thebaron Posted July 7, 2015 Report Share Posted July 7, 2015 (edited) I'll probably have 'the gang after me' for this question: 'how are stockcar attendances these days at Scunthorpe?' I just wondered if there could be more local problems away from speedway that are affecting crowds? How about gates for local senior football matches - are they stable? gustix; sorry I cannot help you on the stock cars; but I am aware that Scunthorpe FC have an average crowd; I would guess of around 3000-3500; I think it was around the 4000 mark when I was there with Bradford City last season. We took around 500 to Glanford Park end of last season. Another thought I had; and this I know is based on there being a future; but I wonder about the merits of a season ticket for the speedway?. I know this is massively off the scale; but at Bradford City we had approx. 7000 season ticket holders. We have just run the #149 campaign; offering season tickets at £149 the cheapest in the Football League result 18000 season ticket holders!. Now I know this cannot be translated to Scunthorpe Speedway; but there might be something in offering a season ticket option where you get a benefit of 1-2 meetings free; and where possible the odd incentive; also say a family season ticket. Or how about a monthly ticket; where you could buy three meetings get one free; particularly where you want to encourage newbies to dip their toes in so to speak at the beginning of the season. I do think there may be some mileage in a multi-meeting ticket of some sort. At Odsal we had the 150 Club; it was limited to 150 members; cost £150 and we got various incentives; like free programme; access to the riders before the meeting; a monthly get together with the clubs directors Bob & Allan Ham; stadium car parking above the pits area; invitation to the end of season dinner; we got to view from the infield; and allowed to film the racing and have photo's with the team. We also got into the press and practice day pre-season; all these little things help build the relationship between the club; the management; riders and fans. One thing I will give Hammy he involved us and he was always after our views and opinions. Even went as far as we go out scouting riders! - come back from Long Eaton raving about Glen Doyle; next news?- Hammy's telling us he's signed him up!. That's what I call connecting with fans. Sometimes its not always policy to create an elitist members club; but if it helps the club along then that's for the good. Just admit it, the Sport is finished in it's present format, and no, the GTR engine won't save it. Bit defeatist Skidda ? Here's another In 1987; we were going under at Bradford no mistake. We ended up at a meeting with Eric Boothroyd; Allan & Bob Ham, Terry Warren to drop just a few names. Eric laid it on the line; the fall out from the Carter tragedy was that the crowds had plummeted and speedway was no longer sustainable at Odsal. Pretty much as Rob has done they came to the supporters and asked if we could help. That night the idea of the 150 Club emerged; and they literally passed the hat around. By the end of the evening we had become quasi directors of Bradford Speedway; handing over a cheque for three grand; alongside numerous other speedway nuts. I think by the time the meeting ended the club was saved and pledges were up to 25-30K!. Again elitist members clubs are not always the best way to go; but lets say we had 25 of us with a grand apiece. Would that help. Edited July 7, 2015 by the outsider 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigeddiechek Posted July 7, 2015 Report Share Posted July 7, 2015 Sadly, unless fans start getting out to meetings more - all around the UK - then the sport is finished. Riders costs/demands are also far too high. I really hope that Scunthorpe keep going, would be a massive loss. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Halifaxtiger Posted July 7, 2015 Report Share Posted July 7, 2015 Fingers crossed for the Scorpions - I rate it as the best racing track in the land and I have been to them all. In addition, they try hard to cut down delays and I think Rob on the mic is one of the best in the game. There are one or two tracks whose product and attitude leave a lot to be desired but Scunthorpe most definitely isn't one of them. They deserve better. I think the on track performances have definitely had an impact (as they would do anywhere). The team has been disappointing. I don't think for one minute Rob is bluffing here in an attempt to boost numbers because he said the same things at the end of last season. Finally, what I have heard is that Scunny aren't alone here. Possibly as much as half of the PL is at risk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
