New Teams For Nl

[Parsloes 1928 nearly]

Some of you have mentioned Sittingbourne in your notes, and state the Iwade track.

 

The thing is their is discussion with the Local council to run a team at a track inside the Greyhound stadium in Sitingbourne itself, which by its location a brief walk from the centre, that it would be well supported, better than the Iwade track, as you needed a car to get to the Iwade track anyway.

 

Think its just waiting a council review, but may be hopefully if granted in the next week or two.

 

So could be a new track there.

 

Good to point this out. But I know for a fact that Roger Cearns would not consider opening his new track in the third tier. It would be PL for the Kent side.

If the Central Park operation turned out to really invigorate interest in the town I think it possible that Iwade might consider re-entering the NL (this is the kind of words used in the prog. at their recent 40th. anniversary meeting) but one does wonder what the Speedway authorities and fellow Clubs would think about that. Too many times crying wolf I fear...

[Steve Ribbons]

Good to point this out. But I know for a fact that Roger Cearns would not consider opening his new track in the third tier. It would be PL for the Kent side.

 

 

I think you may find that the goal posts have shifted on this point Derek, ..well if you speak to Graham that is.......

[PTDragons]

Carmarthen Dragons to return at Newport by any chance?!

[Parsloes 1928 nearly]

Carmarthen Dragons to return at Newport by any chance?!

 

How about Carmarthen operating out of Ammanford instead..? Now THAT would be interesting...!

[Swift Saint]

Carmarthen Dragons to return at Newport by any chance?!

 

Well since they could not get a decent crowd at Carmarthen and with two teams at Newport already who would be attending?

 

Malcolm Vasey

Edited November 12, 2010 by Proud Potter

[PTDragons]

Well since they could not get a decent crowd at Carmarthen and with two teams at Newport already who would be attending?

 

Malcolm Vasey

Me!!

 

Seriously though, you're quite right Malcolm about the poor crowds at Carmarthen but if (and a big if) a track could be located at somewhere like Swansea / Neath then I think that this would be a more viable option.

[BurningRubber]

I think there is a nice fan base in Crewe and the prospect of the sport returning nearly happened a few years back but few down at the last minute.

 

In recent years Crewe Kings has had a book launch and a plaque unveiled outside the Kings Arms Pub, also check the two links below.

 

 

 

Crewe Kings Speedway

 

Crewe Kings

[Topcat]

Realistically there are lots of riders that would like to take part in the NI or any other form of competition.

Costs are part of the reason that this doesn't happen plus the reluctance of some promoters.

Don't forget,there are more amateur riders in the UK than there will ever be professionals.

[Parsloes 1928 nearly]

Don't forget,there are more amateur riders in the UK than there will ever be professionals.

 

There's certainly been a boom in the number of amateur riders in recent years; but how many, I wonder, would be able (work and finances being the issues..) to commit to the time and vigours of competing in a national league with tracks from Plymouth to Buxton and several race days/nights involved..?

Surely for many it would be impossible to commit fully to riding in an NL team - meaning that possibly we need a more flexible, less demanding approach to 'third' and, we could call it, 'fourth' tier Speedway..?

[greyhoundp]

There's certainly been a boom in the number of amateur riders in recent years; but how many, I wonder, would be able (work and finances being the issues..) to commit to the time and vigours of competing in a national league with tracks from Plymouth to Buxton and several race days/nights involved..?

Surely for many it would be impossible to commit fully to riding in an NL team - meaning that possibly we need a more flexible, less demanding approach to 'third' and, we could call it, 'fourth' tier Speedway..?

