Mixy230 Posted May 26, 2015 Report Share Posted May 26, 2015 Just a thought. When teams WANT to get promoted to the Elite League (or next league up) you know you have a thriving sport. Bottom team relegated Top team promoted etc etc. If there is no "want" for promotion or "fight" to stay away from relegation the sport will just stagnate and dwindle even more. I know the choices are made for financial reasons, but it shows a sad state of affairs overall for Speedway in the UK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weatherwatcher Posted May 26, 2015 Report Share Posted May 26, 2015 Lets face facts how many PL clubs want to join the EL, not that many I would say. They are quite happy staying where they are, many of the clubs may not be in a position finacially to go up to the EL, They manage to get by in the PL without the worlds top stars who ask for wage demands that would break the clubs. I for one don't get to see as much speedway, when the Lions where in the PL, now it just cost to much, with the fuel cost of getting there and back, admision for me and the grandson a programme a couple of raffle tickets 6 cups of coffee and the grandson wanted this years badge, I was out of pocket to the tune of just over £60, so I only get to about 3 meetings a year now. I would rather live near to a PL or NL track and get better value for my money if if it is with all the top riders. Last night was money well spent though. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ch958 Posted May 26, 2015 Report Share Posted May 26, 2015 it was ever thus - the bigger clubs in the tope division, smaller lower down the worrying thing is the amount of clubs who were big time at one time or another operating in lower leagues - Sheffield, glasgow, Ipswich, etc etc trust me very few people would want to take the risk of moving up because of costs - theres a post on another topic berating teams who don't want to go up but the poster isn't risking hundreds of thousands. Everyone goes bananas when i say this, which i do quite often, but EL simply has to make itself more affordable which means weakening teams and thats when people go crazy because they can't live without big names.To them anyone outside of the GPs is a 'wobbler' and then they go crazy again when there isn't the money to pay for Tai. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mixy230 Posted May 26, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 26, 2015 I agree with weatherwatcher & ch958 But it does show the current precarious position UK speedway is in. Not enough fans Not enough money Elite L riders wages to high (against business income) 8 clubs in the EL! Prior to 1978 (I think there were 19 teams in the then BL) 13 in PL 10 in NL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weatherwatcher Posted May 26, 2015 Report Share Posted May 26, 2015 I for one can't see why people have to have all these top riders over here that cripple the clubs, with outladish payment requests. I for one would be far happier to see the general run of the mill riders with far closer racing and at a price that everyone can afford to go and watch. Lets face it, it is not the sort of sport these days that draws in the crowds that the british super bikes draw in. It is just a few dedicated fans that come rain or shine to watch their team. Surely the promoters realise that without the fans, then they have no income. Some of the EL clubs have a fan base that ar even less that some of the lower league football clubs. There is very little advertising out there about the sport. No posters on the stadiums like there was in the 60,s and 70,s letting folks know when the next meeting was. I was looking at an article about Tamworth speedway club in the mid 1940,s. When George Formby was there and they had over 5000 fans there and the same at nearly every meeting, wouldn't the promoter just love a crowd like that every week now. Something needs doing and doing very fast before there is nothing left of the EL. I keep saying this but I am sure the promoters are wearing blinkers as well as rose tinted glasses. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The White Knight Posted May 26, 2015 Report Share Posted May 26, 2015 I for one can't see why people have to have all these top riders over here that cripple the clubs, with outladish payment requests. I for one would be far happier to see the general run of the mill riders with far closer racing and at a price that everyone can afford to go and watch. Lets face it, it is not the sort of sport these days that draws in the crowds that the british super bikes draw in. It is just a few dedicated fans that come rain or shine to watch their team. Surely the promoters realise that without the fans, then they have no income. Some of the EL clubs have a fan base that ar even less that some of the lower league football clubs. There is very little advertising out there about the sport. No posters on the stadiums like there was in the 60,s and 70,s letting folks know when the next meeting was. I was looking at an article about Tamworth speedway club in the mid 1940,s. When George Formby was there and they had over 5000 fans there and the same at nearly every meeting, wouldn't the promoter just love a crowd like that every week now. Something needs doing and doing very fast before there is nothing left of the EL. I keep saying this but I am sure the promoters are wearing blinkers as well as rose tinted glasses. So are some Elite League Supporters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCB Posted May 26, 2015 Report Share Posted May 26, 2015 So are some Elite League Supporters. The only blinkers are those worn by PL fans who seem to want to blame all the sports ills on the EL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
