singy13 Posted May 28, 2019 Author Report Share Posted May 28, 2019 4 hours ago, TotallyHonestJohn said: Also following the last Rugby League World Cup when the Kiwi Rugby Team nearly walked out of the match they had scheduled at DP saying they wouldn't walk their dogs on DP and they trained on better pitches the Rugby Club stated the pitch needed to be re-laid if they were going to have to share it with the football club. Hiya THJ...the 'Kiwis' twined about most of Derwent Park.....their main one being about the smallness of the changing rooms...mind they were mainly very big guys. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
singy13 Posted May 28, 2019 Author Report Share Posted May 28, 2019 1 hour ago, jenga said: didnt John Walsh jump ship from the speedway ages ago . why ask him. he does not even go anymore , just like the rest of us . but hey , if ever the speedway returns , Walshy will be there wanting his free admission and nominal fee . as long as he gets his name in the paper and on tv . he will be happy as a pig in .... Walshy did sterling work on behalf of Comets before he was lost to them...he did however do a live commentary last season, for Radio Cumbria, on a Friday night meeting v Peterborough. He is still flying his pigeons....and luvs those big spending 'Sky Blues' of Manchester...sadly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruffdiamond Posted May 28, 2019 Report Share Posted May 28, 2019 18 minutes ago, singy13 said: The guy at the front of pic is a good bloke...it was the view of the arena that was the purpose of adding it, just to show the work done so far...sad to see. I didn't say the guy wasn't a good bloke, (a don't even know who he is),,, but dunno why you took a photo of him ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
singy13 Posted May 28, 2019 Author Report Share Posted May 28, 2019 Just now, ruffdiamond said: I didn't say the guy wasn't a good bloke, (a don't even know who he is),,, but dunno why you took a photo of him ? Ok sorry marra........I didn't take the photo...it was on facebook.....as I said to show DP developments.....Can't see speedway getting back on there ever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
singy13 Posted May 28, 2019 Author Report Share Posted May 28, 2019 On 5/25/2019 at 3:18 PM, TotallyHonestJohn said: Jacko is still working (use that term very loosely) at Sellafield and spending the rest of his spare time looking after his elderly parents. I spoke to him about two week back and he is threatening to go to a couple of choice meetings as a spectator if he gets the chance as was the case for Ben Barkers testimonial I believe where he managed the Worky four (unfortunately I missed that one) Regards THJ Ha ha..Sellafield is the place for grafters for sure..............I somehow managed 30 years of it. Miss my speedway fix big style....but too old to travel far nowadays....TV the only way for me I'm afraid. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruffdiamond Posted May 28, 2019 Report Share Posted May 28, 2019 21 minutes ago, singy13 said: Ok sorry marra........I didn't take the photo...it was on facebook.....as I said to show DP developments.....Can't see speedway getting back on there ever. Ahh ok,,, would probly agree with you on the last bit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
comet49 Posted May 28, 2019 Report Share Posted May 28, 2019 1 hour ago, geoff100 said: Think u will find as john got older he cut down his workload , he was a good friend of the comets done alot beh8nd the scenes for them. Fair enough, I don’t really know him myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenga Posted May 28, 2019 Report Share Posted May 28, 2019 1 hour ago, singy13 said: Ha ha..Sellafield is the place for grafters for sure..............I somehow managed 30 years of it. Miss my speedway fix big style....but too old to travel far nowadays....TV the only way for me I'm afraid. GRAFTERS l.m.a.o . i know its hard work getting your yearly dose of beta and gamma radiation . i get more watching telly....... . grafters , is that a new kids bike ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteelShoe Posted May 28, 2019 Report Share Posted May 28, 2019 I'd love to hear something from Laura or Jacko on hear. The silence is deafening when most Comets fans are hurting. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TotallyHonestJohn Posted May 28, 2019 Report Share Posted May 28, 2019 24 minutes ago, SteelShoe said: I'd love to hear something from Laura or Jacko on hear. The silence is deafening when most Comets fans are hurting. What would you like to hear? Regards THJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenga Posted May 28, 2019 Report Share Posted May 28, 2019 any sort of excuse thats available , within reason . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TotallyHonestJohn Posted May 28, 2019 Report Share Posted May 28, 2019 3 minutes ago, jenga said: any sort of excuse thats available , within reason . What.... like me business has gone belly up an av run out of money.... if we could have run the football pitch wouldn't have been as wide as it is now.... we got well and truly shafted off someone who gave the impression they were going to come in with serious finances to help us out and like a mug I believed them... then the council... followed by the Rugby Club... then a provincial football team who think they will be playing in Europe by 2030!!! Think you have had all the answers your gonna get on here Biffa... could be the time that old adage comes into play and No News is Good News because no matter how much you polish a turd at the end of the day it's still what it is.... Regards THJ 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenga Posted May 28, 2019 Report Share Posted May 28, 2019 1 minute ago, TotallyHonestJohn said: What.... like me business has gone belly up an av run out of money.... if we could have run the football pitch wouldn't have been as wide as it is now.... we got well and truly shafted off someone who gave the impression they were going to come in with serious finances to help us out and like a mug I believed them... then the council... followed by the Rugby Club... then a provincial football team who think they will be playing in Europe by 2030!!! Think you have had all the answers your gonna get on here Biffa... could be the time that old adage comes into play and No News is Good News because no matter how much you polish a turd at the end of the day it's still what it is.... Regards THJ see, thats all it took . how come it was you who got shafted when you are nowt t do wid the speedway . just something i picked out of you post BTW ? , like will one half of the stadium be painted red and white or just the toilet block . anyhow , life moves on . but if it does return and i aint toast , as Arnie said , i will be back, back, Bennett Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TotallyHonestJohn Posted May 28, 2019 Report Share Posted May 28, 2019 1 hour ago, jenga said: see, thats all it took . how come it was you who got shafted when you are nowt t do wid the speedway . just something i picked out of you post BTW ? , like will one half of the stadium be painted red and white or just the toilet block . anyhow , life moves on . but if it does return and i aint toast , as Arnie said , i will be back, back, Bennett Aye Commando 20,000 rounds of ammo from a 200 round box and he managed to kill about a thousand men in the process.... but like Sully you would be definitely let go of first Jenga an you have no idea what went on or my involvement and this isnt the place to air it Regards THJ 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenga Posted May 28, 2019 Report Share Posted May 28, 2019 between you n me . its already been aired . hope it all works out for you in the end . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TotallyHonestJohn Posted May 28, 2019 Report Share Posted May 28, 2019 Honestly I'm sorted but still absolutely gutted at what's happened and the demise of the Speedway.... Saturday's are quite honestly just not the same anymore... Also I know for a fact that many people I speak to when on the tramp in Cumbria feel exactly the same... Devastated Regards THJ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tyretrax Posted May 28, 2019 Report Share Posted May 28, 2019 To be honest, "we" us" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteelShoe Posted May 29, 2019 Report Share Posted May 29, 2019 11 hours ago, TotallyHonestJohn said: What.... like me business has gone belly up an av run out of money.... if we could have run the football pitch wouldn't have been as wide as it is now.... we got well and truly shafted off someone who gave the impression they were going to come in with serious finances to help us out and like a mug I believed them... then the council... followed by the Rugby Club... then a provincial football team who think they will be playing in Europe by 2030!!! Think you have had all the answers your gonna get on here Biffa... could be the time that old adage comes into play and No News is Good News because no matter how much you polish a turd at the end of the day it's still what it is.... Regards THJ That's just too close to the point to take right now THJ . What's that about the truth always hurts. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteelShoe Posted May 29, 2019 Report Share Posted May 29, 2019 (edited) 12 hours ago, TotallyHonestJohn said: What would you like to hear? Regards THJ Something along the lines of this would be nice and something we could all get behind: 'Due to the fact that the Workington Comets have had to be displaced from their home at Derwent Park in order to facilitate construction of the new Community Stadium the Council is giving the club its full backing in developing a new home on the site of the training track at Northside. Such a move would reduce the costs of running the sport whilst allowing the club to directly benefit from income generated through food and drink sales. There will be great opportunity for local businesses to get involved in the creation of this exciting new facility which will see the continuation of what is a great family sport and one that has been embedded in local sporting heritage and culture over the last 50 years'. Edited May 29, 2019 by SteelShoe 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TotallyHonestJohn Posted May 29, 2019 Report Share Posted May 29, 2019 2 hours ago, SteelShoe said: That's just too close to the point to take right now THJ . What's that about the truth always hurts. SS you're not wrong and everyone who is/was passionate about the Comets is hurting, however I am not sure any of the former promotion who quite rightly should be applauded for their success in 2018 will want to disclose their role in the demise of the club and its ultimate failure to come to the tapes in 2019 or to give any details on what has actually gone on with the track or stadium. I would also add to that (non-disclosure) list any discussions that went on with third parties; the council; or the other sporting clubs involved. What I can add is; that there was a genuine intention to run this year however finances dictated otherwise before the track/ground issues were even considered. For me and as close as I was to the promotion they did try their best but the path they ultimately chose (or were led down) was not sustainable and unless you have a vibrant club (support wise) and in the Comets case that would have been around 750 adults paying around an average of £15:00 each per meeting the whole thing financially was not viable; then of course you could always look to a benefactor who has cash to spare and loves Speedway however KD a very competent businessman sank thousands into the spot before seeing the light and bailing out and of course we all know what has happened to LM and the position she now finds herself in with regards to losing her businesses and the club she loved dearly. Also this isn't a new phenomena to the Comets as previous owners of the club Eddie Thornborrow and Ron Bagley went through similar pain in the early 80's though not dissimilar it was finances that were the main influence in folding the club. However this is all water under the bridge and everyone (including Jenga) has a view on what the real reason was then as to why the spot folded. So you may only have some of the truth as to what has gone on and some sensible suggestions on here that are very near to the truth (and some a mile off) but I doubt you will get all of the real reasons, however it is hurting everyone who is/was passionate about their speedway in West Cumbria and those loyal fans who followed the team through thick and thin up and down the country let alone home meetings. The Supporters Trust and the Friends of Workington Speedway who in two seasons sank over £20k into the club setting up direct debits and paying in additional cash all to no avail; these people need answers for sure and no doubt if it ever came back these supporters again would be at the forefront of supporting the club. However I doubt it will ever come back now and I am normally a "pot half full" type of guy but in this case the pot is definitely half empty. Regards THJ 1 