Wimbledon Stadium: Some Important News

[Catabracadabra]

Whilst the saga of planning and purchase sell of site 37 goes on. It was mentioned that it is a uphill struggle for the speedway to be heard. I agree entirely. As it is now going on 9 years since speedway was at the site, the management and team is very much well and truly dissembled. Has anyone given any thought about trying to re organise a management team, along with supporters to actually have a wimbledon speedway group. A bit like AFC and form a group that in numbers could show there is a want for it. At the moment it is just individual supporters shouting, and airing there wishes that one day there will be a revival. Dare I say it, but it does show that if the fans are passionate enough ( cradley heath supporters), that even after years of not having a team or stadium. There is a very big fan base, though no stadium, but a lot of support, in the news. If it is out of site, it is out of mind. I have spoken to people in merton council and the local area, speedway has not even entered anyone's mind, it's that long ago and that far in people's mind. Is the wimbledon fan base that big still or are they that passionate? There has not been one mention of a fans meeting or a public meeting to rally the speedway supporters. Is there a supporters club actively running? there has to be an active supporters club and some sort management team with the long term vision of speedway returning to the borough, just like the football club. The wimbledon speedway club has to be kept in the public's mind, whether it has a track, team or neither. otherwise it is just forgotten about, which sadly I think has happened. It is not too late. But something has to be actively happening in the public eye.

[Catabracadabra]

After using google, all That can be found is a very much out of date web site. The official site was last up dated 2010, 4 years ago. That's not very active supporters club...... Correct me if I am wrong.

[Sir Sidney]

Whilst the saga of planning and purchase sell of site 37 goes on. It was mentioned that it is a uphill struggle for the speedway to be heard. I agree entirely. As it is now going on 9 years since speedway was at the site, the management and team is very much well and truly dissembled. Has anyone given any thought about trying to re organise a management team, along with supporters to actually have a wimbledon speedway group. A bit like AFC and form a group that in numbers could show there is a want for it. At the moment it is just individual supporters shouting, and airing there wishes that one day there will be a revival. Dare I say it, but it does show that if the fans are passionate enough ( cradley heath supporters), that even after years of not having a team or stadium. There is a very big fan base, though no stadium, but a lot of support, in the news. If it is out of site, it is out of mind. I have spoken to people in merton council and the local area, speedway has not even entered anyone's mind, it's that long ago and that far in people's mind. Is the wimbledon fan base that big still or are they that passionate? There has not been one mention of a fans meeting or a public meeting to rally the speedway supporters. Is there a supporters club actively running? there has to be an active supporters club and some sort management team with the long term vision of speedway returning to the borough, just like the football club. The wimbledon speedway club has to be kept in the public's mind, whether it has a track, team or neither. otherwise it is just forgotten about, which sadly I think has happened. It is not too late. But something has to be actively happening in the public eye.

There has been contact between the former PLC management (see post 93) and Mr Taggart's team, who had indicated that, if their bid was sucessful, they were prepared to discuss the reintroduction of speedway.

[Brujas Espanolas]

That would be great it if it happened. I wonder though why stock cars - tenants at Plough Lane since 1962 (or thereabouts under the same promoting group as well) and still are at the moment seem to be ruled out of future plans?

There's also the fact that Plough Lane stock cars now race during the winter months while speedway is a summer sport.

As has previously been mentioned the stadium is in the London Low Emissions Zone which makes it financially difficult for competitors to race at the stadium. This has been evidenced by the fall in driver numbers at the stadium over recent years. Hence the decision by Spedeworth to pull the plug on Wimbledon once the current deal is finished. It could also help explain Spedeworth's investment in Foxhall, which looks like it will become their premier location.

 

This problem will also hit any promoter hoping to stage speedway given the nature of vehicles that a number of riders choose to transport their equipment.

 

From people that I still keep in touch with in the borough, the vast majority side with AFC Wimbledon. Given that it is nearly 25 years since the team left the borough it will be special if they can return. This is especially true as they average over 4,000 at their home games, attendances that speedway promoters can only dream about.

[Catabracadabra]

Thank you for the links. They are very useful research links to the history and statistics for Wimbledon Speedway. I sometimes use them at times, thank you. What I was trying to point out though is, there is no web site currently live on the net about the current wimbledon speedway club, which is up to date, with current news, the views of the current Speedway club, and future aims of the club. The forum link is members only, I feel that a public web site, open to the general public in the public eye is better for speedway, it doesn't have to be undercover but out in the open. Yes we can talk about the past, most of us know the historical past Wimbledon Speedway has enjoyed, but we must develop our thoughts and ideas to the future, how where, when, and if we can re establish Wimbledon speedway to appeal to the youth of today and the public interest in the South london area. It needs to be transparent and open to everyone. Thought I fully understand contracts and dealings with tenancies are of a sensitive nature and would have to be kept out of the public eye. As far as I was aware and to no surprise Wimbledon speedway plc was dissolved in November 2010. So as passionate wimbledon speedway fans, we are under the impression that Wimbledon speedway plc would be talking to Mr Taggart. Or possibly one of the former directors. If that be the case then why has the Wimbledon speedway club not held a public fans meeting? To re establish the Club in unity, in numbers, the football fans can do it, can the Speedway fans do it? I would hate to think that in 10 years time we talk about how Wimbledon speedway used to be and you talk to people individually and they say "I would of supported them", "oh yeah I remember the speedway team" or the classic " whatever happened to the speedway at wimbledon, didn't they race at plough lane?" Individual talk is great but talking in numbers and as a team/ club is 10x better. The club should be heard and not forgotten. I live in South london, I work in South london, I meet many different people in the sw17 sw19 post code of all ages, races, and backgrounds. Still to this day there is people that don't know speedway, didn't know it was reformed in 2002, some think it's still there, others don't care. I am prepared to with the help of others reform the Club, for the FANS, by the FANS, is anyone else prepared to join me? I would hate to think that someone, whoever that maybe didn't try. As fans we are presuming someone else will step in and do it for us, but will they. I simply ask the question?

