Heathens Announce New Signing

[BigFatDave]

I think it more to the fact that a young brit has lost his position at a club, to a rider who is virtually unknown over here. I do hope Micky the best, but it was highly unfair that James got sacked at Dudley, when he has so much potential at a young age. Lets just hope this hasn't knocked his confidence and can end on a high note.

Fair Call, Junior. One door opens, another one closes. The usual mid-season merry-go-round should ensure that James gets picked up if he's good enough.

 

Just cheeses me off that we get the usual "Aussies get all the help" postings from people with chips on their shoulders rather than in their butties; especially when folks should be aware of all the sacrifices that have been made by young Aussies and their families to have a go at their chosen sport. Let's not forget we've already seen a few young Colonials sacked by their clubs this year for not living up to pre-conceived expectations of their being the next Darcy Ward - it works both ways.

[lucas7867]

Fair Call, Junior. One door opens, another one closes. The usual mid-season merry-go-round should ensure that James gets picked up if he's good enough.

 

Just cheeses me off that we get the usual "Aussies get all the help" postings from people with chips on their shoulders rather than in their butties; especially when folks should be aware of all the sacrifices that have been made by young Aussies and their families to have a go at their chosen sport. Let's not forget we've already seen a few young Colonials sacked by their clubs this year for not living up to pre-conceived expectations of their being the next Darcy Ward - it works both ways.

 

Junior is completely right. It is the principle of dropping a young british rider. Australia are clearly on a roll with a very good model to produce riders. However the National League should be solely for the development of british riders. You also need to keep to the facts. There are Australians in National League teams provided with bikes, vans and accomodation etc as compared to British riders in the same clubs with nothing. Fair? I dont think so irespective of the sacrifice.

[GARRYH]

Just cheeses me off that we get the usual "Aussies get all the help" postings from people with chips on their shoulders rather than in their butties; especially when folks should be aware of all the sacrifices that have been made by young Aussies and their families to have a go at their chosen sport. Let's not forget we've already seen a few young Colonials sacked by their clubs this year for not living up to pre-conceived expectations of their being the next Darcy Ward - it works both ways.

 

 

Dave I think the bit about sacrafices and family is unfair. ALL riders and families make massive sacrafices to try and further there kids careers what ever country they come from. What is unfair that it seems to be that its not a level playing field in regards to the help that is given out. Really hope James gets a place soon as he is a great lad and has lots of potential.

[BigFatDave]

Junior is completely right. It is the principle of dropping a young british rider. Australia are clearly on a roll with a very good model to produce riders. However the National League should be solely for the development of british riders. You also need to keep to the facts. There are Australians in National League teams provided with bikes, vans and accomodation etc as compared to British riders in the same clubs with nothing. Fair? I dont think so irespective of the sacrifice.

There are also Aussie riders doing it on a shoestring, Lucas, surviving on hand-outs from relloes, proceeds from chook raffles or family savings in case you weren't aware. I don't know where this chip on your shoulder comes from but I think you should direct your rage against the Powers-that-be over there rather than railing against people purely on the basis of their nationality, or maybe doing something about it yourself. Obviously some clubs see the value of taking on unknown Aussies and helping them out; don't forget there have also been a fair few young Aussie and Kiwi kids who haven't made the grade over there and been unceremoniously dumped.

 

There is no magical "Production Line" over here; its a very ad-hoc process based on individual desire and effort. How many tracks over there have junior tracks in the centre green?

 

I agree with you Garry hoping that young James gets a go somewhere: I've heard good reports about him and his desire to succeed; if he's good enough he'll get a slot and the process he'll have been through will make him a better person.

[771neil]

Dave not read one post that has a go at the lad and as for what they sacrifice well it s the same for us only difference is I have to work as well as look after my lad I can t take 6 weeks off fly half way round the world and spend 7 nights a week at speedway also and I have seen this first hand that at some tracks they don t have second half or practise after meetings but seems they change that rule for aussies and behind close door practise I know of 2 who were at cov most thursday day riding but the academy boys never get asked all we want is same rules. I was at stoke for said practise and yes the lad looked good and seems a nice lad, but this league should be for brits hope you find a place soon sarg

[June]

Junior is completely right. It is the principle of dropping a young british rider. Australia are clearly on a roll with a very good model to produce riders. However the National League should be solely for the development of british riders. You also need to keep to the facts. There are Australians in National League teams provided with bikes, vans and accomodation etc as compared to British riders in the same clubs with nothing. Fair? I dont think so irespective of the sacrifice.

Completely agree with you Lucas....... As I see it Austalia use Britain ( at 500cc level ) as a route for turning their youngsters into Champs at the expence of our youngsters in the N/L.......this isn't an even playing field.......We need this league for our own youngsters........Australia - "we want champs too! but at the rate you are sending youngsters over its not going to happen".

[scribbler]

I dream the impossible dream...

 

That the National League will become a league for Brits only - no patriality... and that the PL and EL have to have a minimum number of British riders in their teams.

