Islander15 Posted December 12, 2013 Author Report Share Posted December 12, 2013 Might sound harsh but if a club cannot afford an air fence then bye, and if we end up with no tracks left so be it, its the end of speedway, the paying public are taken for mugs. You wouldn't say that if it was your club. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevePark Posted December 12, 2013 Report Share Posted December 12, 2013 I'm more saddened that its the fans who are asked to put there hands in there pockets yet again, and time after time the poor folk on the terraces are asked to dig deep on top of increased admission prices. Might sound harsh but if a club cannot afford an air fence then bye, and if we end up with no tracks left so be it, its the end of speedway, the paying public are taken for mugs. The only times fans should be approached is for the SRBF, end of. You wouldn't say that if it was your club. He wouldn't say that if he was a real speedway fan, either. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soul Crew Posted December 12, 2013 Report Share Posted December 12, 2013 Hmmm, ok I am not a real fan, maybe I am not if the criteria is allowing "clubs" to empty bank accounts of "real fans". Every year we get the scare mongering in the Speedway Star from various clubs and promotions that "Club X is in danger of not coming back to the tapes next year if we cannot raise X amount of pounds" I have full respect for a promotion like Buxton, who acknowledged the problems of raising finance for an air fence and put on a great novelty meeting to raise funds. Trust me, as long as fans are subsidising clubs, nothing is ever going to change. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevePark Posted December 12, 2013 Report Share Posted December 12, 2013 Hmmm, ok I am not a real fan, maybe I am not if the criteria is allowing "clubs" to empty bank accounts of "real fans". Every year we get the scare mongering in the Speedway Star from various clubs and promotions that "Club X is in danger of not coming back to the tapes next year if we cannot raise X amount of pounds" I have full respect for a promotion like Buxton, who acknowledged the problems of raising finance for an air fence and put on a great novelty meeting to raise funds. Trust me, as long as fans are subsidising clubs, nothing is ever going to change. Sorry, but I can't see the difference between Buxton, who charged £10 for adults to get in, who chose to do something different, granted, and any other club trying to raise funds for a piece of equipment needed to keep running (and saving possible serious injuries too). It's still the fans paying for it (something you appear to be against). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soul Crew Posted December 12, 2013 Report Share Posted December 12, 2013 Buxton offered something in return, remember when air fences were introduced to the EL? Clubs each ran a challenge meeting to pay for the fence, has Chris Holder been approached? Even Belle Vue offered a "brick" in return for money.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bryn Posted December 12, 2013 Report Share Posted December 12, 2013 (edited) Hmmm, ok I am not a real fan, maybe I am not if the criteria is allowing "clubs" to empty bank accounts of "real fans". Every year we get the scare mongering in the Speedway Star from various clubs and promotions that "Club X is in danger of not coming back to the tapes next year if we cannot raise X amount of pounds" I have full respect for a promotion like Buxton, who acknowledged the problems of raising finance for an air fence and put on a great novelty meeting to raise funds. Trust me, as long as fans are subsidising clubs, nothing is ever going to change. The Wightlink Islanders fans already subsidise their club as it is they who are the shareholders in the somewhat unique operating company rather than an individual putting up the money. Alas though the point has seemingly been reached when a decision has to be taken as to whether the club can continue or not and the signs aren't very good. Edited December 12, 2013 by Bryn 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevePark Posted December 12, 2013 Report Share Posted December 12, 2013 Buxton offered something in return, remember when air fences were introduced to the EL? Clubs each ran a challenge meeting to pay for the fence, has Chris Holder been approached? Even Belle Vue offered a "brick" in return for money.... Can't comment on other tracks, but Newcastle are doing various things, all to raise funds for the fence and fans get something in return. Ebay items up for auction, raffles and 'fun' nights, to name just three. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soul Crew Posted December 12, 2013 Report Share Posted December 12, 2013 The Wightlink Islanders fans already subsidise their club as it is they who are the shareholders in the somewhat unique operating company rather than an individual putting up the money. Alas though the point has seemingly been reached when a decision has to be taken as to whether the club can continue or not and the signs aren't very good. Thank you for the insight, in that case I apologise as I didn't know the circumstances behind the IOW. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bryn Posted December 12, 2013 Report Share Posted December 12, 2013 (edited) Thank you for the insight, in that case I apologise as I didn't know the circumstances behind the IOW. Apology duly accepted. Given the list of riders that have begun their UK league careers at Smallbrook and then gone onto higher levels, it will be very sad to see the club cease to operate if that proves to be the final outcome. Mind you my lottery numbers could come up this weekend couldn't they? Edited December 12, 2013 by Bryn 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tsunami Posted December 12, 2013 Report Share Posted December 12, 2013 I'm more saddened that its the fans who are asked to put there hands in there pockets yet again, and time after time the poor folk on the terraces are asked to dig deep on top of increased admission prices. Might sound harsh but if a club cannot afford an air fence then bye, and if we end up with no tracks left so be it, its the end of speedway, the paying public are taken for mugs. The only times fans should be approached is for the SRBF, end of. Total bollocks, Mr 'Sensible". 