[Ray Stadia]

It's hard to find press coverage of the recent Merton Council inquiry into the future of Wimbledon Stadium. This is all I could find - it's from a recent edition of the local Guardian newspaper but does give some perspective on what tookplace. It also mentions that the public inquiry findings will be releasd in April.

http://www.croydonguardian.co.uk/news/business/10955971._Worst_stadium_in_the_world___Tensions_high_as_campaigners_clash_over_future_of_Wimbledon_dog_track/

No mention of bangers and certainly no mention of speedway. Seems like 'speedway' will have to watch from the side-lines and see what transpires. It's a pity the mayor wasn't a bit stronger with his support for greyhound racing. And there were plenty of letters claiming greyhound racing is cruel, which will help the football cause. Although I would have thought a number of locals would be anti a new football stadium. Interesting.

[Ray Stadia]

I notice that Gustix has gone very quiet. Perhaps he is on holiday? It is a shame, he has made some great and well informed contributions and in particular to this thread. Gustix, where are you?

[oldace]

I notice that Gustix has gone very quiet. Perhaps he is on holiday? It is a shame, he has made some great and well informed contributions and in particular to this thread. Gustix, where are you?

 

 

Really, I must have missed those, the only ones I saw from him were total crap

[Ray Stadia]

 

 

Really, I must have missed those, the only ones I saw from him were total crap

I disagree, which is my prerogative. However, as for your contributions on BSF? No comment.

[oldace]

I disagree, which is my prerogative. However, as for your contributions on BSF? No comment.

 

 

Your what?

[The White Knight]

I notice that Gustix has gone very quiet. Perhaps he is on holiday? It is a shame, he has made some great and well informed contributions and in particular to this thread. Gustix, where are you?

 

Well said Ray. I am missing him too. I enjoy his contributions very much - I wonder what has happened to him. I hope he is OK.

 

I tell you what - gustix's contributions to this Forum are far more interesting than some of the rubbish that gets Posted on here.

 

If you read this gustix - I hope you are well and will be able to return soon.

[oldace]

 

 

 

I tell you what - gustix's contributions to this Forum are far more interesting than some of the rubbish that gets Posted on here.

 

 

 

 

Well stop posting it then

[John Leslie]

Your what?

His prerogative.

 

It means his right, his privilege. Something he's entitled to do if he wants.

[The White Knight]

 

Well said Ray. I am missing him too. I enjoy his contributions very much - I wonder what has happened to him. I hope he is OK.

 

I tell you what - gustix's contributions to this Forum are far more interesting than some of the rubbish that gets Posted on here.

 

If you read this gustix - I hope you are well and will be able to return soon.

 

 

 

 

Well stop posting it then

 

Thank you for so succinctly proving my point.

[Ray Stadia]

 

 

 

Thank you for so succinctly proving my point.

Well said TWK! Without Gustix's contribution on this thread, the situation of Wimbledon Stadium has gone cold. Gustix is so knowledgeable on Wimbledon Stadium affairs, as he has had many years involvement with Wimbledon Speedway, along with Parsloes too and others. Gustix, where are you? we need your input!

[The White Knight]

Well said TWK! Without Gustix's contribution on this thread, the situation of Wimbledon Stadium has gone cold. Gustix is so knowledgeable on Wimbledon Stadium affairs, as he has had many years involvement with Wimbledon Speedway, along with Parsloes too and others. Gustix, where are you? we need your input!

 

I quite agree Ray. :approve:

 

The Thread has definitely tailed off a bit since his disappearance. I do hope that he isn't ill. :unsure:

[stratton]

Gustix is great value on this forum,enjoy his debate very much love his knowledge on the Older riders great fun.

[Ray Stadia]

As Gustix appears to have gone 'awol', does anybody else have any latest news on Wimbledon Stadium please?

[salty]

As Gustix appears to have gone 'awol', does anybody else have any latest news on Wimbledon Stadium please?

Much as Gustix has to offer, I would venture that "Arthur Cross" is the most informative poster when it comes to Wimbledon Stadium.

 

No news as such - the planning decision is due in April.

