Leicester Lions 2013

[ukrossifan]

Can anybody make an old man happy and tell me where I can get a copy of the book Leicester Speedway 'The Hunters Era' . I have so many memories of 1949 onwards but sometimes the detail escapes me. I do remember the match against Liverpool Chads when a sixteen year old 'midget' fell off every time. His name was Peter Craven . Any information would be appreciated.

 

That Midget (Peter Craven) who fell off every time, became Britiain's last 2 time World Speedway Champion! 😄

Alan Jones would gladly sell you a copy I would think. Lol

I've seen them in the track shop on Racenights

Edited November 20, 2012 by hurricanes

[dj350z]

Really disappointed we won't be be riding against the Lions next season. Anyway looks like the promotion don't have a big problem with it:

 

Leicester Lions' bid to join the Elite League has been put on hold for 12 months.

British Speedway bosses decided at their annual general meeting that there would be no addition to the sport's top flight, and that it would remain at 10 clubs.

Their primary consideration was that, in the current economic climate, it was in the best interest of all parties that the balance of both the Elite and Premier Leagues should be maintained.

Although the Lions remain hugely ambitious, they were happy to agree and be part of the bigger picture.

In addition, it may only delay their top-flight dream by 12 months as British Speedway has invited them to re-apply at the end of next season.

Lions co-promoter Alan Jones said: "You have to remember that we are in a very difficult economic climate.

"Everybody is struggling to make ends meet and speedway is no different.

"In the Premier League, the nearest track to Leicester is Sheffield, some 75 miles away. Yet, in the Elite League, there are four clubs – Birmingham, Coventry, Peterborough and Wolverhampton – based a lot nearer.

"Leicester fans wanting to watch Elite League speedway would go there. If we had gone up, then these other clubs may have lost this fringe support.

"Given the times we are in, it was felt it was time to support one another.

"We could, potentially, damage another club's business, so it was seen as being in the best interests of British speedway that we remained in the Premier League.

"We can re-apply next year. We are a big-city club who would add value to the Elite League. We are only two years old but David (Hemsley, promoter) and myself still have a vision to be in the top flight."

Now, the Lions are turning their attention to recruitment.

"We have already started talking to riders," said Jones. "Some of them are part of last season's successful team, others are new faces. We want continuity though, and we are hoping some familiar faces will be returning.

"Everything was put on hold until we knew which league we would be in, but we will, hopefully, announce our first signing in the next few days."

Plans are in place for changes to the track in February, which the Lions hope will produce more exciting racing.

There is a bonus for fans, too – season ticket and admission prices will remain the same for the third year running.

[ukrossifan]

Really disappointed we won't be be riding against the Lions next season. Anyway looks like the promotion don't have a big problem with it:

Well they are doing what they have to do, just getting on with making Leicester successful and building the 2 year old Club further. And the door wasn't slammed shut, with the invite to apply again in 12 months

[barrow boy]

Well they are doing what they have to do, just getting on with making Leicester successful and building the 2 year old Club further. And the door wasn't slammed shut, with the invite to apply again in 12 months

 

But it might still be the same result if any current BEL member club says if they join then we are out as may be be the case this time if the rumours are to be believed.

[ukrossifan]

 

 

But it might still be the same result if any current BEL member club says if they join then we are out as may be be the case this time if the rumours are to be believed.

perhaps next time they'll think we are worth more than the one who shouts

[justathought]

Can't say I'm overly disappointed about not being in the EL next season.

I think it makes more sense to stay where we are for a bit longer. Get the track right and put a good winning team together.

[Woz01]

I think its a shame Leicester are not in the EL in 2013 and ride against us Bees. Just think of the away support each club would bring, it would have been a cracking few meetings. Fingers crossed for 2014!

[wandersome]

Can't say I'm overly disappointed about not being in the EL next season.

I think it makes more sense to stay where we are for a bit longer. Get the track right and put a good winning team together.

 

Nightshift, what would your team be. I've not seen many guesses so far. I would personally be very disappointed with the same team. If we get the track right and it actually provides entertainment and riders can actually pass then i see us getting some stuffings if we keep generally the same team.

