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Scottish Speedway And The Independance Vote


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Maybe this has been discussed before, if so perhaps someone can point me in the right direction please?

I apologise if I am going over an old topic.

 

I have spoken to a few Scottish supporters about the impact a 'Yes' independance vote will have upon Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Some seemed disconcerted at the question, others blase assuming nothing will change.

 

If Scottish voters vote in favour of independance, will both teams be able to remain in British speedway?

I would like to think that they can, but we have no German, Swedish or Polish teams riding in our leagues, would Scottish teams then be regarded as foreign?

Similarly, can we assume that the ACU will have no jurisdiction over motorcycle sport in Scotland if independance is acheived?

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I don't think there's anything to stop any team riding in any country, providing it is approved by the local ruling authority (wasn't there a foreign side in one of the lower Polish leagues?) Having said that, If Scotland votes for independence it can **** off as far as I'm concerned.

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Plenty of examples of foreign teams riding in other leagues:

 

Daugavpils(Latvia), Miskolc(Hungary), Rovno(Ukraine) have all ridden in Polish leagues

Ukrainian teams have competed in Russian league

Last year an Estonian team participated in the second league in Finland

Zarnovicia(Slovakia) have competed in Czech team competitions

Finnish teams have competed in lower leagues of Sweden

Think there used to be a Dutch team in the German leagues, and Helzod of Belgium are competing in the new Dutch League.

 

I assume the main impact would be separate FIM membership with Team GB becoming England once more

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Cardiff City? Berwick Rangers?

 

Storm in a teacup. SACU has been affiliated to ACU for years, would probably remain so.

 

Not too long ago the Australian and New Zealand federations were similarly affiliated -- this was when Briggs, Mauger and Airey all raced for "England".

 

In speedway, nothing will change. Except the Glasgow and Edinburgh supporters will probably become wealthier, and their speedways more-profitable.

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It won't make any difference. Edinburgh and Glasgow will still be able to race in the Premier League, whether Scotland is independant or not. Not that it's going to happen, in any case. The union was formed for a reason, that reason still exists, in that England and Scotland are more powerful and stronger as a combined force.

 

All the best

Rob

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It won't make any difference. Edinburgh and Glasgow will still be able to race in the Premier League, whether Scotland is independant or not. Not that it's going to happen, in any case. The union was formed for a reason, that reason still exists, in that England and Scotland are more powerful and stronger as a combined force.

 

All the best

Rob

Ooh Rob, "a little bit of politics there" as Ben Elton used to say (whatever happened to him ?)

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If Scottish voters vote in favour of independance, will both teams be able to remain in British speedway?

I would like to think that they can, but we have no German, Swedish or Polish teams riding in our leagues, would Scottish teams then be regarded as foreign?

Similarly, can we assume that the ACU will have no jurisdiction over motorcycle sport in Scotland if independance is acheived?

 

Many years ago, the ACU ran motorcycling throughout the Commonwealth, which is the historical origin of the likes of Mauger and Briggs riding in the British team. Conversely, I don't think it was ever responsible for Ireland, which has always been run under the all-Ireland MCUI.

 

Berwick Rangers is based in England but plays in Scotland, whereas Gretna for many years played in English leagues. Several Welsh teams playing in English competitions to this day, and Derry City (Northern Ireland) play in the Republic League or Ireland. Loads of examples of speedway teams from one country racing in another national league, as others have pointed out.

 

There's already a Scottish ACU which would likely affiliate directly to the FIM if independence came, but why would that preclude cross-border racing?

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We seem to race each other about twice a month anyway , probably wouldn't notice the difference if we were in a league of two :lol:

 

Paul, you could form a Scottish Superleague. They would be no restrictions on using riders already riding for English teams or elsewhere, so I would suggest teams of:

 

 

Edinburgh Monarchs:

1. Craig Cook

2. Derek Sneddon

3. Two-track Tully

4. Rider replacement for THJ

5. The Fish

6. Aaron Fox

7. Bert Harkins

 

 

Glasgow Tigers:

1. Tai Woffinden

2. Darcy Ward

3. Chris Holder

4. Niels-Kristian Iversen

5. Greg Hancock

6. Richard Lawson

7. Steve Lawson

 

All the best

Rob

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Sports leagues are not political. They are private entities that can accept (or reject) entry from anyone they like.

 

The biggest issue will relate to possible work permits. Will an Aussie riding for a Scottish speedway team need a Scottish and Eng/Wales/NI work permit too?

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Biggest problem could be getting used to seeing 2 different start times for the same meeting because if Scotland goes independent, it could well be the trigger for England & Wales to adopt Central European Time whereas Scotland (& Northern Ireland) have always been much more reluctant about doing that due to plenty of sunrises after 9am during the winter that far north or northwest.

 

For example Berwick, despite being just a couple of miles inside England, draw plenty of supporters from the Scottish Borders towns inland so might end up advertising their meetings as 7pm local (6pm Scotland) to make sure the whole crowd turns up at the same time !!

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