Robinh88 Posted September 1, 2013 Report Share Posted September 1, 2013 As I sit off the coast of Algeria pondering the happenings off the world and of the much beloved Berwick Bandits. Haven't been able to attend any Berwick meetings in the last fortnight, so my last meeting was watching Kacper Gomolski get his wheels in line vs Vaclav Milik and power home to victory. No disputing, it was a great night. Infact it was the best meeting I've seen live enjoyed it so much... great stuff However, Sadly U21 meetings don't come around every week at Fortress Shielfield but every summer we raise our expectations about what our team might be able to do (within reason - of course) a few silly suggestions but hey. It's very fustrating when Berwick now in Speedway terms have a top class venue so many good things that would really flourish with a good team riding in it. No necceserily a team of expensive riders. We were pretty decent under the previous regime paying bobbins. We've had some very good riders don our proud colours, Rymel, Rempala, Gjedde, Alden and Ashworth. Despite all the excellent things we've done off track (no disputing that) its just not happening where it matters on track and it hasn't since 2008. Why are we not performing? So many excuses about other tracks, weather, others riders, refs, our own riders goofing around, injuries. Thanks to GRT Media who put up the interviews with usually with the suited and booted members of the board. Now if our riders are busting there balls to ride for Berwick Speedway and we know who those guys are and have been, that's why we love Speedway or if we were signing sub standard riders. But we haven't we have signed good riders who have all shown what they can do. But come to Berwick and our riders generally speaking lose form as opposed too gaining, why is this? If the guys are winging it, as Mr Anderson said in his interview certain riders had gone through the motions at Berwick or words to that effect. That was something he strongly felt WOULD NOT happen this year. Totally agreed with the statement. This year has been the poorest of the 5. Admittedly the racing did pick up mid season with 4 or 5 meetings in quick sucession which I enjoyed throughly. We were devoid of spirit right from the off, minimal changes as per, Eddie Kennet might not be a big track man as Emilali stated but he was a poor advertisement of a now Ex EL no 1. Why in the hell are Aspegren and Barett still with the club? horrendous all season. Those two blokes at other clubs would have been gone with 8 weeks, but then again we've had this discussion note 2009. We also have a knack of just not turning up at big pressure meetings as 7 man septet. Why is this? In all the good things Berwick have achieved in more recent times. We were once at the very least a hard team to beat home, nothing special away from home, nor did we have the best riders. That's something you just deal with at Berwick. This season we've been beaten 6 times at home now in 2013? won away at Glasgow, of course every team have bad seasons. I'm unsure as to what Berwick's future is, on current form take out the U21 meeting which was unbelieveable Berwick Speedway has lost the buzz about it. The excitement of waking up on a Saturday and looking forward to seeing what happens trackside has dissapeared. Kozza Smith has had a very good season been very exciting he was given his all and more, so it can be done. British Speedway is all about the 7 riders you use, until we pick the right guys for the job based on ability and commitment coupled with a man who can motivate and lead a team, we are currently about as good as what Stoke were pre 2011 going NL, will we do the same? or wrap and just not bother next year? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigeddiechek Posted September 1, 2013 Report Share Posted September 1, 2013 Not quite what the point is you're making, or even if there is one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brough Diamond Posted September 1, 2013 Report Share Posted September 1, 2013 I don't agree with chopping and changing riders to be honest and Newcastle rarely do it and yet we stay successful. We even stuck with R/ R for Andy rather than sign up other riders. The biggest thing about being successful is about signing up riders who can increase their averages and I'm not sure you've had enough of those especially in the Heat leader spots. Ricky, Kozza and Alex were all coming back from torrid injuries last year and it was unreasonable to expect major improvements. Matty has done OK but is getting on to throw in massive increases especially going from Armadale to Berwick. That left a small group to you'd be looking toincrease quite a bit and it was a big ask. If you look at most of the teams in the top 6 they are peppered with improver's. I haven't gone back over the previous years but I suspect it will be the same. The diamonds had it with Pepe and co for quite a few years but we've hit a rich vein recently. The track hasn't changed, merely the type of rider. Add to that, once you get a bit of success then the young promising kids will want to come. Same in any sport. Like most Northern fans, I love my own club, but really keep my fingers crossed for success for our Rivals like the Bandits to keep the sport healthy in the North. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robinh88 Posted September 1, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 1, 2013 read the title big lad..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emilali Posted September 2, 2013 Report Share Posted September 2, 2013 Think as much as its the riders out on track, I cant help but feeling our team manager is just a walkover that the riders dont respect a jot and as a consequence dont really care when they underperform massively as there will be no comeback from Razor. On paper Berwick have a decent team, but he just doesnt seem able to get the best out of them or indeed any consistency at all. Seems to be this win lose or draw atmosphere there will still be a hog roast and a kneeze up. If thats what they are aiming to achieve, just come out and tell the fans they aren't going for the league they jusy want a saturday nights bevvy, not have people coming out telling us Berwick have one of the biggest budgeta in the league. