NL comfort zone.

[Sings4Speedway]

14 hours ago, Motox92 said:

Think John cooks comments are just ridiculous. The NL is a great product. Let’s be  honest John cook knows nothing about speedway as he couldn’t keep up with paying his NL riders last when they was in the NL, so god knows how he keeps up with paying the Eastbourne riders. 

As for the opponents staying on there bikes well stop lowering the points limit so much and forcing riders to ride above there means. Speedway is a progression sport, so if you dropping the team limit so much there is not point in haveing an MDL/SDL. I find NL good racing. But my personal opinion is that unfortunately this year the NL is a glorified MDL and it’s hard to sell a product like that and get the punters in. But that’s just my opinion. 

Id like to find out what everyone’s else’s opinion is...........

I have to admit that the points lowering is poorly considered and hasn't / won't work out how the bspa intended. Its a tough job promoting any league now with the disparity in standard between riders within a team and teams within a league and made even tougher by idiots who think condescending comments towards the league beneath them are justified. 

If Jon Cook had aimed the comments at the MSDL i would have understood as there are riders appearing in that league that are below the required standard to make a safe yet entertaining spectacle but he did not, he aimed fully at a lower paid league and belittled the riders, promoters & fans who support it. 

[Sidney the robin]

1 hour ago, cityrebel said:

I always get the fast cat foot passenger ferry from Portsmouth to Ryde. I haven't had a holiday over there since i was a kid.

Thanks City, i  have only ever  been there once before in 1975 when the Hovercraft came out.

[cityrebel]

16 minutes ago, Sidney the robin said:

Thanks City, i  have only ever  been there once before in 1975 when the Hovercraft came out.

The hovercraft still runs to Ryde.

[HGould]

15 hours ago, Motox92 said:

Think John cooks comments are just ridiculous. The NL is a great product. Let’s be  honest John cook knows nothing about speedway as he couldn’t keep up with paying his NL riders last when they was in the NL, so god knows how he keeps up with paying the Eastbourne riders. 

As for the opponents staying on there bikes well stop lowering the points limit so much and forcing riders to ride above there means. Speedway is a progression sport, so if you dropping the team limit so much there is not point in haveing an MDL/SDL. I find NL good racing. But my personal opinion is that unfortunately this year the NL is a glorified MDL and it’s hard to sell a product like that and get the punters in. But that’s just my opinion. 

Id like to find out what everyone’s else’s opinion is...........

looks like Cook's fellow Eastbourne Director and Eastbourne Management agrees with you, found this on one of many Facebook threads about the comments and was posted by Ian Jordan Eastbourne Director-:

 

As my name actually appears on that picture as a Director of Eastbourne Speedway I feel obliged, after a lot of soul searching to comment. The comments made are the personal opinion of the person who has made them and Jon is perfectly entitled to make them as is anyone in a democracy. They are not and should not be taken as anything other than that. As a passionate advocate; supporter, watcher and sponsor of 6 current National League Riders all of whom can slide a speedway bike exceptionally well, I do not personally agree with the comments, in fact having put significant sums of my own money where my mouth is to support NL Riders and an NL now CL Team I think it is patently obvious that I do not agree with them. That does not diminish my respect and support for Jon, as we are all entitled to our opinions, and we all express them in different ways. On the vexed and un-linked situation of National League and Professional and Amateur or "not professional" as the case may be, my interpretation of the situation is this. The word "Development" is as a direct result of the Speedway Authorities desire to keep the current 3rd tier as a League predominantly for riders who are born and brought up in the UK or who have valid UK Passports or parental rights. By using very clearly the word "development" they circumnavigate very complex EU laws which without the word "development" would possibly mean the League being flooded by EU and other nationalities. I look forwards to continuing to support, sponsor and ultimately promote the CL and PL riders of the future in the National League.

[Sings4Speedway]

Whilst very diplomatic and gently throwing Cook under the wheels the fact remains that the comments printed in the Eastbourne programme by a member of the Eastbourne promotion fall back onto Eastbourne Speedway as a whole. If these were spoken comments on the mic after a match they could have easily been brushed aside as heat of the moment but putting into print is a deliberate and considered act. As Director of Eastbourne Speedway it is Ian's job to either proof read content in the programme or charge that to someone suitably PR savvy. Instead the statements are out there, the apologies are not and pitching that Cook is entitled to his opinion isn't really suitable given the scale of the insults dished out.

