Bryn Posted August 12, 2015 Report Share Posted August 12, 2015 Barring a few who seem to do nothing but moan about anything and everything to do with speedway and by and large never put forward anything constructive, most who contribute on this forum appear to be fans of speedway in the true sense but who's the most dedicated fan you know? This question has been prompted by learning a tale of an old boy who told friends at Central Park, Sittingbourne that he can't afford to get to every meeting there for he lives near Ramsgate and has no means of transport plus is too frail to travel by train that would require taxis at both ends of the journey each way anyway. So what does he do? He waits until he has enough to pay for a cab to and from his home to Central Park from his home! THAT'S dedication! Know anyone who can top that? 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The White Knight Posted August 12, 2015 Report Share Posted August 12, 2015 Barring a few who seem to do nothing but moan about anything and everything to do with speedway and by and large never put forward anything constructive, most who contribute on this forum appear to be fans of speedway in the true sense but who's the most dedicated fan you know? This question has been prompted by learning a tale of an old boy who told friends at Central Park, Sittingbourne that he can't afford to get to every meeting there for he lives near Ramsgate and has no means of transport plus is too frail to travel by train that would require taxis at both ends of the journey each way anyway. So what does he do? He waits until he has enough to pay for a cab to and from his home to Central Park from his home! THAT'S dedication! Know anyone who can top that? I don't. Would it not be possible for the Club to try to arrange a lift for him. I'm not being funny Bryn - but would that not be possible? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bryn Posted August 12, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 12, 2015 I don't. Would it not be possible for the Club to try to arrange a lift for him. I'm not being funny Bryn - but would that not be possible? Possibly BUT this tale only came to light at Monday's home match when the gent in question got chatting to friends of mine who were sitting next to him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The White Knight Posted August 12, 2015 Report Share Posted August 12, 2015 Possibly BUT this tale only came to light at Monday's home match when the gent in question got chatting to friends of mine who were sitting next to him. I genuinely hope that something can be sorted out for him. Well done too for Posting this on here where someone can see it who may be able to offer some help. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BWitcher Posted August 12, 2015 Report Share Posted August 12, 2015 (edited) Barring a few who seem to do nothing but moan about anything and everything to do with speedway and by and large never put forward anything constructive, most who contribute on this forum appear to be fans of speedway in the true sense but who's the most dedicated fan you know? This question has been prompted by learning a tale of an old boy who told friends at Central Park, Sittingbourne that he can't afford to get to every meeting there for he lives near Ramsgate and has no means of transport plus is too frail to travel by train that would require taxis at both ends of the journey each way anyway. So what does he do? He waits until he has enough to pay for a cab to and from his home to Central Park from his home! THAT'S dedication! Know anyone who can top that? I don't think its something that can easily be judged. For instance, one fan could travel to all their teams meetings home and away all season long, year after year. Are they dedicated, yes they are of course. Are they more dedicated than another fan that simply can't afford to do that and only attends half the amount of meetings? Finances, as with the gentleman you mention above can play a big part. I would say I am dedicated towards supporting my favourite rider Sam Ermolenko. I live abroad now as most know, but the moment Sam is announced to ride in a meeting, even if its a challenge or a pretty worthless individual, I'm booking flights solely for the purpose of seeing him ride... however, I'm fortunate enough to be in a position where I can afford to do that.. so it doesn't necessarily make me more dedicated than others. As WK says, hopefully someone will live nearby to the gentleman in question and he can enjoy more regular speedway without the large financial outlay! Edited August 12, 2015 by BWitcher 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bryn Posted August 12, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 12, 2015 (edited) As I said this guy's dedication only came to light During Monday's home match and thus the club would have had no knowledge of this whatsoever and, until he returns next time, even I don't know just where he lives other than near Ramsgate or even his name. I don't think its something that can easily be judged. For instance, one fan could travel to all their teams meetings home and away all season long, year after year. Are they dedicated, yes they are of course. Are they more dedicated than another fan that simply can't afford to do that and only attends half the amount of meetings? Finances, as with the gentleman you mention above can play a big part. I would say I am dedicated towards supporting my favourite rider Sam Ermolenko. I live abroad now as most know, but the moment Sam is announced to ride in a meeting, even if its a challenge or a pretty worthless individual, I'm booking flights solely for the purpose of seeing him ride... however, I'm fortunate enough to be in a position where I can afford to do that.. so it doesn't necessarily make me more dedicated than others. As WK says, hopefully someone will live nearby to the gentleman in question and he can enjoy more regular speedway without the large financial outlay! I had no intention that this thread become some sort of contest or an avenue for self-proclamation even but merely a means for forum members to relate tales of dedicated speedway fans THEY know! Edited August 12, 2015 by Bryn 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BWitcher Posted August 12, 2015 Report Share Posted August 12, 2015 As I said this guy's dedication only came to light During Monday's home match and thus the club would have had no knowledge of this whatsoever and, until he returns next time, even I don't know just where he lives other than near Ramsgate or even his name. I had no intention that this thread become some sort of contest or an avenue for self-proclamation even but merely a means for forum members to relate tales of dedicated speedway fans THEY know! Apologies, it wasn't intended in that way, just pointing out that levels of dedication can depend very much on circumstances and can be hard to judge. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Stadia Posted August 12, 2015 Report Share Posted August 12, 2015 Apologies, it wasn't intended in that way, just pointing out that levels of dedication can depend very much on circumstances and can be hard to judge. I just looked at AA AutoRoute and they say 34 miles one way! That is going to be a costly taxi, I would imagine. Shame the old chap hasn't got a family member who could help? Perhaps Sittingbourne could offer a concession to someone who brings him, who may not be interested in speedway, but is prepared to drive him there and back? Say, charge them both half price, as a 'one off special'? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bryn Posted August 12, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 12, 2015 (edited) Apologies, it wasn't intended in that way, just pointing out that levels of dedication can depend very much on circumstances and can be hard to judge. No worries mate as my Aussie friends would say! I did figure that. Perhaps this particular forum could also be used for tales of fan dedication in terms of having to use the same pen, wear the same cap to home meetings or whatever in case it put the mockers on their team if they didn't? Edited August 12, 2015 by Bryn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trees Posted August 12, 2015 Report Share Posted August 12, 2015 Speedway should somehow match people up for lifts, perhaps if this old boy was to ask that his predicament be put out over the tannoy someone may be able to give him a lift? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCB Posted August 12, 2015 Report Share Posted August 12, 2015 Only someone who doesn't drive and pay for a car could think having to pay £80 to get to a speedway meeting is "dedication". The average person pays about 40p a mile every time they drive their car so anyone travelling 100 miles to a speedway meeting is in terms of money more dedicated. Thats without taking into account 30 miles will be 40-odd minutes each way while 100 miles will be nearer 2 hours. It's not that exceptional really. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lucifer sam Posted August 12, 2015 Report Share Posted August 12, 2015 (edited) Only someone who doesn't drive and pay for a car could think having to pay £80 to get to a speedway meeting is "dedication". The average person pays about 40p a mile every time they drive their car so anyone travelling 100 miles to a speedway meeting is in terms of money more dedicated. Thats without taking into account 30 miles will be 40-odd minutes each way while 100 miles will be nearer 2 hours. It's not that exceptional really. Fuel costing 40p per mile? Are you putting rocket fuel in your motor SCB? Costs me around £50 in fuel to get up to Scunny and back. All the best Rob Edited August 12, 2015 by lucifer sam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grand Central Posted August 12, 2015 Report Share Posted August 12, 2015 (edited) I thought I may be alone in thinking that the Taxi ride mentioned by the OP was not that exceptional at all? Back in the seventies we knew an old boy who used to go to Halifax from one of the outlying Pennine villages who did a similar journey themselves on an almost weekly basis. There was an another old chap that I chatted to occasionally at Rye House some years ago who did likewise from somewhere quite obscure and distant just to get his weekly Speedway fix. BW may not know this, but it is quite expensive to run a car nowadaysWith track closures, the distance from our nearest tracks has got larger and larger over the last few years. In the end I imagine I could spend this guys taxi bill each fortnight just on Speedway travel alone, quite easily. I'm afraid that is what people do to follow Speedway. We are all a little barmy in our own way to be still spending so much money, time and effort on the damn sport. To be honest, we all deserve a medal for still caring at all. . Edited August 12, 2015 by Grand Central 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bryn Posted August 12, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 12, 2015 (edited) I'd make the argument that I am the most dedicated fan. Even taking into account the corruption, lies and cheating plaguing our sub standard league, I still go to the occasional match. Jesus Wept as the saying goes! I think I'll give up on this forum! Phil and crew, your dedication in providing & maintaining the BSF deserves more than the above quoted post! Edited August 12, 2015 by Bryn 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacques Posted August 12, 2015 Report Share Posted August 12, 2015 Jesus Wept as the saying goes! I think I'll give up on this forum! Phil, your dedication in providing & maintaining the BSF deserves more than the above quoted post! That's just it, he doesn't! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bryn Posted August 12, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 12, 2015 That's just it, he doesn't! Are you saying he should shut it down then? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacques Posted August 12, 2015 Report Share Posted August 12, 2015 Are you saying he should shut it down then? I'm saying he doesn't maintain or monitor it, that's why it's in the state it is.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Jones Posted August 12, 2015 Report Share Posted August 12, 2015 Barring a few who seem to do nothing but moan about anything and everything to do with speedway and by and large never put forward anything constructive, most who contribute on this forum appear to be fans of speedway in the true sense but who's the most dedicated fan you know? This question has been prompted by learning a tale of an old boy who told friends at Central Park, Sittingbourne that he can't afford to get to every meeting there for he lives near Ramsgate and has no means of transport plus is too frail to travel by train that would require taxis at both ends of the journey each way anyway. So what does he do? He waits until he has enough to pay for a cab to and from his home to Central Park from his home! THAT'S dedication! Know anyone who can top that? Someone trying to gain brownie points here I suspect Jesus Wept as the saying goes! I think I'll give up on this forum! Phil and crew, your dedication in providing & maintaining the BSF deserves more than the above quoted post! So now the emotional approach takes over. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bryn Posted August 12, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 12, 2015 (edited) Someone trying to gain brownie points here I suspect So now the emotional approach takes over. No seeking of brownie points from me although I was in the ATC (1579 Squadron) some years ago and no emotion ever intended from myself either. I confess though to sheer exasperation plus extreme disappointment that what started as a topic created in all good intent following the tale that emanated from a chance conversation on Monday, would also bring forth other such tales. Never mind! Edited August 12, 2015 by Bryn 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacques Posted August 12, 2015 Report Share Posted August 12, 2015 Someone trying to gain brownie points here I suspect So now the emotional approach takes over. It's one odd thread that or sure.. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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