Ben91 Posted January 29, 2014 Report Share Posted January 29, 2014 Due to the Elite league using National riders this year and others moving on,there is a shortage of top riders.Some teams have got the cream and others are going to struggle.II think the National league wont be as good because some teams will be lambs to the slaughter but if some promoters are happy to put on one sided meetings and think people will pay to watch that is there problem.But i for one will not be paying to see one sided rubbish. No there is not. Look at the sides that are already declared, all have solid NL standard heatleaders in them. The National League always begins with some teams looking a lot stronger than others, it's the nature of a beast in which some teams are out to win at all costs and others are out to develop riders for the future. It can't be changed. What it does do is help riders step up to the plate, I'd rather go in to every NL season knowing that the top line riders from the year before have all not got a team place because they have moved on into the Premier League to continue their careers at a higher level. To be honest, looking at the likes of Ben Morley, Stefan Nielsen, James Sarjeant and Tom Perry etc and seeing that they are still in the NL only (Not counting their EL draft positions) is quite sad. These lads should be helped occupy PL reserve berths and eased out of the NL so that the next generation can come through and follow in their footsteps. If anything there should be less "Top riders" in the NL, the sides that build to win can still do just that but will have to do so using just young up and coming riders as opposed to taking bottom end PL men who have been around too long and letting them hold up the development of the likes of the four riders I have mentioned above. Confidence breeds success, give these lads the number one slots in the NL and they'll be winning races, their confidence will improve and they will be able to compete better at the next level. He's the sort of rider that should be long past the NL now but Charles Wright is a perfect example of this exact point. He was fantastic for Buxton and carried on his impressive form when he signed for Somerset. They clearly go hand in hand as he was pants during his last spell in the PL. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moomin man 76 Posted January 29, 2014 Report Share Posted January 29, 2014 Whilst all income from spectators helps pay the bills and is very welcome,Buxton survived in the third tier of speedway without Dudley for many years so please don't credit yourself with our survival as it is insulting. Buxton speedway survives by working within its means and with a lot of hard work from a small number of volunteers and sponsors. My apologies if you found the post insulting towards your own personal efforts, as well as the role played by Buxton in their years of continuous membership of the National League. One of my own personal highlights of the time that Dudley/Cradley have been in the National League was the quality of the Buxton side from 2010; especially the rapid rise to prominence of Craig Cook. It was more than a just reward for the hard work of all at Buxton in the development of British talent. The point, I was largely trying to make in my earlier post was that all clubs, at all levels, would benefit from greater spectator numbers. As a consequence, it seems unfortunate that some on the forum would rather blame many of the 'ills' of the National League on Dudley/Cradley, when a less blinkered approach would benefit all. Furthermore, I would like to reiterate from my earlier post that British Speedway would be in a far healthier state if there was actually a concerted effort to develop more training facilities, such as those enjoyed at Buxton and Scunthorpe. A natural consequence, would be the production of a wider range of riders of all abilities, which would in turn alleviate the shortage of riders that some clubs are currently experiencing. British Speedway will not, in my opinion, rise to enjoy greater international prominence when the country persists in having as many training tracks as exists in such nations as Finland. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teddy2706 Posted February 19, 2014 Report Share Posted February 19, 2014 (edited) Without commenting at all on any of these riders competence and abilities, the following list of riders (to the best of my knowledge yesterday) appeared in last seasons final greensheet, but appear not to have signed for any NL club this season. Please correct me if I have made any mistakes or howlers: R. Blacklock T. Govier G. Isherwood A. Kirby S. Woods L. Rumsey A. Baseby N. Stoneman R. Branford R. Franklin T. Fenwick T. Heath J. Knight S. Hazelden S. Waldron T. Young L. Priest S. Tedham Some of these may have retired or are unable to ride or have signed secretly for someone, but I was suprised at the length of the list. Edited February 19, 2014 by oldsparky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonny the spud Posted February 19, 2014 Report Share Posted February 19, 2014 Adam Ellis isn't on that list as he has a place at Ipswich , although I really think another year riding at nl level would have been good as it's still only his second year riding speedway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waco Posted February 19, 2014 Report Share Posted February 19, 2014 I personally think Adam will benefit greatly from riding against better riders Sure he is still young,but has 2 leagues to ride in ..Those in 3 leagues may find the strain on man and machine may prove too much over a season... Be happy that he has the talent, to be considered too good for the National League .. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunty Posted February 19, 2014 Report Share Posted February 19, 2014 Branford won the under 21's last year, not sure why hes not got a ride. He was on a 8.53 average... Have i missed something? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Islander15 Posted February 19, 2014 Report Share Posted February 19, 2014 It seems to have been unclear for a while as to whether Branford will or will not return to Britain next year. If you remember he didn't start last season with a team place as he was in a similar situation. From your list Knight and Hazelden have retired, Fenwick isn't riding speedway this year and N. Stoneman has turned down offers of team places. It may or may not happen obviously bit I'd like to see Blacklock and Priest at Buxton and you could potentially add Branford to that if he comes over. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunty Posted February 19, 2014 Report Share Posted February 19, 2014 It seems to have been unclear for a while as to whether Branford will or will not return to Britain next year. If you remember he didn't start last season with a team place as he was in a similar situation. From your list Knight and Hazelden have retired, Fenwick isn't riding speedway this year and N. Stoneman has turned down offers of team places. It may or may not happen obviously bit I'd like to see Blacklock and Priest at Buxton and you could potentially add Branford to that if he comes over. Buxton with an air fence is a much more inviting posibility to the riders. I went last year and that fence had me nervous and to be quite honest not one rider went of the one line rut in the track that had developed! Its a great place and the track was good, just need to get another good team in the hills and they are in good stead again! 