Normski Posted August 17, 2021 Report Share Posted August 17, 2021 Only been to Eastbourne once to watch my beloved Bandits score 16pts in the KO Cup Final in 1977, but i don't bear a grudge lol and sincerely hope something can or will be done for speedway to continue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sings4Speedway Posted August 17, 2021 Report Share Posted August 17, 2021 1 hour ago, mikebv said: I think it's clear that for many teams the "old NDL" level was perfect . Clubs who only get crowds of around 400 to 800 as an average, would be far better running at that old NDL level.. Paying some "old heads" a few quid extra, and the same to any lads who decide "I am quite happy at this level" even if the "powers that be" are not happy that they dont move up into the top two leagues... A top two leagues that are dont forget 90% the same, so as contrived, as contrived could be.. The NDL always seemed to the best ran, as well as offered the best value for money, as whenever I watched it the racing was very good due to the majority of all riders being not a million miles away from each other in ability.. And you could often audibly hear the young lads under their helmets celebrating as they got off the bike after winning a race, or cursing as they finished last, which showed how much it cared to them.. I could watch the Colts at the NSS for £10 for me and my lad pre Covid or pay £33 to us to watch the Aces.. Needless to say my "live Speedway fix" invariably meant a Colts visit, rather than an Aces one.. The fundamental problem that exists is that, "Moving up a league" means absolutely nothing in Speedway given you can pick and choose what leagues to race in, therefore I fail to see why some promoters see this as some kind of advancement or aspiration and risk their comfortably working business model... The fans dont see "moving up" as anything "exciting" as they know that the top two leagues carry no "Wow Factor" in winning, and, no disrespect, but there are hardly any 'superstars' going to visit your circuit that will bring those extra fans so needed to be sustainable in.. And you put your prices up to pay for the added costs, which is never a good idea when customers dont see any tangible difference in what you offer... I would suggest that whether those in charge like it or not, the sustainable level for the majority of clubs in the UK nowadays is the "old NDL level" or, maybe, at a push, "Championship Lite"... My big hope is that the 3rd tier is allowed to govern itself once more. All promotions who have a team in the league get a say and all those that don't can bugger off. Let those who are affected by the decisions make the decisions and hopefully allow a fuller and more prosperous league to flourish. Yes fans clamour for higher league racing but they clamour for a team to support more and id happily wager that Eastbourne, Kent, Brum, Newcastle supporters would much rather turn out and support their NDL team (with all the balanced and exciting racing that goes with it) than no speedway at all. Dare i say it but could a breakaway league even occur? If the powers that be aren't going to get behind clubs and address the problems then perhaps the calls for more radical action are growing. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reliant Robin Posted August 17, 2021 Report Share Posted August 17, 2021 8 minutes ago, Sings4Speedway said: My big hope is that the 3rd tier is allowed to govern itself once more. All promotions who have a team in the league get a say and all those that don't can bugger off. Let those who are affected by the decisions make the decisions and hopefully allow a fuller and more prosperous league to flourish. Yes fans clamour for higher league racing but they clamour for a team to support more and id happily wager that Eastbourne, Kent, Brum, Newcastle supporters would much rather turn out and support their NDL team (with all the balanced and exciting racing that goes with it) than no speedway at all. Dare i say it but could a breakaway league even occur? If the powers that be aren't going to get behind clubs and address the problems then perhaps the calls for more radical action are growing. I'd say that Eastbourne & Kent should be comfortable in a sustainable 2nd tier with the crowds that they get. It is made unsustainable by the more affluent or bigger backed 2nd tier Clubs signing higher end riders that really shouldn't be at that level. So the solution becomes for Eastbourne and Kent to drop back down and become the more affluent at a lower level, with the knock on effect being felt by those lower down as the 3rd tier gets stronger and more competetive. Speedway is a sport, and so should be competetive, but the problem is not just one of the NL being made too weak, there is a fundamental issue with the structure right the way through the leagues, and how that structure is voted/brought in 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IainB Posted August 17, 2021 Report Share Posted August 17, 2021 (edited) 20 minutes ago, Sings4Speedway said: My big hope is that the 3rd tier is allowed to govern itself once more. All promotions who have a team in the league get a say and all those that don't can bugger off. Let those who are affected by the decisions make the decisions and hopefully allow a fuller and more prosperous league to flourish. Yes fans clamour for higher league racing but they clamour for a team to support more and id happily wager that Eastbourne, Kent, Brum, Newcastle supporters would much rather turn out and support their NDL team (with all the balanced and exciting