montie Posted July 7, 2015 Report Share Posted July 7, 2015 it has to be because we arent winning at home, End of last season we went it to the playoffs the form team---but crowds we below break even although results havnt helped---in far from convinced this is the reason year we won the league---winning regular---that season was a financially hard on the club Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCB Posted July 7, 2015 Report Share Posted July 7, 2015 Finally, what I have heard is that Scunny aren't alone here. Possibly as much as half of the PL is at risk. Half the PL and probably half the EL too. And lets not forget that in the last 12 months we've seen Birmingham and Eastbourne go from EL to NL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sings4Speedway Posted July 7, 2015 Report Share Posted July 7, 2015 Time for a wage cap? A publically set limit of how much is paid per point in each of the 3 (or potentially 2) divisions next season. If riders cry its not enough then they have a choice. As it stands NL should just be a hobby that gives a little back. PL should be the equivalent of a low paid job but one you love and EL is just a practice league for Poland & Sweden anyway where the decent money is paid (sometimes paid in Poland). The sport needs to get back to those who love doing it and are appreciative that they can earn something towards it rather than those who are trying to milk it for every penny. Fingers crossed for Scunthorpe. Hope everything works out. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tigerite Posted July 7, 2015 Report Share Posted July 7, 2015 Fingers crossed for the Scorpions - I rate it as the best racing track in the land and I have been to them all. In addition, they try hard to cut down delays and I think Rob on the mic is one of the best in the game. There are one or two tracks whose product and attitude leave a lot to be desired but Scunthorpe most definitely isn't one of them. They deserve better. I think the on track performances have definitely had an impact (as they would do anywhere). The team has been disappointing. I don't think for one minute Rob is bluffing here in an attempt to boost numbers because he said the same things at the end of last season. Finally, what I have heard is that Scunny aren't alone here. Possibly as much as half of the PL is at risk. I don't doubt that last paragraph for a moment, I have been to all Premier League tracks this season (apart from Berwick and Workington) following the Tigers on the road and barring Glasgow and Sheffield, crowds are visibly less everywhere so other teams must be suffering as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCB Posted July 7, 2015 Report Share Posted July 7, 2015 Something that is an issue is that the gap between the EL and PL has got closer in the last 15 years while the gap between the PL and the CL/NL has grown. That has meant more expensive top end riders but also made it harder for lower order riders to break into the PL. This is surely in part due to doubling up meaning the only reasons riders leave the PL is when they retire, the top guys can stay there and continue with the EL. In the past they'd have had to have made a choice and a few of them would have stuck with the EL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
To The Point Posted July 7, 2015 Report Share Posted July 7, 2015 Time for a wage cap? A publically set limit of how much is paid per point in each of the 3 (or potentially 2) divisions next season. If riders cry its not enough then they have a choice. As it stands NL should just be a hobby that gives a little back. PL should be the equivalent of a low paid job but one you love and EL is just a practice league for Poland & Sweden anyway where the decent money is paid (sometimes paid in Poland). The sport needs to get back to those who love doing it and are appreciative that they can earn something towards it rather than those who are trying to milk it for every penny. Fingers crossed for Scunthorpe. Hope everything works out. Just been speaking too an ex promoter, he mentioned a wage cap, but remembered the last time in PL the club that was asking for the cap was the first club to break the rules. If there is to be a cap it must be fixed, and not include a top up via sponsorship, no reason why someone should not sponsor a rider directly, but not topping up point money. He also said the fun was no longer in speedway, and the fans are the older ones who getting older and dying off, with very few youngsters coming on board to replace them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teddy2706 Posted July 7, 2015 Report Share Posted July 7, 2015 It is impossible for me to get to EWR on a friday night for tapes up without leaving work early given the ridiculous road works from J28-J31 M1 (Much of that work was sub standard and is having to be done again!) This is the only reason I have not been to Scunny this year. The wretches at the Highways Agency care nothing for the amount of people and businesses they cause hardship to with ill thought out and over extended work. I recently travelled the 16 miles of roadworks on M1 at 10 am and counted only 45 people working on that site including delivery drivers. I complained to McCloughlin in writing and received a page of platitudes. It is plain to anyone with a brain that the contractor on that job was granted too much possession of that motorway. I love the package at EWR, but 160 miles, admssion cost and virtually an afternoon off work is a bridge too far. If those pesky roadworks were not there I could JUST manage to get there for tapes up without time off work. That does not explain why a town with a population of 72000 will not support its own speedway team nor why Rob chooses to run on a night where traffic is always at its worst. Also, whilst so called fans sit on their btm's and get their speedway fix in their front room, live attendances will obviously suffer. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigcatdiary Posted July 7, 2015 Report Share Posted July 7, 2015 Just been speaking too an ex promoter, he mentioned a wage cap, but remembered the last time in PL the club that was asking for the cap was the first club to break the rules. If there is to be a cap it must be fixed, and not include a top up via sponsorship, no reason why someone should not sponsor a rider directly, but not topping up point money. He also said the fun was no longer in speedway, and the fans are the older ones who getting older and dying off, with very few youngsters coming on board to replace them. Trouble is its impossible to control and would be broken every week, the only way to cap riders pay is to ensure their are more riders than places, it's very clear that riders are in demand and they know it. Ensuring EL & PL ran on different nights would help as well especially when so many double up. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foamfence Posted July 7, 2015 Report Share Posted July 7, 2015 Trouble is its impossible to control and would be broken every week, the only way to cap riders pay is to ensure their are more riders than places, it's very clear that riders are in demand and they know it. Ensuring EL & PL ran on different nights would help as well especially when so many double up. If riders were employed and paid by a central agency and allotted a team place by them, it might just sort the problem and introduce more transparency to any dealings. Each club would then have to pay the agency a weekly fee to be included, that way you would have a fairer distribution of money. There would be bound to be grumblers and refusers but they would either take it or leave it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebaron Posted July 7, 2015 Report Share Posted July 7, 2015 (edited) Trouble is its impossible to control and would be broken every week, the only way to cap riders pay is to ensure their are more riders than places, it's very clear that riders are in demand and they know it. Ensuring EL & PL ran on different nights would help as well especially when so many double up. Rightly or wrongly; a set race night in the week for all tracks say; PL Friday and EL Monday. That said my personal view is that the two leagues need to merge at the strongest level at this time. This is the Premier League; and regionalise North and South to cut down expenses for everyone. It may also have the effect of improving attendances at tracks. There can still be a combined Knock Out Cup tournament for instance. What about 3-Team meetings where Scunthorpe hosted Sheffield and Belle Vue in the same meeting; would that boost the attendance at all three tracks. Bring back the Golden/Silver Helmet match races and when it is on the card promote it properly. Have a draft system for riders and not as much emphasis on averages to determine team strengths. Reduce the incidence of guest riders and rider replacements with...6 rider teams but 8 rider squads; like I have said before Scunthorpe have a rider like Nicolai Klindt as the No7 stands in when the Scorps No1 is out. So Klindt is our rider; and No8 Matt Williamson who we can promote up when required. The point here is that we have to be prepared for Speedway to take a step back or into the unknown for it to move forward. If that means that the Elite boys (as Tai has done) cut the UK league out of their calendar for now then we have to accept that. But I bet the UK league will still be competitive and will gradually strengthen again. Also it will bring on the younger UK riders; cutting the reliance on expensive European riders. UK Speedway has to be prepared to make some brave decisions; but if it has the guts then it can have the glory. If riders were employed and paid by a central agency and allotted a team place by them, it might just sort the problem and introduce more transparency to any dealings. Each club would then have to pay the agency a weekly fee to be included, that way you would have a fairer distribution of money. There would be bound to be grumblers and refusers but they would either take it or leave it. foamy; another point I have previously touched on a central agency say BSPA; with the aid of Sky TV money sign up say a troop of 20+ top riders and then draft them to the each of the clubs in the merged UK League. This would help for instance Scunthorpe cope with financially with say; Antonio Lindback (example only) riding as their marquee rider. Each club is allocated a marquee rider from the pool and part of the marquee riders role is to promote the sport at the track they are allocated to. Not all of the expense of that rider rests with the club; the BSPA run the 20+ rider pool in the interests of the sport as a whole. All other riders are under contract to the club. It may be that the rider pool is made up of non Grand Prix riders; but if we had the likes of Lindback; Laguta brothers; Vaculik; etc..in the pool they would be exciting additions at every club. Edited July 7, 