2010 was brilliant but since then not much has happened. I expect big things this year for the Hitmen! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TMW Posted February 19, 2014 Report Share Posted February 19, 2014 Buxton with an air fence is a much more inviting posibility to the riders. I went last year and that fence had me nervous and to be quite honest not one rider went of the one line rut in the track that had developed! Its a great place and the track was good, just need to get another good team in the hills and they are in good stead again! 2010 was brilliant but since then not much has happened. I expect big things this year for the Hitmen! Wouldn't have helped Matin Knuckey or Darren Mallett Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parsloes 1928 nearly Posted February 20, 2014 Report Share Posted February 20, 2014 It seems to have been unclear for a while as to whether Branford will or will not return to Britain next year. If you remember he didn't start last season with a team place as he was in a similar situation. Robert Branford's been seeded into the U-21 Final (as one would expect as the holder..) so seems it's expected he's going to be back in the UK... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teddy2706 Posted February 20, 2014 Report Share Posted February 20, 2014 Adam Ellis isn't on that list as he has a place at Ipswich , although I really think another year riding at nl level would have been good as it's still only his second year riding speedway.I didn't include Adam Ellis because I didn't think he would ride another NL season, sorry, I should have included him. It seems to have been unclear for a while as to whether Branford will or will not return to Britain next year. If you remember he didn't start last season with a team place as he was in a similar situation. From your list Knight and Hazelden have retired, Fenwick isn't riding speedway this year and N. Stoneman has turned down offers of team places. It may or may not happen obviously bit I'd like to see Blacklock and Priest at Buxton and you could potentially add Branford to that if he comes over. I knew Shane had retired, but so too did Tim Webster.... Two riders not on that list for obvious reasons, who I felt were a great loss to NL speedway are Gary Irving and Jaimie Pickard, both sadly missed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markyb Posted February 20, 2014 Report Share Posted February 20, 2014 Robert Branford's been seeded into the U-21 Final (as one would expect as the holder..) so seems it's expected he's going to be back in the UK... God help us if Branford back in uk for 2014. Just a cocky upstart who happened to come good on one night in 2013, Having seen his spoilt kid attitude riding for the coventry Storm last year, uk don't need him. Just read on speedwaygp.com referring to him as a teenage sensation . What utter rubbish !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
speedy bill Posted February 20, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 20, 2014 (edited) i would like to see a rule tried in the National League ,if a rider is injured during a meeting that he could be replaced by any rider with a lower average not just by a reserve.This would help to keep meetings closer.On Rob Branford he is a nice lad who likes to do well,and beats himself up if he doesn't,Rob is a good lad you don't know him. Edited February 20, 2014 by bw double 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
junior fan Posted February 21, 2014 Report Share Posted February 21, 2014 i would like to see a rule tried in the National League ,if a rider is injured during a meeting that he could be replaced by any rider with a lower average not just by a reserve.This would help to keep meetings closer.On Rob Branford he is a nice lad who likes to do well,and beats himself up if he doesn't,Rob is a good lad you don't know him. Save your breath BW this shiner has been having pop shots at Rob for years, obviously a loser himself who's only claim to fame is being a keyboard warrior. People that know Rob , think a lot differently. Junior Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greyhoundp Posted February 21, 2014 Report Share Posted February 21, 2014 God help us if Branford back in uk for 2014. Just a cocky upstart who happened to come good on one night in 2013, Having seen his spoilt kid attitude riding for the coventry Storm last year, uk don't need him. Just read on speedwaygp.com referring to him as a teenage sensation . What utter rubbish !!! Goodness me, whilst i dont pretend to know Robert, whenever i have seen him ride, which has been well into double figures, he has never come across as a spoilt kid, like all speedway riders he doesnt like being beat (name me one that does). He won the Under 21 Title fair and square on the night, you can only beat whats in front of you and he did that. I think you must be in a minority who thinks Robert is a cocky upstart, but hey we all have opinions, and mine is that you are wrong.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teddy2706 Posted February 21, 2014 Report Share Posted February 21, 2014 I don't know Rob Branford, but I have seen him race lots of times. He never seems to give less than his best. Regarding the U-21, I saw that meeting and I believe he won fair and square and rightly deserved to win. As far as I am concerned, he is worth the admission money to watch, fast, a proper racer who never gives up and seems to have well prepared machinery. What's not to like? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Swift Saint Posted February 21, 2014 Popular Post Report Share Posted February 21, 2014 God help us if Branford back in uk for 2014. Just a cocky upstart who happened to come good on one night in 2013, Having seen his spoilt kid attitude riding for the coventry Storm last year, uk don't need him. Just read on speedwaygp.com referring to him as a teenage sensation . What utter rubbish !!! Your remarks are completely out of order. All the good comments concerning Rob Branford written on this thread are completely correct. I have managed teams with Rob racing and indeed hoped he would return from Australia this year and perhaps ride for Stoke for the season and we spoke to him at one stage with that in mind. He was very up front and said from the outset that he was building resources from a job for an assault on 2015 and with that I wish him every success. As for you, I think you should be ashamed to slag off a young man who travels round the world to try and fulfil his speedway ambition and the sport would be better served if you would keep your bigoted inaccurate opinions to yourself. Malcolm Vasey 11 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
junior fan Posted February 24, 2014 Report Share Posted February 24, 2014 (edited) Another fact is that of the Five clubs that spoke to Rob regarding a possible team place this season , four he has ridden for in the past and you know the other one, so I doubt they have the same opinion as Marky. Junior Edited February 24, 2014 by junior fan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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