 

It will never happen whilst promoters have the mentality that any rider that is not a Brit Must be better than a British rider... and I rejoice every time a non-Brit is found lacking. The problem is that another non-Brit is then brought in to replace them. Perhaps replacements, especially at NL level, should be Brits only.

 

I dream the impossible dream...

[bhr]

all you have to do is look at your newport squad dave look at the likes of the english lads in the national league look at what there driving there own vehichels using there own workshops and the aussies have 2010 vw transporters u say they make sacrifices but it wasnt as if someone held a gun to there head and made them come over like anything else in life if you cant afford it you dont do it! Also fans moan we have no british kids coming through yet love foreigners to come over and use britain as a payed practice in my opinion if they want to race over here in nl they should pick a passport aussie or english

[BigFatDave]

all you have to do is look at your newport squad dave look at the likes of the english lads in the national league look at what there driving there own vehichels using there own workshops and the aussies have 2010 vw transporters u say they make sacrifices but it wasnt as if someone held a gun to there head and made them come over like anything else in life if you cant afford it you dont do it! Also fans moan we have no british kids coming through yet love foreigners to come over and use britain as a payed practice in my opinion if they want to race over here in nl they should pick a passport aussie or english

I'm afraid I can't tell from Google Earth what type of vans they drive, BHR, but I do know that the majority of Mighty HORNETS supporters are very happy with Todd and Mark in the team, and very happy with the performance of the team as a whole, no matter what Nationality they are.

To my knowledge the National League took over from the amateur Conference League as a third-tier professional league where clubs could own their own assets, be they British or whatever, to prevent the previous situation where PL teams could poach NL-developed riders with impunity.

In my view its sad that some on here would like to see it as purely a Nationality-based set-up; it stifles competition which is the only way that riders can improve; alas the blinkered ones can't or won't see that. Steve Evans' proposal for more local-rider based second-half events should be followed up, rather than crawling into a hole, wrapping oneself in the Union Jack and railing against Foreigners in general and Aussies in particular.

[spin king junior]

I think the national league should limit the number of foreign riders in the national league, but the number in isn't massive tbh, only about seven, so there are still plenty of Brits around in that league. Yes there are far too many young Aussies coming over here, but what do you expect promoters to do when they see the likes of Ward,Sedgmen and Skidmore come over here and make a huge impact, every team is looking for the next Ward, who'll come on a 5 point average and end on a 10.

 

Fact is the Aussies have got their tactics spot on, some of the youngsters get equipment from the likes of Crump and Andersen, should we be moaning about this?, no, we should figure out a way to do this for our own young riders, because it has clearly worked and we can't really blame the Aussies for doing this, it's using it to their own advantage and is clearly working. But we also shouldn't be under the impression that all these riders come on top notch machinery, the likes of Branford have come here with basically nothing at all, and has shown great potential in the national league.

 

However, the solution is very simple, we should do as the Poles do by having each Premier league number 7 a young British rider. This will give the young a chance to experience the premier league and have a proper chance to develop their skills as a rider in that league. In my opinion that's the only way possible that we could build up the skills of the young Brits, who haven't particularly had the chance to show their true potential in the Premier league

[bhr]

dave im not disputing that todd and mark are good riders and i dont want a just british league like spin king uniour said we should limit the number of foreigners in pl and nl teams to give our own a chance

[lucas7867]

I'm afraid I can't tell from Google Earth what type of vans they drive, BHR, but I do know that the majority of Mighty HORNETS supporters are very happy with Todd and Mark in the team, and very happy with the performance of the team as a whole, no matter what Nationality they are.

To my knowledge the National League took over from the amateur Conference League as a third-tier professional league where clubs could own their own assets, be they British or whatever, to prevent the previous situation where PL teams could poach NL-developed riders with impunity.

In my view its sad that some on here would like to see it as purely a Nationality-based set-up; it stifles competition which is the only way that riders can improve; alas the blinkered ones can't or won't see that. Steve Evans' proposal for more local-rider based second-half events should be followed up, rather than crawling into a hole, wrapping oneself in the Union Jack and railing against Foreigners in general and Aussies in particular.

This post show just how out of touch you are. The actual name of the league is the British National Development League. Of course it should be for British riders only. Dudley have scored a massive own goal here in dropping a British rider for an Australian. A move that will damage them as a club. How can a rider improve if he is dropped? Absolute nonsence. Second halfs just do not work. Again if you were more in touch you would know that. The cost and the curfews are a major battle. It is a complete insult to suggest that some are blinkered. All people want is a system that develops British riders. If Aussies want to come over here then try the Premier League. This winter must see a major overhaul of the National League.

[21st century heathen]

What an utter disgrace. I am fed up to the back teeth of Aussies in the National league. What is wrong with British Speedway? Dudley should hang their heads in shame. Sarjeant deserved some support and help. Not to be ditched. Malcolm Vasey forecast that the league would lose its way and this is a classic example of just how bad things have got.

