Birmingham Future In Doubt ? Alan Phillips Has Had Enough!

[high edge]

Looks like its over for Brummies,next three fixtures off,thanks to all who left them in the lurch then blame Alan Phillips for it all going wrong.Feel so sorry for the fans,you will have to wait till next year when the usual suspects will no dout be back.

[Brummie Kev]

Looks like its over for Brummies,next three fixtures off,thanks to all who left them in the lurch then blame Alan Phillips for it all going wrong.Feel so sorry for the fans,you will have to wait till next year when the usual suspects will no dout be back.

 

 

Alan and Charles Phillips are totally to blame for this, whos fault is that the club is in so much debt that nobody is willing to save it. Both of them had the option are reducing the debt, which would help to save club. Yet they wont face up to their own actions that got us into this mess.

[stevebrum]

 

 

Alan and Charles Phillips are totally to blame for this, whos fault is that the club is in so much debt that nobody is willing to save it. Both of them had the option are reducing the debt, which would help to save club. Yet they wont face up to their own actions that got us into this mess.

 

 

The stay away fans have to take some responsibility for the lack of revenue in the first place IMHO.

I feel for the fans who support week in week out.

Phillips certainly carries the majority of the blame, but that's what you get for trying to run a club in a sport you know nothing about with no expert assistance.

[The White Knight]

Its a horrible feeling!

You have my total sympathy - having been in your position many years ago at Sunderland.

 

Hopefully you might come back next Season, I certainly hope so.

[StevePark]

 

 

The stay away fans have to take some responsibility for the lack of revenue in the first place IMHO.

I feel for the fans who support week in week out.

Phillips certainly carries the majority of the blame, but that's what you get for trying to run a club in a sport you know nothing about with no expert assistance.

 

Why did the fans stay away? Honest question.

[oldace]

 

 

The stay away fans have to take some responsibility for the lack of revenue in the first place IMHO.

 

 

 

In that case then I must shoulder the blame for hundreds of failed business'. A restaurant near me closed recently, I used to go quite a lot but the standards dropped alarmingly and, like many others, we stopped going, preferring to dine at other establishments where service, value for money etc were far better.

 

I had no idea that the onus to keep this business operational was on me, I honestly believed my leisure dollar was mine to spend as I wished and in a wholly competitive market place it was up to each business owner to get the customers in.

 

Imagine how daft I feel now

[arthur cross]

The stay away fans have to take some responsibility for the lack of revenue in the first place IMHO.

I feel for the fans who support week in week out.

Phillips certainly carries the majority of the blame, but that's what you get for trying to run a club in a sport you know nothing about with no expert assistance.

Ultimately, is there much difference between stay away fans voting with their feet and individuals getting out in good time like Phil Morris or Graham Drury, rescuers being reluctant to come back in like Tony Mole, prospective new investors never actually being identified (before proving reluctant as well) and the GRA never making any public comment as the Brummies' stadium landlord in the 3 weeks since Alan Phillips wanted out.

 

Instead, what they've got in common is that none of them have been willing to prop-up the Phillips regime as its nosedive became ever more obvious.

 

On that BBC-WM programme a couple of Saturdays ago, two things stood out for me that highlighted just how steep that nosedive must have become.

 

Firstly, given the general nature of the British climate, it was laughable for either Alan or Charles Phillips to want to use a couple of abandonments or wash-outs as one of the excuses for their struggles ... any realistic promoter factors in the expenses of at least "1-in-8" bad-weather meetings (and ideally, "1-in-6") into their overall budget so that a couple of rain-offs in quick succession are just an awkward problem rather than a dreadful crisis.

 

Secondly, when told live on-air by BBC-WM that the BSPA had declined to appear on the programme due to concerns over Alan Phillips's health, neither Alan nor Charles made any effort to counter that unusual reasoning from the BSPA ... no attempt even to bluster out something along the lines of "how dare they start having a go at my health, never mind having a go at how I'm running the Brummies" ... instead, the programme moved into its next phase with that BSPA reasoning being left totally unchallenged.

 

If someone can't even defend something as basic and fundamental as his own health when it's challenged in public in such an unusual way, no wonder nobody else wants be on-board behind-the-scenes with that person or his family ... and, in turn, how much blame can you really put onto stay-away fans carrying out their own version of dissociating themselves from a regime so dreadfully out of its depth.

[John Leslie]

Secondly, when told live on-air by BBC-WM that the BSPA had declined to appear on the programme due to concerns over Alan Phillips's health, neither Alan nor Charles made any effort to counter that unusual reasoning from the BSPA ...

If I remember rightly from what the presenter said, it wasn't the BSPA saying they had concerns over Phillips' health. The presenter said the BSPA declined to appear "because they had been told not to contact Phillips due to concerns over his health".

 

So it sounded like someone in the Phillips camp (Phillips solicitors?) had told the BSPA not to speak to him, therefore the BSPA had no option but to decline.

