OGT Posted May 18, 2014 Report Share Posted May 18, 2014 I think some fans still miss this guy.............. http://youtu.be/WG87tQkphhk 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P T Preece Posted May 18, 2014 Report Share Posted May 18, 2014 A true Brummies legend, missed by all of us, loved the Pl days. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deano Posted May 18, 2014 Report Share Posted May 18, 2014 (edited) Speedway as a whole is missing something. There's nothing to get excited about it anymore. There is nothing going on to get people talking in the pubs. There is no bad guy at every meeting. There is no one to wind the fans up during the meeting. It needs more than speedway racing and 14+ nice guys turning up to entertain to get people through the turnstiles. Edited May 18, 2014 by Deano Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kester Posted May 18, 2014 Report Share Posted May 18, 2014 There is no bad guy at every meeting. There is no one to wind the fans up during the meeting. Isn't this a product of the fact that crowds are low though? Much easier to get banter/atmosphere with 5000 in the crowd, rather than 500 people thinly scattered round a perimeter fence. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deano Posted May 18, 2014 Report Share Posted May 18, 2014 Isn't this a product of the fact that crowds are low though? Much easier to get banter/atmosphere with 5000 in the crowd, rather than 500 people thinly scattered round a perimeter fence. I agree, there is very much a chicken and egg scenario. A low crowd doesn't help the atmosphere and no atmosphere isn't going to bring in the crowds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCB Posted May 18, 2014 Report Share Posted May 18, 2014 It needs more than speedway racing and 14+ nice guys turning up to entertain to get people through the turnstiles. That! The Bet365 feed highlight this hugely. 15 minutes of racing spread over 2 hours. Fill the gaps FFS!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kester Posted May 18, 2014 Report Share Posted May 18, 2014 I agree, there is very much a chicken and egg scenario. A low crowd doesn't help the atmosphere and no atmosphere isn't going to bring in the crowds. Quite right. It's hard to see how speedway can dig itself out of the mess it's in without a drastic reduction in admission costs in order to entice punters back. However, I think what'll actually happen is that speedway will continue on it's present course, gradually slipping further into the sporting backwaters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abbo Posted May 18, 2014 Report Share Posted May 18, 2014 I visited Birmingham last Thursday, although. Coventry supporter I like to visit local tracks. I paid my £15 for two weeks speedway BOGOF despite this offer I was amazed at the number if supporters that were at Perry Barr and I feel for the management of the second city club. Speedway still shootists elfin the foot, Coventry go to Eastbourne with a third division rider as replacement for Hans Anderson, how does the leaders of our great sport allow such stupid situations and expect the great British public to keep forking out their hard earned wages on third rate decisions Let me make it clear I am not having a go at National League riders I go to all the national League meetings at Coventry and fully endorse these meetings to any genuine supporter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aces51 Posted May 19, 2014 Report Share Posted May 19, 2014 It is not the BSPA who are to blame but Andersen. He decided to race in an unofficial competition. Effectively, no different than a challenge match. If the BSPA allowed a guest facility then you may as well allow them for any absence, no matter what the reason. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCB Posted May 19, 2014 Report Share Posted May 19, 2014 It is not the BSPA who are to blame but Andersen. He decided to race in an unofficial competition. Effectively, no different than a challenge match. If the BSPA allowed a guest facility then you may as well allow them for any absence, no matter what the reason. The BSPA are right. But Andersen should be banned now. Regardless of Coventry using a facility or not. The Fans were cheated, they deserve to know Hans doesn't get away with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben91 Posted May 19, 2014 Report Share Posted May 19, 2014 However bad things are pleading poverty is so unprofessional. Do something to get fans through the gate rather than plead for them to come back because you need their money. Use it or you lose it seems to be the buzz amongst speedway promotors these days, it's not a marketing strategy it should stop being used as one. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
racers and royals Posted May 19, 2014 Report Share Posted May 19, 2014 It is not the BSPA who are to blame but Andersen. He decided to race in an unofficial competition. Effectively, no different than a challenge match. If the BSPA allowed a guest facility then you may as well allow them for any absence, no matter what the reason. You might think it`s an unofficial competition-however it is very much official in Europe- yes one competition too many for the BSPA but sadly with the international calendar as it is more of this will happen in the future. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david2905 Posted May 19, 2014 Report Share Posted May 19, 2014 Another outstanding bit of PR from Alan Phillips this morning with this tweet Amazing how "fans" who decline to speak to the club directly via liaison committee choose to spread bile on forums like rats In sewers x Wonder how manymore "rats" will desert Captain Phillips sinking ship now at such a statement Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OGT Posted May 19, 2014 Report Share Posted May 19, 2014 No bile on here, so is it the Brum forum? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david2905 Posted May 19, 2014 Report Share Posted May 19, 2014 (edited) No bile on here, so is it the Brum forum? Presumably, do have to question the logic of continually biting the hand that feeds you though, regardless of whatever was said, keep doing that and the dog will die of starvation when the hand stops feeding it. Edited May 19, 2014 by david2905 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aces51 Posted May 19, 2014 Report Share Posted May 19, 2014 You might think it`s an unofficial competition-however it is very much official in Europe- yes one competition too many for the BSPA but sadly with the international calendar as it is more of this will happen in the future. The GP's have done untold damage to speedway in this country by taking away too many Friday and Saturday race nights. It would be madness for the BSPA to sanction another competition which, with qualifying rounds, would make that problem much worse. Riders need to decide where they want to ride. Andersen knew he couldn't meet his EL commitments if the agreed to ride in that competition so has only himself to blame. I agree with SCB he should be banned. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattK Posted May 19, 2014 Report Share Posted May 19, 2014 Riders need to decide where they want to ride. Andersen knew he couldn't meet his EL commitments if the agreed to ride in that competition so has only himself to blame. I agree with SCB he should be banned. But does British speedway need the riders more than the riders need British speedway? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aces51 Posted May 19, 2014 Report Share Posted May 19, 2014 (edited) But does British speedway need the riders more than the riders need British speedway? The sport is always bigger than individual riders. However, if the BSPA had taken a firmer stance with BSI and the Polish authorities some years ago, we may not now have been in the situation we are, where there is a distinct lack of top quality riders racing here. Edited May 19, 2014 by Aces51 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OGT Posted May 19, 2014 Report Share Posted May 19, 2014 I agree that the sport is bigger than individual riders, but collectively, the quality of the ones who have turned their backs on the EL is pretty high and has had a adverse effect on speedway in this country. Just look at Birmingham's team for the BV match tonight, it's got PL written all over it, how on earth is that supposed to bring the crowds in? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
semion Posted May 19, 2014 Report Share Posted May 19, 2014 I cant see why Hans Anderson should be blamed. Did he do the same thing last season while at Swindon ? He is a self employed Speedway rider and has several employers in different Countries. When he takes bookings he is going to take the booking that pays him the biggest return. He is really that much different to any other self employed person ? Cov had an option, but decided against taking it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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