Once Your Team Has Closed Down

[REBELS77]

I was a White City fan, really loved supporting them 76-78 the great league winning team of 77

Gordon Kennett Steve Weatherley Marek Cieslak still heros to me,but once it shut down followed

Eastbourne and enjoyed they 2 titles in 86 and 87,But once you team has gone it never feels the same

went to Wimbledon and Hackney but felt like I was just watching as I love the sport, has anybody supported another team once your track has shut down and really meant it or deep down you knew that as for me you only loved that first team you supported.....

 

[Shadders]

I was a White City fan, really loved supporting them 76-78 the great league winning team of 77

Gordon Kennett Steve Weatherley Marek Cieslak still heros to me,but once it shut down followed

Eastbourne and enjoyed they 2 titles in 86 and 87,But once you team has gone it never feels the same

went to Wimbledon and Hackney but felt like I was just watching as I love the sport, has anybody supported another team once your track has shut down and really meant it or deep down you knew that as for me you only loved that first team you supported.....

I didn't go to another meeting after Rye closed in 1993 untill I discovered they'd reopened and caught the last few meetings of 2000.

Edited March 4, 2010 by Shadders

[erasuretim]

I am still an MK Knights fan even though they haven't turned a wheel in aeons!!

 

Regards

 

Tim

[norbold]

Yes, I agree. As you can see by my avatar New Cross is my first love.

 

I did go on to support West Ham and now Ipswich, but I know exactly what you mean.

[garyy]

Lost my Hawks and Kestrels. Wandered aimlessly since

[Jez]

My Dukes have been gone now for over 10 years now and my Saturday nights still seem empty, I've tried to follow Sheffield as they are now my local team and also Redcar cos of Havvy but still feel like a speedway fan nomad :-(

[martinmauger]

I am Hull Vikings through and through, always have been and always will be. I watch at other tracks whenever I can mostly Scunny as it's nearest and in addition to the time factor, I can be there in 45mins, it's a very pleasant, friendly place to watch speedway. I'm pleased for the folk of Scunny as pre-2005 their speedway history isn't the greatest but I don't support any other team though which is interesting in one sense as it does grant me a more 'big picture' viewpoint. But I can catagorically state that it matters a heck of a lot more when it's your own team. I know people in Hull who can't bear to watch the sport unless (until!) the Vikings return, but I'm a (certified) speedway nut and can't just let the sport drift away without a fix now and again

[BOBBATH]

What about Newport-at Somerton Park-I still miss 'em!!

[cityrebel]

i've been a wimbledon fan all my life and i still go to speedway twice a week. i do have a slight attachment to lakeside only because it's a track where a lot of us london fans gather most fridays and talk about days gone by.

Edited March 5, 2010 by cityrebel

[Brian L]

After Hackney closed in '91 I only attended occasional speedway meetings. In 2005 when I went to Rye House for the VHM meeting and have been supporting the Rockets home and away since then.

 

I still can't change my avatar though!

Edited March 5, 2010 by Brian L

[FAST GATER]

I was a Gunners fan but now go to Stoke nice track great fans but it's just not Elle/Port and it's a hike each week.

[Gemini]

It is possible to completely change support to another team once your own track closes down, even in my case to the deadly rivals of the Leicester Lions. I'm now so committed to the Coventry Bees that I'm not even that bothered about Leicester re-opening....if it happens.

Perhaps I should get help.

[Halifaxtiger]

But I can catagorically state that it matters a heck of a lot more when it's your own team. I know people in Hull who can't bear to watch the sport unless (until!) the Vikings return, but I'm a (certified) speedway nut and can't just let the sport drift away without a fix now and again

 

It is possible to completely change support to another team once your own track closes down, even in my case to the deadly rivals of the Leicester Lions. I'm now so committed to the Coventry Bees that I'm not even that bothered about Leicester re-opening....if it happens.

Perhaps I should get help.