 

This is where "Promoters" need to get the race day/night right, i noticed at The Heathens meetings, there were very,very few away supporters, understandable really as i myself find it difficult to attend mid week meetings home or away due mostly to work. I can see NO great or understandable reason why MOST if not ALL NL meetings cannot be held on a Weekend, when most people can attend most meetings, is there any reason for instance if Buxton ride against another Sunday team they cannot hold there home fixture for that week on that Saturday ??, now we may only be talking here about 50 or so extra supporters per meeting, but thats an extra £500 per week "Mildenhall" and others would be glad of that £500 per week over the season, my own team The Heathens are able to race on a Sunday, and i would almost guarantee even they would have more through the gate if they raced on a Sunday, but due to Greyhound racing it would prove almost impossible to have an alternative raceday on Saturday, so maybe main raceday Sunday, with the alternative day being Friday or Tuesday.

 

With NO Elite League racing being held on weekends here is an Oportunity for enterprising EL/PL Promoters to test the water as The Heathens have done, and run a NL team under a <Defunct Near track name> Reading/Bristol at Swindon as an example, and offer reduced admission if they attended the EL meeting prior to the NL meeting.

 

Bournemouth would have more people attend on a Saturday/Sunday than what they get on Wednesday nights,of that i am certain. A weekend in Poole/Bournemouth is far more attractive than a weekday meeting of taking time off work driving down to Poole over 3 1/2 to four hours, then a 3 1/2 hour drive back, and waking up after a few hours sleep to go to work the next morning, not very attractive for anyone really, and almost impossible for ordinary working people, the days of 8 till 5 jobs are increasingly on the decrease, and more often than not they involve shift work of all types including my own Continental shift pattern which i hate.

 

This IMO is where the Promoters need to focus some of there attention ON getting race Days/Nights right, and for me weekend NL racing is the way forward, even Bournemouth may prove viable were they to try this.

 

Lets look at the Plus points for spectators and riders, and promoters;

 

1. Easier for most supporters to attend due to less work commitments on weekends.

2. For the most part it is easier to travel around the Country on weekends.

 

Both of these points apply to riders and spectators alike, and one of the minor plus points for Promoters is there will be no need for Saturday/Sunday afternoon meetings to use Floodlights in early/late season meetings.

 

Whilst I am on the subject; I am surprised no one else picked up on my point of JOINT promotions with there Landlords at <Greyhound race Tracks> Speedway on the whole has far larger attendances than Greyhound nights, and for a reduction in rent joint promotions could be offered by both parties, as i feel Greyhound racing would have far more to gain from this in attendance figures than Speedway, but the real benefit would be in reduced rental for Speedway promotions.

[25yearfan]

Hopefully there'll be some new teams in the NL to make up for the likes of Bournemouth closing along with others and Plymouths proposed move into the PL but I'm not holding my breath!

 

Bournemouth was run under the Poole promotion which is very possibly the best supported track in Britain. If they can't make NL racing viable then it doesn't give much hope for others?

 

As for for new standalones, well if any were intending to open for next year we'd of probably heard about it now. The (possible/probable?)reopening of Mildenhall is all we'll get in this area I suspect?

 

The likes of Norwich Great Yamouth, Iwade, Bristol, Exeter, Cornwall, Long Eaton, Boston, Ellesmere Port, Crewe, one in Scotland, Sunderland, Milton Keynes/Northampton, Hull, Wimbledon, Swansea and probably others could support 3rd tier racing and maybe higher but the chances of any of these and other surfacing in time for next season would be extremely low!

Edited November 13, 2010 by 25yearfan

[Parsloes 1928 nearly]

Whilst I am on the subject; I am surprised no one else picked up on my point of JOINT promotions with there Landlords at <Greyhound race Tracks> Speedway on the whole has far larger attendances than Greyhound nights, and for a reduction in rent joint promotions could be offered by both parties, as i feel Greyhound racing would have far more to gain from this in attendance figures than Speedway, but the real benefit would be in reduced rental for Speedway promotions.

 

I guess your comment about Speedway having bigger crowds than greyhounds must be based on Monmore Green in which case I bow to your superior knowledge on that venue... Am doubtful though that this is the case everywhere: Belle Vue, Perry Barr, Brough Park..: higher crowds for Speedway...?