However, the Greyhound world are planning this show of support later this month...

http://www.racingpost.com/news/greyhounds/wimbledon-show-of-passion-confirmed-as-2pm-february-17-at-city-hall/1599872/top/

[arthur cross]

As "salty" rightly says, no significant news in the last few days and Merton Council's report into the recent 2-day planning hearing is due around April.

 

But some other key dates to note are the local council elections on 22nd May and the final of the Greyhound Derby on 31st May.

 

As Merton's a London borough, all the council seats are contested in one go every 4 years (unlike most of the rest of England where a third of the local council seats are contested each year on a 3-year rotation) ... in the couple of wards nearest Wimbledon Stadium, any candidate's bound to be asked for his/her preference for the site but as the stadium's tucked into the northern edge of the borough, many of Merton's wards are at least a couple of miles from the site and therefore hardly affected by any traffic implications or changing use of the site.

 

In those more distant wards, there may well be more AFC Wimbledon supporters than regular greyhound spectators (the Racing Post article linked by "salty" above readily admits the greyhound crowd is probably drawn from a wider catchment area than the potential football crowd) and while Merton Council is supposed to be collectively impartial, there's nothing to stop individual candidates (including current councillors seeking re-election) favouring one side or the other while canvassing for votes based on what they think will appeal most in their ward.

 

The last big sporting influence I remember on a London local election was the Vote For The Valley group of Charlton Athletic supporters in 1990 when their football team was renting Selhurst Park (and later Upton Park) while their own ground remained derelict ... a Valley candidate, standing against a Greenwich councillor stubbornly opposing any efforts to revive Charlton's ground, won a famous victory at the polls that certainly helped the club's return to its true home and the subsequent revamping of it into today's 27,000 all-seater stadium.

 

It showed how a specific local sporting matter close to the heart of enough residents could trample over the usual party-politics ... however, for all the enthusiasm of the We Want Wimbledon campaign and the Show of Passion in a fortnight's time, I don't think the future use of Wimbledon Stadium is ever going to have as big an electoral impact as that 1990 Charlton vote.

 

(By the way, the local elections are usually on the opening Thursday of May but this year have been delayed so that they're held on the same day as the European Parliament elections, thus making sure two traditionally low-turnout elections require only one day's closure of schools and village halls for polling stations and one shift of ballot-counters for the results.)

 

Meanwhile, as it's an even-numbered year and therefore an international football tournament year (World Cup this time in 2014, next Euros in 2016, etc.), the four weeks it takes to work through the six rounds of the Greyhound Derby are in May this year, leading up to the final on the 31st (whereas the 2013 Derby was staged in its traditional odd-year four-week span last June) ... the logic is that while June's the perfect time for drawing the biggest crowds on warm evenings well before the start of the school holidays, any likely benefit from that better weather gets demolished by the counter-attraction of watching the football at home or down the pub, hence the Derby's run in May in even-numbered years.

 

But it's only once every 20 years that the 5-year-term of the European Parliament clashes with (and slightly delays) the 4-year-term of London Borough local elections ... when it does, it's in an even-numbered year so it's a May-running of the Greyhound Derby.

 

All of which has created a very rare instance here in 2014 of the local elections and the Derby final being only 9 days' apart, just when the future of Wimbledon Stadium is at a critical stage only a few weeks after the scheduled announcement of Merton's recent planning hearings.

 

While the efforts of everyone in the We Want Wimbledon campaign are wonderfully enthusiastic, anything they do still isn't getting round the on-going saga of Galliard struggling to repay Nama the Irish multi-millions ... meanwhile, for Nama's judgement of how much further pressure to apply, it must be useful for them to be able to wait only 9 more days after the council elections to get by far the current stadium's biggest event of the year out of the way as well.

 

The potential greyhound-racing revamper Paschal Taggart admitted on his recent appearance on Racing Post Greyhound-TV that he seriously fears this May's Derby will be the last to be run at Wimbledon ... if even he's that worried, it wouldn't surprise me at all if Nama get really stroppy in June or July after this quick sequence of planning-report, local elections and Derby final.

 

In the last couple of years, the Greyhound Racing Association have willingly transferred most of Wimbledon's other big annual races elsewhere, notably moving the Oaks (the bitches-only classic run every December) to fellow-GRA track Belle Vue while letting the Grand National go to Sittingbourne (a non-GRA venue) to form a double-bill with their Kent Derby.

 

Once Wimbledon's staged the Derby Final on 31st May, its only remaining big events would seem to be the late-summer Puppy Derby (that seemed unlikely to be held last year until a generous local sponsor emerged) and the Springbok (the country's major novice hurdle) whose 2014-edition is in a few weeks' time and so wouldn't be on the calendar again until Feb/March 2015 giving ample time for it to be moved.

 

As usual, thanks for reading this ... I wish I could provide more positive news beyond the enthusiasm of the We Want Wimbledon campaigners but there's relentless gloom for the dogs (and therefore, probably speedway as well) everywhere else in this story at the moment.

 

PS ... am I the only one wondering whether the greyhound community could have chosen a better title than "Show of Passion" for their upcoming day at City Hall given they want to attract the support of a Mayor of London for whom "Show of Passion" probably means something entirely different judging by the reputation of his private life !!