[Sings4Speedway]

Just been pointed in the direction of Barry Bishops facebook reply to the insults by Cook and what a vast difference in composure and intelligence between these two individuals. Barry "gets it", he gets speedway, he knows its far from perfect but he doesn't bash it down. Unsurprisingly there is plenty of NL support for his wise and well placed words too. Perhaps the Island would be the best place for Jon Cook to start his apology tour.

[cityrebel]

3 minutes ago, Sings4Speedway said:

Just been pointed in the direction of Barry Bishops facebook reply to the insults by Cook and what a vast difference in composure and intelligence between these two individuals. Barry "gets it", he gets speedway, he knows its far from perfect but he doesn't bash it down. Unsurprisingly there is plenty of NL support for his wise and well placed words too. Perhaps the Island would be the best place for Jon Cook to start his apology tour.

He wouldn't know how to get there. He never turned up when lakeside rode on the island a couple of years ago.

[WalterPlinge]

At least the comments of Ian Jordan are a tad more sensible, and he distances himself from the disgraceful comments of Jon Cook.

However a bit of digging suggests that the SCB can not take action against Jon Cook, as neither Jon Cook nor Ian Jordan are promoters (Nor are they SCB officials at all).   The people who will have to take responsibility for the programme comments which bring the sport into disrepute are the licenced officials Mike Bellerby & Trevor Geer.

But I wonder if all is not harmonious at Eastbourne.  

The promoting company (Eastbourne Eagles Ltd) was formed on 14 December 2018 with Ian Jordan and Jon Cook as the Directors and both as 50% shareholders.

Then quite recently on 28 May 2019, Jon Cook resigned as a director, leaving Jordan as the sole director.  Cook also ceased to be a 50% shareholder, so it looks like Jordan is now the sole owner.

 

 

 

 

 

[brandonmole]

Jon Cook has always had an inflated opinion of himself (especially in front of the TV cameras) ... but in reality he has always come across as a clown. One of many in the sport.

 

[Sidney the robin]

2 hours ago, Sings4Speedway said:

Whilst very diplomatic and gently throwing Cook under the wheels the fact remains that the comments printed in the Eastbourne programme by a member of the Eastbourne promotion fall back onto Eastbourne Speedway as a whole. If these were spoken comments on the mic after a match they could have easily been brushed aside as heat of the moment but putting into print is a deliberate and considered act. As Director of Eastbourne Speedway it is Ian's job to either proof read content in the programme or charge that to someone suitably PR savvy. Instead the statements are out there, the apologies are not and pitching that Cook is entitled to his opinion isn't really suitable given the scale of the insults dished out.

You know more about the NL product than me Sings-  but the league is doing a great job. Last night i watched the young Brennan and/  Mum video on the Eastbourne tv  and god how professional and heartwhelming was that.What they have achieved with there media side of things is terrific so Cook's ridiculous comments should not tar all the Eastbourne set up with the same brush.

[HGould]

15 minutes ago, Sidney the robin said:

You know more about the NL product than me Sings-  but the league is doing a great job. Last night i watched the young Brennan and/  Mum video on the Eastbourne tv  and god how professional and heartwhelming was that.What they have achieved with there media side of things is terrific so Cook's ridiculous comments should not tar all the Eastbourne set up with the same brush.

i agree about their social media and website and TV - I watched this the other night a documentary over 30 minutes

https://www.eastbourne-speedway.com/eagles-tv-trackside/

click the link under the picture to Eagles TV then go half way down page where it says Trackside - it's outstanding by speedway standards

 

 

 

[Sings4Speedway]

19 minutes ago, Sidney the robin said:

You know more about the NL product than me Sings-  but the league is doing a great job. Last night i watched the young Brennan and/  Mum video on the Eastbourne tv  and god how professional and heartwhelming was that.What they have achieved with there media side of things is terrific so Cook's ridiculous comments should not tar all the Eastbourne set up with the same brush.

I will certainly concede that what the previous promotion initiated and the current promotion have extended upon in terms of presentation both at the track and via social media channels has been nothing short of outstanding and really pushing the bar much closer to where it needs to be across the board. I think that is why it made the insults all the more disappointing. If they had been made via Cooks own personal media then whilst still stupid the club would have escaped fault but to feature within the clubs official programme means the views must be at the very least supported / validated by the club. They wouldn't allow advertising space to be purchased and then used to print derogatory comments about the club or its supporters but have gone to press with a statement that insults not just a few but an entire league, the riders within it and the supporters of any competing NL team.   

