The Doctor... Posted October 7, 2016 Report Share Posted October 7, 2016 Any happenings taking place in regard to keeping Workington in the sport? Before you start dancing on the grave of another speedway track, perhaps a proper read of the article would have been in order. Yes, she mentions that it could be their last meeting, but she also goes on to say things that dozens of other clubs have said when the crowds drop; That more people are needed thru the turnstiles. She even refers to the backbone of the team they want for next year, so it doesn't exactly sound like she's ready to toss in the towel just yet. Its clearly very different to the situation with Plymouth. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Halifaxtiger Posted October 7, 2016 Report Share Posted October 7, 2016 (edited) Interesting in Speedway Star to read Brian Havelock's comments, people slag him off (many Redcar fans) but he is openly admitting that his club, bottom of the league, are solvent AND made a profit this year. I applaud him for having a commonsense business like approach which has protected the future of Redcar. No doubt many of the moaning section of Redcar fans will still say that it isn't good enough, but would Plymouth and Workington fans exchange their position in league for redcar's and have a pleasant winter awaiting 2017 season?? I'm not suggesting all promoters use Havelock as a total role model for promoting speedway, but maybe his financial model should be considered!! Havelock is fortunate because Redcar's gates seem to hold up no matter what. I am sure all the Bears fans will be delighted that he has made money given the poor team he gave them at the start of the season and the rubbish tracks they get week after week. That will lose him a few, I am sure and heaven help speedway if Redcar are the blue print. The principle reason why Plymouth are in trouble is because they have finished at tge bottom of the league for years. The sadness is Workington have tried hard - a lot harder than Havelock for a start - to pull people in. Its still the cheapest in the PL, the racing is good and the presentation excellent. Laura and her team deserve better. Edited October 7, 2016 by Halifaxtiger 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spanner47 Posted October 7, 2016 Report Share Posted October 7, 2016 The biggest thing to sort out is, why is the product not as good as it used to be? Is it the way tracks are prepared these days? Or the power of the bikes? I loved my first visit to Workington a few years ago, same can be said for Redcar and a few others, but subsequent visits have been a let down. I used to be happy to drive 80 miles up the road to Kings Lynn, but wouldn't these days I wouldn't walk down the road to watch what's on offer there. Good luck to Workington in finding a solution so they can keep going. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 7, 2016 Report Share Posted October 7, 2016 (edited) Very bad news indeed, the BSPA need to act at this years conference as its no good pretending everything's alright when its quite obviously not, thing is in many cases the damage is already done and Plymouth and Workington may only be the start, Leicester, Coventry, Belle Vue and Berwick all face uncertain futures. I tend to agree with your concerns screm I recall what happened in the mid-1950s and the way things are going at the moment the situation looks like repeating itself. Edited October 7, 2016 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 7, 2016 Report Share Posted October 7, 2016 The biggest thing to sort out is, why is the product not as good as it used to be? Is it the way tracks are prepared these days? Or the power of the bikes? I loved my first visit to Workington a few years ago, same can be said for Redcar and a few others, but subsequent visits have been a let down. I used to be happy to drive 80 miles up the road to Kings Lynn, but wouldn't these days I wouldn't walk down the road to watch what's on offer there. Good luck to Workington in finding a solution so they can keep going. Like others spanner47 I also hope that the situation at Workington will resolve favourably. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
topaz325 Posted October 7, 2016 Report Share Posted October 7, 2016 Before you start dancing on the grave of another speedway track, perhaps a proper read of the article would have been in order. Yes, she mentions that it could be their last meeting, but she also goes on to say things that dozens of other clubs have said when the crowds drop; That more people are needed thru the turnstiles. She even refers to the backbone of the team they want for next year, so it doesn't exactly sound like she's ready to toss in the towel just yet. Its clearly very different to the situation with Plymouth. Probably not that different, it all comes down to money, I would say it's less than 50/50 that Workington Speedway will survive Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 7, 2016 Report Share Posted