Speedwaygb Needs To Get The 'handbrake' On ! - Bradford

[thebaron]

The demise of Coventry Speedway is a sad indictment of where speedway has ended up.

 

You can mess around with League branding and all you like; but you have to say that the professional structure of speedway in the UK has been declining since the mid 1990's. There is no sense of the Speedway Governing body being able to place a 'stake in the ground' and stop the 'slide' (pardon the pun) by holding existing ground; or being able to reclaim old or new ground.

 

In a nutshell we're in a 'right two and eight'.

 

Speedway has allowed itself to be shunted out into the fields; on back of the 'green' staszi's' relentless drive to close down anything that perceived as not environmentally friendly. Look at all the proper stadiums closed to speedway since the 1980's including my local tracks Bradford and Halifax.

 

What has to happen to save Speedway is for the governing body to get a grip of this extremely precarious situation and make its own statement of faith in the sport here in the UK. What I am suggesting is that SpeedwayGB after the loss of such a historic venue as Coventry should counter that by re-opening at another legendary venue to show its own faith in its own product.

 

SpeedwayGB needs to enter into negotiation with Bradford Council and the RFL to re-introduce the sport to Bradford and that would be a clear statement that the Governing body of the sport is prepared to reclaim a lost major stadium for the sport. Speedway needs Odsal Stadium and what is more it will never be easier to revive this historic track. With the Bradford Bulls RLFC on their backside financially; Odsal Stadium crying out for regular use here is a great opportunity to start reversing some of the damage.

 

We would have Cardiff; Belle Vue; and Bradford as major venues for the sport and that would help put the handbrake on what looks like a slide into professional sporting oblivion otherwise.

[foamfence]

The demise of Coventry Speedway is a sad indictment of where speedway has ended up.

 

You can mess around with League branding and all you like; but you have to say that the professional structure of speedway in the UK has been declining since the mid 1990's. There is no sense of the Speedway Governing body being able to place a 'stake in the ground' and stop the 'slide' (pardon the pun) by holding existing ground; or being able to reclaim old or new ground.

 

In a nutshell we're in a 'right two and eight'.

 

Speedway has allowed itself to be shunted out into the fields; on back of the 'green' staszi's' relentless drive to close down anything that perceived as not environmentally friendly. Look at all the proper stadiums closed to speedway since the 1980's including my local tracks Bradford and Halifax.

 

What has to happen to save Speedway is for the governing body to get a grip of this extremely precarious situation and make its own statement of faith in the sport here in the UK. What I am suggesting is that SpeedwayGB after the loss of such a historic venue as Coventry should counter that by re-opening at another legendary venue to show its own faith in its own product.

 

SpeedwayGB needs to enter into negotiation with Bradford Council and the RFL to re-introduce the sport to Bradford and that would be a clear statement that the Governing body of the sport is prepared to reclaim a lost major stadium for the sport. Speedway needs Odsal Stadium and what is more it will never be easier to revive this historic track. With the Bradford Bulls RLFC on their backside financially; Odsal Stadium crying out for regular use here is a great opportunity to start reversing some of the damage.

 

We would have Cardiff; Belle Vue; and Bradford as major venues for the sport and that would help put the handbrake on what looks like a slide into professional sporting oblivion otherwise.

It was tried two years ago by Tony Mole and failed. There wont be any Speedway at either of those venues and by the way, they were my local tracks as well.

[Sotonian]

Odsal is too big for league speedway with today's crowds. Big meetings will be better served by the purpose-built Belle Vue so I can't see any viable use case for it.

[iris123]

 

 

Speedway has allowed itself to be shunted out into the fields; on back of the 'green' staszi's' relentless drive to close down anything that perceived as not environmentally friendly. Look at all the proper stadiums closed to speedway since the 1980's including my local tracks Bradford and Halifax.

 

What has to happen to save Speedway is for the governing body to get a grip of this extremely precarious situation and make its own statement of faith in the sport here in the UK. What I am suggesting is that SpeedwayGB after the loss of such a historic venue as Coventry should counter that by re-opening at another legendary venue to show its own faith in its own product.

