old bob at herne bay Posted August 30, 2021 Report Share Posted August 30, 2021 Nice thought Marko… but who would fund the Thurrock Hammers promotion to restart speedway at EB? new air fence ( estimated £20k or more ) BSPL bond to be lodged BSPL membership “fees “ 2 promoters licence holders required Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fromafar Posted August 30, 2021 Report Share Posted August 30, 2021 8 minutes ago, 25yearfan said: Fair play to Ian Jordan for being very honest! The bottom line is that without the Dugard family speedway in Eastbourne would have been nothing more than a training track facility like nearby Iwade or Lydd. It probably was sustainable in the 1970's 2nd Division then the 1979 move into the top flight saw the Eagles struggle financially until dropping down in the 2nd Division again in 1985 where they had a few years of sustainability although the emergence at the time of Martin Dugard would of no doubt made any losses more bearable to the speedway mad Dugard family. Come 1990 and with Martin Dugard having flown the nest to the top flight the speedway promotion was sold to Gareth Rogers who only lasted a year. 1991 saw Eastbourne not start the season cause they wern't allowed into the newly amalgamated top flight until one of the promoted teams Wimbledon closed and moved in mid season. Top flight speedway was then staged regularly losing money until a few years ago when they made the sensible move into the 3rd tier to compete in more sustainable financial waters. Bottom line is without rich benefactors Eastbourne speedway is only going to be viable in a League like the National League or a League thats inbetween the current 3rd tier and the Championship. The time has come for speedway clubs in this Country to take a leaf out of Mildenhall speedways book and run at a level that is best for them financially and on a night/afternoon that is most ideal. - Two Leagues next season - No fixed racenights, Top flight consisting of up to 11 tracks that can still afford to run at that level. Ipswich, King's Lynn, Peterborough, Wolves, Belle Vue, Poole, Sheffield, Glasgow and Leicester are the only 9 current tracks I believe capable of being sustainable/ have enough financial clout behind them to run in the top flight. National League of a higher standard than the current NL featuring all the rest and any tracks brave enough to run a reserve team at this level. Northern and Southern Conference Leagues consisting of 4 man teams running alongside senior tracks for riders not ready for National League racing. I would reckon the Top Flight level would have to be equivalent to this years Championship level though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
25yearfan Posted August 30, 2021 Report Share Posted August 30, 2021 2 minutes ago, Fromafar said: I would reckon the Top Flight level would have to be equivalent to this years Championship level though. Absolutely! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cityrebel Posted August 30, 2021 Report Share Posted August 30, 2021 38 minutes ago, old bob at herne bay said: Nice thought Marko… but who would fund the Thurrock Hammers promotion to restart speedway at EB? new air fence ( estimated £20k or more ) BSPL bond to be lodged BSPL membership “fees “ 2 promoters licence holders required That's the stumbling block for any prospective promoter, 45k lay out before they start. I don't want to be pessimistic, but i fear for any Eagles revival. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M.D Posted August 30, 2021 Report Share Posted August 30, 2021 17 minutes ago, cityrebel said: That's the stumbling block for any prospective promoter, 45k lay out before they start. I don't want to be pessimistic, but i fear for any Eagles revival. Ian Jordan has said there is interest in promoting Speedway at the venue and I know of one other.. I think a lot will depend on how speedway moves forward next season. A structure of 3 leagues have clearly not worked at all. A top league of 6 teams and the a second division made up with most of the riders from the top division expecting a good wage in that tier will clearly not work or be appetising to fans. There is a dwindling core of fans at first we need to look after, then bring back some lost support and then work on building a show that will entice new support. As mentioned, the sport needs to restructure its league for a start. A top league running pro and a second division that is semi pro. That would be a starting point to build on, but only a starting point mind.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skidder1 Posted August 30, 2021 Report Share Posted August 30, 2021 I note in the Q&A Mr Jordan says the stadium rental is £1000 + VAT per meeting!! Some other tracks would consider that a snip!! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M.D Posted August 30, 2021 Report Share Posted August 30, 2021 14 minutes ago, Skidder1 said: I note in the Q&A Mr Jordan says the stadium rental is £1000 + VAT per meeting!! Some other tracks would consider that a snip!! Shows what the Dugard's feel about the sport at the venue, would that just be a break even figure for them? They are not going to promote the sport anymore I don't think but Paul Dugard has a role at the stadium so they clearly want the sport to continue without asking to make a lot out of the stadium in turns of profit. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Triple.H. Posted August 30, 2021 Report Share Posted August 30, 2021 8 hours ago, old bob at herne bay said: Nice thought Marko… but who would fund the Thurrock Hammers promotion to restart speedway at EB? new air fence ( estimated £20k or more ) BSPL bond to be lodged BSPL membership “fees “ 2 promoters licence holders required IMO the 2 promoters with a licence is a stumbling block. As is the no vote for 3yrs at the AGM, if that rule still stands As for nationally agreed admission prices a total joke. Its your business charge what you want to attract an audience If I was in a position to spunk money on Speedway I reckon I could get a bigger crowd than the clowns calling the shots are managing at most tracks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M.D Posted August 30, 2021 Report Share Posted August 30, 2021 More sad news today for Eastbourne and fans of a certain age like myself. Roy Prodger has sadly passed over today former rider and track man, thoughts with his family and Darren his son who I was with at school. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cityrebel Posted August 30, 2021 Report Share Posted August 30, 2021 14 minutes ago, M.D said: More sad news today for Eastbourne and fans of a certain age like myself. Roy Prodger has sadly passed over today former rider and track man, thoughts with his family and Darren his son who I was with at school. Very sad news. Roy was part of the furniture at Arlington. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
