Kent Kings 2014

[blueherb777]

Agree with everything Nikko says.

When there was rumours of Raiders returning,they do exist and race at CP.

I still think it is wrong that a Team Manager takes care of 2 teams !!!!!!!

The link to RY is all there in Management and riders.

I know for a fact that the heavy handed approach (like not being allowded in the pits)really p****d off a lot of people.

It has not allowed the Club to exist and grow,but runs it like it was years ago.

All very sad.IMHO.

[iris123]

The important + possibly strange thing in all this is Mr Cearns himself.Why did he seemingly hand the reigns to Silver?Originally he must have thought a modern approach was the way to go,but something seems to have persuaded him to go with the tried and trusted old ways.Normally the reaction to a crisis or ill health etc

[Guest]

Greyhoundp - at last, someone who gets what we were trying to do. Proper PR, new technology, we had a team of professional people showing how it could be done. From mid season after Len Silver brought in his ex wife and others from Rye House, one by one the guys were belittled and treated like idiots. We were called amateurs to our faces which is interesting, as we are all succesful businessmen in our own right. It was totally a clash of ideals (new and exciting) to (old hat and no longer effective).

 

Gustix - the link on here is to a thread of Facebook as you say. It's not a post from Len Silver it started with my thoughts about the Kings deciding to stop using the Web company I put in for 2013, and paid for as sponsorship by the way, with Andy Povey. Now I have no issue per se with Andy, who I know, but I think it's a backwards step from what we had. A number of fans have commented on the thread that they don't like the fact that Len is seemingly taking over and one by one some key people have left or been pushed out by Len.

 

To me the Kings had the chance to show speedway that some news ideas on how to promote could work. We tried and think if you look back to last winter we succeeded. Having done the hard work the club have decided to go back to traditional promotion. It will be interesting to see the crowd numbers next season.

 

At the end of the day the Kent Kings will continue without our involvement and at some point without Len Silvers involvement, the important thing is the club.

 

Despite what anyone make think, I wish the Kent Kings all the best for next season.

 

 

Agree with everything Nikko says.

When there was rumours of Raiders returning,they do exist and race at CP.

I still think it is wrong that a Team Manager takes care of 2 teams !!!!!!!

The link to RY is all there in Management and riders.

I know for a fact that the heavy handed approach (like not being allowded in the pits)really p****d off a lot of people.

It has not allowed the Club to exist and grow,but runs it like it was years ago.

All very sad.IMHO.

 

 

The important + possibly strange thing in all this is Mr Cearns himself.Why did he seemingly hand the reigns to Silver?Originally he must have thought a modern approach was the way to go,but something seems to have persuaded him to go with the tried and trusted old ways.Normally the reaction to a crisis or ill health etc

 

Three excellent comments on the current situation affecting Kent Kings. Dare I remark that it does not look a happy scenario at the moment? However, once things settle in regard to the changes being made at Central Park, hopefully a more positive and happier atmosphere could emerge. Let's hope so.

[waco]

Obviously if Mr Cairns wanted to be more hands on he could be its his Stadium. but he chose the route the track would operate in and thats the way it is ,unless he changes it at any time . .I have the greatest respect for Nikko ,as a PR man he did a great job for the Kent Kings last season,,but what ever the problems were ,( and i don,t know,),,,It is a fact that those who hold the purse strings make the decisions ..The main thing is Kent has a Speedway team of committed riders who want to win and entertain their fans,and know they are going to get paid on time by an honest promotion,,(Which they are here) ..We have speedway in a superb venue , So lets be gratefull for that ,and if you love the sport, support it,.Especially after Kent being in the competative speedway wilderness for so many years...

Edited December 26, 2013 by waco

[TMW]

Three excellent comments on the current situation affecting Kent Kings. Dare I remark that it does not look a happy scenario at the moment? However, once things settle in regard to the changes being made at Central Park, hopefully a more positive and happier atmosphere could emerge. Let's hope so.