 

My team would have been.

1.Fisher

2.Nieminen

3.Doolan

4.Poole

5.Graversen

6.Simon Nielsen

7.Blackbird

 

Can't see that happening now though if the wage cap is there as Fisher is obviously expensive (he nearly ended up missing out last year over his demands and i can't see him changing and rumour has it he's signed up for EL) and i would guess Nieminen probably is too. Bjerre wont be back as he's in the under 21s and i'm told will miss 9 or so meetings so what's left. It's a bit worrying where our top end is coming from if Bjerre, Nieminen and Fisher are all out of the equation. What do you think?

 

Mick.

Edited November 22, 2012 by volty

[ukrossifan]

 

 

Nightshift, what would your team be. I've not seen many guesses so far. I would personally be very disappointed with the same team. If we get the track right and it actually provides entertainment and riders can actually pass then i see us getting some stuffings if we keep generally the same team.

 

My team would have been.

1.Fisher

2.Nieminen

3.Doolan

4.Poole

5.Graversen

6.Simon Nielsen

7.Blackbird

 

Can't see that happening now though if the wage cap is there as Fisher is obviously expensive (he nearly ended up missing out last year over his demands and i can't see him changing and rumour has it he's signed up for EL) and i would guess Nieminen probably is too. Bjerre wont be back as he's in the under 21s and i'm told will miss 9 or so meetings so what's left. It's a bit worrying where our top end is coming from if Bjerre, Nieminen and Fisher are all out of the equation. What do you think?

 

Mick.

if there is a wage cap then do riders accept that and earn good money and do double up in EL too, if they do well , or just ride in EL scoring less points and therefore get a lot less income ?

I know which I'd do

[wandersome]

if there is a wage cap then do riders accept that and earn good money and do double up in EL too, if they do well , or just ride in EL scoring less points and therefore get a lot less income ?

I know which I'd do

 

If i was a speedway rider I'd probably do the same as well but i'm not Fisher and i'm not sure he would/will if he's got an EL team. I think even if Nieminen comes back, without Fisher and Bjerre we could be found out as i can't see where the back up is coming from elsewhere.

 

Mick.

Edited November 22, 2012 by volty

[lionking]

What is this wage cap ??

Is it league rules or just Leicester.

 

What are the rules of the wage cap ??

[Glennylion]

Bjerre is a big miss for me, especially if the track does produce better racing. We need a reserve who contributes more than Blackbird. To have been given his chance and 15 matches later be averaging 1.87 isn't enough. He didn't seem out of his depth and was always there or there abouts but just didn't score the points. I thought he had turned the corner against Workington but it just never happened. May be that he will come on for that but I think it is a huge gamble given his contribution in the half season he was here. What i saw of Kerr, I would give him a go before Blackbird.

1. Fisher

2. Nemo

3. Graverson

4. Neilson

5. Kerr

6. Poole

7. Masters

 

That leaves a heat leader and a back up for 13.55. Eklof was decent at home in particular, whether the new track would change that. I would have him and North or Poole and Masters who have both looked decent at BP

[wandersome]

What is this wage cap ??

Is it league rules or just Leicester.

 

What are the rules of the wage cap ??

 

I had heard a rumour that it was a PL wide £55 a point top limit with big points deduction for any team breaking it. However, as confident as i am that it's correct no one has backed me up yet so only going on 1 source so far!

 

Mick.

 

Bjerre is a big miss for me, especially if the track does produce better racing. We need a reserve who contributes more than Blackbird. To have been given his chance and 15 matches later be averaging 1.87 isn't enough. He didn't seem out of his depth and was always there or there abouts but just didn't score the points. I thought he had turned the corner against Workington but it just never happened. May be that he will come on for that but I think it is a huge gamble given his contribution in the half season he was here. What i saw of Kerr, I would give him a go before Blackbird.

1. Fisher

2. Nemo

3. Graverson

4. Neilson

5. Kerr

6. Poole

7. Masters

 

That leaves a heat leader and a back up for 13.55. Eklof was decent at home in particular, whether the new track would change that. I would have him and North or Poole and Masters who have both looked decent at BP

 

good calls, don't partuicularly disagree with any of what you say and wouldn't be disappointed with those permutations.

