LondonSpeedwayFan71 Posted May 31, 2017 Report Share Posted May 31, 2017 Where have all the Characters Gone? I'm new to this site, firstly thank you for having me, Im compelled to ask the question in my title. Having been a Speedway fan (mostly of London and home county teams) for many many years, I've got to say, whats happened to the presentation of meetings outside of the racing? I know times have changed and the old school announcer probably wouldn't 'kick it' in today's standards, but what are your thoughts on today's announcers? I presume they are part time DJ's of some sorts? I have been to a couple of Conference league clubs ?national League sorry!! and the one south of the river seemed very quite, no real razamataz at all! no interaction and very passive during heats . Am I being a little grumpy or am I missing something? I must admit I do like to hear a challenging interview something a little bit more than, how are you feeling today, I also like the excitement that an announcer can bring to the meeting Where have all the Presenters Gone!! (I don't mean to offend by this message) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The White Knight Posted June 1, 2017 Report Share Posted June 1, 2017 Never mind Characters among the Promotion Staff. Where have all the characters gone amongst the Riders? 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Star Lady Posted June 1, 2017 Report Share Posted June 1, 2017 Where have all the Characters Gone? I'm new to this site, firstly thank you for having me, Im compelled to ask the question in my title. Having been a Speedway fan (mostly of London and home county teams) for many many years, I've got to say, whats happened to the presentation of meetings outside of the racing? I know times have changed and the old school announcer probably wouldn't 'kick it' in today's standards, but what are your thoughts on today's announcers? I presume they are part time DJ's of some sorts? I have been to a couple of Conference league clubs ?national League sorry!! and the one south of the river seemed very quite, no real razamataz at all! no interaction and very passive during heats . Am I being a little grumpy or am I missing something? I must admit I do like to hear a challenging interview something a little bit more than, how are you feeling today, I also like the excitement that an announcer can bring to the meeting Where have all the Presenters Gone!! (I don't mean to offend by this message) I believe the authorities have banned many of the things you, I and many others,called characterful. I recall Mike Bennett saying from the centre green at Lynn that he couldn't say certain stuff or he would be fined. What's left are now bland, featureless presenters, which I hasten to add isn't always their fault. I agree with TWK about the lack of characters amongst riders but that is probably also down to the fact they are not "allowed" to do stuff anymore. Will they never learn. A bit of centre green banter or mock handbags is entertaining, engages the fans and speedway really needs to add some of that nowadays. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teaboy279 Posted June 1, 2017 Report Share Posted June 1, 2017 Never mind Characters among the Promotion Staff. Where have all the characters gone amongst the Riders? Danny Ayres....It's the same in other sports I follow. The PC brigade and health and safety crew have killed fun in this country. Always found it funny at motorsports events that a grass bank can be closed off incase someone falls over. When 10 yards away people are racing round on bikes or in cars. Never forget last year's world cup where the security in the temporary stands had to wear hard hats. But the 1000 or so fans sat there didn't. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobMcCaffery Posted June 1, 2017 Report Share Posted June 1, 2017 (edited) The problem started when the SCB started licensing presenters and announcers. Up until then the promoter carried the can for any indiscretions but afterwards the presenter could be personally liable for his or her comments. I was once threatened with a £1,000 fine for what was just an innocent attempt to amuse the crowd but the referee took the wrong way. Thinking that one word out of place can cost you that much money, especially when you're probably doing the job as a favour for nothing or next to nothing would be enough to make anyone play very safe. It's a lot of money to pay out just because someone in authority doesn't share your sense of humour. Edited June 1, 2017 by Rob McCaffery 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The White Knight Posted June 1, 2017 Report Share Posted June 1, 2017 The problem started when the SCB started licensing presenters and announcers. Up until then the promoter carried the can for any indiscretions but afterwards the presenter could be personally liable for his or her comments. I was once threatened with a £1,000 fine for what was just an innocent attempt to amuse the crowd but the referee took the wrong way. Thinking that one word out of place can cost you that much money, especially when you're probably doing the job as a favour for nothing or next to nothing would be enough to make anyone play very safe. It's a lot of money to pay out just because someone in authority doesn't share your sense of humour. Crikey!! :shock: You are right Rob. It is a hell of a lot of money. Who gets the £1,000 by the way? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruffdiamond Posted June 1, 2017 Report Share Posted June 1, 2017 Who gets the £1,000 by the way? the BSPA ??? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The White Knight Posted June 2, 2017 Report Share Posted June 2, 2017 the BSPA ??? Yeah!! You are probably right. That is one way of curbing criticism. :angry: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobMcCaffery Posted June 2, 2017 Report Share Posted June 2, 2017 (edited) Crikey!! :shock: You are right Rob. It is a hell of a lot of money. Who gets the £1,000 by the way? It was a while ago and things may have changed. I think the SCB fines go the the Speedway Riders Benevolent Fund. It came under 'improper comment', which even forbade announcers from showing any bias towards the home team. Whether it is still that high or is at a more sensible level, as you can imagine it was a great inhibitor. I hope things have improved. Edited June 2, 2017 by Rob McCaffery 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Halifaxtiger Posted June 2, 2017 Report Share Posted June 2, 2017 [quote name="Star Lady" post="2967802" s What's left are now bland, featureless presenters, which I hasten to add isn't always their fault.. Anyone who has heard the likes of Kevin Long, Dave Hoggart or Rob Godfrey will tell you that's not true. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Flag Posted June 2, 2017 Report Share Posted June 2, 2017 Porkie does a great job at Wolves 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leicester Lion Posted June 2, 2017 Report Share Posted June 2, 2017 Porkie does a great job at Wolves At Peter Karlsson's farewell his (poor) Rolf Harris impersonation when an Australian rider was preparing to race was especially tasteful. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waytogo28 Posted June 2, 2017 Report Share Posted June 2, 2017 The problem in some places is not the ability of the CGP but the quality of the mic and the lack of voice projection from the riders being interviewed by him or her. For example on Weds night at King's Lynn the Questions asked were Loud and Clear in the stand but NOT ONE of the riders replies were audible at all. So a rather pointless effort to communicate and entertain the fans during the obligatory 20 min, Sun Break. A re think here is needed or a better mike or better technique training if the boredom factor is to be pushed away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve roberts Posted June 2, 2017 Report Share Posted June 2, 2017 Used to like John Earrey (Ipswich & White City) and Dave Hammond (Oxford). Was never a great fan of those 'shouty shouty' types! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
racers and royals Posted June 2, 2017 Report Share Posted June 2, 2017 (edited) Used to like John Earrey (Ipswich & White City) and Dave Hammond (Oxford). Was never a great fan of those 'shouty shouty' types! Always thought Richard(can`t for the life of me remember his surname) did an excellent job at Oxford. Edited June 2, 2017 by racers and royals Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cityrebel Posted June 2, 2017 Report Share Posted June 2, 2017 (edited) Used to like John Earrey (Ipswich & White City) and Dave Hammond (Oxford). Was never a great fan of those 'shouty shouty' types!so long as we know, as john used to say! Edited June 2, 2017 by cityrebel 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve roberts Posted June 2, 2017 Report Share Posted June 2, 2017 (edited) Always thought Richard(can`t for the life of me remember his surname) did an excellent job at Oxford. ...Palmer. Used to work with his Uncle. I was never a great fan of him...never knew when to shut up! Edited June 2, 2017 by steve roberts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liontamer Posted June 2, 2017 Report Share Posted June 2, 2017 Peter York was my favourite.....if only for the fact that those lot at the other end of the M69 had to suffer his inane ramblings every week. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keef robin Posted June 2, 2017 Report Share Posted June 2, 2017 Used to like that big Jock Michael Max at Worky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LondonSpeedwayFan71 Posted June 2, 2017 Author Report Share Posted June 2, 2017 forgive me if I am wrong, but the late Bryn Williams used to do several tracks? I used to enjoy Bryn in the 90's and would see him at Lakeside sometimes, but I think he was in other roles Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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