October 7, 2016 Probably not that different, it all comes down to money, I would say it's less than 50/50 that Workington Speedway will survive ...and sadly topaz325 that's how I see the situation at the moment in regard to both Workington and Plymouth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Doctor... Posted October 7, 2016 Report Share Posted October 7, 2016 Probably not that different, it all comes down to money, I would say it's less than 50/50 that Workington Speedway will survive My point was more re Plymouth went to the wall at the beginning of the season and were subsequently saved, the rescue plan clearly hasnt worked leaving them in the mess they are now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fromafar Posted October 7, 2016 Report Share Posted October 7, 2016 The biggest thing to sort out is, why is the product not as good as it used to be? Is it the way tracks are prepared these days? Or the power of the bikes? I loved my first visit to Workington a few years ago, same can be said for Redcar and a few others, but subsequent visits have been a let down. I used to be happy to drive 80 miles up the road to Kings Lynn, but wouldn't these days I wouldn't walk down the road to watch what's on offer there. Good luck to Workington in finding a solution so they can keep going. Many fans have put their views forward at the end of each season,but the Promoters just make some silly rule changes regarding Team strengths instead of the real problem regarding equipment . 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GWC Posted October 7, 2016 Report Share Posted October 7, 2016 It's why the whole shabang needs a jolly good shake up - imagine Worky V Belle Vue for starters (at a PL standard) I bet that would pull in a few fans - the EL need to realise it's not all about them! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baldyman Posted October 7, 2016 Report Share Posted October 7, 2016 I don't read many threads so can someone tell my why belle vue have problems? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scaramanga Posted October 7, 2016 Report Share Posted October 7, 2016 Bit late in the day now to make a heartfelt plea. Take a gamble, £10 entry for Adults, kids free, that's what type of Sport it is, give it a go, it will work, trouble is, it should have been tried when they knew they were up the creak without a paddle, bit late to try and promote it, the day before the Meeting tried the £10 entry in the past and said if enough increase then it would stay at £10 it did increase but not by enough but i do agree with you speedway is a £10 sport all the other cost need to reduce to acomadate that fee I don't read many threads so can someone tell my why belle vue have problems? if the rumours im hearing at correct theres 4 elitte clubs that are in danger of closing or dropping out of the top league as it stands belle vue are the biggest team im hearing reports off nothing new hearing belle view are behind with rider payments amongst other tales Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
screm Posted October 7, 2016 Report Share Posted October 7, 2016 It's why the whole shabang needs a jolly good shake up - imagine Worky V Belle Vue for starters (at a PL standard) I bet that would pull in a few fans - the EL need to realise it's not all about them! To be fair speedways troubles are not just down to the EL. Sad to say but I see more teams over the winter making the same kind of announcements as we`ve had over the last few days from Plymouth and today Workington. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
northyorksbear Posted October 7, 2016 Report Share Posted October 7, 2016 (edited) No proof of a profit, just what he is saying, if we have made a profit why couldnt he honour certain stipulations in his riders contracts? If a stipulation in a contract hasn't been honoured then I would expect said rider to be taking legal proceedings - if it is as black and white as you are making it out to be the rider is on a certain winner! Havelock is fortunate because Redcar's gates seem to hold up no matter what. I am sure all the Bears fans will be delighted that he has made money given the poor team he gave them at the start of the season and the rubbish tracks they get week after week. That will lose him a few, I am sure and heaven help speedway if Redcar are the blue print. The principle reason why Plymouth are in trouble is because they have finished at tge bottom of the league for years. The sadness is Workington have tried hard - a lot harder than Havelock for a start - to pull people in. Its still the cheapest in the PL, the racing is good and the presentation excellent. Laura and her team deserve better. I will be delighted if he follows up other part of article saying he must get better riders next year. re the track I have to disagree about it being rubbish week after week, apart from odd meetings which weather intervened I think that it has produced top quality racing. I do agree that Workington (or most other promotions) try harder than redcar - I see little evidence of "promoting" the product Apologies for hijacking Comets thread Edited October 7, 2016 by northyorksbear 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Halifaxtiger Posted October 7, 2016 Report Share Posted October 7, 2016 If a stipulation in a contract hasn't been honoured then I would expect said rider to be taking legal proceedings - if it is as black and white as you are making it out to be the rider is on a certain winner! I will be delighted if he follows up other part of article saying he must get better riders next year. re the track I have to disagree about it being rubbish week after week, apart from odd meetings which weather intervened I think that it has produced top quality racing. I do agree that Workington (or most other promotions) try harder than redcar - I see little evidence of "promoting" the product Apologies for hijacking Comets thread Completely agree and it is remarkable how widespread that view is. It pretty sums Havelock up when you have to rely on the weather to get a decent - in fact, very good - meeting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevePark Posted October 7, 2016 Report Share Posted October 7, 2016 If a stipulation in a contract hasn't been honoured then I would expect said rider to be taking legal proceedings - if it is as black and white as you are making it out to be the rider is on a certain winner! Hans Andersen tried that a few years back, saying he hadn't been paid therefore wasn't going to ride - and was promptly banned for 28 days for withholding his services. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Halifaxtiger Posted October 7, 2016 Report Share Posted October 7, 2016 I don't read many threads so can someone tell my why belle vue have problems? That's a bizarre one. In my experience, the Aces gates have doubled this season and I'd say the Colts meetings attract around 500 per go. Last Wednesday, they must have cleared £100k in gate receipts alone. I have heard a few rumours about why its the case but don't give them credence. What I am pretty sure of is that the riders aren't being paid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moomin man 76 Posted October 7, 2016 Report Share Posted October 7, 2016 I wouldn't profess to know the inside difficulties that the Workington promotion have faced this season, as in spite of only living 25 miles away, my attendance is sporadic at best. The promotion have tried to promote the club. Even in Carlisle, there is an advertisement for the club outside a major motorcycle dealers on Wigton Road, advertisements in Carlisle 'Life' magazine and a prominent advertisement in the Lanes shopping centre. However, at the start of the season in my eyes, there wasn't any 'wow' or excitement factor about the Workington team. The assembled team was competent, but consisted of riders whose form and abilities were well known. At best, as the league table has eventually proven, they were a mid-table side. There wasn't sufficient potential improvement within the team to challenge any higher up the league. Unfrotunately, I wouldn't advocate the model proposed by Brian Havelock as a model to be embraced by the rest of the league either, unless all Premier League teams were to de-strengthen, thus dilulting the product and potentially reducing attendance further. The Redcar promotion may be solvent, but in assembling the weak teams that they have done for the past few years, they have arguably hindered the business of rival promotions, as they are definitely not an attractive visiting team to watch. I certainly wouldn't pay good money to watch Workington v Redcar at Derwent Park, as the likely outcome is all to predictable. At the same time, I would pay to watch Workington against the likes of Glasgow and Somerset. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hawk127 Posted October 7, 2016 Report Share Posted October 7, 2016 Perhaps it is time to have just two leagues, NL and PL. The EL is not 'elite' in any way shape or form and with everything else that is happening in the likes of Poland, perhaps all need to finally accept that it is a case of many steps backwards to rebuild for the future. Workington must continue even at NL level as to confine the team to history is not acceptable. I really hope that a way is found for this great name in speedway to continue and at the very least I look forward to seeing them at Mildenhall in 2017. Ideally it is Ipswich but either way Workington needs to come to the tapes in 2017 so good luck to all concerned, the speedway world is behind you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProperSport Posted October 7, 2016 Report Share Posted October 7, 2016 Very sad to read this today , a real proper club that I have enjoyed making a visit to from Preston for the past three seasons , really hope Workington don't pack up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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