 

I moved away from my team (Wimbledon) when I changed jobs and went to Yorkshire. I started off at Hyde Road, Belle Vue and enjoyed it very much there but Martin's right: it isn't the same as watching your own team. I also agree with him that I'd miss the sport too much to abandon it entirely if the Fen Tigers closed and I'd take Redcar, Scunthorpe & Newcastle in turn.

[Paulco]

Depressing thread , but i suppose it could happen to any of us at any time . We've lived a charmed life in Glasgow as we are now operating out of our 7th home in my lifetime ( and i'm not counting the brief tenancy in Workington in 1987 ) . Probably the most nomadic team in British Speedway history , but we're still there and long may that continue .

[Bradford Ace]

It is possible to completely change support to another team once your own track closes down, even in my case to the deadly rivals of the Leicester Lions. I'm now so committed to the Coventry Bees that I'm not even that bothered about Leicester re-opening....if it happens.

Perhaps I should get help.

 

I agree Gemini & the clue is in my username!!!

 

Started watching Halifax Dukes when my Ma took me in 1977 aged 4 & followed em to Bradford (seen as tho i live there!!!) until their sad demise in 1997. Now a huge Aces fan despite hating them when they used 2 come 2 Odsal & also the fact they're from wrong side of the Pennines!!!

 

All started in 93 at World Final in Pocking where we met a couple of great guys from BV that were on our trip. Used 2 stand with each other from then on at our stadiums when our 2 teams met & once i'd got over the closure of my beloved Dukes in 97 i started going to the odd meeting at Kirky Lane from about 2000 onwards.

 

Through my mate i got to know all the lads/lasses he stood with & now class them all as some of my best friends & we go to Cardiff every yr 2gether & also at least 1 other GP. About 13 of us going 2 Gothenburg this yr & i've got a season ticket this season so fair 2 say i'm now an Ace for life.

 

No chance of getting Speedway back in Halifax or Bradford & even if it came back, i'd still go 2 BV as i'd miss my mates 2 much!! Plus, we should have a spanking new track & stadium in the not 2 distant future so all looking great in my eyes!! Mind u, i still go 2 Odsal 2 watch the rugby & just back from there 2nite & it still saddens me that such a great track & stadium has been seemingly lost forever to the sport. Great great tragedy as 13 yrs have passed & the stadium hasnt even been touched!!! Hope the Aces arent waiting as long for the Hockey stadium to be revamped!!!!!

 

Do like going 2 Sheffield as well altho 2 meetings every week is tough financially but its only 40 mins away, same as BV, & a cracking stadium & track & also has the added bonus that its in Yorkshire!!!!!!

 

Get a lot of stick from em all but all part of the fun. Got lads from Ellesmere Port in our group as well & must say i enjoy my Speedway more than ever now.

 

Long live the Aces!!!!

Edited March 5, 2010 by Bradford Ace

[WembleyLion]

I was living in Wembley at the time and as schoolboy I started following the Lions in 1970 when they re-opened but unfortunately they closed by the end of 1971 so in only two seasons out of 40 have I had a home track to follow.

 

Due to family connections I was fortunate enough to see a lot of Ipswich and made regular trips to Foxhall Heath in the mid to late 70's and in 1978 I managed to do all home and away fixtures for the Witches whilst I still lived in Wembley. I still a have soft spot for the Witches these days. I have also managed a complete season of home fixtures at Hackney in 1981.

 

Fifteen years ago I moved to Buckinghamshire where Oxford and Reading became my nearest tracks and although I did not support either team I was fairly regular in attendance at Cowley and Smallmead and really do miss Speedway at both.

 

I reached double figures at Coventry, Swindon and Rye House last season which are my three nearest tracks now and will probably do double figures at those tracks again this year.

 

Whilst I do not profess to support a particular team I do like to see both Coventry and Ipswich doing well and I have reallly enjoyed all those years of simply being a Speedway fan as opposed to following a particular club.