My experience of Dog Racing these days is at Romford (which of course doesn't double up as a Speedway track) but the crowds at Romford on Fridays & Saturdays (yes, two consecutive nights...) are hugely bigger than anyone could seriously dream of should Speedway return to that Essex town..

[greyhoundp]

Parsloes, I used to be kennelhand for a greyhound trainer and visited Doncaster, Coventry, Belle Vue, Perry Barr, Swindon, Monmore, Wimbledon, Sheffield,and more recently Poole and except for the prime Friday/Saturday nights i can assure you greyhound racing in the UK is struggling, go along in mid week and barely 150 will be at most tracks,daytime meetings on the BAGS it will be 1 man and his dog there, then its safe to assume Speedway will also struggle during mid week, its also usually £6 to attend a greyhound race meeting as opposed to £10+ at most speedway meetings.

 

But my main point is surely its time put on meetings ie weekends for the NL which is on the whole far more easy to attend than midweek meetings, that is what i fail to understand with promoters they are reluctant to move with the times, if they are unsure,then put on a trial Saturday/Sunday afternoon meeting and see what the response to that is, nothing ventured nothing gained. One of the best supported nights i ever visited at a greyhound meeting was on a summers SUNDAY evening at Sheffield, when they put on a charity night, every race was sponsored by a local business, and 50% of the gate takings were given to a local Charity, and a raffle was taken amongst the crowd altogether a figure in excess of 4 figures was raised, but also it raised the profile of greyhound racing locally.

 

Its just a small idea that could be used for a speedway Benefit meeting once per year, all local Radio stations and some TV stations will happily give free publicity for such an event, and local newspapers, maybe local businesses will not only sponsor a race, but also sponsor a rider for the evenings racing, again alll good publicity for all sides concerned, but does Speedway involve itself in this sort of thing, i am afraid to say they do not, except for collections for The Speedway Riders Benevolent Fund.

Edited November 13, 2010 by greyhoundp

[Parsloes 1928 nearly]

But my main point is surely its time put on meetings ie weekends for the NL which is on the whole far more easy to attend than midweek meetings, that is what i fail to understand with promoters they are reluctant to move with the times, if they are unsure,then put on a trial Saturday/Sunday afternoon meeting and see what the response to that is, nothing ventured nothing gained.

 

I agree with you that Saturday afternoon is the largely untried time slot... works well enuff for Football obviously, so why not (in the Football cloe-season...) try it for Speedway too..

[Brummie Kev]

I guess your comment about Speedway having bigger crowds than greyhounds must be based on Monmore Green in which case I bow to your superior knowledge on that venue... Am doubtful though that this is the case everywhere: Belle Vue, Perry Barr, Brough Park..: higher crowds for Speedway...?

 

 

I would doubt that about Perry Barr, they had to scrap Thursday night greyhounds because of poor crowds and this year the Stadium Manager was made redundant by the GRA, yes you heard me right the Stadium Manager!! . The stadium is run by I believe a more regional manager now.

[Parsloes 1928 nearly]

Well all I can say is that Romford dog track must be bucking the trend then!

 

One needs also to remember that dog racing is nearly always on several nights a week...

No wonder crowds are down on less popular nights like Thursday...

 

As for Perry Barr losing its manager, just three words needed to describe such a tendency to jettison key operational staff..: Greyhound Racing Association...!!!

 

At Plough Lane shortly before the Speedway was shown the door they sacked the Stadium Electrician and one thing a dog track needs (especially one with antiquated wiring...!) is a sparks!!

[Great Central]

Well all I can say is that Romford dog track must be bucking the trend then!

 

One needs also to remember that dog racing is nearly always on several nights a week...

No wonder crowds are down on less popular nights like Thursday...

 

As for Perry Barr losing its manager, just three words needed to describe such a tendency to jettison key operational staff..: Greyhound Racing Association...!!!

