Gemini Posted May 31, 2017 Report Share Posted May 31, 2017 Add to that the others "of a certain generation" with their "don't wave that flag by me", "don't make a noise by me", "don't blow that whistle by me" and "don't blow that air horn by me" attitudes and you can see why watching speedway in Britain is as dull as dishwater. I'm not at all bothered by any of the things you mention but I would hate for UK Speedway to be as partisan as it is in Poland. Now I've lost the team I supported for over 30 years I'm sort of neutral until I get into the habit of being a Lions fan again and I know whichever team a person supports they are always willing to have a friendly chat. I'd like to bet home and away fans aren't like that in Poland. The only really unpleasant thing that's happened over all my time of visiting different tracks was at Newport, prior to a GP several years ago, when a group of Poles sitting at the back of us kept spilling beer everywhere and we ended up stinking of the stuff, even the poor dog got soaked, so we had to move somewhere else. So thanks but I prefer dull as dishwater to over exuberance, especially if it's fueled by alcohol. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DiamondGlory Posted May 31, 2017 Report Share Posted May 31, 2017 The only time you hear a lot of noise at Brough Park is when the Bears are in town. Maybe it's just a rivalry thing. Then again, Berwick and Ipswich do it just because. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobMcCaffery Posted June 1, 2017 Report Share Posted June 1, 2017 There are times when you wonder if those who believe that Polish-style fan behaviour would be a good thing in Britain really are following the right sport. If you want vicious baiting and hatred between fans that have to be segregated for fear of violence breaking out there are plenty of football grounds here that offer that kind of 'fun'. I don't have a problem with atmosphere and I certainly do not have a problem with much larger crowds but the prospect of 'ultras' in speedway would sicken me. That's not a generational thing. I would have said the same when I first discovered speedway at the age of 13. I loved the fact that while fans were rivals and could have a bit of fun at each others' expense there was no threat and no need to cage rival fans. You could all mix during and after meetings. That was one of the main reasons why I switched sports. Some people 'get off' on the mob attitude and love the tension. I don't and I suspect I'm not alone and trying to discredit such a view by claiming that it's because I'm too old is beneath contempt. Yes I'm getting old, but it's a damn sight better than the alternative. Perhaps those who blame anyone older than them for speedway's ills might like to tell us at what age we aren't allowed to come any more? Certainly the prospect of meeting people like UK Martin is a very tempting reason to stay home If it is a 'generational thing' to seek hostility and violence then I'm glad I don't have too many years left and I can leave those who do enjoy that kind of thing to fester in what would most certainly be a dying sport. Oh, by the way, as someone who used to get paid to, amongst a few other things, lead 'war cries' they ceased simply because people grew out of them. 1-2-3-4, let's see the Rockets score may have been cute in the 1950s.... (Okay, the real reason I hate war cries is that I managed to foul up one at Eastbourne. Yes, there are only two es in Eagles. ) 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Doctor... Posted June 1, 2017 Report Share Posted June 1, 2017 There are times when you wonder if those who believe that Polish-style fan behaviour would be a good thing in Britain really are following the right sport. If you want vicious baiting and hatred between fans that have to be segregated for fear of violence breaking out there are plenty of football grounds here that offer that kind of 'fun'. I'd love a bit more info on those "plenty of football grounds here" Rob. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve roberts Posted June 1, 2017 Report Share Posted June 1, 2017 There are times when you wonder if those who believe that Polish-style fan behaviour would be a good thing in Britain really are following the right sport. If you want vicious baiting and hatred between fans that have to be segregated for fear of violence breaking out there are plenty of football grounds here that offer that kind of 'fun'. I don't have a problem with atmosphere and I certainly do not have a problem with much larger crowds but the prospect of 'ultras' in speedway would sicken me. That's not a generational thing. I would have said the same when I first discovered speedway at the age of 13. I loved the fact that while fans were rivals and could have a bit of fun at each others' expense there was no threat and no need to cage rival fans. You could all mix during and after meetings. That was one of the main reasons why I