I think we all have our ideas on why this decision has been made - it would be nice if someone could at least be honest about it. My guess is that Jonathan Chapman is privately a bit embarrassed about the feeble reasoning offered as to why Birmingham are selected - I'd hope so anyway - although I understand why he has to say what he's said publicly.

 

The organisers should be applauded for taking a step forward from events of previous years but it's still not right and needs to get better. Lose the seeded team rubbish and move it later into the season or have qualifying rounds.

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perhaps richard hall will get a wildcard into the ELRC (in place of perhaps chris harris)because he's a sheffield assett using the current (sadly misguided) criteria???? or could it be that someone(?) wants to eliminate possibly the strongest opposition to their team winning it? :shock::shock::shock:

can anyone remember the name of the one PL rider who has beaten the current world champion(jason crump) around his former home track (peterborough)?????....here's a clue-he won't be riding in this meeting even though his team did legitimately qualify. :wink::wink:

Edited by The SAINT
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I am posting these comments to express my dissatisfaction at the omission of Sheffield from the PL fours. I know a few of you may shout “sour grapes” but that is your right

 

I have been a long time advocate of a qualifying series of meetings for the right to be at the finals just like it used to be prior to 2000

 

Failing that the top 8 qualifiers from the averages should contest the final. This seasons ruling is the top 7 plus a seeded team

 

What are the criteria for selecting the seeded team. I would suggest the follow be considered

 

• The team with the 8th highest average

• The most successful team over say the last 10 years

• The team with good away support

• The team that has consistently been high profile

 

I could go on but you get the point I am making in that I am amazed Sheffield are not that 8th team

 

This is in no way anti-Birmingham as I am delighted they are back and had a super evening at Perry bar on Good Friday. I base my arguments on simple fair play

 

I also would like to express concern over the management of our sport. I first attended Owlerton to see a Provincial League fixture in 1962. Since then there have been huge advances in machines, tracks, safety, promotions etc that have added to the sport.

 

Sadly the management has not followed with a whole raft of rules that and based on image, TV and commerce and sadly not fair play

 

• Is it too much to ask that the team that gets most points wins the league

• Is it too much to ask that the rider winning a race gets just 3 points

• Is it too much too ask that the 8 on merit go to the 4’s final

• I could go on

 

The BSPA ask the following questions before any decision is taken

 

1 Is it fair

2 Is it what the supporter wants

3 Is it about image

4 Is it about commerce (usually TV)

 

The answers should be Yes, Yes, No and No. Then and only then do we get the decisions that most people believe are right for the sport

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Home Straight Steve, you have my support! In the past the wildcard has been to ensure the home team gets in and if they qualify by right the 8th place team gets the place. The ommision of Sheffield seems very odd and unfair.

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perhaps richard hall will get a wildcard into the ELRC (in place of perhaps chris harris)because he's a sheffield assett using the current (sadly misguided) criteria???? or could it be that someone(?) wants to eliminate possibly the strongest opposition to their team winning it? :shock:  :shock:  :shock:

can anyone remember the name of the one PL rider who has beaten the current world champion(jason crump) around his former home track (peterborough)?????....here's a clue-he won't be riding in this meeting even though his team did legitimately qualify. :wink:  :wink:

SAINT. I've waited long enough!! It was Ricky Ashworth!! Agree re Richard Hall and posted the same on the Sheffield Forum this AM

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It seems inconceivable that Sheffield have been omitted . Seems to me the BSPA are bending over backwards for Birmingham . Dont get me wrong i'm glad they have come back , but to give them a wildcard and ignore Sheffield warranted inclusion is a dreadful decision .

After all i didn't see the authorities falling over themselves to include Redcar in the fours and pairs last season when they came into the league .

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Good point Paulco. The Sheffield omission will be down to the BSPA not wanting to face a backlash if they don't include Brum because of their top 4. Last season Redcar could have done better than some teams in the Pairs and 4TT but we had to miss out.

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It seems inconceivable that Sheffield have been omitted . Seems to me the BSPA are bending over backwards for Birmingham . Dont get me wrong i'm glad they have come back , but to give them a wildcard and ignore Sheffield warranted inclusion is a dreadful decision .

After all i didn't see the authorities falling over themselves to include Redcar in the fours and pairs last season when they came into the league .

 

I agree. Perhaps if the result last night at Birmingham had taken place a week or so ago the BSPA might just have re-assessed their selection.

 

Nothing against Birmingham but, given they are a first season track, this smacks of favouritism. Your comment about Redcar failing to receive any such favour last year is very relevant.

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Good point Paulco. The Sheffield omission will be down to the BSPA not wanting to face a backlash if they don't include Brum because of their top 4.

why,when our top 4 average more than theirs?????we have the top man in the league at the moment,an ex peterborough rider and the current british u-21 champ in our top 4 plus a big away support! there is much more to it politically than that believe me!

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Sour grapes from Sheffield. Your team should have performed sufficiently and then no problem. It's your own fault.

 

Just proves that Sheffield are an also ran in the PL these days. No recent success and other clubs have become bigger and better.

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Sour grapes from Sheffield. Your team should have performed sufficiently and then no problem. It's your own fault.

 

Just proves that Sheffield are an also ran in the PL these days. No recent success and other clubs have become bigger and better.

 

 

thats right chris we finish eigth in the averages with eight teams qualifying and we dont qualify

 

thats really not being good enough isnt it, bit like dry not being enough for the Prem Trophy, Fours, pairs (sorry had the all of rye injured for that one didnt you :shock: ) cup and play offs last season isnt it (especially the play off semi final of course, well done eddie) mind you as he isnt your rider dont supose that bothered you, are you bothered about that other good rider that doesnt belong to you being injured for last night

Edited by The Third Man
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thats right chris we finish eigth in the averages with eight teams qualifying and we dont qualify

 

thats really not being good enough isnt it, bit like dry not being enough for the Prem Trophy, Fours, pairs (sorry had the all of rye injured for that one didnt you :shock: ) cup and play offs last season isnt it (especially the play off semi final of course, well done eddie) mind you as he isnt your rider dont supose that bothered you, are you bothered about that other good rider that doesnt belong to you being injured for last night

:D:D:D

 

Nice one TM!

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