customhouseregular Posted May 26, 2015 Report Share Posted May 26, 2015 EL/PL amalgamation and split in to North/South leagues with 12 teams in each sector. It can't make sense financially for Plymouth to go to Berwick and vice versa. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The White Knight Posted May 26, 2015 Report Share Posted May 26, 2015 The only blinkers are those worn by PL fans who seem to want to blame all the sports ills on the EL. Not all of them SCB. It's just that the Elite League is supposed to be the 'showcase' League of Speedway. Crowds are dropping alarmingly in Speedway at present ergo the 'showcase' League isn't doing a very good job is it? I am certainly not blaming the Elite League for everything - but things like tracking National League Riders in a number of Races doesn't exactly increase the quality of the League now does it? All credit to those young Riders who are doing their best to prop up the 'Top' League along with those from the Premier League 'Doubling up'. It seems to me that the Elite League is watering down it's Product. To me this is undeniable as is evidenced by the number of Top Riders giving the League a miss. The League can't even hold on to our best prospect for winning the World Championship for heavens sake. What does that tell you about the 'showcase' League? EL/PL amalgamation and split in to North/South leagues with 12 teams in each sector. It can't make sense financially for Plymouth to go to Berwick and vice versa. ............. or even Glasgow and Edinburgh. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
customhouseregular Posted May 26, 2015 Report Share Posted May 26, 2015 You tell 'em WK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCB Posted May 26, 2015 Report Share Posted May 26, 2015 (edited) Not all of them SCB. It's just that the Elite League is supposed to be the 'showcase' League of Speedway. Crowds are dropping alarmingly in Speedway at present ergo the 'showcase' League isn't doing a very good job is it? I am certainly not blaming the Elite League for everything - but things like tracking National League Riders in a number of Races doesn't exactly increase the quality of the League now does it? All credit to those young Riders who are doing their best to prop up the 'Top' League along with those from the Premier League 'Doubling up'. It seems to me that the Elite League is watering down it's Product. To me this is undeniable as is evidenced by the number of Top Riders giving the League a miss. The League can't even hold on to our best prospect for winning the World Championship for heavens sake. What does that tell you about the 'showcase' League? ............. or even Glasgow and Edinburgh. The PL has NL riders too. The PLs crowds are dropping too. And the PL has not had a World Champion ever ride in it. Both leagues have exactly the same issues. Well, apart from the fact the EL is trying to drag British Speedway riders along before demanding that the two reserve places should be British. What is the PL doing exactly? Nothing as far as I can see. Edited May 26, 2015 by SCB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The White Knight Posted May 26, 2015 Report Share Posted May 26, 2015 The PL has NL riders too. The PLs crowds are dropping too. And the PL has not had a World Champion ever ride in it. Both leagues have exactly the same issues. Well, apart from the fact the EL is trying to drag British Speedway riders along before demanding that the two reserve places should be British. What is the PL doing exactly? Nothing as far as I can see. What the Premier League is not doing is charging Supporters Premier League Prices to watch National League Racing in some Heats. I never mentioned the Premier League in my Post. This is the trouble - I didn't want this to become an inter League discussion - but - some people won't have it any other way. :sad: 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