switched sports. Some people 'get off' on the mob attitude and love the tension. I don't and I suspect I'm not alone and trying to discredit such a view by claiming that it's because I'm too old is beneath contempt. Yes I'm getting old, but it's a damn sight better than the alternative. Perhaps those who blame anyone older than them for speedway's ills might like to tell us at what age we aren't allowed to come any more? Certainly the prospect of meeting people like UK Martin is a very tempting reason to stay home If it is a 'generational thing' to seek hostility and violence then I'm glad I don't have too many years left and I can leave those who do enjoy that kind of thing to fester in what would most certainly be a dying sport. Oh, by the way, as someone who used to get paid to, amongst a few other things, lead 'war cries' they ceased simply because people grew out of them. 1-2-3-4, let's see the Rockets score may have been cute in the 1950s.... (Okay, the real reason I hate war cries is that I managed to foul up one at Eastbourne. Yes, there are only two es in Eagles. ) Yes one of the most attractive aspects of having been a speedway fan for many years was the fact that you could mingle with the fans of opposing teams without, generally, any animosity (although I do recall some 'interesting' banter at Dudley Wood and Monmore Green in particular) I remember travelling by coach to World Finals abroad during the eighties with a real mixture of fans and a great time was had by all...with the usual leg pulling but fun at the same time. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THE DEAN MACHINE Posted June 1, 2017 Report Share Posted June 1, 2017 (edited) British speedway fan average age is around 50 and numbers are dwindling by the week and not being replaced by the youth supporters , look at the crowds in Poland ,full of young fans average age 20 boys and girls , all wearing team scarfs on their wrists or team tershirts , so who is doing things right ? You may not like the answer cause it doesn't appeal to you but as far as I can see there is no next generation speedway in Britain, 42,000 fans attended 4 polish extra league meetings on Sunday and 2 of them were live on tv ,plus all the other polish league that took place , how many attended British speedway last week ? Edited June 1, 2017 by THE DEAN MACHINE 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waytogo28 Posted June 1, 2017 Report Share Posted June 1, 2017 British speedway fan average age is around 50 and numbers are dwindling by the week and not being replaced by the youth supporters , look at the crowds in Poland ,full of young fans average age 20 boys and girls , all wearing team scarfs on their wrists or team tershirts , so who is doing things right ? You may not like the answer cause it doesn't appeal to you but as far as I can see there is no next generation speedway in Britain, 42,000 fans attended 4 polish extra league meetings on Sunday and 2 of them were live on tv ,plus all the other polish league that took place , how many attended British speedway last week ? Almost certainly not 42,000 ( in one week ) Possibly British speedway might top that in one month. I enjoy watching the Polish matches on Premier Sports and wish they showed them all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uk_martin Posted June 1, 2017 Report Share Posted June 1, 2017 There are times when you wonder if those who believe that Polish-style fan behaviour would be a good thing in Britain really are following the right sport. If you want vicious baiting and hatred between fans that have to be segregated for fear of violence breaking out there are plenty of football grounds here that offer that kind of 'fun'. As has been said, Polish fans are a lot younger than British fans. They will still be going strong when the British fan base has died out. Am I going to the right sport? Yes. I'd far rather go to Poland for the excitement of their league speedway than attend the local Derby & Joan club to watch their Bridge League matches (which is what British speedway is becoming like) Have yòu been attending too many Health & Safety courses Rob? Just because fans bark at each other, doesn't mean that they bite. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The White Knight Posted June 1, 2017 Report Share Posted June 1, 2017 As has been said, Polish fans are a lot younger than British fans. They will still be going strong when the British fan base has died out. Am I going to the right sport? Yes. I'd far rather go to Poland for the excitement of their league speedway than attend the local Derby & Joan club to watch their Bridge League matches (which is what British speedway is becoming like) Have yòu been attending too many Health & Safety courses Rob? Just because fans bark at each other, doesn't mean that they bite. They can and do at Football - I hope I never hear of it at British Speedway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gresham