 

Lets hope so. Leicester became sectarian for a while and now to a lesser extent still is 3 years later because people found it difficult to work together. It's not nice and makes you feel guilty about enjoying and supporting your team. Lets hope someone can put a lid on it early on.

[Shadders]

Greyhoundp - at last, someone who gets what we were trying to do. Proper PR, new technology, we had a team of professional people showing how it could be done. From mid season after Len Silver brought in his ex wife and others from Rye House, one by one the guys were belittled and treated like idiots. We were called amateurs to our faces which is interesting, as we are all succesful businessmen in our own right. It was totally a clash of ideals (new and exciting) to (old hat and no longer effective).

 

 

I seem to remember a similar scenario when Len Silver came in as a sponsor when Rye returned from the wilderness in the late 90's. The people who had brought the Rockets back (Steve Ribbons was one of them) were edged out or banished from the club altogether (depending on who you believe) when Mr Silver and Mrs Naylor took over altogether and purchased the lease on the stadium. Mind you, two league titles and a Premier Trophy followed, so perhaps it was for the best.

Edited December 26, 2013 by Shadders

[Nikko]

As said above, the Kings will go out to entertain the crowd, and the Kings have a great hardcore fan base who will give the riders all the support they need.

 

We are no longer part of the club and there's no point in going over old ground any longer. It's 2014 next week so let's look forward.

 

I still class myself as a fan of the Kings will support all the riders who ride for them next year, although as with all fans I may not agree with everything that goes on next season and may make the odd comment or two if I feel something needs saying :-) but the past is now the past.

 

Hope everyone had a great Xmas and let's all look forward to a safe and successful 2014.

[greyhoundp]

Would find it funny if Len walked away. Kent wouldnt have a team. Hope he does decide to jack it in. Then Kent would have what they want and when they folded the rest of us could crack on without there whinging fanbase.

And thats just the situation that needs to be avoided. How on earth can the Kent Team manager on one hand be talking about a return for Rye House Raiders, whilst on the other be managing an opposing Team absolutely incredible, and amazing that the BSPA can allow it. Talk about a clash of interests, i can imagine the possible Team talk to the Raiders or vice versa, now listen guys Kent need a 55 point away win to sew up the League title, go out there try your best to look like you are trying, but let the Kings win, they will pay your expences... hahaha I forgot, its Speedway we are talking about.

[Guest]

This is from a Rye House Raiders Press Release on London Speedways forum in November 2012: it summarises the link then between Rye House Raiders and Kent Kings.

 

 

Nov 29, 2012 at 3:57pm

Post by Administrator on Nov 29, 2012 at 3:57pm

Raiders on Hold as Sport Gets Lift-Off in Kent

Rye House has announced that there will not be a Raiders team entered in the National League for 2013. Instead, the whole operation will move to Central Park Stadium, Sittingbourne, where the team of Rye House contracted riders will operate as "Kent".

As Rye promoter Len Silver explains, "This is a better opportunity for far more meetings for our riders, who will make better progress as a result. We will still stage a few meetings with them at Hoddesdon during the season on dates when our senior team are racing away from home at Workington and Berwick.

“It was always difficult to fit in all the league commitments, and this plan provides the best of both worlds, with our riders getting better training and not quite such a hectic programme at Hoddesdon."

Edited December 27, 2013 by Guest

[Parsloes 1928 nearly]

To be fair, that Press Release was not really an accurate account of the establishment of the new club at Kent; and I think it's best all round not to dwell on that a whole year on. Kent is very much in every respect a stand-alone club and operating out of, certainly, the best stadium at NL level (one of the best in the UK in any division, tbh) and it's these positives which needed then and still now to be emphasised.

[westhamboy66]

As a Rye House supporter since the mid seventies i take a slightly different view of the 2013 situation regarding the link between Kent and Rye House. The new club gave me somewhere to watch regular Monday night Speedway something i have missed since the demise of Reading. I have to say how much i enjoyed what i saw at Kent. Ok so initially it was all new and a bit disjointed but as the track bedded in and the home riders improved i saw some decent stuff at Central Park.

