Storming Norman Posted December 18, 2013 Report Share Posted December 18, 2013 What clarification - of who typed the statement? Great news that there is real hope for the IOW. IOW has a really good history and is a going concern that shouldn't be allowed to die. A late decision could restrict which riders are available. So could be a genuine 'for the good of speedway' decision to allow Adam Ellis to again ride for the Islanders. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 18, 2013 Report Share Posted December 18, 2013 (edited) Can I just make clear to avoid any possible confusion that what is now on the totally unofficial IOW website is, as are the vast majority of articles on that site, a copy of the Official club press release. This latest one yours truly typed and distributed at 7am this morning in my voluntary capacity as the club's PRO. It will also appear on the club's official website in due course adding that the webmaster of that does work full time. I am sure everyone appreciates the clarification of this matter. Thank you Bryn. What clarification - of who typed the statement? Great news that there is real hope for the IOW. IOW has a really good history and is a going concern that shouldn't be allowed to die. A late decision could restrict which riders are available. So could be a genuine 'for the good of speedway' decision to allow Adam Ellis to again ride for the Islanders. The clarification that the Press Release was issued by the unofficial IoW website and not the official site. I thought that Bryn made that fact abundantly clear? Edited December 22, 2013 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 18, 2013 Report Share Posted December 18, 2013 This is from the OFFICIAL IoW website regarding the meeting on December 17 2013 in regard to the club's future plans. I have also posted the detail in the Speedway News and Discussions forum. http://www.iowislanders.co/news%2018.12.13.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Posted December 21, 2013 Report Share Posted December 21, 2013 Now it appears the potential backing has fallen through, the dark shadow has one again fallen over Smallbrook. Such a shame to lose them as seems a possibility. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
builderbob Posted December 21, 2013 Report Share Posted December 21, 2013 had no chance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 21, 2013 Report Share Posted December 21, 2013 Now it appears the potential backing has fallen through, the dark shadow has one again fallen over Smallbrook. Such a shame to lose them as seems a possibility. had no chance Shall we wait to see an official statement from IoW before jumping to any conclusions about the possible failed backing for the club? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gaptooth Posted December 21, 2013 Report Share Posted December 21, 2013 There was a statement yesterday Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Posted December 21, 2013 Report Share Posted December 21, 2013 Shall we wait to see an official statement from IoW before jumping to any conclusions about the possible failed backing for the club? HOPES of the Isle of Wight rejoining the National League for the 2014 season have suffered a setback. The Islanders have been given until the end of January to declare their intention to race, and a recent shareholder’s meeting produced news of possible outside investment. However, talks have confirmed such investment will not be forthcoming and the club’s immediate future will be decided at the next meeting on January 21 – with a major financial investment or alternative viable solution required to compete next season. http://speedwaygb.co/news.php?extend.23525 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 21, 2013 Report Share Posted December 21, 2013 HOPES of the Isle of Wight rejoining the National League for the 2014 season have suffered a setback. The Islanders have been given until the end of January to declare their intention to race, and a recent shareholder’s meeting produced news of possible outside investment. However, talks have confirmed such investment will not be forthcoming and the club’s immediate future will be decided at the next meeting on January 21 – with a major financial investment or alternative viable solution required to compete next season. http://speedwaygb.co/news.php?extend.23525 Thank you for providing the text of the statement. Sad news indeed. I wonder why there was an offer of investment then such a quick withdrawal of the offer? We must hope that another lifeline to save IoW will be found between now and the next meeting of shareholders on January 21 2014. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greyhoundp Posted December 21, 2013 Report Share Posted December 21, 2013 It seems to me, with the late offer, and somewhat early withdrawal, its becoming to late for the IOW to stage League racing in 2014, the other problem they will face is most of there riders appear to be signing for other clubs, so even if they do run in 2014, what standard of Team will they be able to put out?. Im sad to say it, but it may be best if the IOW do not enter the NL in 2014, but continue to raise funds, with the object of returning to league racing in 2015. Now if IOW can raise the amount that they have so far allegedly 9k+ to somewhere over the 15k region, then surely it would be possible to pay the remainder over a period of time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Posted December 22, 2013 Report Share Posted December 22, 2013 Would they then run into the problem of lost continuity and need to apply for local authority permission again, with all the likely objections which come whenever speedway is mentioned? Just find the whole situation rather sad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cityrebel Posted December 22, 2013 Report Share Posted December 22, 2013 As an IOW regular, i don't think it's just the huge cost of buying an air fence which is the problem. The whole track also needs to be relaid, added to the substantial yearly losses incurred by the promotion is making that elusive sugar daddy harder to find. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Great Central Posted December 22, 2013 Report Share Posted December 22, 2013 As an IOW regular, i don't think it's just the huge cost of buying an air fence which is the problem. The whole track also needs to be relaid, added to the substantial yearly losses incurred by the promotion is making that elusive sugar daddy harder to find. You are spot on. The financing of the air fence issue is something that can be overcome, not easily, but can be overcome. It is the losses that have been sustained and look like being sustained going forward unless something is done to turn it round that is the real problem. There does seem to be some negativity that seems to be preventing people working together to come up with solutions which is a pity. Maybe the mystery backer came up against that negativity in his short discussions with the club? I sincerely hope that the club continues since NL speedway cannot afford to lose it. It is unique and the people involved are good, passionate people but that won't pay the bills. What is clear is that Kevin and Chris and several others worked their socks off this year trying to turn it round but it needed something extra and that is probably more advertsing revenue and more promotion of what is a good nights entertainment at a stadium which some clubs would love to own. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parsloes 1928 nearly Posted December 22, 2013 Report Share Posted December 22, 2013 Would they then run into the problem of lost continuity and need to apply for local authority permission again, with all the likely objections which come whenever speedway is mentioned? You're right that stopping and re-starting can raise the spectre of Planning Permission neededing to re-applied for... The way round that could be to use the track as currently is, for training and amateur meetings (of the ilk of Dragons & STR or club championship-based like Scunny too). That could happen without needing the air fence, without great expense (should self-fund indeed) and would keep the sport alive there and the PP intact, while funds and plans put together to re-enter the league in 2015...? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greyhoundp Posted December 22, 2013 Report Share Posted December 22, 2013 To put it simply, the IOW can do without the negativity, there has to be a way around this, nothing is impossible. The Club has a great bunch of workers, and deserve at the very least, to see IOW Speedway continue, Yes the aforementioned people, and others have worked hard, but yes, it requires a little more, that maybe an outsider can see. but is not visible from within. My own thoughts on the IOW and the average gates of around just over 100, yes everyone could possibly do more to promote there Track/Team, not just the IOW, I doubt the Islanders can survive just on locals alone, nor on annual visitors to the Island, more needs to be done to encourage spectators to come from the mainland reguarly, then they could target some advertising there also, To this end the raceday HAS to be changed, this to me is THE single most important decision the Islanders can decide, lets look at Tuesdays, I live in Bournemouth, if i want to watch Speedway on the Island which i do, i need to get time off work, odd occasions yes, but reguarly no, now if the raceday was Saturday/Sunday afternoon or evening, then thats a different scenario altogether, and Im pretty sure, thats the case for many supporters from the mainland, who wouldnt want to spend a weekend day on the Beach, afternoons/evenings Speedway, and an evening in a Pub, for me That HAS to be the way forward, Thats the single most important decision that can be made to sustain The IOW Speedway going forward, and if Wightlink can be brought on board, with a deal similar to what they already offer, then this would be brilliant. I sincerely hope some of my ideas would be considered, maybe not for 2014 now, but certainly for 2015 and years to come, weekend racedays has to be the way forward for The IOW Speedway, even if it only means an additional 50+ spectators, that would be a 50% increase on the average gate, many Clubs would give there right arm to see such an increase. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bryn Posted January 1, 2014 Report Share Posted January 1, 2014 In response to greyhoundp, firstly my I say I'm sure everyone connected with the Wightlink Islanders fully appreciates the motives behind the thoughts expressed in your latest posting above, certainly I do, but a weekend raceday is and always has been a 'no go' I'm afraid. For starters Saturday & Sunday are Wightlink's busiest days of the weeks and there's simply no way they would be able to provide the club with free sponsored ferry crossings for riders and match officials on those days as they do now on a Tuesday. Additionally of course, those spending holidays on the IOW largely begin/end those by travelling to and from the mainland at weekends. Alas, it's not looking at all good in terms of speedway continuing at Smallbrook I've got to say and sadly, it's very much looking to me that providing my mate Chris has remembered to book the ferry crossings using his ex-British Rail employee discount, our trip across to the IOW for the conclusion of the Island Speedway (IOW) Ltd shareholders meeting will be the last such trip the two of us will be undertaking. And I simply cannot see the sport returning to Smallbrook in the future if NL racing is not staged there in 2014. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 1, 2014 Report Share Posted January 1, 2014 (edited) In response to greyhoundp, firstly my I say I'm sure everyone connected with the Wightlink Islanders fully appreciates the motives behind the thoughts expressed in your latest posting above, certainly I do, but a weekend raceday is and always has been a 'no go' I'm afraid. For starters Saturday & Sunday are Wightlink's busiest days of the weeks and there's simply no way they would be able to provide the club with free sponsored ferry crossings for riders and match officials on those days as they do now on a Tuesday. Additionally of course, those spending holidays on the IOW largely begin/end those by travelling to and from the mainland at weekends. Alas, it's not looking at all good in terms of speedway continuing at Smallbrook I've got to say and sadly, it's very much looking to me that providing my mate Chris has remembered to book the ferry crossings using his ex-British Rail employee discount, our trip across to the IOW for the conclusion of the Island Speedway (IOW) Ltd shareholders meeting will be the last such trip the two of us will be undertaking. And I simply cannot see the sport returning to Smallbrook in the future if NL racing is not staged there in 2014. Thanks Bryn. A very sound summary indeed regarding the present scenario at IoW. I suppose all we can do is wait is to see the outcome of the January shareholders meeting? Edited January 13, 2014 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vcmazz Posted January 12, 2014 Report Share Posted January 12, 2014 Hi all, I was at the last meeting in December - not as a shareholder but as a (new) supporter having moved to the island in May last year and being reunited with Speedway after many years absence - I was a Wimbledon Dons follower back in the 70's/early 80's. I really enjoyed rediscovering Speedway and was looking forward to getting more involved with the Islanders next year. Not financially - I haven't got a proverbial pot, but by joining the supporters club, season ticket etc. Such a shame that my new found love appears to be so short lived. What hasn't been mentioned is that at the last shareholders meeting, the vote was already taken and it was decided to suspend Speedway for a minimum of 3 years. It was only AFTER this vote that somebody stepped forward with the name of an interested party and so it was agreed to defer the decision until this party had made/been contacted. It would therefore seem that the outcome of the forthcoming meeting is a forgone conclusion - such a shame. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vcmazz Posted January 12, 2014 Report Share Posted January 12, 2014 It's now CRUNCH TIME in terms of the continuance of speedway on the Isle of Wight as the holding company's shareholders i.e. the fans, gather at Smallbrook to continue their AGM following no decisions being reached when they last met in November. Will the sport be staged on the island this year or will it cease? I'm just about to set off from here in Kent for tonight's meeting over there that gets underway at 7pm - undoubtedly the most important meeting in the club's history! I fervently hope for a positive outcome but whether that hope becomes a reality, well we'll just have to wait and see what is ultimately decided tonight! Hi Bryn, It was said at this meeting that Isle of Wight Speedway Ltd, as a company makes a profit and that it is just the Speedway side of the operation that is losing money. Do you know off hand if the profit made from other activities outweighs the Speedway loses? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
builderbob Posted January 13, 2014 Report Share Posted January 13, 2014 sorry dont see that is relevant, if you have 4 shops 3 make profit and the other makes a loss, get rid of the burden Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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