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigeddiechek Posted September 2, 2013 Report Share Posted September 2, 2013 What a load of mince. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spin king Posted September 2, 2013 Report Share Posted September 2, 2013 Looking from outside looking in I would say that there were a few factors that have define Berwick's season. Seb Alden not re-signing which I believe ,mean't that the Promotion had to change the team line up at the last minute. The obvious one was the lost of Ricky Ashworth not once but twice, and the second one must have had effect on the riders. The signing of Eddie Kennett at the time appeared to be a Master plan, but for one reason or another just did work out. But one of the biggest for me had to be not re-signing Micky Dyer from the season before. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shadders Posted September 2, 2013 Report Share Posted September 2, 2013 But one of the biggest for me had to be not re-signing Micky Dyer from the season before. Nice race suits though 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spin king Posted September 2, 2013 Report Share Posted September 2, 2013 Nice race suits though Sssssh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
george.m Posted September 2, 2013 Report Share Posted September 2, 2013 Where's it all going wrong? Fans taking summer holidays abroad and not spending their dosh getting into the stadium and what's on offer in there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goodiepatchie Posted September 3, 2013 Report Share Posted September 3, 2013 Looking from outside looking in I would say that there were a few factors that have define Berwick's season. Seb Alden not re-signing which I believe ,mean't that the Promotion had to change the team line up at the last minute. The obvious one was the lost of Ricky Ashworth not once but twice, and the second one must have had effect on the riders. The signing of Eddie Kennett at the time appeared to be a Master plan, but for one reason or another just did work out. But one of the biggest for me had to be not re-signing Micky Dyer from the season before. Micky Dyer should have been top of the list to sign Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Skid Posted September 3, 2013 Report Share Posted September 3, 2013 Nice race suits though Should easily win the Race suit of the Year 2013 award. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fromafar Posted September 3, 2013 Report Share Posted September 3, 2013 Looking from outside looking in I would say that there were a few factors that have define Berwick's season. Seb Alden not re-signing which I believe ,mean't that the Promotion had to change the team line up at the last minute. The obvious one was the lost of Ricky Ashworth not once but twice, and the second one must have had effect on the riders. The signing of Eddie Kennett at the time appeared to be a Master plan, but for one reason or another just did work out. But one of the biggest for me had to be not re-signing Micky Dyer from the season before. I agree with you they probably were major factors.Just a season to forget on track I'm afraid.Fixture planning did not do us any favours to many blank Saturdays people get out the habit of attending when this happens. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robinh88 Posted September 3, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 3, 2013 crowds have been fairly consistant this year I would say. mathamatics is not my strong point but I'd say we have had better numbers this campaign, maybe wrong? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigeddiechek Posted September 3, 2013 Report Share Posted September 3, 2013 I agree with Fromafar, blank Saturdays is an absolute killer of momentum. I think overall it hasn't been a bad season. The first few meetings were awful, but from the Sky meeting onwards the entertainment has been pretty good. Our results and performances have been pretty variable, and certainly agree that some riders have been disappointing. I still go back to the year when we were robbed of the league, though, people got bored with us hammering everyone at home and the crowds were awful low. You really are being a bit of a Drama Queen with the thread title. Where is it all going wrong? A first live televised meeting that received acclaim from all parts of the speedway community. A major international meeting with many commenting that it was the best speedway that they had ever seen. Some poor individual performances, and a lower league position than some expected doesn't mean things are going wrong. There is a lot of real progress. By all accounts we were unlucky not to retain the fours title too (although I would need someone who was there to back that up). So, come on, you're into my territory of baiting with this one. Don't bring yourself down to my level Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arson fire Posted September 3, 2013 Report Share Posted September 3, 2013 I agree with Fromafar, blank Saturdays is an absolute killer of momentum. I think overall it hasn't been a bad season. The first few meetings were awful, but from the Sky meeting onwards the entertainment has been pretty good. Our results and performances have been pretty variable, and certainly agree that some riders have been disappointing. I still go back to the year when we were robbed of the league, though, people got bored with us hammering everyone at home and the crowds