Looking Back On The Elite League

[Starman2006]

Oh my looking back at the make up of the riders in this years Elite League and it makes a rather sorriful tale. I have been looking at the teams for the early 80's and it was a League to be proud of with nearly all the worlds top riders coming over here.

You only have to look at Poole, Swindon and most of the teams and they are made up of anything you could call world class, they are very lucky indead if they can manage on top rider per team now.

Its a shame Sky wasn't around in those days of the early to mid 80's. I wonder how then it would have affected attendances ?

None of the teams would struggle in the Premier League.

 

They would all likely win the Premier League.

 

The teams will also be stronger than last year.

Spot on. Reguardless what anybody says, there is still a big gap between the EL and PL...

[orion]

Cook not riding abroad has nothing to do with the bspa he should go and get a ride abroad if he wants to progress but too many riders like the easy life of PL racing and doubling up

That is one way of looking at it ..the other is without these rules then he would little choice but to ride aboard .

[Mr Blobby]

Cook not riding abroad has nothing to do with the bspa he should go and get a ride abroad if he wants to progress but too many riders like the easy life of PL racing and doubling up

If you can get him a team place abroad go for it im sure he will greatly appreciate it! If you think he just wants to take the easy life and just double up your way of the mark hes only doubling up because he hasn't got a spot abroad and he can't afford to just do EL

[Bruiser McHuge]

I think most of the talent was at Cradley Heath in 1983!

Erik Gundersen, Lance King, Simon Wigg, Alan Grahame, Phil Collins, Peter Ravn, Jan O Pedersen.......with Simon Cross at number 8 when Pedersen was injured.

 

Still the best speedway team I've ever seen....was decimated the following year with the points limit though !

[foreverblue]

If you can get him a team place abroad go for it im sure he will greatly appreciate it! If you think he just wants to take the easy life and just double up your way of the mark hes only doubling up because he hasn't got a spot abroad and he can't afford to just do EL

The only reason a foreign club wouldn't take him is because they think he isn't good enough, if Bridger can get a place abroad which he has done in the past why can't Cook, there are plenty of worse riders than Cook in the foreign leagues, i suggest he hasn't tried hard enough and finds it easier to double up here.

[Bruiser McHuge]

I don't really get the criticism of Cook....speedway is a pretty short career and I don't see anything wrong with treating it as a business and try and make as much money as you can.....Cook is never going to be World Champion no matter what countries he rides in so if he feels he can make more money by doubling up in Britain than by signing the sort of contract on offer abroad ten fair play to him.

My brother in law rode in Britain and he always said it was a job first and foremost and he was riding mainly to earn money and he did very ok indeed out of the sport when he retired...nobody in the past criticised top National League riders like John Jackson, Tom Owen , , Nigel Crabtree and the like for staying National League and not going British League....no doubt it was a business decision for them much like Cook today.

I'm sure if the right deal came up for Cook he would take it but at the moment it would take a lot of personal investment to do it and giving up Premier League as well...for a younger rider likely to a potential GP star like Woffy then fair enough but each rider is different and I don't blame Cook at all for staying doubling up at this moment.

[weatherwatcher]

Cook will go no further than he is now, don't know what it is he lacks, maybe just his confidence. Can't see him progressing any more than he is now. If he performs again this season as he did last with Belle Vue, then it may just be the end of his Elite League days, then what is he left with other than the PL. The clubs have just got to show more confidence in our own young riders, why bring in overseas riders that have never raced in anything but their domestic levels, when they have got a hand full or more of better riders over here.

[BWitcher]

Cook will go no further than he is now, don't know what it is he lacks, maybe just his confidence. Can't see him progressing any more than he is now. If he performs again this season as he did last with Belle Vue, then it may just be the end of his Elite League days, then what is he left with other than the PL. The clubs have just got to show more confidence in our own young riders, why bring in overseas riders that have never raced in anything but their domestic levels, when they have got a hand full or more of better riders over here.

 

Why are you posting this in the EL section?

 

It's the PL you should be aiming your remarks at.

[waiheke1]

Cook will go no further than he is now, don't know what it is he lacks, maybe just his confidence. Can't see him progressing any more than he is now. If he performs again this season as he did last with Belle Vue, then it may just be the end of his Elite League days, then what is he left with other than the PL. The clubs have just got to show more confidence in our own young riders, why bring in overseas riders that have never raced in anything but their domestic levels, when they have got a hand full or more of better riders over here.

disagree with all of this

1. I think cook will improve beyond his current kevel

2. If he performs as per ladt season, he will add at least a point to his average by virtue or riding part of the season as a second string

3. Why would a 6-7 point british rider have no future in the el?

4. Who are the british riders being kept out of the el by "mediocre foreigners"? Can you name one british rider of suitable standard without an el team place and the foreigner keeping them out,

[stevebrum]

I see there is the usual PL teams are hardly much weaker than the EL. Utter rubbish.

Without EL riders the PL would struggle for riders just as much as the EL would without double uppers.

Time the blinded PL fans got off their soapbox.

[The White Knight]

I'd say the GPs and SWC are as entertaining as ever, therefore machinery is not a factor.

There is the main reason for the drop in standards of British Speedway. I know that a lot of folk won't like it - but - it is true.

 

I'd say there is just as much 'gate and go' in the GPs and SWC as there is in any EL meeting. Some of the GP tracks are worse than many British tracks with their preparation and shape.!

Especially some of the man (Olsen) made death traps.

[waiheke1]

There is the main reason for the drop in standards of British Speedway. I know that a lot of folk won't like it - but - it is true.

.

are you referring to the standard of the domestic leagues, or specifically british riders?

If the former, then the number one factor is surely not the gps but the formation of leagues in poland and sweden where riders can earn more money. Without gps I would expect some, but far from all, top riders may return to the el. Remove the polish and swedish leagues and you could guarantee almost every top rider would race in britain.

if u are referring specifically to british riders, I think it is driven by a myriad of factors, and I struggle to see the gps as a major one. Surely it is more to do with increased cost to start out, decreased training facilities or even general outdoor space to learn riding a motorbike,lack of visibility of speedway as a viable career,seeming reluctance of british sportspeople to try to mske it overseas (not so much of an issue when the british league was the strongest in the world) etc

would be interested to know why you see the gps as a bigger factor than these.

[The White Knight]

are you referring to the standard of the domestic leagues, or specifically british riders?

If the former, then the number one factor is surely not the gps but the formation of leagues in poland and sweden where riders can earn more money. Without gps I would expect some, but far from all, top riders may return to the el. Remove the polish and swedish leagues and you could guarantee almost every top rider would race in britain.

if u are referring specifically to british riders, I think it is driven by a myriad of factors, and I struggle to see the gps as a major one. Surely it is more to do with increased cost to start out, decreased training facilities or even general outdoor space to learn riding a motorbike,lack of visibility of speedway as a viable career,seeming reluctance of british sportspeople to try to mske it overseas (not so much of an issue when the british league was the strongest in the world) etc

would be interested to know why you see the gps as a bigger factor than these.

Lack of Second Halves you mean.

[waiheke1]

Lack of Second Halves you mean.

dont know abour that tbh, I would have thought the establishment of the national league should compensate for that.

but for example how many hours were available at hyde rd for the likes of pc, mort, andy smith etc. When they were youngsters vs what tracktime is available for youngsters now? I could bexwrong, but imagine there are more restrictions around what hours practice sessions can be run and the number of clubs owning their stadiums.

would add also that lack of forward planning by bspa is another factor. And ideally we should be sending england teams - both youth and full- abroad for test matches if we really want to develop british riders.