 

Firstly i don't think speedway is in any position to take on the 'green staszi'.The environmental movement is strong,getting stronger(despite Trump)and isn't going to go away.Speedway on the other hand is getting weaker,no doubt about it.It doesn't really have a lobby or rich backers and full stadiums or any real prestige within society,unlike say,football.Even other lesser sports carry some prestige within the community and people/politicians want to be associated with it.Cricket is one sport i don't like and see empty stadia more often than no when i have accidently tuned in,but it carries prestige within the media and bussiness community and attracts i think good sponsors,unlike speedway

 

The greens are against motorsports per se.There was an attempt here in my city to attract the Formula E Grand Prix,i.e electric cars and the greens were against even that,on the grounds it would cause traffic chaos with roads being closed.Now it was pointed out how ironic this was,as the greens are normally the ones suggesting plans that cause traffic chaos

 

As for the governing body,i think they are making their statement of faith every season,by putting on a reasonable product in many towns and cities against the odds.You can't expect them to do miracles when so many obstacles are in their way.Just one person in the area can put the mockers on such a project.We even had restrictions placed on football pitches in my area because of the noise.I mean on the one hand we want kids to do something productive,then someone complains about the noise of all weather pitches.......what chance does speedway really have?

[Pieman72]

To be fair this isn't the time to apportion blame we all have a common goal. We just have to reflect on what has happened, what can be done and find a way forward. Pressing the reset button will probably only hasten the demise. Try looking outside the box as without Sky there will be a definite need for change. No one likes change but reality needs to cut in somewhere.

[Shale Searcher]

The sport now has to many wannabe professionals, wanting top dollar, free vans, free mechanics, and all the other trappings sports stars at the top of the tree have..

 

Only the top league should be fully professional..

 

2nd division should be mainly staffed by part time riders, perhaps no 1's could just about scrape professional status.

 

3rd division, well, that should be totally amateur, development for young riders, perhaps with clubs in this league having strong tie-ups with the higher division teams

 

In my opinion......

Edited March 2, 2017 by Shale Searcher

[Trees]

3rd division is mainly amateur isn't it?

[George Dodds]

Bradford closed a number of times because not enough people went to watch speedway at Odsal at a time when crowds were much higher.

Bradford Bulls keep going bust because they don't get big enough crowds to pay the bills for a professional rugby club,

Bradford City draw poor crowds.

Perhaps Bradford isn't a big sports-loving city.

So despite how good the racing used to be running htere is likely to be a financial disaster waiting to happen

[foamfence]

Bradford closed a number of times because not enough people went to watch speedway at Odsal at a time when crowds were much higher.

Bradford Bulls keep going bust because they don't get big enough crowds to pay the bills for a professional rugby club,

Bradford City draw poor crowds.

Perhaps Bradford isn't a big sports-loving city.

So despite how good the racing used to be running htere is likely to be a financial disaster waiting to happen

Bradford City get very good crowds. http://www.11v11.com/teams/bradford-city/tab/stats/option/attendances/

[Daniel Smith]

There's only 2 way to get Speedway back at Odsal & viable

 

A multi millionaire owner who also bring back the Stock Cars.

 

If 1 of those 2 elements are missing Speedway at Bradford is a none starter

[keef robin]

Bradford closed a number of times because not enough people went to watch speedway at Odsal at a time when crowds were much higher.

Bradford Bulls keep going bust because they don't get big enough crowds to pay the bills for a professional rugby club,

Bradford City draw poor crowds.

Perhaps Bradford isn't a big sports-loving city.

So despite how good the racing used to be running htere is likely to be a financial disaster waiting to happen

Bradford City poor crowds?! One of the best supported clubs in League One. 5 figures.Only Sheff U get more fans Edited March 2, 2017 by beefy keefy

[George Dodds]

Bradford City poor crowds?! One of the best supported clubs in League One. 5 figures.Only Sheff U get more fans

sorry but being based in the north east 17,000 seems poor compared to Newcastle, Sunderland or Middlesbrough, ok I'll qualify it - only football seems capable of pulling a decent crowd in Bradford

Also I notice their average jumped 5,000 to the figure you quote in one season - the average over the previous five years was nearer 10,000 - what did they do?