Posted June 1, 2017 Report Share Posted June 1, 2017 Interesting regarding ages...When I go to watch Football, Rugby or Cricket...the age of the people watching is very similar to what it is at Speedway. In fact the average age of a football fan in this country is nearly 50yo. I've noticed a lot more of the younger generation watching Speedway live this season. At Somerset there is a good mix of older and younger and everything else in between. When visiting Buxton v Cradley the other week...there was a lot of women watching, and a lot of teenagers. Percentage wise, I bet Speedway isn't far off other sports, age wise. Trying to compare Poland with here, regardless of whether Speedway or any other sport, is futile imo. Totally different mentality and health and safety is pretty much ignored over there it seems. Poland in many ways reminds me of how it was in the 80's...in pretty much all walks of life over there. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gemini Posted June 1, 2017 Report Share Posted June 1, 2017 I've noticed a lot more of the younger generation watching Speedway live this season. Always quite a lot of children and younger people at Leicester. Mind you I don't know how long this is going to last if the Lions don't start winning soon. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keef robin Posted June 2, 2017 Author Report Share Posted June 2, 2017 British speedway fan average age is around 50 and numbers are dwindling by the week and not being replaced by the youth supporters , look at the crowds in Poland ,full of young fans average age 20 boys and girls , all wearing team scarfs on their wrists or team tershirts , so who is doing things right ? You may not like the answer cause it doesn't appeal to you but as far as I can see there is no next generation speedway in Britain, 42,000 fans attended 4 polish extra league meetings on Sunday and 2 of them were live on tv ,plus all the other polish league that took place , how many attended British speedway last week ? Probably 24000 on a good week. Wouldn"t want the hostile Polish-type crowds here, good to chat to other fans. Most fans at Swindon are under 50. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waytogo28 Posted June 3, 2017 Report Share Posted June 3, 2017 I am not sure that there is a significant increase in new under 40's attending speedway OR if there is a slight increase they seem not to be attracted enough to stick with it ( does it turn them on? ). They do not seem to be spreading the word positively enough to bring in others ( so far ) from that age group. Another poster has got it right ( in my opinion ) that even if you put an average figure of 1,000 per UK match it amounts to no more than 20,000 per week, making it very much a minority , niche sport. The efforts of the BSPA over the last fifteen years, while they had the Sky income should have been with innovative marketing ideas. They gave that away to retain foreign names believing that those star names would hold the fan base or even increase it. That strategy failed - Thank Goodness that the BSPA are not standing for Election as a party on June 8th. Even with a change of leadership they seem not to have grasped the nub of the problem. That is that it is more and more a "hidden", secret sport in the UK. Even now they are "investing" in ( and hoping ) that the Gerhard engine catches on among riders, but how will that in itself attract new fans from within the 25 - 50 age group. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The White Knight Posted June 4, 2017 Report Share Posted June 4, 2017 I am not sure that there is a significant increase in new under 40's attending speedway OR if there is a slight increase they seem not to be attracted enough to stick with it ( does it turn them on? ). They do not seem to be spreading the word positively enough to bring in others ( so far ) from that age group. Another poster has got it right ( in my opinion ) that even if you put an average figure of 1,000 per UK match it amounts to no more than 20,000 per week, making it very much a minority , niche sport. The efforts of the BSPA over the last fifteen years, while they had the Sky income should have been with innovative marketing ideas. They gave that away to retain foreign names believing that those star names would hold the fan base or even increase it. That strategy failed - Thank Goodness that the BSPA are not standing for Election as a party on June 8th. Even with a change of leadership they seem not to have grasped the nub of the problem. That is that it is more and more a "hidden", secret sport in the UK. Even now they are "investing" in ( and hoping ) that the Gerhard engine catches on among riders, but how will that in itself attract new fans from within the 25 - 50 age group. If I knew the answer to that - I would be the greatest Speedway Promoter ever. I'm afraid I don't - so I'm not. :sad: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.