were awful low. You really are being a bit of a Drama Queen with the thread title. Where is it all going wrong? A first live televised meeting that received acclaim from all parts of the speedway community. A major international meeting with many commenting that it was the best speedway that they had ever seen. Some poor individual performances, and a lower league position than some expected doesn't mean things are going wrong. There is a lot of real progress. By all accounts we were unlucky not to retain the fours title too (although I would need someone who was there to back that up). So, come on, you're into my territory of baiting with this one. Don't bring yourself down to my level dont think you were unlucky ed, altough your team rode much better than they have this season.People go to speedway to be entertained and also see there team winning, it's all well and good having excelled off the track, but it's the Berwick Bandits speedway team people support and go to see, surely that should be a priority?? I was a regular visitor to Berwick the past few years but to be honest the racing was mainly dire. How can they can get the track spot on for tv meeting and FIM meetings, yet hardly ever for Run of the mill premier league meetings?? It's seems to me that having a successful team on track with a track prepared consistently is secondary to pleasing the powers that be to gain plaudits. If they don't sort this for ordinary joe soap who goes weekly then the massive strides made off the track will be pointless as fans vote with their feet and wallet....I used to spend about 30 quid and double that if I brought the kids.. Without these fans there is no speedway... They are the most important aspect of any club. In this climate people want value for hard earned money, not many and even some die hards will just throw it at watching follow the leader on a cold Saturday night.... Berwicks promotion are to be commended over the past few years but its about Berwick speedway, not the fim, sky, pies, burgers, race suits.... Everything is overhyped constantly.... Being a Berwick fan must be like following nufc??!! 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigeddiechek Posted September 3, 2013 Report Share Posted September 3, 2013 dont think you were unlucky ed, altough your team rode much better than they have this season. People go to speedway to be entertained and also see there team winning, it's all well and good having excelled off the track, but it's the Berwick Bandits speedway team people support and go to see, surely that should be a priority?? I was a regular visitor to Berwick the past few years but to be honest the racing was mainly dire. How can they can get the track spot on for tv meeting and FIM meetings, yet hardly ever for Run of the mill premier league meetings?? It's seems to me that having a successful team on track with a track prepared consistently is secondary to pleasing the powers that be to gain plaudits. If they don't sort this for ordinary joe soap who goes weekly then the massive strides made off the track will be pointless as fans vote with their feet and wallet....I used to spend about 30 quid and double that if I brought the kids.. Without these fans there is no speedway... They are the most important aspect of any club. In this climate people want value for hard earned money, not many and even some die hards will just throw it at watching follow the leader on a cold Saturday night.... Berwicks promotion are to be commended over the past few years but its about Berwick speedway, not the fim, sky, pies, burgers, race suits.... Everything is overhyped constantly.... Being a Berwick fan must be like following nufc??!! It is about the complete package. Surely riders must be a variable when considering the quality of racing, or is it all down to track? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emilali Posted September 3, 2013 Report Share Posted September 3, 2013 I agree with Fromafar, blank Saturdays is an absolute killer of momentum. I think overall it hasn't been a bad season. The first few meetings were awful, but from the Sky meeting onwards the entertainment has been pretty good. Our results and performances have been pretty variable, and certainly agree that some riders have been disappointing. I still go back to the year when we were robbed of the league, though, people got bored with us hammering everyone at home and the crowds were awful low. You really are being a bit of a Drama Queen with the thread title. Where is it all going wrong? A first live televised meeting that received acclaim from all parts of the speedway community. A major international meeting with many commenting that it was the best speedway that they had ever seen. Some poor individual performances, and a lower league position than some expected doesn't mean things are going wrong. There is a lot of real progress. By all accounts we were unlucky not to retain the fours title too (although I would need someone who was there to back that up). So, come on, you're into my territory of baiting with this one. Don't bring yourself down to my level Overall it hasnt been a bad season? I agree, I think its been a tremendously successful season again for the Bandits with strong performances on track throughout. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigeddiechek Posted September 3, 2013 Report Share Posted September 3, 2013 Overall it hasnt been a bad season? I agree, I think its been a tremendously successful season again for the Bandits with strong performances on track throughout. You didn't read the post thoroughly, my darling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emilali Posted September 3, 2013 Report Share Posted September 3, 2013 You didn't read the post thoroughly, my darling. I did Ed dont worry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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