For the first year someone like Len Silver had to be employed to provide the experience of running Speedway. What i would have liked to see is it being a twelve month involvement to get Kent off the ground. I think the involvement of the Rye backroom staff on a greater level will turn a lot of people away as it can seem a bit like a very large clique. Someone as experienced as Mr Cearns would surely be able to take the reins for 2014 or is it simply that having seen what is involved he doesn't want the aggravation.

 

As far as Rye House goes the Promotion of the club clearly suffered with Len's involvement at Kent. With no NL team at Rye for me a supporter our fixture list was bare and disjointed. I think Len took his eye off of things and as such Rye suffered a detrimental effect.

 

I for one was pleased to see Len back at Rye, those who chose to re introduce the Rockets were clearly out of their depth. Yes they served their purpose but Len's expertise was needed. He did give the supporters two League Titles and yes his efforts should be appreciated and hopefully there will be more of the same in the future but as a Rye fan i don't see that happening unless he is totally focused at Hoddesdon. That said i am sure his input and expertise at Kent must have a fair bit to do with the initial success of a new club

 

For Kent i hope they make their own way soon and become a successful club, Kent need them to be and so does Speedway in general. It's a great stadium which would grace the Elite let alone the PL. I hope they develop all sides of the club and go onto better things.

[Nikko]

To be fair, that Press Release was not really an accurate account of the establishment of the new club at Kent; and I think it's best all round not to dwell on that a whole year on. Kent is very much in every respect a stand-alone club and operating out of, certainly, the best stadium at NL level (one of the best in the UK in any division, tbh) and it's these positives which needed then and still now to be emphasised.

 

Derek

 

Completely agree with your first point but completely disagree with the second point, its not "in every respect a stand alone club". How can it be when it is run by the promoters from Rye House on a day by day basis, the team picked so far has 5 ex Rye House riders in it, the current team manager is also the team manager of Rye House.

 

How the heck is that "in every respect a stand alone club" !

 

I appreciate we are never going to agree with what is going on a Kent but please dont insult everyones intelligence by saying its a standalone club.

As a Rye House supporter since the mid seventies i take a slightly different view of the 2013 situation regarding the link between Kent and Rye House. The new club gave me somewhere to watch regular Monday night Speedway something i have missed since the demise of Reading. I have to say how much i enjoyed what i saw at Kent. Ok so initially it was all new and a bit disjointed but as the track bedded in and the home riders improved i saw some decent stuff at Central Park.

For the first year someone like Len Silver had to be employed to provide the experience of running Speedway. What i would have liked to see is it being a twelve month involvement to get Kent off the ground. I think the involvement of the Rye backroom staff on a greater level will turn a lot of people away as it can seem a bit like a very large clique. Someone as experienced as Mr Cearns would surely be able to take the reins for 2014 or is it simply that having seen what is involved he doesn't want the aggravation.

 

As far as Rye House goes the Promotion of the club clearly suffered with Len's involvement at Kent. With no NL team at Rye for me a supporter our fixture list was bare and disjointed. I think Len took his eye off of things and as such Rye suffered a detrimental effect.

 

I for one was pleased to see Len back at Rye, those who chose to re introduce the Rockets were clearly out of their depth. Yes they served their purpose but Len's expertise was needed. He did give the supporters two League Titles and yes his efforts should be appreciated and hopefully there will be more of the same in the future but as a Rye fan i don't see that happening unless he is totally focused at Hoddesdon. That said i am sure his input and expertise at Kent must have a fair bit to do with the initial success of a new club

 

For Kent i hope they make their own way soon and become a successful club, Kent need them to be and so does Speedway in general. It's a great stadium which would grace the Elite let alone the PL. I hope they develop all sides of the club and go onto better things.

 

Some very good points and interesting that someone thinks Rye House also suffered last season.

