mikebv Posted July 29, 2021 Report Share Posted July 29, 2021 1 hour ago, Deano said: It's not always the answer, can't remember the guys name, co-promoter of Cradley and co-promoter at Swindon with Terry Russell a few years back, owns a transport company, ask him when he tried for a season and took the lease from Mole. He really had his fingers burnt. I know Mcloughlin tried lots of methods and I think even he struggled to get bums on seats, he did though get sponsorship. Perhaps Birmingham like speedway in general is now finding its level after year on year of watering down of the product and the die hards heading to the great speedway stadium in the sky. Let's be brutally honest.. These clubs are only in existence to provide riders with rides... Meaning they ride for all and sundry on as many nights as they can... Bottom line is it doesn't really matter who wins any UK meeting, meaning it also doesnt really matter who wins any UK league.. Therefore expecting people to "buy in to it", and take it seriously as a team sport is a huge ask I would say, and you cannot envy any promoters trying to go out and "sell it"... As tracks close it will find its natural level and those that can still generate a "decent crowd" will prosper (as much as you can in UK speedway), and those that can't will go by the wayside.. Having been to Brum a couple of times it must be a difficult place to try and sell Speedway. At 50 something I always felt "very young" when surrounded by a large amount of Brum fans , and city centre tracks within large conurbations, eg Manchester, Birmingham, Newcastle, all seem to attract very, very few of the millions who live virtually on their doorstep.. And teenage kids simply wont be seen anywhere where their father attends (and in many cases their grandad).. You can only flog a dead horse so many times until you realise that to keep throwing money at something, that has a tiny chance of gaining any return, is completely futile.. I do admire promoters who are willing to put their own money into the sport, but also am then equally as amazed that they then allow themselves to run it the way they do... Speedway's very own version of Hari Kari... (And that isnt a 4 point Japanese international that could be worth a punt).. 4 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old bob at herne bay Posted July 29, 2021 Report Share Posted July 29, 2021 Sad to hear of any club in difficulties, but running speedway and attracting crowds in city centres is a challenge. Not sure Birmingham has ever attracted decent crowds in the modern era. Surprising really as Cradley, Wolves and formerly Coventry all run successfully. First meeting of the season set the tone , with an un prepared track, punters kept waiting for hours …… 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sidney the robin Posted July 29, 2021 Report Share Posted July 29, 2021 (edited) 20 minutes ago, mikebv said: Let's be brutally honest.. These clubs are only in existence to provide riders with rides... Meaning they ride for all and sundry on as many nights as they can... Bottom line is it doesn't really matter who wins any UK meeting, meaning it also doesnt really matter who wins any UK league.. Therefore expecting people to "buy in to it", and take it seriously as a team sport is a huge ask I would say, and you cannot envy any promoters trying to go out and "sell it"... As tracks close it will find its natural level and those that can still generate a "decent crowd" will prosper (as much as you can in UK speedway), and those that can't will go by the wayside.. Having been to Brum a couple of times it must be a difficult place to try and sell Speedway. At 50 something I always felt "very young" when surrounded by a large amount of Brum fans , and city centre tracks within large conurbations, eg Manchester, Birmingham, Newcastle, all seem to attract very, very few of the millions who live virtually on their doorstep.. And teenage kids simply wont be seen anywhere where their father attends (and in many cases their grandad).. You can only flog a dead horse so many times until you realise that to keep throwing money at something, that has a tiny chance of gaining any return, is completely futile.. I do admire promoters who are willing to put their own money into the sport, but also am then equally as amazed that they then allow themselves to run it the way they do... Speedway's very own version of Hari Kari... (And that isnt a 4 point Japanese international that could be worth a punt).. Mike some great points there myself personally i am sick to death of the sport’s pathetic rules nothing ever changes.The Championship as a product looks half decent but the Premiership well i have no interest in whatsoever to be frank it is poor value it is a league in name only. Edited July 29, 2021 by Sidney the robin 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ch958 Posted July 29, 2021 Report Share Posted July 29, 2021 first things first - get the costs under control. ANY business will fail unless they do this. If the crowds are 5/600 that's what you have to budget for. Easy to say I know but vital Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fromafar Posted July 29, 2021 Report Share Posted July 29, 2021 3 minutes ago, ch958 said: first things first - get the costs under control. ANY business will fail unless they do this. If the crowds are 5/600 that's what you have to budget for. Easy to say I know but vital Think some Clubs need to drop to NDL and budget to their crowd level.They might even be able to reduce admission costs and maybe attract more fans. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Argos Posted July 29, 2021 Report Share Posted July 29, 2021 So does the statement mean there must be a good attendance next week and we carry on till the end of the season, or does it mean the 1st bad attendance during the season and we finished Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fromafar Posted July 29, 2021 Report Share Posted July 29, 2021 9 minutes ago, Argos said: So does the statement mean there must be a good attendance next week and we carry on till the end of the season, or does it mean the 1st bad attendance during the season and we finished Same problem season after season Clubs paying out more money in wages than income coming in. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GiveusaB Posted July 29, 2021 Report Share Posted July 29, 2021 19 minutes ago, Argos said: So does the statement mean there must be a good attendance next week and we carry on till the end of the season, or does it mean the 1st bad attendance during the season and we finished It does feel that way.....considering that we've already had to take a 'temporary' break.....? That temporary break could be a 'shoot ourselves in the foot' moment? It makes me wonder how many 50/50 fans have not bothered coming back? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GiveusaB Posted July 29, 2021 Report Share Posted July 29, 2021 I certainly wouldn't hold it against Peter/David if they have to submit....but I'm sure the fans will have more respect if they try and find someone to take over the reins first, before just giving up.....I know that it's most likely that there wont be any interested parties, but may be a Midland select combination (Brum/Cov/Cradley) could step in? after all, Cradley ground shared with us a couple of years back? Surely if you're passionate about the sport, then you'd travel 20 or so miles to watch your team? Just a thought..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MartinBSN Posted July 29, 2021 Report Share Posted July 29, 2021 1 minute ago, GiveusaB said: I certainly wouldn't hold it against Peter/David if they have to submit....but I'm sure the fans will have more respect if they try and find someone to take over the reins first, before just giving up.....I know that it's most likely that there wont be any interested parties, but may be a Midland select combination (Brum/Cov/Cradley) could step in? after all, Cradley ground shared with us a couple of years back? Surely if you're passionate about the sport, then you'd travel 20 or so miles to watch your team? Just a thought..... They may have already went down those avenues... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GiveusaB Posted July 29, 2021 Report Share Posted July 29, 2021 38 minutes ago, Marshall07 said: They may have already went down those avenues... True...but if they have, then it would be respectful to let the 'loyal' fans know (i.e season ticket holders.... bought in faith...) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
szkocjasid Posted July 29, 2021 Report Share Posted July 29, 2021 1 hour ago, Fromafar said: Same problem season after season Clubs paying out more money in wages than income coming in. Clubs should sensible with their wages perhaps? Budget for 500 fans so they won't go bust! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TotallyHonestJohn Posted July 29, 2021 Report Share Posted July 29, 2021 25 minutes ago, szkocjasid said: Clubs should sensible with their wages perhaps? Budget for 500 fans so they won't go bust! Problem is they aren't getting 500 fans through the door... Regards THJ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
screm Posted July 29, 2021 Report Share Posted July 29, 2021 33 minutes ago, szkocjasid said: Clubs should sensible with their wages perhaps? Budget for 500 fans so they won't go bust! Fine in practice how what kind of team are you going to be able to put together, remember nothing puts off fans than a few home defeats and by their own admission it looks like Birmingham are down to their hardcore now. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allthegearbutnaeidea Posted July 29, 2021 Report Share Posted July 29, 2021 Well and good budgeting for 500 fans, but when some clubs easily get 1000, they’re going to get the better riders, and your riders arn’t going to be happy as getting paid less, and your fans arn’t going to be happy, as you’ll be at the bottom end of the league 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brummies23 Posted July 29, 2021 Report Share Posted July 29, 2021 Anyone know why Valentin Grobauer is out again? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heathen52 Posted July 29, 2021 Report Share Posted July 29, 2021 Im sorry to see the Brummies yet again in this situation several Promoters have tried and failed to make a go of it at Perry Barr over recent years namely Patchet, Philipps and now Mason only Tony Mole aided by the Drurys and other backroom staff namely the Commercial guy whose name escapes me have made a go of it, I really dont know the answer to the Clubs current plight somehow they need to get through the current season, if they fold midseason i fear that this will be the end for Speedway in Birmingham, as i think the Landlords for one wont be very happy to have yet another Promotion fail. Is there an Investor out there that could put some money in to help promote the Sport locally, i drove through the roadworks where the old flyover used to be early this week no sign of any advertising around there where thousands not hundreds must pass weekly, AV Fc is maybe a mile or just over away WBA Fc just a little further away in the oposite direction surely something could be done there ?, something along the lines of produce a AV/WBA program/match ticket you get half price admission Iv no idea but something is better than nothing, rather than splitting the Juniors & Children under 16 and under 11 just make it kids for a quid, and how about some between race entertainment thats what kills a lot of newcomers having to wait around between races, even the pre meeting introductions could be made more interesting by placing the bikes at the starting gate and having the riders (minus Helmets) and mechanics introduced and walk past the fans as they are announced, a few boos for visiting riders never harmed anyone in fact it helps create a bit of atmosphere. I dont know just throwing a few ideas around but the bottom line is Brum need to get people through the gates for more than the odd meeting otherwise its curtains for Speedway in Birmingham. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fromafar Posted July 29, 2021 Report Share Posted July 29, 2021 1 hour ago, allthegearbutnaeidea said: Well and good budgeting for 500 fans, but when some clubs easily get 1000, they’re going to get the better riders, and your riders arn’t going to be happy as getting paid less, and your fans arn’t going to be happy, as you’ll be at the bottom end of the league But we’re at that situation now with some Clubs.The riders have be realistic.The BSPA have tried to solve the problem by letting the better riders ride in both League’s to boost their earning with really is just devaluing the sport as a competition.Fans are not buying into and are voting with their feet at a lot of Clubs.The 2 top leagues are a similar standard now IMo.They should just have 1 senior League and1 NDL league next season,with the struggling Clubs dropping down. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the hobbit Posted July 29, 2021 Report Share Posted July 29, 2021 23 minutes ago, Brummies23 said: Anyone know why Valentin Grobauer is out again? Becsuse his German team rides in the Polish lower leagues snd their home matches are on a Friday. Ridiculous him being in our team when he’s not available for meetings 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petecc Posted July 29, 2021 Report Share Posted July 29, 2021 1 minute ago, the hobbit said: Becsuse his German team rides in the Polish lower leagues snd their home matches are on a Friday. Ridiculous him being in our team when he’s not available for meetings You should know by now that Polish speedway comes first and everything thing else can just naff off. Thats the view from Polish speedway. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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