racing that goes with it) than no speedway at all. Dare i say it but could a breakaway league even occur? If the powers that be aren't going to get behind clubs and address the problems then perhaps the calls for more radical action are growing. It's a tough one, there will be some supporters like me who just won't be attracted by NDL level Speedway. I'm fortunate in that I live centrally so have the pick of quite a few tracks to attend, but I've never been to a Leicester Cubs match, it has absolutely no appeal to me what so ever, much like when I used to follow the Bees, the Storm had no appeal. If Leicester were to run just NDL only I would not attend. If I lived in a different part of the country I would be looking to attend my nearest "professional" club but probably on a less frequent basis. When the Storm tried to continue at Leicester it was pretty much a disaster Edited August 17, 2021 by iainb 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikebaker Posted August 17, 2021 Report Share Posted August 17, 2021 I have just been on the Eagles Website. Clicked on the link to purchase tickets for Saturday's match v Redcar. It is not opening the link to purchase tickets. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sings4Speedway Posted August 17, 2021 Report Share Posted August 17, 2021 11 minutes ago, Reliant Robin said: I'd say that Eastbourne & Kent should be comfortable in a sustainable 2nd tier with the crowds that they get. It is made unsustainable by the more affluent or bigger backed 2nd tier Clubs signing higher end riders that really shouldn't be at that level. So the solution becomes for Eastbourne and Kent to drop back down and become the more affluent at a lower level, with the knock on effect being felt by those lower down as the 3rd tier gets stronger and more competetive. Speedway is a sport, and so should be competetive, but the problem is not just one of the NL being made too weak, there is a fundamental issue with the structure right the way through the leagues, and how that structure is voted/brought in You are correct that it should be sustainable for teams like Kent and Eastbourne to prosper in a 2nd tier but the realities are far from that. You can also blame other clubs for signing riders that shouldn't be in the league but both have some pretty big hitters on their payroll and a payroll that appears to have issues with payments. Dropping down would have a knock on effect to other lower tier clubs but that is why the rules need to be drawn up by all clubs involved. Its no greater benefit for Eastbourne to be in the CL or NDL if they are overpaying and not making things sustainable. A league can flourish when all the teams within it are able to compete and survive. A NDLÂ with a payment cap, sensible points limit (possibly varied team build limits dependent on the success of the previous year)Â and a few minor tweaks could ensure the future of not just the individual clubs but the sport itself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sings4Speedway Posted August 17, 2021 Report Share Posted August 17, 2021 11 minutes ago, iainb said: It's a tough one, there will be some supporters like me who just won't be attracted by NDL level Speedway. I'm fortunate in that I live centrally so have the pick of quite a few tracks to attend, but I've never been to a Leicester Cubs match, it has absolutely no appeal to me what so ever, much like when I used to follow the Bees, the Storm had no appeal. If Leicester were to run just NDL only I would not attend. If I lived in a different part of the country I would be looking to attend my nearest "professional" club but probably on a less frequent basis. When the Storm tried to continue at Leicester it was pretty much a disaster Fully respect that as each level has its attractions in much the same way as i very much pick and choose higher tier meetings i attend as i see that value for money dwindling but thats personal preference. Should there be no NDL i would likely not bother attending at all but i do respect that its horses for courses. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reliant Robin Posted August 17, 2021 Report Share Posted August 17, 2021 1 minute ago, Sings4Speedway said: You are correct that it should be sustainable for teams like Kent and Eastbourne to prosper in a 2nd tier but the realities are far from that. You can also blame other clubs for signing riders that shouldn't be in the league but both have some pretty big hitters on their payroll and a payroll that appears to have issues with payments. Dropping down would have a knock on effect to other lower tier clubs but that is why the rules need to be drawn up by all clubs involved. Its no greater benefit for Eastbourne to be in the CL or NDL if they are overpaying and not making things sustainable. A league can flourish when all the teams within it are able to compete and survive. A NDLÂ with a payment cap, sensible points limit (possibly varied team build limits dependent on the success of the previous year)Â and a few minor tweaks could ensure the future of not just the individual clubs but the sport itself. Completely agree, and the same could be said of all 3 leagues. The issue stems from those who wish to push the levels higher and higher within the lower leagues as they can afford to, but do not want/cannot sustain a higher level. I'm certainly not saying any Club should be forced up anywhere along the line, but they should be restricted in how strong they can go and have some distance put between each league so that each one can serve their purpose. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
