brianbuck Posted August 25, 2014 Report Share Posted August 25, 2014 The bottom line is surely a question of whether we really need centre green presenters? A clear, articulate announcer with a good knowledge of speedway in general should be more than sufficient in my opinion. All we really need on a match night is the racing, clear announcements of results and the contestants for the following race, plus any interesting information relevant to the meeting or one of the riders taking part. Instead, all too often we get inane long winded irrelevant chatter from people who often seem to imagine themselves as the star of the show, which just slows down the meetings and adds little or nothing to the entertainment value. As the ideal announcer, I'd nominate Terry Astley whom most people will never have heard of, but who for many years was the announcer at my cycle speedway club's (Sandwell) home matches. Terry always did his homework, was always clear and consise and never reduced himself to pointless wittering. He works on the track and sweeps out the pits at Birmingham and Wolverhampton these days, and in my opinion, is wasted! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaz Posted August 26, 2014 Report Share Posted August 26, 2014 The stand in presenter at Newcastle on Sunday was excellent and hopefully will be back again for the next match. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a4poster Posted August 31, 2014 Report Share Posted August 31, 2014 In my opinion the presentation at some tracks now leave a lot to be desired. The actual presenter/announcer at a meeting is just as important as the riders as they have to carry and hold the crowds attention between the races. How often do you now have long silences between the races - especially if there is a hold up for track work, accidents, etc... where you look around and see people chatting amongst themselves instead of being engaged by the announcer. In the past the meeting announcer/presenter was often involved in broadcasting and had the traits required but now sadly I suppose as another cost cutting measure it is more likely the role of an enthusiastic supporter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveLyric2 Posted August 31, 2014 Report Share Posted August 31, 2014 The bottom line is surely a question of whether we really need centre green presenters? A clear, articulate announcer with a good knowledge of speedway in general should be more than sufficient in my opinion. All we really need on a match night is the racing, clear announcements of results and the contestants for the following race, plus any interesting information relevant to the meeting or one of the riders taking part. Instead, all too often we get inane long winded irrelevant chatter from people who often seem to imagine themselves as the star of the show, which just slows down the meetings and adds little or nothing to the entertainment value. As the ideal announcer, I'd nominate Terry Astley whom most people will never have heard of, but who for many years was the announcer at my cycle speedway club's (Sandwell) home matches. Terry always did his homework, was always clear and consise and never reduced himself to pointless wittering. He works on the track and sweeps out the pits at Birmingham and Wolverhampton these days, and in my opinion, is wasted! Not sure how a presenter can slow down a meeting?? Its not as if they have control of the "2-minute button"!! Poole's Centre Green presenter Nigel Leahy also comes from a Cycle Speedway background and is highly professional (imo), working well with the DJ up in the control box which is not the ref's box!! Yes he occasionally makes the odd mistake - doesn't everyone - but is usually well researched and up to date with all recent results and rider performances!! Also He doesn't feel that he has to shout into the mic!! We notice the considerable difference when Nigel is away and we get Swindon's Clive Fisher as a stand-in!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottyfan Posted August 31, 2014 Report Share Posted August 31, 2014 Not sure how a presenter can slow down a meeting?? Its not as if they have control of the "2-minute button"!! Poole's Centre Green presenter Nigel Leahy also comes from a Cycle Speedway background and is highly professional (imo), working well with the DJ up in the control box which is not the ref's box!! Yes he occasionally makes the odd mistake - doesn't everyone - but is usually well researched and up to date with all recent results and rider performances!! Also He doesn't feel that he has to shout into the mic!! We notice the considerable difference when Nigel is away and we get Swindon's Clive Fisher as a stand-in!!! Only problem with Poole's presenter is he takes to long to introduce the riders and by the time he gets to Darcy Ward the rest of the riders have started their practice lap!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Triple.H. Posted August 31, 2014 Report Share Posted August 31, 2014 Only problem with Poole's presenter is he takes to long to introduce the riders and by the time he gets to Darcy Ward the rest of the riders have started their practice lap!!!!He won't have that problem for a while 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trees Posted August 31, 2014 Report Share Posted August 31, 2014 Answer to that is no bikes on parade ..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazyb Posted September 2, 2014 Report Share Posted September 2, 2014 Porkie at wolves, yorkie any where, the couple at Leicester, does anybody remember the bloke at carmarthen he wasnt on the centre green, in the box, never had to re-fill in my programme so much in my life wanted to kill the bloke. the most annoying for me is the bloke at peterborough again not on the centre but in the box, will insisit on telling you things about the rider as he tells you the result. the best at the moment has got to be dave rowe, clear voice, tells the result as it is. Can't stand either Craig Saul or David Rowe. They both gabble at twenty words to the dozen. Just like playing an old record at double speed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seymour Dix Posted September 6, 2014 Report Share Posted September 6, 2014 The best announcer I heard in recent years was Jason Harrold at defunct Newport Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyMac Posted September 7, 2014 Report Share Posted September 7, 2014 (edited) We spent an entertaining few hours in the company of Dave Lanning at his Parkstone, Dorset home last week. The full interview will appear in the next issues of both Backtrack and Classic Speedway mags. As usual, Dave was as forthright as ever and has plenty of illuminating things to say about the sport, past and present, and his opinion of sports commentary also make interesting reading. Meantime, what are your most memorable/favourite 'Lanningisms' from his days with World of Sport... Edited September 7, 2014 by tmc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Panda Posted September 7, 2014 Report Share Posted September 7, 2014 Not sure how a presenter can slow down a meeting?? Its not as if they have control of the "2-minute button"!! Poole's Centre Green presenter Nigel Leahy also comes from a Cycle Speedway background and is highly professional (imo), working well with the DJ up in the control box which is not the ref's box!! Yes he occasionally makes the odd mistake - doesn't everyone - but is usually well researched and up to date with all recent results and rider performances!! Also He doesn't feel that he has to shout into the mic!! We notice the considerable difference when Nigel is away and we get Swindon's Clive Fisher as a stand-in!!! The only problem with Poole is the PA system.............its just as bad as it was 25 years ago............ RP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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