However, what If we actually ended up with a team that is pretty much last seasons team with Doolan in place of Bjerre.

Edited November 22, 2012 by volty

[Glennylion]

Not sure. If track is racier then I am unsure about Karlsson. Just seemed to lack the edge last season for me and he is a gater. Take that away and he may be worse. Never been impressed with Doolan. Fisher, Kerr for Blackbird and AN Other for Bjerre. Looking at the 7 pointers that fit, Roynon was very very good at BP. They were talking full time Elite when injuries cleared up though.

[WIE-JA]

Hows about this to fit in with the new pay scales:

1 Doolan

2 Graversen

3 Stichuar

4 Tomichek

5 S. Nielsen

6 Kerr

7 Blackbird

[wandersome]

Hows about this to fit in with the new pay scales:

1 Doolan

2 Graversen

3 Stichuar

4 Tomichek

5 S. Nielsen

6 Kerr

7 Blackbird

 

I'm not sure? Are we talking Stefan or Simon

[stevethelion]

Nightshift, what would your team be. I've not seen many guesses so far. I would personally be very disappointed with the same team. If we get the track right and it actually provides entertainment and riders can actually pass then i see us getting some stuffings if we keep generally the same team.

 

My team would have been.

1.Fisher

2.Nieminen

3.Doolan

4.Poole

5.Graversen

6.Simon Nielsen

7.Blackbird

 

Can't see that happening now though if the wage cap is there as Fisher is obviously expensive (he nearly ended up missing out last year over his demands and i can't see him changing and rumour has it he's signed up for EL) and i would guess Nieminen probably is too. Bjerre wont be back as he's in the under 21s and i'm told will miss 9 or so meetings so what's left. It's a bit worrying where our top end is coming from if Bjerre, Nieminen and Fisher are all out of the equation. What do you think?

 

Mick.

My team would have been

1 .Fisher

2.Bjerre

3.Masters

4.Thorsell

5.Graversen

6.Campton

7.Nielsen

but after you saying Bjerre could miss 9 meetings that seems to rule him out, & presumably the same would apply to Masters. Now just read that Campton has signed for Workington, so looks like i'll have to think again. Would like to see Thorsell, looked good on his 2 appearances at BP last year & i think he could signed on a 5 point average which would be good value. But please no Taylor Poole never seen him ride well at BP yet.

[neb]

Not sure. If track is racier then I am unsure about Karlsson. Just seemed to lack the edge last season for me and he is a gater. Take that away and he may be worse. Never been impressed with Doolan. Fisher, Kerr for Blackbird and AN Other for Bjerre. Looking at the 7 pointers that fit, Roynon was very very good at BP. They were talking full time Elite when injuries cleared up though.

i agree karlsson is a gater and thank heavens he is or we would of been is a lot of trouble over the last season and a half,but then dont you have to be a gater around bp as it is very difficult to pass if behind.maybe he did go off the boil a bit but then he did admit on the centre green he had lost his confidence and fair play to him for admitting that.when the track is changed we might see a better karlsson,just look at his scores for leicester around somerset and scunny,you dont get any better racers tracks than them and the points he scored was not all won from the gate.

[wandersome]

. Would like to see Thorsell,

 

I liked Thorsell as well. He looked great around BP, i'd have him in a shot on a 5.. Talking of 5 pointers, what's happened to Burmeister. I'm sure he nearly signed for us last year until problems resurfaced. Maybe he'd be a worth taking a chance on if those problemshave been sorted out.

 

Mick.

Edited November 22, 2012 by volty

[lionking]

Just been playing with some figures the best yeam i can come up with is

1. Kauko Nieminen 8.18

2. Jan Graversen 4.91

3. Sam Masters 7.43

4. Jacob Thorsell 5.00

5. Nick Morris 8.00

6. Jari Makinen 4.56

7.Simon Nielsen 4.08

Total 42.16

 

Thats based on Thorsell 5.00 average being correct which im not sure if it is or not.

 

What is everyones thoughts on that side above

Edited November 22, 2012 by lionking