 

As you say Len Silver delivered titles to Rye House and has said in press releases that Rye House is his No 1 priority and always will be. I totally understand that and applaud him for that, but its part of my point.

 

I want the Kent Kings to be run by people who are 100% committed to the Kent Kings.

[blueherb777]

 

Derek

 

Completely agree with your first point but completely disagree with the second point, its not "in every respect a stand alone club". How can it be when it is run by the promoters from Rye House on a day by day basis, the team picked so far has 5 ex Rye House riders in it, the current team manager is also the team manager of Rye House.

 

How the heck is that "in every respect a stand alone club" !

 

I appreciate we are never going to agree with what is going on a Kent but please dont insult everyones intelligence by saying its a standalone club.

 

Some very good points and interesting that someone thinks Rye House also suffered last season.

 

As you say Len Silver delivered titles to Rye House and has said in press releases that Rye House is his No 1 priority and always will be. I totally understand that and applaud him for that, but its part of my point.

 

I want the Kent Kings to be run by people who are 100% committed to the Kent Kings.

 

This is it in a nutshell.

[IAN2]

Sadly I think Roger Cearns is being taken along for the ' ride ' rather than leading from the front as the stadium owner and Promoter, good God it's his money being spent yet he is taking a back seat and to me is more interested in the money the sport makes in the stadium rather than the sport in its own right. I was very sad when I last spoke to him how very little he knew about the sport. Whatever anybody says Len Silver will not be around for ever, then what happens ? In my eyes the right people for the right jobs were assembling in place to take the club forward for future seasons.An interesting close season to see who fills the vacant posts is on the cards.

[Nikko]

Sadly I think Roger Cearns is being taken along for the ' ride ' rather than leading from the front as the stadium owner and Promoter, good God it's his money being spent yet he is taking a back seat and to me is more interested in the money the sport makes in the stadium rather than the sport in its own right. I was very sad when I last spoke to him how very little he knew about the sport. Whatever anybody says Len Silver will not be around for ever, then what happens ? In my eyes the right people for the right jobs were assembling in place to take the club forward for future seasons.An interesting close season to see who fills the vacant posts is on the cards.

 

The stadium already has a Commercial Manager so would assume he has already taken over that role, as to the others, time will tell.

[Parsloes 1928 nearly]

Derek

 

Completely agree with your first point but completely disagree with the second point, its not "in every respect a stand alone club". How can it be when it is run by the promoters from Rye House on a day by day basis, the team picked so far has 5 ex Rye House riders in it, the current team manager is also the team manager of Rye House.

 

How the heck is that "in every respect a stand alone club" !

 

I appreciate we are never going to agree with what is going on a Kent but please dont insult everyones intelligence by saying its a standalone club.

Hi Nikko,

What I meant is that the initial press release of 2012 could (and by some was..) read as if the new track was simply the RH NL side 'transferring' there. What needed to be emphasised was that actualy what we were seeing was a brand-new track, the first brand-new Speedway track in this part of the world since Arena Essex opened to the sport in 1984. So, a significantly big deal.

'Stand-alone club'? Well, I wonder how many tracks fall entirely under the definition you want to go by..?

Is Mildenhall 'stand-alone' considering its links to Ipswich? Was Rye House 'stand alone' all through the '70s & early '80s with its links to Hackney?

There's a long history of close links like this and I'm sure to supporters and the Speedway world as a whole what matters most is that such a brilliant venue is now staging the sport and that new tracks are opening as opposed to tracks closing down.

[BossMan]

Hi Nikko,

What I meant is that the initial press release of 2012 could (and by some was..) read as if the new track was simply the RH NL side 'transferring' there. What needed to be emphasised was that actualy what we were seeing was a brand-new track, the first brand-new Speedway track in this part of the world since Arena Essex opened to the sport in 1984. So, a significantly big deal.

'Stand-alone club'? Well, I wonder how many tracks fall entirely under the definition you want to go by..?

Is Mildenhall 'stand-alone' considering its links to Ipswich? Was Rye House 'stand alone' all through the '70s & early '80s with its links to Hackney?