[Leicester Hunter]

Looks like its over for Brummies,next three fixtures off,thanks to all who left them in the lurch then blame Alan Phillips for it all going wrong.Feel so sorry for the fans,you will have to wait till next year when the usual suspects will no dout be back.

If you say so. However, here's two more realistic explanations for you to mull over.

 

 

 

 

Ultimately, is there much difference between stay away fans voting with their feet and individuals getting out in good time like Phil Morris or Graham Drury, rescuers being reluctant to come back in like Tony Mole, prospective new investors never actually being identified (before proving reluctant as well) and the GRA never making any public comment as the Brummies' stadium landlord in the 3 weeks since Alan Phillips wanted out.

 

Instead, what they've got in common is that none of them have been willing to prop-up the Phillips regime as its nosedive became ever more obvious.

 

On that BBC-WM programme a couple of Saturdays ago, two things stood out for me that highlighted just how steep that nosedive must have become.

 

Firstly, given the general nature of the British climate, it was laughable for either Alan or Charles Phillips to want to use a couple of abandonments or wash-outs as one of the excuses for their struggles ... any realistic promoter factors in the expenses of at least "1-in-8" bad-weather meetings (and ideally, "1-in-6") into their overall budget so that a couple of rain-offs in quick succession are just an awkward problem rather than a dreadful crisis.

 

Secondly, when told live on-air by BBC-WM that the BSPA had declined to appear on the programme due to concerns over Alan Phillips's health, neither Alan nor Charles made any effort to counter that unusual reasoning from the BSPA ... no attempt even to bluster out something along the lines of "how dare they start having a go at my health, never mind having a go at how I'm running the Brummies" ... instead, the programme moved into its next phase with that BSPA reasoning being left totally unchallenged.

 

If someone can't even defend something as basic and fundamental as his own health when it's challenged in public in such an unusual way, no wonder nobody else wants be on-board behind-the-scenes with that person or his family ... and, in turn, how much blame can you really put onto stay-away fans carrying out their own version of dissociating themselves from a regime so dreadfully out of its depth.

 

Phillips certainly carries the majority of the blame, but that's what you get for trying to run a club in a sport you know nothing about with no expert assistance.

Hope these clarify the situation for you.

[MAN ON THE TERRACE]

The latest official statement http://www.speedwaygb.co/news.php?extend.26111

[Pirate Nick]

Another sad day for British Speedway.

[stevebrum]

 

Why did the fans stay away? Honest question.

 

The answer is obvious. A poor team that had BOTTOM all over it.

Yet there was money concerns and low crowd levels last season with a winning team that topped the table.

It leads me to think the folk of Birmingham don't really want/or care enough about there local Speedway team/ or supporting an EL team- certainly not in sufficient numbers to make it viable.

That isn't meant as any insult to the TRUE fans who support thick and thin.

 

 

 

 

In that case then I must shoulder the blame for hundreds of failed business'. A restaurant near me closed recently, I used to go quite a lot but the standards dropped alarmingly and, like many others, we stopped going, preferring to dine at other establishments where service, value for money etc were far better.

 

I had no idea that the onus to keep this business operational was on me, I honestly believed my leisure dollar was mine to spend as I wished and in a wholly competitive market place it was up to each business owner to get the customers in.

 

Imagine how daft I feel now

 

You fail to see the point.

You don't have to support any business in your local area.

But by the same principle don't moan or whine if it closes down because there isn't a demand to make it viable.

However if you don't want to lose that business then do your bit - simples.

If you stay away and then feel aggrieved that it isn't there anymore, then tough. That is your own fault then.

Spend your well earned where and how you like, but don't moan about something that you care about if it closes.

 

EDIT - just read the statement .................. Sad day for the true Brummies supporters.

Edited July 14, 2014 by stevebrum

[Brummies_Ste]

WITH deep regret the British Speedway Promoters' Association can confirm the closure of Birmingham Brummies with immediate effect.

 

Great efforts have been made by several people to ensure the team could continue racing until the end of the season but sadly this has not proved possible.

 

BSPA Chairman Alex Harkess said: "I'm gutted about this outcome, but sadly there is no alternative.

 

"When I met with the loyal group of Birmingham supporters last week I believed there was genuine hope, but sadly things have changed over the last few days.

 

"As an association, we have done everything possible to try and ensure the continuation of speedway but with no promoter willing to take the club forward I'm afraid the club is now closed for business.

 

"I feel for the Birmingham riders and supporters who have been a real credit through this ordeal and we all hope this is not the last time we see speedway at Perry Barr Stadium."

[StevePark]

 

The answer is obvious. A poor team that had BOTTOM all over it.

 

 

 

But still expect the fans just to roll up every meeting???

 

That's not the fans' fault. It's the fault of whoever put the team together in the first place.

[oldace]

 

The answer is obvious. A poor team that had BOTTOM all over it.

Yet there was money concerns and low crowd levels last season with a winning team that topped the table.

