IOW 2020

[AndyWarriors]

The Wightlink Warriors face mask will be here shortly and one can be yours for free.

The Warriors promotion have 100 of them coming and propose to give priority to the following.

1. NHS Staff of any capacity
2. Care industry staff of any capacity
3. Key workers
4. Fans that are in high risk category
5. Anyone else.

These masks are reusable and can be washed at 60c, they are double sided and produced with cotton inside and polyester outside.

What these masks do not do is replace the advice of the government and WHO. However, it has been suggested wearing a mask does help prevent the wearer transmitting the virus if they have it and also offers some barrier against the virus too.

If you would like to make a donation toward the cost of the mask, made by Dispeed, that will be great and we will send any money raised to Capt Tom Moore’s fundraising campaign.

The Warrior’s will make no financial gain at all from this, but the promotion will know we have done a little bit more to support you and the NHS at the most strange of times in the name of our volunteers, fans, sponsors and riders, while bringing the club to the very forefront of the action.

Please contact Barry Bishop for his address to send a SAE. Please note this is not being funded by the Warriors but by the promotion.

Remember stay home, protect the NHS and save lives.

[barrybishop]

Official Club Statement

Wightlink Warriors Will Not Run Speedway In 2020.

Wightlink Warriors bosses Barry Bishop and Martin Widman have, after careful consideration and much anguish, decided not to run speedway in 2020 in the National League, even if the government and local council guidelines permit it.

In a joint statement the promoters said, “While we know this news will be devastating to some, expected by others and to all of us a massive disappointment, we cannot see a way in which we can put speedway racing on without increasing the risk to our fans, staff, riders, sponsors and of course the wider public on the Isle of Wight. The Island is a unique place and have been proud of their success in keeping Covid 19 under control, and we would not want to be responsible for introducing an outbreak of Covid 19 however it was caused, and nor do we want to increase the health risk to our fans, friends, staff, sponsors, riders and management by staging a public gathering/event.

Health aside, there will be an increased financial risk to run speedway now and our sponsors, quite rightly, will expect a return on their investment which we could not achieve in 2020 and this risks a knock affect for 2021. Our sponsors have been brilliant, many coming forward to increase their sponsorship to help us become Covid ready and we value that so very much, nor will we forget that support. However, the risk is too great to health and finance, so we have therefore decided to not risk the club’s future by running speedway in 2020 and we look forward to 2021.

Our stadium looks perfect, ready to go, and probably the best it's ever been in our tenure and like you, we love our club, our fans, and our ethos. As sad as it is, this is the right decision in our view for the club and sport and we should celebrate the fantastic work currently continuing at the stadium to ensure that we would have been ready in 2020 while ensuring that the pride in the club shines through for the world to see. We will continue to keep the Warriors in the forefront of online activity and we look forward to see you in 2021, if not before.

Thank you.

[Chris116]

Very sorry to see that Warriors will not have any meetings this year but totally agree with the reasoning and wish Barry and Martin all the best for a successful future. 

[arnieg]

Wightlink Warriors and Wizards 2020 Season Report.

Firstly, I hope this update finds you and yours in good health and good spirits. Like yours, our 2020 was like no other and the knock-on effect for the clubs and sport has been traumatic, frustrating along with many other expressions that spring to mind. For us, and many others, 2020 was a non-starter for the Wightlink Warriors and Wightlink Wizards on our track due to government restrictions for the use of stadiums preventing the publics attendance, which culminated in the sport’s governing body, the BSPL/SCB, abandoning any form of league racing. But that’s not the end of our 2020 story………

 

Did we actually get to go racing?

Amazingly, yes we did. The Warriors got to go racing at Plymouth for a 3 Team Tournament involving Plymouth, Eastbourne and the Isle of Wight. The Warriors management team worked extremely closely with Plymouth to ensure that fans were safe in a Covid secure environment before the meeting which proved to be a huge success. This kind of meeting involves 4 riders representing each team and our quartet of Ben Morley, Tom Woolley, Connor Coles and Chad Wirtzfeld did a superb job missing out by just a single point for the top spot on the night. The result being Eastbourne 31, Isle of Wight 30 and Plymouth 28. It was a great meeting in front of 400 spectators and streamed live to a wider audience and while this wasn’t on the Island we can rightly feel proud that we helped enable this meeting to happen and we were able to represent you all with pride.