[Sidney the robin]

7 minutes ago, HGould said:

i agree about their social media and website and TV - I watched this the other night a documentary over 30 minutes

https://www.eastbourne-speedway.com/eagles-tv-trackside/

click the link under the picture to Eagles TV then go half way down page where it says Trackside - it's outstanding by speedway standards

 

 

 

Thanks Gould i have seen it, really is terrific the club has a great history and great fans.

[flipper11]

6 hours ago, Sidney the robin said:

I am going to try to get there City this year for a 2 day stay with my wife.I fancy the Leicester or Kent encounter is it best to get the crossing from Southampton -       City.???

Sidney. Not sure if you no, but if you go on the Warriors web site there is a code for discount off transport to the iow. 

[Halifaxtiger]

4 hours ago, HGould said:

looks like Cook's fellow Eastbourne Director and Eastbourne Management agrees with you, found this on one of many Facebook threads about the comments and was posted by Ian Jordan Eastbourne Director-:

 

As my name actually appears on that picture as a Director of Eastbourne Speedway I feel obliged, after a lot of soul searching to comment. The comments made are the personal opinion of the person who has made them and Jon is perfectly entitled to make them as is anyone in a democracy. They are not and should not be taken as anything other than that. As a passionate advocate; supporter, watcher and sponsor of 6 current National League Riders all of whom can slide a speedway bike exceptionally well, I do not personally agree with the comments, in fact having put significant sums of my own money where my mouth is to support NL Riders and an NL now CL Team I think it is patently obvious that I do not agree with them. That does not diminish my respect and support for Jon, as we are all entitled to our opinions, and we all express them in different ways. On the vexed and un-linked situation of National League and Professional and Amateur or "not professional" as the case may be, my interpretation of the situation is this. The word "Development" is as a direct result of the Speedway Authorities desire to keep the current 3rd tier as a League predominantly for riders who are born and brought up in the UK or who have valid UK Passports or parental rights. By using very clearly the word "development" they circumnavigate very complex EU laws which without the word "development" would possibly mean the League being flooded by EU and other nationalities. I look forwards to continuing to support, sponsor and ultimately promote the CL and PL riders of the future in the National League.

Clearly Ian Jordan is trying to distance himself from the remarks made. To be fair, I don't doubt his sincerity for a single moment.

Problem for him is they were made by someone very close to the Eastbourne promotion (close enough to actually be able write in the programme) so he won't be able to disassociate himself from them entirely.  

As to whether Jon Cook is 'perfectly entitled' to make such remarks, I would say that is a matter of debate.  While we are all able to give opinion on a particular issue, what we are not entitled to do is to make statements that are blatantly untrue in the full knowledge that they are blatantly untrue which could affect another person or their business interests. 

The way I see it, that is precisely what Cook has done.  

[Halifaxtiger]

3 hours ago, Sings4Speedway said:

Just been pointed in the direction of Barry Bishops facebook reply to the insults by Cook and what a vast difference in composure and intelligence between these two individuals. Barry "gets it", he gets speedway, he knows its far from perfect but he doesn't bash it down. Unsurprisingly there is plenty of NL support for his wise and well placed words too. Perhaps the Island would be the best place for Jon Cook to start his apology tour.

If you are on facebook, this is definitely worth a read (Isle of Wight Speedway page)

It pretty much sums Barry Bishop up - honest, decent, caring and passionate. I daresay the words he first thought of aren't reflected in the post...………….

[Sidney the robin]

43 minutes ago, flipper11 said:

Sidney. Not sure if you no, but if you go on the Warriors web site there is a code for discount off transport to the iow. 

Thank you , Mr Bishop who sent me a message last year mentioned it thanks again flipper11.Will take City Rebel's advice and go from Portsmouth.

[brandonmole]

I've never met Barry Bishop (I have had the displeasure of Mr Cook!) but he always comes across like a decent guy who should have more say in how British Speedway is run. I concur with Halifaxtiger.

 

[Sidney the robin]

2 hours ago, brandonmole said:

I've never met Barry Bishop (I have had the displeasure of Mr Cook!) but he always comes across like a decent guy who should have more say in how British Speedway is run. I concur with Halifaxtiger.

 

Really would be great if Mr Bishop did, other posters over the month's have really praised how good the Isle of Wight is.In this day and age and  in this difficult climate under Bishop they are reaching out a great family day out.He seems to have a balance pay the bills get some of the new punters back again and put  money into  the future .

Edited June 13, 2019 by Sidney the robin