Derwent Posted September 18, 2012 Report Share Posted September 18, 2012 Keith Denham just been on Radio Cumbria saying its almost certain that Workington speedway will fold and not run next year. Says he can't stand the losses any more. Went so far as to say that he's already spoken to the BSPA about the possibility of closing down immediately. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
montie Posted September 18, 2012 Report Share Posted September 18, 2012 I would imagine that he is not alone in this position either Hope they can keep it going Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noaksey Posted September 18, 2012 Report Share Posted September 18, 2012 http://www.timesandstar.co.uk/home/keith-denham-set-to-quit-workington-comets-1.996799?referrerPath=home# Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derwent Posted September 18, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 18, 2012 http://audioboo.fm/boos/965118-exclusive-bbcrc-sport-s-john-walsh-reveals-workington-comets-team-owner-keith-denham-is-set-to-pull-the-plug?utm_campaign=detailpage&utm_content=retweet&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stemoc Posted September 18, 2012 Report Share Posted September 18, 2012 I very sad day for all Workington Fans Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamlad Posted September 18, 2012 Report Share Posted September 18, 2012 Absolutely typical of Denham, why can't he do the honourable thing to Workington Speedway fans and try and sell it to someone who can run it with proper managment skills , but no instead he pulls the plug just as the lads get ready to go into 2 cup semi's and the playoffs, surely the BSPA won't let him close him immediately , them lads have an earning to make its their job !!!! A sorry sad day in Workington , where are you Tony Mole please help us out of this mess !!!! Only 1 person killed speedway in Workington and thats the manager, hasn't a clue how to deal with riders, treats them like dirt on his shoe , doesn't speak to the fans , and then wonders why its in such a mess . I hope the BSPA make him run to the end of season, or fine him so heavily he has no other choice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arson fire Posted September 18, 2012 Report Share Posted September 18, 2012 I very sad day for all Workington Fans Did he not say this last year also though??....maybe it's a ploy to get fans to turn up to support a weakend team....here's hoping it is. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scaramanga Posted September 18, 2012 Report Share Posted September 18, 2012 (edited) Absolutely typical of Denham, why can't he do the honourable thing to Workington Speedway fans and try and sell it to someone who can run it with proper managment skills , but no instead he pulls the plug just as the lads get ready to go into 2 cup semi's and the playoffs, surely the BSPA won't let him close him immediately , them lads have an earning to make its their job !!!! A sorry sad day in Workington , where are you Tony Mole please help us out of this mess !!!! Only 1 person killed speedway in Workington and thats the manager, hasn't a clue how to deal with riders, treats them like dirt on his shoe , doesn't speak to the fans , and then wonders why its in such a mess . I hope the BSPA make him run to the end of season, or fine him so heavily he has no other choice sorry but to blame the manager you are wrong jacko is the manager denham is the owner/promotor if he hadnt banned all the fans as soon as he took over we might have had enough paying fans to cover costs but also as others have found out £15 is too much for some to pay ever week in the current climate Did he not say this last year also though??....maybe it's a ploy to get fans to turn up to support a weakend team....here's hoping it is. no he said last year he was thinking of not running the following year this year hes wanting to pull out this weekend and shut before the season is over with league cup and knockout cup still to play for Edited September 18, 2012 by scarra Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squall Posted September 18, 2012 Report Share Posted September 18, 2012 This is not good. Speedway is dying on it's arse and now 2 clubs are up for sale, with no sale meaning closure. If only speedway fans could win the euro millions..... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robert72 Posted September 18, 2012 Report Share Posted September 18, 2012 (edited) sorry but to blame the manager you are wrong jacko is the manager denham is the owner/promotor if he hadnt banned all the fans as soon as he took over we might have had enough paying fans to cover costs but also as others have found out £15 is too much for some to pay ever week in the current climate no he said last year he was thinking of not running the following year this year hes wanting to pull out this weekend and shut before the season is over with league cup and knockout cup still to play for Speedway should be £10 at premier league & £12 elite league max look at leicester they want £16 the same as local elite league neighbours coventry, I hope they dont close workington Edited September 18, 2012 by robert72 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wjm Posted September 18, 2012 Report Share Posted September 18, 2012 Hard to have any sympathy with him, with the fans yes, but Denhams legacy will be that of someone that has done the sport alot more damage than good, that's if he does pull out, maybe calling wolf again? cynical to think that, but if you do it often enough it then takes away the impact when it is legitimate. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scaramanga Posted September 18, 2012 Report Share Posted September 18, 2012 This is not good. Speedway is dying on it's arse and now 2 clubs are up for sale, with no sale meaning closure. If only speedway fans could win the euro millions..... no mention of workington being up for sale denham is the type to shut it rather then sell on and someone turn it round Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamlad Posted September 18, 2012 Report Share Posted September 18, 2012 sorry but to blame the manager you are wrong jacko is the manager denham is the owner/promotor if he hadnt banned all the fans as soon as he took over we might have had enough paying fans to cover costs but also as others have found out £15 is too much for some to pay ever week in the current climate no he said last year he was thinking of not running the following year this year hes wanting to pull out this weekend and shut before the season is over with league cup and knockout cup still to play for Okay then lets change it to the Owner/Promotor. He is an absolute jerk, what was stopping him from going on the centre green last Saturday to speak to the fans that were there , you know the ones that paid the £15 to get in its so disrespectful to them fans and riders who were there, but no instead he does the usual from behind the radio/newspaper and pulls the plug. Who the hell does he think it is . He has no people skills whatsoever. Its took him 5 years to ruin speedway in Workington and lose the best riders along the