In addition to the team efforts Chad Wirtfeld continued to ride on the grass in the few meetings available winning all in his class – so congratulations to him.

 

 

What else did we do?

BDO Darts Sponsorship

Working with our partner ASGUK we managed to arrange for a super opportunity for the Warriors logo to appear on stage at the BDO Darts. This raised huge interest in the club and also excellent marketing with speedway fan and professional dart player Scott Mitchel ensuring our logo was not only on Eurosport but also around the world on his twitter and FB pages.

 

GB Young Lions U21 Training Camp

The Warriors provided 3 days of intense on and off track training with Neil Vatcher for the GB Young Lions. The camp offered the cream of Britain’s young riders the chance to develop their on track knowledge with expert riders Steve Worral and Paul Hurry as well as media, nutrition, and fitness classes.

 

My First Skid

With the relaxation to allow training and amateur sports events without spectators, we reintroduced My First Skid. Unfortunately, we could not allow the use of hire bikes and places were limited to 15 riders who owned all their own equipment and had to follow a strict Covid guide. This proved to be a great success allowing us to ensure that our track equipment remained functional and our island-based riders more time to further develop their skills.

 

Re-run of Meetings via Speedway Portal

We have worked since the start with Speedway Portal and its owner Andy Hague. Andy has established a full history of the Wightlink Warriors from our very first fans forum, when we nervously announced our plans to return speedway to Smallbrook. Andy and his team have recorded almost every home meeting since 2016 and the quality and ingenuity is clear to see – so much so Andy is now invited to film at other stadiums across the UK.

Andy asked Martin and I if we would like to stream our meetings for free to fans to ensure we keep them engaged with the Warriors and the sport in general. Of course, and we didn’t need to be asked twice because for us not only did we engage with our fans but by watching re-runs we can see where we can improve on race day as well as afford our sponsors more airtime which is always a great thing.  Our re-runs were so popular that it encouraged our governing body and other clubs to do the same.

Moving forward with Speedway Portal, we shall continue to stream our meetings for our fans throughout the winter period up until press day and should there be a delay to the season start we will continue to spread the Warrior Way using this forum.

 

Hot Heats

Unannounced spectacular races from across our seasons to keep the Warriors in the minds of fans across the nation and beyond.

 

Rob Dyers Speedway Quiz

From the start of the 1^st lockdown our track announcer Rob Dyer produced a weekly quiz for fans to participate in. This proved extremely popular and indeed encouraged our own governing body and other clubs to produce their own.

 

Virtual Skid

Virtual Skid came about as a way to create a real meeting using historic footage. Working with Speedway Portal we invented an algorithm that would take 4 meetings, (60 races) and jumble them all up so to give 15 race choices of A, B, C or D. We invited two celebrity team managers, selected from ex-riders, referees, sponsors and super fans to try and guide their team to victory by selecting each race. So far, we have produced 15 meetings, all available on YouTube including one which raised over £1000 for the Ben Fund.

 

Face Masks.

The club has raised well over £1000 for charity from the sale of Warrior branded face masks. We employed two methods for the face masks. Firstly, key workers, no matter what they did could request one for free while anyone who was not a key worker we requested a donation and anything over the cost price we gave to charity.

We gave £605 to Capt Tom, £261 to Mountbatten Hospice (IOW) and £250 Speedway Riders Benevolent Fund to injured Speedway Riders.

 

And there is more.

Even today, volunteers are giving their time and effort to ensure that Smallbrook Stadium is on point and ready to go and ready to serve the community in every way. We have refurbished rooms, improved areas and much more. We know it is a long continuous process but without your support nothing our volunteers do would be possible and Martin and I thank you so much for it. Our drive and enthusiasm is as strong as ever as we look to continue to win awards, trophies but most of all provide the best night out in Speedway in the UK.

With 2021 just around the corner, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your support this year, to assure you that we have continued to do our bit for club, community, and sport and together we look forward to a fabulous 2021. May we also take the opportunity, early to be safe, to wish you and yours a wonderful Christmas time and a brilliant New Year.

 

All the best

 

Barry

[Dickie Head]

Many thanks for the summary. Very informative. So easy to forget all the good stuff that was and still is taking place. Really hope circumstances allow the Warriors to come to tapes when action resumes. 