 

Having built a team well under the points limit at the start of the year that was packed with Brits I'd have thought you'd be happy with the approach the club took? Is it's the Heathens fault that Sarj has been in poor form and that the best option to re-jig the team within the rules happens to be an Aussie? I would love to have seen him turn the corner and start to score well for us but it hasn't happened. He's failed to score in exactly half of his races, has failed to win a heat all season and is averaging under 3 (Dudley website stats). Having started under the points limit and having also seen Morris struggle to find some consistency (his average is just over 3) the club needed to do something if it is to make a push for a play-off place. There are still plenty of Brits in the team.

 

I genuinely don't understand the reaction by many. Perhaps it's just anti-Aussie nonsense? Jealousy about the fact that at the moment they're producing a lot of young talented riders? It's swings and roundabouts. Most of the established nations have had periods of producing a lot of riders or virtually none. The USA being the most obvious example, and perhaps the Kiwis from a little earlier. Lots of Aussies and Poles around at the moment but not many Brits and Swedes. C'est la vie.

 

*edit* p.s. Best wishes James. There's no doubt you gave your all. I hope you get fixed up somewhere soon and start scoring more freely. And welcome Micky. I look forward to seeing you in action soon.

[BigFatDave]

dave im not disputing that todd and mark are good riders and i dont want a just british league like spin king uniour said we should limit the number of foreigners in pl and nl teams to give our own a chance

There's approximately 80 NL riders at the moment: of these over 90% would be British. How much of a chance do you want?

 

As far as either the PL or the EL goes I wouldn't have a clue how many riders are Polish, American, German, French, Finnish, Norwegian, Danish, Swedish, Russian, Aussie or Kiwi or Outer Mongolian for that matter, but I don't think either league would be able to operate without them, and then where would you be?

[montie]

Shocking treatment of a Brit in the British Development league,really feel for James as hes a good kid,if this Dyer lad is as good as they say,why aint Brum got him at reserve???

 

When James left scunny last year after being round for years at the EWR i did wonder if it would end in tears

[lucas7867]

Having built a team well under the points limit at the start of the year that was packed with Brits I'd have thought you'd be happy with the approach the club took? Is it's the Heathens fault that Sarj has been in poor form and that the best option to re-jig the team within the rules happens to be an Aussie? I would love to have seen him turn the corner and start to score well for us but it hasn't happened. He's failed to score in exactly half of his races, has failed to win a heat all season and is averaging under 3 (Dudley website stats). Having started under the points limit and having also seen Morris struggle to find some consistency (his average is just over 3) the club needed to do something if it is to make a push for a play-off place. There are still plenty of Brits in the team.

 

I genuinely don't understand the reaction by many. Perhaps it's just anti-Aussie nonsense? Jealousy about the fact that at the moment they're producing a lot of young talented riders? It's swings and roundabouts. Most of the established nations have had periods of producing a lot of riders or virtually none. The USA being the most obvious example, and perhaps the Kiwis from a little earlier. Lots of Aussies and Poles around at the moment but not many Brits and Swedes. C'est la vie.

 

*edit* p.s. Best wishes James. There's no doubt you gave your all. I hope you get fixed up somewhere soon and start scoring more freely. And welcome Micky. I look forward to seeing you in action soon.

After your performance at Newport I wouldnt worry to much about making the play offs! Have you looked at the League table lately.

[BigFatDave]

This post show just how out of touch you are. The actual name of the league is the British National Development League.

Oh no it isn't. Shows just how out of touch you are. As far as I know the National Development League replaced the Conference League then was replaced by the National League.

[Midland Robin]

Shocking treatment of a Brit in the British Development league,really feel for James as hes a good kid,if this Dyer lad is as good as they say,why aint Brum got him at reserve???

 

Because we've got a very good British kid there!!

[spin king]

My view on this is that the structure is all wrong , and I don't think that we can call the National League the Development League.

The main problem is that different teams have different agenda's, the main problem is that there is a mix of different types of teams, some are stand alone teams like Dudley, Plymouth and Mildenhall, other are basically 2nd teams for high league teams.

With the case of Dudley they are a club that is trying to establish themselves, they are a club that needs success for (1) get fans through the door, (2) gain support to get a track.

I think the big problem we have at the moment with the young Aussie lads is that the ones that are using there British roots as a way and means to gaining a team place.

For me you cannot be British one minute, but an Aussie the next, if you are going to use your British roots then they must commit to this country career wise

I don't think put a ban on Aussies is a good idea, I think we need to include them, still go with one allow in each team, but no rider from Aussie should be allowed in this league from Australia just because his parents, grandparents or great grandparents were born here.

Also if we are going to take it seriously about a Development League we also have to look at the likes of Plymouth who track both Mark Simmonds and Seemond Stephens in the team is that right as well.

[21st century heathen]

After your performance at Newport I wouldnt worry to much about making the play offs! Have you looked at the League table lately.

 

Was that really the most constructive comment you could think of?

 

For the record - yes I have seen the league. We're 6th, a little way off 4th but will race our 6th away meeting before we race our 4th home meeting. So with home meetings in hand and a re-shaped team that is nearer the points limit we could make a push for a play-off place.