The Voice Of Reason Posted September 4, 2017 Report Share Posted September 4, 2017 Having driven second-hand Mercs for years, and being a passionate advocate of the three-pointed Stuttgart Star, just over 2 years ago, I bought a 15yo second-hand Jag. It's manufactured faultlessly, hasn't got a mark on it and still drives like new. I wouldn't go back to a Mercedes if they were giving them away. They are rust buckets! I knew it - but was in denial for years. So yep I saw the light. And people can, and indeed DO, change allegiances Liam - if and when you find something a whole lot better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daytripper Posted September 4, 2017 Report Share Posted September 4, 2017 As somebody that has switched from lakeside to Rye I have to ask myself several questions: 1. Journey time - Rye is 15 minutes further. 2. Cost - Rye is cheaper than Lakeside (last year) for admittance and program 3. Officials - Rye staff always seem happy and part of a team 4. Promoters - Huge respect from what they are trying to achieve at Rye and I just cannot trust Cook ever again. To much negativity and talking rubbish. 5. Viewing - Much closer viewing and plenty of seating at Rye 6. Weather - Rye stadium is much better protected from the weather 7. Atmosphere - Positive atmosphere and sense of belonging at Rye. The opposite at Lakeside 8. Racing - Maybe its the better viewing but I think the racing is better at Rye. The comments following the TV match were very positive. Before anyone says where is your loyalty, well that will always be for Waterden Road. So will I be back, Nope. Most of the points you quote have always been there,not just this year. Although primarily a Lakeside supporter I have always reckoned to go to Rye occasionally when the weather is nice. I wouldn't say the viewing is better or worse than Lakeside, just different. I like the all round view of the track at Lakeside but I enjoy getting close to the action at Rye. But I couldn't be bothered to go to Rye at all this year and have struggled to motivate myself to go to Lakeside. Nothing to do with either club particularly, more to do with the state of British speedway. In all honesty look at what's gone on at Kings Lynn under the stewardship, of that half wit Buster Chapman who also masquerades as BSPA chairman. Look closer to home at Rye. Ellis Perks did nothing wrong but they still sacked him.Ed Kennett gets sacked by Rye but turns up at Poole, who sack Kriystof Kasprzak, who, when the music stops, turns up at Rye House as a RESERVE, if you please. Surely the ultimate farce, a World class rider, World Cup squad member slotted in at reserve because of some jiggery pokerry with averages. Similar things going on all over the place, and that's before we start talking about teams packed with guests. Call, it what you will but please don't call it sport. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
liam Posted September 5, 2017 Report Share Posted September 5, 2017 (edited) Having driven second-hand Mercs for years, and being a passionate advocate of the three-pointed Stuttgart Star, just over 2 years ago, I bought a 15yo second-hand Jag. It's manufactured faultlessly, hasn't got a mark on it and still drives like new. I wouldn't go back to a Mercedes if they were giving them away. They are rust buckets! I knew it - but was in denial for years. So yep I saw the light. And people can, and indeed DO, change allegiances Liam - if and when you find something a whole lot better. If having a seat to sit on at Rye is a whole lot better then fair enough I won't argue with that but let's be honest I have seen Rye fans moaning about how poor the racing is and also seen them slating the promotion for not having a clue so I hardly think it's all singing and dancing over there. I have changed cars lots of times just like I have my shoes and clothes and even my women but I would never change the team I support they are in my DNA and Iam sure 99% of people are the same. The only way we will really find out is wait until next season if Lakeside do go back to the top league. Edited September 5, 2017 by liam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sings4Speedway Posted September 5, 2017 Report Share Posted September 5, 2017 Ive always admired the passion and determination shown by many to attend every week no matter what & travel to away matches no matter the cost, time etc just for the pure love of their team but sadly that just isn't me. Kent is obviously closer to me and therefore watch more of my speedway there but i am a fan of the sport first and foremost. I will travel to watch a decent match up between two teams who provide entertainment at what ever track that may be. I stopped attending Kent matches when the results became very one sided as i have o interest in watching the home team dominate each week and for that reason i have failed to make any of my planned visits to Lakeside this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Voice Of Reason