East End Fan Posted August 30, 2021 Report Share Posted August 30, 2021 1 hour ago, Triple.H. said: IMO the 2 promoters with a licence is a stumbling block. As is the no vote for 3yrs at the AGM, if that rule still stands As for nationally agreed admission prices a total joke. Its your business charge what you want to attract an audience If I was in a position to spunk money on Speedway I reckon I could get a bigger crowd than the clowns calling the shots are managing at most tracks. Well, if you are so confident, why don't you go and see the `Dugard family and take over Eastbourne. They need an inspired businessman like you. Oh yes, and while you are at it, educate all the promoters now in the BSPA as to how to do it. The sport will boom. All down to you. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Triple.H. Posted August 31, 2021 Report Share Posted August 31, 2021 9 hours ago, East End Fan said: Well, if you are so confident, why don't you go and see the `Dugard family and take over Eastbourne. They need an inspired businessman like you. Oh yes, and while you are at it, educate all the promoters now in the BSPA as to how to do it. The sport will boom. All down to you. You missed the point, I said IF I had the money. I think its been proven that promoters don't, in the vast majority of cases listen to what their audience thinks or suggests. An attitude that has got so many clubs in trouble over the years. Constantly tweaking something that doesn't work very well in the hope it will create a big change. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old bob at herne bay Posted August 31, 2021 Report Share Posted August 31, 2021 Very sad news about Roy Prodger. He seemed to be Bob Dugard’s right hand man for track prep back in the day, and a very good job he did too. Thoughts with Roy’s family and friends. RIP Roy. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wee Eck Posted August 31, 2021 Report Share Posted August 31, 2021 16 hours ago, Triple.H. said: IMO the 2 promoters with a licence is a stumbling block. As is the no vote for 3yrs at the AGM, if that rule still stands As for nationally agreed admission prices a total joke. Its your business charge what you want to attract an audience If I was in a position to spunk money on Speedway I reckon I could get a bigger crowd than the clowns calling the shots are managing at most tracks. It was agreed to do away with that at the 2017 or 2018 AGM. It never really counted for anything anyway. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Triple.H. Posted August 31, 2021 Report Share Posted August 31, 2021 17 minutes ago, Wee Eck said: It was agreed to do away with that at the 2017 or 2018 AGM. It never really counted for anything anyway. Thanks for the clarification Everyday's a schoolday 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TotallyHonestJohn Posted September 2, 2021 Report Share Posted September 2, 2021 On 8/30/2021 at 8:25 PM, Triple.H. said: IMO the 2 promoters with a licence is a stumbling block. As is the no vote for 3yrs at the AGM, if that rule still stands As for nationally agreed admission prices a total joke. Its your business charge what you want to attract an audience If I was in a position to spunk money on Speedway I reckon I could get a bigger crowd than the clowns calling the shots are managing at most tracks. On 8/31/2021 at 12:28 PM, Wee Eck said: It was agreed to do away with that at the 2017 or 2018 AGM. It never really counted for anything anyway. It was discussed however it was never implemented as when Rob Grant had to fold Newspeed at Newcastle due to the VAT Fraud he inherited and started with a new company name he was told he has lost his voting rights for 3 years... so the rule still stands... Regards THJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TotallyHonestJohn Posted September 2, 2021 Report Share Posted September 2, 2021 1 hour ago, TotallyHonestJohn said: It was discussed however it was never implemented as when Rob Grant had to fold Newspeed at Newcastle due to the VAT Fraud he inherited and started with a new company name he was told he has lost his voting rights for 3 years... so the rule still stands... Regards THJ This had me thinking so I put a call in and @Wee Eck was just about right and I am told the three year rule was actually dropped for the start of this season... So there ya go... something right for a change... but it's taken some time for the change to happen... well done the BSPL... although being an old cynic I can't help think that this was done for something else other than fairness... Regards THJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
topaz325 Posted September 2, 2021 Report Share Posted September 2, 2021 (edited) Seems like the major reason for the Eastbourne demise was the pay rates given to riders which were drawn up in 2019 and with the League not operating in 2020 the contract was rolled over to 2021..., seems to be that three riders were on a guaranteed rate, three were on a points based contract and one was on a Hybrid contract. The other main reason was the large downfall in attendances this year Edited September 2, 2021 by topaz325 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skidder1 Posted September 2, 2021 Report Share Posted September 2, 2021 4 hours ago, topaz325 said: Seems like the major reason for the Eastbourne demise was the pay rates given to riders which were drawn up in 2019 and with the League not operating in 2020 the contract was rolled over to 2021..., seems to be that three riders were on a guaranteed rate, three were on a points based contract and one was on a Hybrid contract. The other main reason was the large downfall in attendances this year ...someone's been reading their Speedway Star!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
topaz325 Posted September 2, 2021 Report Share Posted September 2, 2021 4 minutes ago, Skidder1 said: ...someone's been reading their Speedway Star!! No just gossip and hearsay...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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