 

 

[Rebel 77]

I was a White City fan, really loved supporting them 76-78 the great league winning team of 77

Gordon Kennett Steve Weatherley Marek Cieslak still heros to me,but once it shut down followed

Eastbourne and enjoyed they 2 titles in 86 and 87,But once you team has gone it never feels the same

went to Wimbledon and Hackney but felt like I was just watching as I love the sport, has anybody supported another team once your track has shut down and really meant it or deep down you knew that as for me you only loved that first team you supported.....

 

 

 

Couldnt agree more,after the Rebels packed up in 78 i didnt attend any meetings in 79.1980 saw me visit the dark side and i went to Hackney most weeks and Wimbledon every week at home as well as some away matches,but it just didnt seem the same.no other team seemed as good to me.I have now been visiting Somerset for a few years and although the racing is entertaining its still just not the same and i dont think it ever will be

[Nevs]

Since Exeter closed five years ago I can honestly say that I have not been able to "support" another team.

Mainly due to finances I go to very few meetings these days,however I do like to keep an eye on Somerset and when I can visit it is a treat to watch the racing there,wish for them to win, however,I don't get that deep down burning fire in me belly that it is MY team.

 

Maybe it was the uniqueness of The County Ground and watching the Falcons mainly at home for nigh on 40 years,to me anything else just is not the same,even if the racing is better!! (matter of opinion)

I still love speedway to bits but no matter where or what I watch or see, or how good the racing is. in my heart it is not the same as the feeling of watching our beloved Falcons flying and every second and every move of every race keeping you on edge,willing them on even if getting thrashed or a length behind or some nutter going to try and do the impossible and get away with it-(Richard Green and Vaclav immediately spring to mind)--Oh and of course the good times winning the league KOC etc

 

You can love the sport,but to love the sport with your team part of it is something that is the difference imo and adds the 20% extra special feeling.

Once a Falcon always a Falcon and I can't see anything ever changing that deep down.

 

The one thing that will forever stick in my mind and my son's is that at least we were lucky enough to see the closure of The County Ground in style and was known about whereas other fans of other tracks have not been that lucky with their track suddenly closed down without warning and no chance to say goodbye which must be ten times worse

 

Thankfully The Exeter faithful and many other fans had that chance to say goodbye to our unique,tumble down antiquated,decrepid,and any other word you wish to use home since the year dot.

Edited March 12, 2010 by Nevs

[RobMcCaffery]

When the Rockets closed in 1993 it affected me badly and I couldn't raise the enthusiasm to go anywhere else for some time. Being based in London then my other option was Arena Essex but I've never been a fan of the place due to its dreadful lack of facilities and the poor racing so the options were pretty limited at the time.

 

Ironically once we fought to get the Rockets back in 1999 I then had to give them up after thirty years the following season.

 

People really do screw things up for you sometimes.

 

It's still odd - I can't relate to the post 2000 Rockets as my team but I suppose the years of commentating gave me the ability to enjoy meetings as a neutral. There are times when I could just do with having a local team to head to every week, just find a quiet corner and enjoy without all the complications that getting involved bring.

 

When the Rockets were at Rayleigh they were two miles from me - it's been 36 years since I had a truly local track.

 

Maybe Bristol could be an opportunity if it comes off.

 

Rob McCaffery.

Edited March 12, 2010 by rmc

[LionAce]

It is possible to completely change support to another team once your own track closes down, even in my case to the deadly rivals of the Leicester Lions. I'm now so committed to the Coventry Bees that I'm not even that bothered about Leicester re-opening....if it happens.

Perhaps I should get help.

 

I have only started watching Speedway again at Belle Vue in the last 3 years since Leicester closed so I guess I still have an old soft spot for the Lions- was looking forward to visiting family to coincide with home meetings but we'll have to wait and see. Can see how you can get attached to another team.....but Coventry??. I suppose there was little alternative other than giving up on speedway like I did so all is forgiven...but please do consider the option of getting help!