2015 by the outsider 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pinny Posted July 7, 2015 Report Share Posted July 7, 2015 Sad news indeed - reminds me of Newports last season Sadly press releases like this wont help the crowds as the malletts found out. The sport in the UK is dying on its arse - forget the success of Cardiff Gp that is in general treated as a one off day out for a great event, the amount of newport fans i seen most years there who hadnt been to newport for years on end confirmed that. Newports final season offered everything, the track and racing was superb under floodlights, a very dominant 1-7 (probably one of the strongest ever pl septets ive seen) and the team was full of racers - lanham, gjedde, doyle, aspegren , who would miss the gate and pick riders off for fun sometimes Hard to see where scunny go from here Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebaron Posted July 7, 2015 Report Share Posted July 7, 2015 Good god am on again! You know the more I consider this and the more; the general state of facilities at speedway tracks is a factor. Look at Glasgow this season after; its I will grant you money no object makeover. Attendances up massively compared to recent seasons and thriving. We need a lottery win!; promise when me numbers come up your going t'best night out at speedway you've ever had. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheScotsman Posted July 7, 2015 Report Share Posted July 7, 2015 Facilities are great at Peterborough - attendances are not what they were. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bostonian Posted July 7, 2015 Report Share Posted July 7, 2015 Such a sad story for Scunthorpe Speedway. If they could, for the rest of the season they should just chuck free tickets at kids at primary and secondary schools, nothing to lose but that should hopefully get their parents through the doors. If they haven't already, another idea has got to be flooding any local news and papers with the fact it could go under if not enough folks come through the door. Most communities do not want to see local venues close because of finances and sure it would help. Basically, what I'm saying is give it one last massive push from everyone at Scunthorpe to get people through the gate however they can, and do everything in their power to keep them there. (I understand it's not quiet that easy!) I would love to help out and go to Scunthorpe every week, but being a sheffield fan I will always be going there on a thursday, and I cannot afford to go to both every week. Will definitely try go as much as I can for the remander of the season though. All the best to the guys! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
semion Posted July 7, 2015 Report Share Posted July 7, 2015 Its like all Business', its the survival of the fittest. If Scunny cant attract enough people to pay their way, then there is little to no option. Why have the crowds gone down ? After all it was only a couple of seasons back they enjoyed the best year in their history. The team Godfrey put together didnt look that great on paper, and so it proved. Then again someone has to finish bottom. I seem to recall when they set out in the National League with the likes of Woffy, they had amazing team and smacked everyone. Gates were good then. Maybe that is their real level, back in the National League. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
northyorksbear Posted July 7, 2015 Report Share Posted July 7, 2015 Its like all Business', its the survival of the fittest. If Scunny cant attract enough people to pay their way, then there is little to no option. Why have the crowds gone down ? After all it was only a couple of seasons back they enjoyed the best year in their history. The team Godfrey put together didnt look that great on paper, and so it proved. Then again someone has to finish bottom. I seem to recall when they set out in the National League with the likes of Woffy, they had amazing team and smacked everyone. Gates were good then. Maybe that is their real level, back in the National League. Unfortunately vast majority of supporters only go to see a winning team when a good close defeat can be far more entertaining. With Scunthorpe's performances so far this season the stayaway supporters have no incentive to return!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bez Posted July 7, 2015 Report Share Posted July 7, 2015 (edited) It's the 10 year anniversary of the return of Scunthorpe Speedway this year, let's celibrate that, get some of the former riders back and make the locals aware, if they came to support in the past and a "hero" is retuirning they may just turn up and realise what they are missing, the returning riders do not have to be racing but will be names that the local public resonate with. And whilst at it look to attract some of the fans lost in the wilderness years with a Stags reunion, fans remember the old favourites and may just think " I fancy going to see him" There are lots of names that could be invited and interviewed. And just maybe some of those stay away fans would return. Edited July 8, 2015 by bez Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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