It leads me to think the folk of Birmingham don't really want/or care enough about there local Speedway team/ or supporting an EL team- certainly not in sufficient numbers to make it viable.

That isn't meant as any insult to the TRUE fans who support thick and thin.

 

 

 

You fail to see the point.

You don't have to support any business in your local area.

But by the same principle don't moan or whine if it closes down because there isn't a demand to make it viable.

However if you don't want to lose that business then do your bit - simples.

If you stay away and then feel aggrieved that it isn't there anymore, then tough. That is your own fault then.

Spend your well earned where and how you like, but don't moan about something that you care about if it closes.

 

EDIT - just read the statement .................. Sad day for the true Brummies supporters.

 

 

The people who don't go don't care if it closes.

 

The ones who already go do care.

 

It really is that simple

[stevebrum]

 

But still expect the fans just to roll up every meeting???

 

That's not the fans' fault. It's the fault of whoever put the team together in the first place.

 

The alternative is no Speedway at all at that club. I know which id pick.

 

 

 

 

 

The people who don't go don't care if it closes.

 

The ones who already go do care.

 

It really is that simple

 

 

Of course its that simple. However the stay aways seem to have some perverse pleasure in wanting to see it fail.

Each to there own i suppose.

[Poole Quay 7]

Desperate news for all concerned with the Brummies speedway.

 

I'm genuinely gutted for the true fans and riders.

 

Let's hope there is some way back in 2015 to see speedway racing again at Perry Barr.

Edited July 14, 2014 by Poole Quay 7

[greyhoundp]

I feel so sorry for the Brummie fans there is NO doubt this is a blow for British Speedway, that the 2nd city does not have a Speedway Team.

 

In my opinion the Phillips family have a lot to be accountable for. Its my honest opinion that they barely had 2 pennies to put into the Team for 2014, they relied entirely on putting of paying bills for as long as they could, they paid riders late, they didnt pay rent when it was due, and they told blatant lies to supporters and probably the BSPA (Birmingham Speedway is debt free) that being the most blatant. It seems to me they relied entirely on these late payments combined with advances (Sky Money) and season ticket money to continue for as long as they could, when these monies ran out, they tried right up until the day before Philips announcement, to lie, bluster and basically tell untruths about the Brummie situation, The BSPA has to accept it is to blame in a small way, firstly by not insisting that Brum had an experienced person helping them run the Speedway, and secondly by not investigating the Brummie financial situation before it got so bad.

Hopefully Birmingham Speedway can return in 2015, that has to be the main focus of the BSPA and Brummie supporters now.

[Starman2006]

WITH deep regret the British Speedway Promoters' Association can confirm the closure of Birmingham Brummies with immediate effect.

 

Great efforts have been made by several people to ensure the team could continue racing until the end of the season but sadly this has not proved possible.

 

BSPA Chairman Alex Harkess said: "I'm gutted about this outcome, but sadly there is no alternative.

 

"When I met with the loyal group of Birmingham supporters last week I believed there was genuine hope, but sadly things have changed over the last few days.

 

"As an association, we have done everything possible to try and ensure the continuation of speedway but with no promoter willing to take the club forward I'm afraid the club is now closed for business.

 

"I feel for the Birmingham riders and supporters who have been a real credit through this ordeal and we all hope this is not the last time we see speedway at Perry Barr Stadium."

Hmm, very sad news for all Brummies fans, i feel very sorry for you. In the BSPA statement it states that Harkness attended a meeting with Brummies supporters, on reading this, this is the first ive heard of it, as to my knowledge nothing was put on here about it. Can anybody who went to that meeting shed any light on that, and what was said ?

[John Leslie]

I feel so sorry for the Brummie fans there is NO doubt this is a blow for British Speedway, that the 2nd city does not have a Speedway Team.

 

In my opinion the Phillips family have a lot to be accountable for. Its my honest opinion that they barely had 2 pennies to put into the Team for 2014, they relied entirely on putting of paying bills for as long as they could, they paid riders late, they didnt pay rent when it was due, and they told blatant lies to supporters and probably the BSPA (Birmingham Speedway is debt free) that being the most blatant. It seems to me they relied entirely on these late payments combined with advances (Sky Money) and season ticket money to continue for as long as they could, when these monies ran out, they tried right up until the day before Philips announcement, to lie, bluster and basically tell untruths about the Brummie situation, The BSPA has to accept it is to blame in a small way, firstly by not insisting that Brum had an experienced person helping them run the Speedway, and secondly by not investigating the Brummie financial situation before it got so bad.

Hopefully Birmingham Speedway can return in 2015, that has to be the main focus of the BSPA and Brummie supporters now.

Think you've summed it up correctly.

 

Phillips family hugely to blame, but BSPA should have insisted on an experienced promoter overseeing things once the Drury's had bailed out, and generally kept a closer eye on things.

 

Gutted for the Brummies' fans especially people like Brian Buck and all those who put their hand in their pockets to quickly establish a fighting fund. Hope we see you all back next season.

Edited July 14, 2014 by John Leslie