There's a long history of close links like this and I'm sure to supporters and the Speedway world as a whole what matters most is that such a brilliant venue is now staging the sport and that new tracks are opening as opposed to tracks closing down.

Hi Derek,

 

Before I start I just wondered, has there ever been a time where you criticised a promoter of speedway?

 

 

I was going to stay out of this as I’m rapidly loosing interest in Speedway but …………

 

Len Silver “HAS” been a great promoter; he still “IS” a good man who loves his speedway however everyone has to start moving with the times or their business will fold pretty quickly!

 

Len’s archaic way of promoting died several, and I mean lots of, years ago and I was there when he basically told the Rye supporters “If you don’t like it don’t come” and that’s exactly what they did! So his stubbornness has actually cost speedway some supporters who now don’t go anymore? I know this because some were friends of mine who no longer visit any speedway, not just Rye.

 

If Len was running a golf club then every golfer would be wearing shirt, ties and tweed jackets along with socks tucked into their trousers and donning a flat cap – can you imagine the youth of today doing that?

 

Last year saw me attend the fewest amounts of meetings than ever before and although I only got to the opening meeting at Kent I thought they were on the right track in promoting, it’s a shame that those involved at the start at Kent have now, for whatever reasons, been removed from the club. Congratulations to those involved at the start of KK they did at least try to involve the younger generation in a sport that is dying on its feet.

 

I really hope Kent succeeds but to do that then a lot of things have to change imho.

 

If they do manage to re-negotiate that start time then I may wonder along just to keep my interest in speedway going as I doubt very much I will go to Rye with their 60’s style of doing things.

 

That’s my rant – Happy New Year everyone!

Edited December 27, 2013 by BossMan

[Halifaxtiger]

Hi Nikko,

What I meant is that the initial press release of 2012 could (and by some was..) read as if the new track was simply the RH NL side 'transferring' there. What needed to be emphasised was that actualy what we were seeing was a brand-new track, the first brand-new Speedway track in this part of the world since Arena Essex opened to the sport in 1984. So, a significantly big deal.

'Stand-alone club'? Well, I wonder how many tracks fall entirely under the definition you want to go by..?

Is Mildenhall 'stand-alone' considering its links to Ipswich? Was Rye House 'stand alone' all through the '70s & early '80s with its links to Hackney?

There's a long history of close links like this and I'm sure to supporters and the Speedway world as a whole what matters most is that such a brilliant venue is now staging the sport and that new tracks are opening as opposed to tracks closing down.

 

I think the point Nikko is making is that you have stated that 'Kent is very much in every respect a stand-alone club' . Given the facts he has stated, it isn't and I am not sure how it can be defined as such.

 

I think its acknowledged that at least to a degree Mildenhall is a feeder club for Ipswich, and that was one of the reasons why Chris Louis became part of the promotion. Is it similarly acknowledged that Kent is a feeder club for Rye House ?

 

Links are one thing. Having the same promoter, the same team manager and the same riders is something else.

[Parsloes 1928 nearly]

Links are one thing. Having the same promoter, the same team manager and the same riders is something else.

Same riders?

None of the 2014 Kent Kings riders are also riding for Rye House in the PL.

Only one (Ben Morley) of the '13 squad appeared for the Rockets last season.

[Steve Deen]

Same riders?

None of the 2014 Kent Kings riders are also riding for Rye House in the PL.

Only one (Ben Morley) of the '13 squad appeared for the Rockets last season.

Must say getting fed up with all this the name of the Forum is Kent Kings 2014 !

Len Silver is also from Kent lets remember that as an old Canterbury Supporter he is not my favororite person but without him and Roger this club would never have came into being

 

As for the 2014 Kings riding for other clubs Simon Lambert is named for Kent Rye House and Birmingham so if all 3 clubs are riding on the same day does he wear the CTA Kings colors or Rye House being his Parent Club or Brummies as he has been Fast Tracked ?