Posted September 5, 2017 Report Share Posted September 5, 2017 Maybe it is different with sport. Maybe you have a point Liam. Because, along with Kev, my heart will always be at Waterden Road, Stratford E15. Nothing comes close to the racing I witnessed at that track; nor some of the characters we had (including Uncle Len Silver). But here's the difference. These days, it's an ever-increasing and rare occurrence to see your actual team of 7 riders. Guests are, more often than not, relied upon. Add into the mix the intermittent fixture list. There are weeks without any Home Meetings. At Hackney, you'd make it a date, Friday at 8, throughout the entire Season. Riders attitudes seem different as well. Many appear to be so far up their own backside - with a raft of mechanics, etc. You see it now after a false start - they ride back and have 3 blokes standing ready simply to adjust a poxy clutch! Perhaps if they hadn't been poncing around and gardening at the tapes for 5 minutes, it wouldn't need adjusting! Out on track, I rarely see team riding these days. Most riders don't even bother looking around for their partner. It isn't a team; it appears more often than not, a group of individuals who happen to be wearing the same racing colours. I've been to all Midlands tracks since moving up here; but can't get into supporting any of them. My actual passion for Speedway has been killed off if I'm totally honest; and I used to go to 3-4 meetings each week throughout the 1980's/90's - because I could watch any team and enjoy the racing. This season, it's often a chore even bothering to watch it on BT. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
liam Posted September 5, 2017 Report Share Posted September 5, 2017 Maybe it is different with sport. Maybe you have a point Liam. Because, along with Kev, my heart will always be at Waterden Road, Stratford E15. Nothing comes close to the racing I witnessed at that track; nor some of the characters we had (including Uncle Len Silver). But here's the difference. These days, it's an ever-increasing and rare occurrence to see your actual team of 7 riders. Guests are, more often than not, relied upon. Add into the mix the intermittent fixture list. There are weeks without any Home Meetings. At Hackney, you'd make it a date, Friday at 8, throughout the entire Season. Riders attitudes seem different as well. Many appear to be so far up their own backside - with a raft of mechanics, etc. You see it now after a false start - they ride back and have 3 blokes standing ready simply to adjust a poxy clutch! Perhaps if they hadn't been poncing around and gardening at the tapes for 5 minutes, it wouldn't need adjusting! Out on track, I rarely see team riding these days. Most riders don't even bother looking around for their partner. It isn't a team; it appears more often than not, a group of individuals who happen to be wearing the same racing colours. I've been to all Midlands tracks since moving up here; but can't get into supporting any of them. My actual passion for Speedway has been killed off if I'm totally honest; and I used to go to 3-4 meetings each week throughout the 1980's/90's - because I could watch any team and enjoy the racing. This season, it's often a chore even bothering to watch it on BT. I can't disagree with anything you have said bal, my speedway education doesn't go back as far as yours and I only really started getting into speedway when arena essex started so they have always been my team. Speedway has changed a lot since then and I wish it could go back to them days. I have drifted away from the sport at times but always came back to arena and now lakeside. I like everyone else hopes that things can be done to make it better again and would love to be able to watch speedway every week. I also understand why people have had enough or would now choose to go rye house. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prince Regent Posted September 5, 2017 Report Share Posted September 5, 2017 I too agree with Voice of Reason - this time! - but that's an argument about speedway's problems rather than specifically fans' reasons for moving from one team to another. My roots are with West Ham, so I found it relatively easy to start supporting a team called the Hammers! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cityrebel Posted September 5, 2017 Report Share Posted September 5, 2017 My roots are with Wimbledon, although I did attended Wembley and West ham on a regular basis as a kid in the 1970's. So you could say I'm a speedway fan first and a dons fan second. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E I Addio Posted September 5, 2017 Report Share Posted September 5, 2017 All of the above is true, but the plain fact is that for most of us the team we grew up with is th one that gets in our DNA. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heathen1984 Posted September 5, 2017 Report Share Posted September 5, 2017 (edited) I agree with Liam, cudnt ever imagine supporting another team. No chance, if cradley stopped, wudnt support anyone else Edited September 5, 2017 by Heathen1984 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruno Posted September 5, 2017 Report Share Posted September 5, 2017 After years without speedway i started going to Monmore in the late 90s and even started going home and away but always supported the opposition of course. Then when Billy Hamill joined the Wolves I started to waver and finally in 2009 at the end of the season I decided in 2010 we were never coming back so I was going to support the Wolves or at least try. Within months we announced we were coming back. What a close call that was I even had Steve Brum trying to tempt me to the dark side. I still wake up now and again in a cold sweat!!!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marko Posted September 5, 2017 Author Report Share Posted September 5, 2017 I could make the same analogy with Eastbourne, if they were closer to us, in other words genuine local rivals its the one club I would never be able to support in a million years because they are the arch enemy, always have been. It's one of the main reasons I have never liked Jon Cook being involved with our club, he's the enemy by association, I know that was a long time ago but I have a long memory. We had Dean Barker ride for us for a couple of seasons, not to mention Lewis Bridger more recently, I was never able to take to either because in my mind, they were Eagles first and foremost. And if you ever done word association with me and said Eastbourne Eagles, the answer would not be printable on these pages. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gazzac Posted September 5, 2017 Report Share Posted September 5, 2017 (edited) Having read the recent posts and being an Eagles fan it does seem the main problem is management who don't want to be in the NL and have never embraced it for what it is. When Eastie went to the NL, the new management of Connor and Martin Dugard gave the club new impetus after being also rans in the Elite and brought a breath of fresh air to the club, helped being pretty successful from word go. In nearly 3 seasons in the NL , cannot remember any posts at all like the recent pages on this segment being anti club, looking to support another one or being anti management. Don't like to say it but unless the club can adopt the attitude of the Eastie management, don't hold out a lot of hope in any league really. Edited September 5, 2017 by gazzac 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cityrebel Posted September 5, 2017 Report Share Posted September 5, 2017 The biggest millstone for lakeside is the M25 and the Dartford crossing. Add this to the huge shopping complex across the road, makes it a recipe for disaster attendance wise. The vast increase in the volume of traffic over the past few years have strangled the life out of the track. These problems will be impossible to overcome, regardless of what league the hammers decide to ride in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gazzac Posted September 5, 2017 Report Share Posted September 5, 2017 (edited) The biggest millstone for lakeside is the M25 and the Dartford crossing. Add this to the huge shopping complex across the road, makes it a recipe for disaster attendance wise. The vast increase in the volume of traffic over the past few years have strangled the life out of the track. These problems will be impossible to overcome, regardless of what league the hammers decide to ride in. Like or loath the track, I suppose we forget how lucky we are with Arlington and it's location. Edited September 5, 2017 by gazzac Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cityrebel Posted September 5, 2017 Report Share Posted September 5, 2017 I'm a regular at both venues. I know what journey I prefer! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goldhawk Posted September 6, 2017 Report Share Posted September 6, 2017 As somebody that has switched from lakeside to Rye I have to ask myself several questions: 1. Journey time - Rye is 15 minutes further. 2. Cost - Rye is cheaper than Lakeside (last year) for admittance and program 3. Officials - Rye staff always seem happy and part of a team 4. Promoters - Huge respect from what they are trying to achieve at Rye and I just cannot trust Cook ever again. To much negativity and talking rubbish. 5. Viewing - Much closer viewing and plenty of seating at Rye 6. Weather - Rye stadium is much better protected from the weather 7. Atmosphere - Positive atmosphere and sense of belonging at Rye. The opposite at Lakeside 8. Racing - Maybe its the better viewing but I think the racing is better at Rye. The comments following the TV match were very positive. Before anyone says where is your loyalty, well that will always be for Waterden Road. So will I be back, Nope. Couldn't agree more Kev , well said. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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