orion Posted May 26, 2015 Report Share Posted May 26, 2015 Everyone goes bananas when i say this, which i do quite often, but EL simply has to make itself more affordable which means weakening teams and thats when people go crazy because they can't live without big names.To them anyone outside of the GPs is a 'wobbler' and then they go crazy again when there isn't the money to pay for Tai. Not at all it's all about what crowds you get in to what kind of riders you can get ....The pl crowds this year has been poor this year from what the fans have been saying .. just because put out a cheap team is does mean your going to balance the books . Poole are one of the biggest payers out there but are still one of the only teams who make money . As for Tai when did anyone say it was about the money ? I thought it was common knowledge it was because to many meetings etc why he skipped the uk so it gave him a better chance of being world champion . one day fans will wake up and understand that speedway has problems full stop rather than living in this dream world that the pl and cheap sides is the way forward and crowds will flock to see them . 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The White Knight Posted May 26, 2015 Report Share Posted May 26, 2015 Not at all it's all about what crowds you get in to what kind of riders you can get ....The pl crowds this year has been poor this year from what the fans have been saying .. just because put out a cheap team is does mean your going to balance the books . Poole are one of the biggest payers out there but are still one of the only teams who make money . As for Tai when did anyone say it was about the money ? I thought it was common knowledge it was because to many meetings etc why he skipped the uk so it gave him a better chance of being world champion . one day fans will wake up and understand that speedway has problems full stop rather than living in this dream world that the pl and cheap sides is the way forward and crowds will flock to see them . A very good Post orion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ch958 Posted May 26, 2015 Report Share Posted May 26, 2015 The PL has NL riders too. The PLs crowds are dropping too. And the PL has not had a World Champion ever ride in it. Both leagues have exactly the same issues. Well, apart from the fact the EL is trying to drag British Speedway riders along before demanding that the two reserve places should be British. What is the PL doing exactly? Nothing as far as I can see. whats the answer then SCB - plough on and hope for the best? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BWitcher Posted May 26, 2015 Report Share Posted May 26, 2015 What the Premier League is not doing is charging Supporters Premier League Prices to watch National League Racing in some Heats. I never mentioned the Premier League in my Post. This is the trouble - I didn't want this to become an inter League discussion - but - some people won't have it any other way. :sad: No, it is charging very close to Elite League prices! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The White Knight Posted May 26, 2015 Report Share Posted May 26, 2015 No, it is charging very close to Elite League prices! Not quite though....................................... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BWitcher Posted May 26, 2015 Report Share Posted May 26, 2015 Not quite though....................................... Which tells you that Premier League has been ripping you off for a long time. After all, we're told the reason Elite League prices are so 'high' is because of the extortionate wages paid to the No 1's... Yet Premier League doesn't have those and has for quite some time been charging at many tracks only £1 to £2 less.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyK86 Posted May 26, 2015 Report Share Posted May 26, 2015 (edited) The only way i can see speedway benefiting in long term is both Elite & Premier League merging.I would create a north/south divide, you would face the teams in your region home and away but would also face the other region teams only once either home or away, if you faced the other region team at home this season then you would travel to their place season after.At end of season you would have your north champions v south champions for British title. Simple to run and organize and if rider numbers is short then alter it to 6 man teams or whatever but this i believe would be a big improvement for British Speedway. Edited May 26, 2015 by whoswinnin86 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattK Posted May 26, 2015 Report Share Posted May 26, 2015 The only way i can see speedway benefiting in long term is both Elite & Premier League merging. I would create a north/south divide, you would face the teams in your region home and away but would also face the other region teams only once either home or away, if you faced the other region team at home this season then you would travel to their place season after. At end of season you would have your north champions v south champions for British title. Simple to run and organize and if rider numbers is short then alter it to 6 man teams or whatever but this i believe would be a big improvement for British Speedway. I think one big Premier League is inevitable. The Elite League has been on borrowed time for several years now and with Birmingham and Eastbourne closing last season it is surely only one club folding away from collapse. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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