Edited March 2, 2017 by George Dodds

[moxey63]

Bradford? It couldn't even sustain a speedway even after winning the league in '97.

 

Speedway is often praised as being value for money. So how come, given the chance, many would watch for free on TV, on one of those snide boxes?

 

A chance of actually spending money and frequenting a track or pulling up a chair and watching for nowt in the comfy of your living room - what has best appeal?

[foamfence]

Bradford? It couldn't even sustain a speedway even after winning the league in '97.

 

Speedway is often praised as being value for money. So how come, given the chance, many would watch for free on TV, on one of those snide boxes?

 

A chance of actually spending money and frequenting a track or pulling up a chair and watching for nowt in the comfy of your living room - what has best appeal?

If your local tracks have closed, you have no transport and live on a pension, then TV or PC is your only option, whatever trickery you employ.

[ch958]

sorry but being based in the north east 17,000 seems poor compared to Newcastle, Sunderland or Middlesbrough, ok I'll qualify it - only football seems capable of pulling a decent crowd in Bradford

Also I notice their average jumped 5,000 to the figure you quote in one season - the average over the previous five years was nearer 10,000 - what did they do?

they got to the league cup final and crowds came on the back of that.

[foamfence]

sorry but being based in the north east 17,000 seems poor compared to Newcastle, Sunderland or Middlesbrough, ok I'll qualify it - only football seems capable of pulling a decent crowd in Bradford

Also I notice their average jumped 5,000 to the figure you quote in one season - the average over the previous five years was nearer 10,000 - what did they do?

They brought out more affordable season tickets and the people responded. They prefer a well attended stadium rather than a half empty one. It worked well because their travelling away support increased as well.

[R87]

Bradford never had brilliant crowds in the 80s and 90s - though the size of the stadium made it more obvious. And this wasn't a club that constantly finis bottom either. They were always a good cup side, won a league championship and had some very good riders as well.

 

A shame as it was quality track, especially for big meetings

[The White Knight]

Bradford closed a number of times because not enough people went to watch speedway at Odsal at a time when crowds were much higher.

Bradford Bulls keep going bust because they don't get big enough crowds to pay the bills for a professional rugby club,

Bradford City draw poor crowds.

Perhaps Bradford isn't a big sports-loving city.

So despite how good the racing used to be running htere is likely to be a financial disaster waiting to happen

If England played a Cricket Match against Pakistan they would fill the place to overflowing. :shock:

 

Just saying......................... :D

[tyke]

Bradford closed a number of times because not enough people went to watch speedway at Odsal at a time when crowds were much higher.

Bradford Bulls keep going bust because they don't get big enough crowds to pay the bills for a professional rugby club,

Bradford City draw poor crowds.

Perhaps Bradford isn't a big sports-loving city.

So despite how good the racing used to be running htere is likely to be a financial disaster waiting to happen

Bradford City draw regular home crowds of 17000-19000 and have not had a home crowd under 16000 all season. Second only to Sheffield United in their divison and crowds well above Championship cubs in the above division.

Not sure what your definition of poor crowds are ?

Edited March 5, 2017 by tyke

[mikebv]

If England played a Cricket Match against Pakistan they would fill the place to overflowing. :shock:

 

Just saying......................... :D

Same in Manchester, Birmingham, Leicester, etc etc etc...

 

As the ethnicity of major cities has changed and in particular those areas in the immediate vacinity of a Speedway track, hardly anything has been done to attract the 'Asian' locals..

 

The majority population on your doorstep but nothing done to get them to attend..?

 

Seems a strange business plan..

 

Even more so when you consider the culture of motor cycle riding on the sub continent, and the well above average number of kids in an Asian family..