 

At Plough Lane shortly before the Speedway was shown the door they sacked the Stadium Electrician and one thing a dog track needs (especially one with antiquated wiring...!) is a sparks!!

And may I ask who owns the GRA - a Venture Capitalist group whose sole interest is promoting greyhound racing. I think not. There is some very valuable real estate in those stadiums which will eventually all go the same way and that is into housing. That is when they will get their money back and in the meantime they just let them run down into delapidated facilities which any self respecting council will not object to a housing estate being built to get rid of the eyesore. Call me cynical but the only people venture capitalists look after is themselves.

[cityrebel]

I guess your comment about Speedway having bigger crowds than greyhounds must be based on Monmore Green in which case I bow to your superior knowledge on that venue... Am doubtful though that this is the case everywhere: Belle Vue, Perry Barr, Brough Park..: higher crowds for Speedway...?

My experience of Dog Racing these days is at Romford (which of course doesn't double up as a Speedway track) but the crowds at Romford on Fridays & Saturdays (yes, two consecutive nights...) are hugely bigger than anyone could seriously dream of should Speedway return to that Essex town..

when romford last staged speedway it pulled in really big crowds, sometimes bigger than top flight neighbours west ham. if by some miracle the bombers were to return, i'm sure it would be a success all over again.

[Parsloes 1928 nearly]

And may I ask who owns the GRA - a Venture Capitalist group whose sole interest is promoting greyhound racing. I think not. There is some very valuable real estate in those stadiums which will eventually all go the same way and that is into housing. That is when they will get their money back and in the meantime they just let them run down into delapidated facilities which any self respecting council will not object to a housing estate being built to get rid of the eyesore. Call me cynical but the only people venture capitalists look after is themselves.

 

 

when romford last staged speedway it pulled in really big crowds, sometimes bigger than top flight neighbours west ham. if by some miracle the bombers were to return, i'm sure it would be a success all over again.

 

Two absolutely spot-on postings..

This is EXACTLLY what the "venture capitalist" owners of the GRA intend for themselves and for the stadia they own.. What's so tragic having sat last evening with real people who love Oxford Speedway and Oxford Stadium so much and knowing so well as I do, people who lived and breathed the Dons and Wimbledon Speedway is the fact that people's lives are made so much the worse by the cynical, uncaring and sheer selfish greed of such "venture capitalists".

THIS is what we should also be out on the streets rioting about!!

 

And yes, sadly Romford closed literally just before I attended my first Speedway meeting and in any case as an Orpington lad then I'd have had no idea where Romford was!; but I go to Romford almost ever day of my life now and I fully believe that if the Bombers could be reborn in a town where leisure and entertain,ment is so important it could indeed be a huge success again...

[25yearfan]

Two absolutely spot-on postings..

This is EXACTLLY what the "venture capitalist" owners of the GRA intend for themselves and for the stadia they own.. What's so tragic having sat last evening with real people who love Oxford Speedway and Oxford Stadium so much and knowing so well as I do, people who lived and breathed the Dons and Wimbledon Speedway is the fact that people's lives are made so much the worse by the cynical, uncaring and sheer selfish greed of such "venture capitalists".

THIS is what we should also be out on the streets rioting about!!

 

And yes, sadly Romford closed literally just before I attended my first Speedway meeting and in any case as an Orpington lad then I'd have had no idea where Romford was!; but I go to Romford almost ever day of my life now and I fully believe that if the Bombers could be reborn in a town where leisure and entertain,ment is so important it could indeed be a huge success again...

 

Romford was a place I didn't mention in my list in this thread but that place supported speedway in huge numbers before and I'm sure if someone could get the sport introduced to the very smart dog track then that place would enjoy big crowds!

 

 

It would be nice to have a leisure firm buy the GRA with the intention of maintaining the stadiums cause we'd have Oxford and Wimbledon back in speedway!