TonyE Posted October 30, 2018 Report Share Posted October 30, 2018 (edited) For what it is worth, I believe the Hammers will effectively cease to exist having now completed the season. Rye House was merely an expedient - I still do not understand the logic of the authorities in ruling we had to switch all remaining fixtures to RH rather than just run the ones we could not fit in at Arena - but then this is speedway , often devoid of any logic. RH is much, much worse than Arena - poor viewing, poor racing, poor lighting and, as others have said, not really a viable option without major and costly changes. Thanks for the memories. Edited October 30, 2018 by TonyE 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HAMMER180 Posted October 30, 2018 Author Report Share Posted October 30, 2018 A very long and sincere thank you to just about everybody on the home site looking very ominous to me really do hope I am wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyE Posted October 30, 2018 Report Share Posted October 30, 2018 Agreed, it reads like an obituary/farewell. So sad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
liam Posted October 30, 2018 Report Share Posted October 30, 2018 It really is sad but to be honest I made my peace with it after the Glasgow meeting. It’s been hard not going as it’s been part of my life for over 30 years but I have found other things to do to replace speedway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikebv Posted October 30, 2018 Report Share Posted October 30, 2018 (edited) On 10/29/2018 at 6:26 PM, tocha said: Apart from the Rye House Stadium being in a rather chaotic state you are never going to get a decent racing strip until someone can invest in braking up the tarmac/concrete base left behind when stock cars used to run. It wasn't quite so bad in Len's time when, I think, the straights were shorter and less banking, not to mention, the infamous adverse camber on the second bend. Eastbourne might be an option and now they, sadly, have lost their commander in chief, I can see Jon returning and applying to join the Championship. Signings, Scott Nicholls, Edward Kennett to join Jason Edwards and Tom Brennan maybe. If this happens would Lakeside have to change their name to Seaside? Moving a Speedway team out of its area of emotional attachment simply doesn't work.. Crowds are not large enough in the first place to do what for example MK Dons managed as they had the football windfall cash to fall back on if crowds were poor.. If you are only getting 500 or so 'loyal local followers' then moving it several tens of miles away can only reduce that meagre crowd level further. And won't get many of the locals from the new base to attend as its not 'their team'.. I would suggest the only way to make it work for the promoters is to take over at another track and change names... Sad to see, but just one track of several more to go over the next few years I would say.. British Speedway reaping what it has sowed for far, far too long.. Edited October 30, 2018 by mikebv Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eyejay Posted October 30, 2018 Report Share Posted October 30, 2018 54 minutes ago, liam said: It really is sad but to be honest I made my peace with it after the Glasgow meeting. It’s been hard not going as it’s been part of my life for over 30 years but I have found other things to do to replace speedway. I am totally with you on this one. I have been to watch the Hammers once at Rye and that was the double header with Peterborough. To me, it was not The Hammers. The Hammers are (Were) Arena Essex, and it really was not the same. Add to that the mess the sport is in and the muppets running it doing their best to ruin it, i have not missed it. I too have found other things to do - thanks for the memories. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
liam Posted October 30, 2018 Report Share Posted October 30, 2018 17 minutes ago, Eyejay said: I am totally with you on this one. I have been to watch the Hammers once at Rye and that was the double header with Peterborough. To me, it was not The Hammers. The Hammers are (Were) Arena Essex, and it really was not the same. Add to that the mess the sport is in and the muppets running it doing their best to ruin it, i have not missed it. I too have found other things to do - thanks for the memories. I will always look out for their results and if they do stay at Rye I will maybe make the odd meeting but it will never be the same to me. I miss Arena and although it’s only recently happened I have found that as the weeks went on I missed it less which surprised me as I only missed a handful of home meetings over all them years. Like others have said thanks for the memories! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marko Posted October 30, 2018 Report Share Posted October 30, 2018 2 hours ago, liam said: It really is sad but to be honest I made my peace with it after the Glasgow meeting. It’s been hard not going as it’s been part of my life for over 30 years but I have found other things to do to replace speedway. I am in a similar situation, I let it go! all I want now is for its history to be respected and left as is it, in the past, at Arena! Even if there was somewhere else in Essex to go to, I wouldn't want the club to carry on in that name, it should be a fresh start, new identity, the works. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevtheRev Posted October 31, 2018 Report Share Posted October 31, 2018 23 hours ago, TonyE said: For what it is worth, I believe the Hammers will effectively cease to exist having now completed the season. Rye House was merely an expedient - I still do not understand the logic of the authorities in ruling we had to switch all remaining fixtures to RH rather than just run the ones we could not fit in at Arena - but then this is speedway , often devoid of any logic. RH is much, much worse than Arena - poor viewing, poor racing, poor lighting and, as others have said, not really a viable option without major and costly changes. Thanks for the memories. What planet are you living on - The one thing Rye had going for it was better viewing. Much closer to the track and seating around the track. The racing was very poor, but maybe because it was prepared by the Lakeside track man. When Rye raced there the racing was better (but not great). The concrete underneath the track needs to be ripped out and the track relaid. Unfortunately, I do agree with you in that the Hammers will now cease to exist and that is very sad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyE Posted October 31, 2018 Report Share Posted October 31, 2018 We will have to agree to differ then - Arena offered, in my opinion, far better all round viewing. Yes, you can get closer at Rye but that isn't everything - agreed the seating is a bonus but seems haphazard in placement. Cannot comment on the influence of the trackman ( I would hope he was heeding what the riders wanted)). I just do not think anyone is going to stump up the money for the necessary improvements to both track and the poor lighting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HAMMER180 Posted October 31, 2018 Author Report Share Posted October 31, 2018 25 minutes ago, TonyE said: We will have to agree to differ then - Arena offered, in my opinion, far better all round viewing. Yes, you can get closer at Rye but that isn't everything - agreed the seating is a bonus but seems haphazard in placement. Cannot comment on the influence of the trackman ( I would hope he was heeding what the riders wanted)). I just do not think anyone is going to stump up the money for the necessary improvements to both track and the poor lighting. if we do end up at rye then the track could be sorted as we have 6.5 tons of arena shale in storage Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickRushbrook Posted October 31, 2018 Report Share Posted October 31, 2018 I'm not prepared to say goodbye to my team just yet....even if that means groundhopping while every avenue is explored with regards to a new stadium. It's not fair to judge the move to Rye House based on the past few weeks. Cold weather, rain-offs and electrical faults left a sour taste but I'd like to see a season with full preparation and then make up my mind. No, it's not Arena Essex and never will be but it's still OUR TEAM. Couple of positives is the pub next door and i can still have my pre match 5 guys via Harlow! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HAMMER180 Posted October 31, 2018 Author Report Share Posted October 31, 2018 18 minutes ago, NickRushbrook said: I'm not prepared to say goodbye to my team just yet....even if that means groundhopping while every avenue is explored with regards to a new stadium. It's not fair to judge the move to Rye House based on the past few weeks. Cold weather, rain-offs and electrical faults left a sour taste but I'd like to see a season with full preparation and then make up my mind. No, it's not Arena Essex and never will be but it's still OUR TEAM. Couple of positives is the pub next door and i can still have my pre match 5 guys via Harlow! very well said as I have said before if lakeside are allowed to do it themselves (no bmr oar in) then the whole experience would be a lot better Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cityrebel Posted October 31, 2018 Report Share Posted October 31, 2018 53 minutes ago, NickRushbrook said: I'm not prepared to say goodbye to my team just yet....even if that means groundhopping while every avenue is explored with regards to a new stadium. It's not fair to judge the move to Rye House based on the past few weeks. Cold weather, rain-offs and electrical faults left a sour taste but I'd like to see a season with full preparation and then make up my mind. No, it's not Arena Essex and never will be but it's still OUR TEAM. Couple of positives is the pub next door and i can still have my pre match 5 guys via Harlow! The eight meetings i attended at Rye earlier this season, were merely the starter leading up to the lakeside main course. That's how I've judged the Hoddesdon experience this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Voice Of Reason Posted October 31, 2018 Report Share Posted October 31, 2018 10 hours ago, HAMMER180 said: if we do end up at rye then the track could be sorted as we have 6.5 tons of arena shale in storage Has it got a delivery note - dated 1984? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenga Posted October 31, 2018 Report Share Posted October 31, 2018 if it has , it will be well passed its use by date . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rayleigh Posted October 31, 2018 Report Share Posted October 31, 2018 11 hours ago, NickRushbrook said: I'm not prepared to say goodbye to my team just yet....even if that means groundhopping while every avenue is explored with regards to a new stadium. It's not fair to judge the move to Rye House based on the past few weeks. Cold weather, rain-offs and electrical faults left a sour taste but I'd like to see a season with full preparation and then make up my mind. No, it's not Arena Essex and never will be but it's still OUR TEAM. Couple of positives is the pub next door and i can still have my pre match 5 guys via Harlow! Well saidNickRushbrook a voice of reason at last from Lakeside. Here are a few facts: You do not have your own home (really hope that changes but boy you might be surprised how hard that is) Not enough Lakeside fans attended the matches at Rye to make it viable in the Championship Therefore you need a large group of Rye House fans to go as well Anybodys dreaming if they think that will change by moving to Eastbourne So the idiots at Lakeside who slag of the stadium (granted its not the Royal Albert Hall but there again nor was the Arena Essex Gravel Pit) who slag off the track (yep it was bold as a babys bottom but why didn't Lakeside keep the shale after their last meeting?) slag off the food (get real). All this did was alienate the Rye House fans whom see above you so need. Yes there were a number of valid issues but why insult your host when you have no home to go to yourself. NickRushbrook I hope the close season brings you good news for Lakeside you at least you deserve it 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old bob at herne bay Posted October 31, 2018 Report Share Posted October 31, 2018 So with the "promoters" AGM in mid November (2 weeks away) how the devil is Jon Cook and/or Stuart Douglas (whoever are the "promoters" of Lakeside Speedway Inc.) going to be able to declare that they are running a team in whatever league the AGM are proposing in 2019 ? Rye House - been there in Len Silvers days - I would rank it similar to Lakeside OVERALL . Both must rank amongst the poorest speedway track facilities in the UK. RYE - Terrible car parking. Terrrible access. Track no better or worse than Lakeside (slick ) . Viewing poorer overall but does have seating albeit in odd places. Good Fish n Chips. Seems that it now sports a mud heap in the centre of the track adding to the ambience :-( Biggest problem for me is its a bridge too far (pun intended) being a round trip of around 170 miles from my home. LAKESIDE - Cold at any time of year being exposed on the Thames Estuary. Food - well after food poisoning from a dodgy burger - I only drink their tea. Toilets dark and often unlit. Standing only on a grassy muddy bank or in a shed on the home straight. Only bar and covered facilities are strangely located miles away from the action on the first bend with useless viewing. Round trip of 100 miles from my home is now a pain with useless tunnel to negotiate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cityrebel Posted October 31, 2018 Report Share Posted October 31, 2018 1 hour ago, Rayleigh said: Well saidNickRushbrook a voice of reason at last from Lakeside. Here are a few facts: You do not have your own home (really hope that changes but boy you might be surprised how hard that is) Not enough Lakeside fans attended the matches at Rye to make it viable in the Championship Therefore you need a large group of Rye House fans to go as well Anybodys dreaming if they think that will change by moving to Eastbourne So the idiots at Lakeside who slag of the stadium (granted its not the Royal Albert Hall but there again nor was the Arena Essex Gravel Pit) who slag off the track (yep it was bold as a babys bottom but why didn't Lakeside keep the shale after their last meeting?) slag off the food (get real). All this did was alienate the Rye House fans whom see above you so need. Yes there were a number of valid issues but why insult your host when you have no home to go to yourself. NickRushbrook I hope the close season brings you good news for Lakeside you at least you deserve it What Rye House fans. Where were they earlier in the season. Why didn't they support their club to stop it going bust. I'm a neutral that attended both venues on a regular basis, and i say it how i see it. Clubs moving into another tracks home rarely succeeds. I hope it works if Lakeside do stay at Rye, but both parties have to up their game big time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Voice Of Reason Posted November 1, 2018 Report Share Posted November 1, 2018 There are rumours now circulating of Kim Nilsson (so that's as far back as 2016); Paul Hurry plus A.N.Other from this season, still awaiting their wages from the Lakeside Management. Any truth to these 'rumours'? 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.