solrac Posted August 17, 2021 Report Share Posted August 17, 2021 Think a pay cap at NDL would be a great idea. No problem with Eastbourne and other 'bigger' NDL clubs on an even playing field. As riders at that level are essentially part time then most fixtures can be held at weekends, which helps crowds in most locations. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevehone Posted August 17, 2021 Report Share Posted August 17, 2021 i just wonder if the team sport in the UK is being run down to a 'survival of the fittest' and work around that with one league and enough riders to fill the slots. allowing clubs to fold a bit too easy recently 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cityrebel Posted August 17, 2021 Report Share Posted August 17, 2021 I know I'm in the minority, but i support all of my local tracks, regardless of what level they race at. I've also been to amateur meetings this season at Lydd, Iwade and the Isle of Wight. I realise this does not appeal to majority of fans. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveLyric2 Posted August 17, 2021 Report Share Posted August 17, 2021 So no statement yet - official or otherwise?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MartinBSN Posted August 17, 2021 Report Share Posted August 17, 2021 1 hour ago, mikebaker said: I have just been on the Eagles Website. Clicked on the link to purchase tickets for Saturday's match v Redcar. It is not opening the link to purchase tickets. They're not on trybooking either when you search Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justathought Posted August 17, 2021 Report Share Posted August 17, 2021 (edited) It seems to me that Speedway in this country is in a pretty bad state. The number of people the vast majority of teams get through the door makes being a promotor near on impossible I would have thought. I'm afraid, in terms of the paying public it just can't compete with what's on offer elsewhere. Facilities at most venues are, to say the least poor. The way the whole thing is presented is something like what was happening in the 1970S. Stupid rules that people who were going in the 1960s don't understand let alone new punters. The whole experience is old-fashioned and dated. I know it's not a fair comparison, and a lot of money has been thrown at it. But, The 100 is an old fuddy-duddy sport that has been reinvented and offers just fantastic entertainment and value for money for the whole family. ........ But, this is the kind of thing that speedway is up against, I know which one will win.  Edited August 17, 2021 by justathought 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hackett Posted August 17, 2021 Author Report Share Posted August 17, 2021 As much as I dislike him - Speedway needs somebody like Eddie Hearn to promote it. The sport's demographic is dying so needs to attract they younger fan. 15 minutes of racing in 1min bursts should appeal to their attention span. However most stadia is knackered and dated + few promoters will invest in stadia or PA systems to any degree. The sport is a short sharp entertainment so should be easy to package on social media feeds. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikebv Posted August 17, 2021 Report Share Posted August 17, 2021 Interesting comments from Ben Barker in the Speedway Star re how the 2nd tier is "too strong" given so many top tier riders now double up and ride in it... Which is making the costs to compete far too high for some 2nd tier tracks.. A very fair point.. Several pages later Ben says how delighted he is to get a place at Kings Lynn... 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M.D Posted August 17, 2021 Report Share Posted August 17, 2021 15 minutes ago, mikebv said: Interesting comments from Ben Barker in the Speedway Star re how the 2nd tier is "too strong" given so many top tier riders now double up and ride in it... Which is making the costs to compete far too high for some 2nd tier tracks.. A very fair point.. Several pages later Ben says how delighted he is to get a place at Kings Lynn... Hes got a point, you need more clubs in the top league and a watered down lower legue with minimal doubling up.. trouble is, riders wouldnt make that pay in either league 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fromafar Posted August 17, 2021 Report Share Posted August 17, 2021 4 minutes ago, M.D said: Hes got a point, you need more clubs in the top league and a watered down lower legue with minimal doubling up.. trouble is, riders wouldnt make that pay in either league Soon we will need to test if the riders wouldn’t make it pay.Minimal doubling up has to be introduced to make the sport Credible as a Team Sport. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikebaker Posted August 17, 2021 Report Share Posted August 17, 2021 1 hour ago, Marshall07 said: They're not on trybooking either when you search Have tried the mobile number on Website. But just got a voicemail. Have booked 3 rooms in Lewes. Have till 14:00 on Thursday to cancel. Any clarification would be much appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cityrebel Posted August 17, 2021 Report Share Posted August 17, 2021 10 minutes ago, M.D said: Hes got a point, you need more clubs in the top league and a watered down lower legue with minimal doubling up.. trouble is, riders wouldnt make that pay in either league They'll have to get a job, like riders used to do, in the good old days. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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