hour ago, SteelShoe said: Something along the lines of this would be nice and something we could all get behind: 'Due to the fact that the Workington Comets have had to be displaced from their home at Derwent Park in order to facilitate construction of the new Community Stadium the Council is giving the club its full backing in developing a new home on the site of the training track at Northside. Such a move would reduce the costs of running the sport whilst allowing the club to directly benefit from income generated through food and drink sales. There will be great opportunity for local businesses to get involved in the creation of this exciting new facility which see the continuation of what is a great family sport that has been embedded in local sporting heritage and culture over the last 50 years'. Oh!!! got called away from me desk and see you have been at it again so I will stick this one on here as well to respond to. (have you retired; are you on holiday or do you just have time on your hands?) It would be nice to hear the "Clarion Call" and have something positive to look forward to but where will that come from? who will put up the cash or take the risk to run a business that has seen off Keith Denham and Laura Morgan in recent times and has (as pointed out above) a history of being a major financial risk and a gamble business wise over the years. As you state "Something along the lines of this would be nice and something we could all get behind": 'Due to the fact that the Workington Comets have had to be displaced from their home at Derwent Park in order to facilitate construction of the new Community Stadium the Council is giving the club its full backing in developing a new home on the site of the training track at Northside. (They weren't displaced? the club run out of money and folded before the ground issues started? if they came back they would now not have a viable home granted; so I would suggest this request is made to the council as you have directed it toward them and see what they say as it is not in any promotions gift to give to the fans) Such a move would reduce the costs of running the sport whilst allowing the club to directly benefit from income generated through food and drink sales. (Why should/would the council be concerned with this (making a private individual money?) and I would suggest it would be a hard sell as the speedway in general does not generate a vast amount of jobs in the community or support any cause that the council can get behind for them (the council) to garner any kudos from the process) There will be great opportunity for local businesses to get involved in the creation of this exciting new facility which see the continuation of what is a great family sport that has been embedded in local sporting heritage and culture over the last 50 years'. (what benefit is there at present to any local business, we (my company) have supported Speedway for the last 10 years and not one job has been earned from this advertising, not one new client has banged on our door saying here is a contract mate as you support the Speedway; and we are not alone in this as speaking to Alan Hedley of Sapphire Engineering a few years back with regards to business opportunity and speedway advertising he said that even as a main sponsor of a club he had not reaped one benefit business wise in all the years he sponsored the Diamonds; not one return for all that investment; again another sensible businessman with no axe to grind being honest) What the Comets needs first is a Promoter before there is any shouting about where a track can go, then the promoter will need to know what support the council will give him/her. Then a rational business decision will be made as to whether it is viable for the club to run, but again the big issue is support as 450 fans paying on average £15;00 per meeting does not pay for a championship team without secondary income, so where is all this money coming from? sponsorship? because again and what seems only prevalent in speedway is businesses would rather give money to the riders than the club! its crazy as surely no club; no riders! or am I missing something here? maybe the sponsors should pay the riders and save the clubs money that way! Look at what is successful in the Championship; Glasgow Model: Joking apart we know how they survive; they are losing money hand over fist however they have the support of a very successful company (and family) who back (financially) the Tigers along with some very generous sponsorship, it isn't a problem and it is working for them at present and long may it last, however if this support was racked back then things could be different. Scunthorpe Model: Rob Godfrey has a great set up at Scunny but he will be the first to tell you Speedway costs him money but it is what he loves, Rob owns and runs his venue and has other revenue streams which subsidise the Speedway and Rob runs a tight ship financially and I believe this is the way to go but it is difficult; Redcar and the motor park set up would fit at Northside however Redcar have not been without their own financial problems; and not looking for an argument from any of the clubs mentioned but the woes of speedway in general have been well debated on here with some very pragmatic and sensible arguments (by the likes of mikebv; halifaxtiger; bruv and others) and have been well put and debated to the "nth degree" but will they ever influence the "Powers that be"? I very much doubt it I hope I am wrong but I think it will be difficult for the sport to return to West Cumbria not withstanding the following 1. A Promoter willing to invest and run it as a business (a hobby or a charity) 2. A Promoter with the financial clout to front up all the costs required to join the BSPA 3. Support from the Council (land; infrastructure and financially) 4. A venue to run the sport from! as the DP option now I feel is dead 5. Other revenue streams (Scunny Model at a Motor Park type venue) 6. A fan base that at least exceeds 750 people paying on average £15:00 7. A viable business plan 8. BSPA support (or 9. A mug like me to win the Euro Lottery) I have just scratched the surface here and look forward to being picked apart by all and sundry but I think you had your response from the council with regard to the stadium some time back pre local elections; however what they have said and what they have done have been a total contradiction. As Private James Frazer said on many an occasion "we're doomed! SS "we're doomed! Apologies in advance Regards THJ 4 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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