[Dickie Head]

Announcement yesterday that the Warriors have withdrawn from the National League and won’t run in 2021 although some training sessions might happen when Covid regulations permit. Seems that some rules being imposed by the BSPL are the stumbling point.

[Bavarian]

Perhaps the Wight Warriors could join the French League this year ? 

[szkocjasid]

On 2/25/2021 at 7:08 PM, Bavarian said:

Perhaps the Wight Warriors could join the French League this year ? 

That's not the worst idea!

[uk_martin]

On 2/28/2021 at 9:37 AM, szkocjasid said:

That's not the worst idea!

Isn't it?

Any idea how a NL team is supposed to afford the travelling expenses, work permits, customs clearances and all the other complications that travelling to Europe in a post-Brexit world will involve now? Not to mention the differences in lockdown restrictions (the French won't be fully vaccinated this year) and the constant threat of closed borders, farmers strikes blocking the motorways, fishermen's strikes blocking the ports and harbours, French air traffic controllers strikes snarling up airline travel....

Edited March 7, 2021 by uk_martin

[szkocjasid]

38 minutes ago, uk_martin said:

Isn't it?

Any idea how a NL team is supposed to afford the travelling expenses, work permits, customs clearances and all the other complications that travelling to Europe in a post-Brexit world will involve now? Not to mention the differences in lockdown restrictions (the French won't be fully vaccinated this year) and the constant threat of closed borders, farmers strikes blocking the motorways, fishermen's strikes blocking the ports and harbours, French air traffic controllers strikes snarling up airline travel....

Well the worst idea would be joining the Polish or Russian leagues, so I stand by my statement!

[geoff100]

godfrey spouting off in the star again saying the " iow" were told what to expect for this season , pity he didnt remember that in 2018 when comets told everyone that they were going to ride friday nights, he soon changed that to suit him shame he dont want to help the "iow" now.

[Islander15]

17 minutes ago, geoff100 said:

godfrey spouting off in the star again saying the " iow" were told what to expect for this season , pity he didnt remember that in 2018 when comets told everyone that they were going to ride friday nights, he soon changed that to suit him shame he dont want to help the "iow" now.

Even if they were ‘told’. Why should the NL suddenly accept being told what the rules were when every other year they’ve had an AGM to discuss it and the higher leagues got that privilege this season too?

[crescent girl]

Well, these are special times.   What has happened in the past, in every walk of life, far beyond speedway, has been swept aside by the global pandemic. 

While the Island promotion have every right to decline membership of this year's 3rd Division, it might be worth thinking that, if the team average had been set higher, say at 39 or above (as l have seen quoted as their preference) we might not have had an eight-club NDL this time around, with other teams unwilling, or unable to join the league under such terms. 

While having every sympathy for the deprived Island fans, l personally feel their promotion's withdrawal might be seen in hindsight as a somewhat excessive reaction to a decision which has been accepted by the remaining eight clubs - - with just a whiff of the terrible Coventry/Peterborough furore from a few years back....

Edited March 11, 2021 by crescent girl

[geoff100]

58 minutes ago, Islander15 said:

Even if they were ‘told’. Why should the NL suddenly accept being told what the rules were when every other year they’ve had an AGM to discuss it and the higher leagues got that privilege this season too?

Thats the point of my message it was a take it or leave it which is wrong!

[Sings4Speedway]

52 minutes ago, crescent girl said:

Well, these are special times.   What has happened in the past, in every walk of life, far beyond speedway, has been swept aside by the global pandemic. 

While the Island promotion have every right to decline membership of this year's 3rd Division, it might be worth thinking that, if the team average had been set higher, say at 39 or above (as l have seen quoted as their preference) we might not have had an eight-club NDL this time around, with other teams unwilling, or unable to join the league under such terms. 

While having every sympathy for the deprived Island fans, l personally feel their promotion's withdrawal might be seen in hindsight as a somewhat excessive reaction to a decision which has been accepted by the remaining eight clubs - - with just a whiff of the terrible Coventry/Peterborough furore from a few years back....

Ultimately time will tell. Whilst the Island have returned to the sport for only a few seasons they were certain to continue and drive speedway forward until the much discussed impositions upon them. The points reductions has generated new entries to the league and should these teams all remain in 3-4 years time then the dictations will be considered successful but should the new joining sides turn out to be short lived then it will have been a grave error.