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soul Crew Posted December 12, 2013 Report Share Posted December 12, 2013 Total bollocks, Mr 'Sensible". Knew it wouldn't take long for you to appear with your charm offensive, certainly know how to make the paying public feel welcome. Bryn came on here and offered an insight into the reasonings behind the IOW predicament and I duly apologised, you come on here and throw insults. So would I now be more inclined to hand over cash to IOW or Newcastle.....hmmmm....... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elephantman Posted December 12, 2013 Report Share Posted December 12, 2013 Sorry, but I can't see the difference between Buxton, who charged £10 for adults to get in, who chose to do something different, granted, and any other club trying to raise funds for a piece of equipment needed to keep running (and saving possible serious injuries too). It's still the fans paying for it (something you appear to be against). And there is the rub ; it is only "needed" because it is imposed and it is only saving "possible" serious injury because there is no data available to demonstrate it's superiority to all other type of fences. Apologies to those on here who prefer to work on opinion rather than facts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevePark Posted December 12, 2013 Report Share Posted December 12, 2013 And there is the rub ; it is only "needed" because it is imposed and it is only saving "possible" serious injury because there is no data available to demonstrate it's superiority to all other type of fences. Apologies to those on here who prefer to work on opinion rather than facts. So, what data do you want? The riders I have spoken to want Air/Polyfoam fences at every track. Sorry, but that is good enough for me. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tsunami Posted December 12, 2013 Report Share Posted December 12, 2013 Knew it wouldn't take long for you to appear with your charm offensive, certainly know how to make the paying public feel welcome. Bryn came on here and offered an insight into the reasonings behind the IOW predicament and I duly apologised, you come on here and throw insults. So would I now be more inclined to hand over cash to IOW or Newcastle.....hmmmm....... Only an idiot, and non supporter, would suggest that if fans had been to asked to help a club survive financially, the club should go to the fold. Firstly, if they are asked they always have the right to say no. Secondly, if it is to buy a brick, or purchase a ticket for a prize or money, again it is for them to consider participating in such an event. There has been some great and novel ways used to raising money this year, and it has galvanised a lot of fans who wanted to help their club. The EL did hold meetings when riders rode for free to buy the first air fences. Unfortunately, the facts of life are that the PL riders only get paid about a quarter of the EL wages so, to help pay for the new air fences for 2014, each team would have needed to run 4 free meetings. Which nobody would have gone to because they really would not have raced to their full ability. So instead inventive people devised events and competitions for people who wanted to participate in. And still 'sensible' people moan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldace Posted December 12, 2013 Report Share Posted December 12, 2013 . Unfortunately, the facts of life are that the PL riders only get paid about a quarter of the EL wages so, to help pay for the new air fences for 2014, each team would have needed to run 4 free meetings. If that is so (and I don't doubt your figures, I have no idea as to rider wages these days) then with admission costs roughly as per Elite League to a pound or so and gates well in excess of 25% of Elite League gates the Premier League should be doing OK. Either that or the Elite League is in a worse mess than it appears Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elephantman Posted December 12, 2013 Report Share Posted December 12, 2013 So, what data do you want? The riders I have spoken to want Air/Polyfoam fences at every track. Sorry, but that is good enough for me. Yes I'm quite certain that is good enough for a lot of people. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tsunami Posted December 12, 2013 Report Share Posted December 12, 2013 (edited) If that is so (and I don't doubt your figures, I have no idea as to rider wages these days) then with admission costs roughly as per Elite League to a pound or so and gates well in excess of 25% of Elite League gates the Premier League should be doing OK. Either that or the Elite League is in a worse mess than it appears With the EL teams, factor in the £90k bung from SKY and higher fan levels in most case, and there's your answer. The EL teams have higher expenses and higher income levels. Edited December 12, 2013 by Tsunami Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mad Potter 2 Posted December 12, 2013 Report Share Posted December 12, 2013 Yes, I have seen it, and I implied that on another thread, But hey ho. I read the document and passed it back to it's keeper. "not really - its just credit - they'd have to pay it back" Credit loans were offered by Paul Ackroyd, of the Riders Benevolent Fund, to pay for the new fences, and some teams including Redcar have taken advantage of a low interest loan. Are you saying he wouldn't have been hurt with no air fence, or are you aware that comments were made at the time regarding the fixing of the fence. The basic flaw with air-fences is that if the bike goes in halfway up & the rider is going into it on the floor they tend to go under it. So you need additional protection behind it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCB Posted December 12, 2013 Report Share Posted December 12, 2013 So, what data do you want? The riders I have spoken to want Air/Polyfoam fences at every track. Sorry, but that is good enough for me. I want a Ferrari, maybe if I beg via the Speedway Star I'll get one? If the riders want air fences how about they ride for nothing for a few meetings to get them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 12, 2013 Report Share Posted December 12, 2013 (edited) I want a Ferrari, maybe if I beg via the Speedway Star I'll get one? If the riders want air fences how about they ride for nothing for a few meetings to get them? I don't think it's the riders who are demanding air fences but rather that's it's an FIM directive? Edited December 12, 2013 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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