way, Stoney, Rusty,Gary Irving, Kake, Adam Roynon , all loved to race for Workington until they disagreed with him and that was it, bye bye never to be seen again , as the same with the fans he banned from coming because they said something against him on the forums . And now finally he plays God once again and doesn't even give Workington Speedway a chance to carry on under someone new, and do you know why because he is frightened they will do a better job than he has done, which lets face it wouldn't be bloody hard 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tsunami Posted September 18, 2012 Report Share Posted September 18, 2012 (edited) Very sad to hear this but not surprised by the actions of the owner. He has been on one big ego trip, and even Ian Thomas had to knuckle down to him. Ian must be turning in his grave at this latest revelation. Hope he is made to see sense by the BSPA, and insist on him completing all the fixtures, if only for the fans to attend their last meetings. This will have knocked the heart out of both fans and riders, but the show must go on, as they say. Edited September 18, 2012 by Tsunami 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevePark Posted September 18, 2012 Report Share Posted September 18, 2012 Okay then lets change it to the Owner/Promotor. He is an absolute jerk, what was stopping him from going on the centre green last Saturday to speak to the fans that were there , you know the ones that paid the £15 to get in its so disrespectful to them fans and riders who were there, but no instead he does the usual from behind the radio/newspaper and pulls the plug. Who the hell does he think it is . He has no people skills whatsoever. Its took him 5 years to ruin speedway in Workington and lose the best riders along the way, Stoney, Rusty,Gary Irving, Kake, Adam Roynon , all loved to race for Workington until they disagreed with him and that was it, bye bye never to be seen again , as the same with the fans he banned from coming because they said something against him on the forums . And now finally he plays God once again and doesn't even give Workington Speedway a chance to carry on under someone new, and do you know why because he is frightened they will do a better job than he has done, which lets face it wouldn't be bloody hard Okay then lets change it to the Owner/Promotor. He is an absolute jerk, what was stopping him from going on the centre green last Saturday to speak to the fans that were there , you know the ones that paid the £15 to get in its so disrespectful to them fans and riders who were there, but no instead he does the usual from behind the radio/newspaper and pulls the plug. Who the hell does he think it is . He has no people skills whatsoever. Its took him 5 years to ruin speedway in Workington and lose the best riders along the way, Stoney, Rusty,Gary Irving, Kake, Adam Roynon , all loved to race for Workington until they disagreed with him and that was it, bye bye never to be seen again , as the same with the fans he banned from coming because they said something against him on the forums . And now finally he plays God once again and doesn't even give Workington Speedway a chance to carry on under someone new, and do you know why because he is frightened they will do a better job than he has done, which lets face it wouldn't be bloody hard Really? No mention from Mr Denham about the money he has lost by very late postponements, when, in one case in particular, all he had to do was listen to an experienced rider (and visiting captain) to try and salvage the meeting. Feel sorry for the Worky fans, riders and Jacko. I used to love my trips over to Workington. Let's hope someone can come in and take over and run the show properly. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigeddiechek Posted September 18, 2012 Report Share Posted September 18, 2012 The PL would sorely miss the Comets. Here's hoping you are running next year. Yet another stark warning against fans who wallow in dropping crowd levels instead of getting some friends to accompany them. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roo Posted September 18, 2012 Report Share Posted September 18, 2012 He is a businessman, he doesn't give a toss about the die hard Comets fans. Quite the opposite. Instead of interacting with the fans, any time his operation is criticized he reacts like an angry child. Not to mention certain cracks about his relationship with different riders. Tony Mole didn't get to many meetings which is understandable considering his base, but more often than not him and Ian Thomas gave the fans what they wanted. In this financial climate, it is a lot for fans to have to fork out, considering that Workington Town are doing well and attracting bigger crowds - not everyone can afford speedway on Saturday night and rugby on Sunday afternoon. The general consensus is that Denham does not come across as an owner that can be liked. A lot of Comets fans are stubborn and will not give their money to someone they do not like or does not listen to their opinion without threatening them with a ban from Comets meetings. I remember years ago when we would be missing out on certain riders as Mole wouldn't splash daft money, people were crying for Denham as they believed he would make us the Chelsea of the PL and creating a title winning team. Didn't quite happen, but at the same time there are a lot of other men in the area that have made fortunes through their firms, I'm sure someone local or not local would be prepared to take the team on. Problem is, Comets fans love their heroes. The priority would surely have to be for another Stoney. Someone the fans know will give all on the track but has a big personality and interaction with them off it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arch Stanton Posted September 18, 2012 Report Share Posted September 18, 2012 Lots of finger pointing and blame at the people in charge written here, but is there seriously less than 500 supporters attending meetings? If that is accurate, I'm sorry but that just isn't enough to sustain speedway anywhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roo Posted September 18, 2012 Report Share Posted September 18, 2012 Only possible reason I can think of is that Workington played Whitehaven in the rugby the following day, big local rivalry and the game actually meant something. But 500 is still low considering back about 10-12 years ago the Comets got bigger crowds than most Elite League teams. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arch Stanton Posted September 18, 2012 Report Share Posted September 18, 2012 Only possible reason I can think of is that Workington played Whitehaven in the rugby the following day, big local rivalry and the game actually meant something. But 500 is still low considering back about 10-12 years ago the Comets got bigger crowds than most Elite League teams. I never get around much anymore, but I hear from close friends that do that Workington are not the only ones trying to get by on those sort of figures. Worrying times it really is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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