[cityrebel]

2 hours ago, Sings4Speedway said:

Ultimately time will tell. Whilst the Island have returned to the sport for only a few seasons they were certain to continue and drive speedway forward until the much discussed impositions upon them. The points reductions has generated new entries to the league and should these teams all remain in 3-4 years time then the dictations will be considered successful but should the new joining sides turn out to be short lived then it will have been a grave error.

For me personally, i will miss my trips over to the Island. What i won't miss is,  waiting for the taxi after the meeting and hoping the return ferry was on time!

[geoff100]

21 hours ago, cityrebel said:

For me personally, i will miss my trips over to the Island. What i won't miss is,  waiting for the taxi after the meeting and hoping the return ferry was on time!

I went once on a £19 deal which got u the ferry, train on the pier bus ride to stadium admission and i think a prog and all returns, it cost more in a taxi back on mainland to the warners hotel than the rest of the night out .

[cityrebel]

38 minutes ago, geoff100 said:

I went once on a £19 deal which got u the ferry, train on the pier bus ride to stadium admission and i think a prog and all returns, it cost more in a taxi back on mainland to the warners hotel than the rest of the night out .

The Flyer ticket hasn't been available for a few seasons. It's seperate tickets for the boat and admission, although the taxi both ways was free, if booked in advance.

[Halifaxtiger]

On 3/11/2021 at 1:36 PM, crescent girl said:

Well, these are special times.   What has happened in the past, in every walk of life, far beyond speedway, has been swept aside by the global pandemic. 

While the Island promotion have every right to decline membership of this year's 3rd Division, it might be worth thinking that, if the team average had been set higher, say at 39 or above (as l have seen quoted as their preference) we might not have had an eight-club NDL this time around, with other teams unwilling, or unable to join the league under such terms. 

While having every sympathy for the deprived Island fans, l personally feel their promotion's withdrawal might be seen in hindsight as a somewhat excessive reaction to a decision which has been accepted by the remaining eight clubs - - with just a whiff of the terrible Coventry/Peterborough furore from a few years back....

It is, indeed, possible that other clubs might not have joined the NDL with a points limit at 39. However, we'll never know that because the limit was imposed without any discussion, consultation or negotiation at all. From what Rob Godfrey has said in this weeks Speedway Star, even though the likes of Poole, Kings Lynn and Glasgow have no interest in the NDL they had more say in its regulations for 2021 than either Mildenhall or Isle of Wight did. That, surely, cannot be right. 

Had there indeed been consultation - as there most certainly should have been - then the BSPL could state with some assurance that the limit had not been imposed but agreed upon.  Just because it is accepted doesn't mean that it was wanted - Mildenhall's Phil Kirk made that point very clearly in Speedway Star last week. 

The other thing is that if the NDL is to be about development not competition it doesn't matter whether the points limit is 35 or 39. 

As to what Isle of Wight  fans think of Barry Bishop's decision, I am struggling to find anyone who has not supported it - a quite remarkable situation given that he has closed their team down. That, to me, is very indicative of how people view Barry and his partner Martin Widman and all that they have achieved on the Island and precisely what they think of the way that the BSPL have dealt with this matter.  

 

[teaboy279]

20 minutes ago, Halifaxtiger said:

It is, indeed, possible that other clubs might not have joined the NDL with a points limit at 39. However, we'll never know that because the limit was imposed without any discussion, consultation or negotiation at all. From what Rob Godfrey has said in this weeks Speedway Star, even though the likes of Poole, Kings Lynn and Glasgow have no interest in the NDL they had more say in its regulations for 2021 than either Mildenhall or Isle of Wight did. That, surely, cannot be right. 

Had there indeed been consultation - as there most certainly should have been - then the BSPL could state with some assurance that the limit had not been imposed but agreed upon.  Just because it is accepted doesn't mean that it was wanted - Mildenhall's Phil Kirk made that point very clearly in Speedway Star last week. 

The other thing is that if the NDL is to be about development not competition it doesn't matter whether the points limit is 35 or 39. 

As to what Isle of Wight  fans think of Barry Bishop's decision, I am struggling to find anyone who has not supported it - a quite remarkable situation given that he has closed their team down. That, to me, is very indicative of how people view Barry and his partner Martin Widman and all that they have achieved on the Island and precisely what they think of the way that the BSPL have dealt with this matter.  

 

Your last point says all you need to know about the Warrior Way. It's not a speedway club, it's a proper community and all created by 2 inspirational leaders.