StevePark Posted February 8, 2020 Report Share Posted February 8, 2020 1 hour ago, Dickie Head said: Taken from British Speedway website: The club have also confirmed David Wallinger has joined their National Trophy line-up, as initial plans to include Leon Flint are not possible under the regulations. Wallinger joins Josh Embleton and Archie Freeman as announced starters for the Gems. And this from the Diamonds website: Firstly, Newcastle Speedway are very disappointed that Leon Flint will not be able to line up for them in the National Trophy this season after a decision by the BSPA means that the youngster couldn’t line up for Newcastle in that competition and also ride for another club in the National League itself. Any thoughts? My initial thought is that British Speedway is rather behind the times as far as riders for the Gems are concerned, as all seven have been named! Plus Leon hasn't been named in an NL 1-7 (I know that doesn't mean he hasn't signed for anybody), so the plot thickens!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mac101 Posted February 8, 2020 Report Share Posted February 8, 2020 32 minutes ago, StevePark said: My initial thought is that British Speedway is rather behind the times as far as riders for the Gems are concerned, as all seven have been named! Plus Leon hasn't been named in an NL 1-7 (I know that doesn't mean he hasn't signed for anybody), so the plot thickens!! Signed for Edinburgh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
szkocjasid Posted February 8, 2020 Report Share Posted February 8, 2020 2 hours ago, Dickie Head said: Taken from British Speedway website: The club have also confirmed David Wallinger has joined their National Trophy line-up, as initial plans to include Leon Flint are not possible under the regulations. Wallinger joins Josh Embleton and Archie Freeman as announced starters for the Gems. And this from the Diamonds website: Firstly, Newcastle Speedway are very disappointed that Leon Flint will not be able to line up for them in the National Trophy this season after a decision by the BSPA means that the youngster couldn’t line up for Newcastle in that competition and also ride for another club in the National League itself. Any thoughts? Stupid decision by BSPA, as it's surely hard to sign 7 riders willing to race in NT only & not want the extra meetings NL will give! As long as a rider (Flint) doesn't ride for a club in the NT (Armadale) what's the issue? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ringitsneck Posted February 8, 2020 Report Share Posted February 8, 2020 Not sure how I feel about this new rule. The Cradley situation a few seasons ago was exactly the same as Newcastles yet they were allowed to pick an all star team to compete in the trophy which did make it a fiasco so I understand the BSPA not wanting a repeat of that. But why has it taken the BSPA so long to take action ? Do they and Jason Pipe , the so called head of the NL , not speak? Perhaps Newcastle were ill advised on how they could make up the side? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mac101 Posted February 8, 2020 Report Share Posted February 8, 2020 the team would have been sent for approval before announced but it takes over 2 weeks after that before they say it’s not allowed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Islander15 Posted February 8, 2020 Report Share Posted February 8, 2020 Who wants to watch Wallinger rather than Flint? This decision is a shame for Newcastle fans and those of clubs that the Gems will travel to. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigred Posted February 8, 2020 Report Share Posted February 8, 2020 1 hour ago, Islander15 said: Who wants to watch Wallinger rather than Flint? This decision is a shame for Newcastle fans and those of clubs that the Gems will travel to. Big shame about Leon but at least there’s Speedway to watch at Newcastle ay .wally did ok when he guested for the diamonds last year . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
szkocjasid Posted February 8, 2020 Report Share Posted February 8, 2020 1 hour ago, Islander15 said: Who wants to watch Wallinger rather than Flint? This decision is a shame for Newcastle fans and those of clubs that the Gems will travel to. 12 hours ago, Dickie Head said: Taken from British Speedway website: The club have also confirmed David Wallinger has joined their National Trophy line-up, as initial plans to include Leon Flint are not possible under the regulations. Wallinger joins Josh Embleton and Archie Freeman as announced starters for the Gems. And this from the Diamonds website: Firstly, Newcastle Speedway are very disappointed that Leon Flint will not be able to line up for them in the National Trophy this season after a decision by the BSPA means that the youngster couldn’t line up for Newcastle in that competition and also ride for another club in the National League itself. Any thoughts? Stupid decision by BSPA, as it's surely hard to sign 7 riders willing to race in NT only & not want the extra meetings NL will give! As long as a rider (Flint) doesn't ride for a club in the NT (Armadale) what's the issue? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
szkocjasid Posted February 8, 2020 Report Share Posted February 8, 2020 1 hour ago, Islander15 said: Who wants to watch Wallinger rather than Flint? This decision is a shame for Newcastle fans and those of clubs that the Gems will travel to. Shouldn't hurt home attendances as all matches will be double headers, will also save the promotion money as Wallinger won't score what Flint would (no offence David), not good news for the Gems opponents who will now have to pay for a large home win with a now very weak team unlikely to have the stands packed! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phillipsr Posted February 9, 2020 Report Share Posted February 9, 2020 7 hours ago, szkocjasid said: Wallinger is 3.87, the Gems are more than 5 points under the limit now! Which is a ridiculous situation caused by the BSPA.. I was critical of Clegg being able to ride NL but thank god he is or the Newcastle team would be worst than the Scunny team from a few years ago which was criticised for damaging other peoples businesses 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bagpuss Posted February 9, 2020 Report Share Posted February 9, 2020 Presumably the rules were changed in response to the Cradley team of a few seasons back? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sings4Speedway Posted February 10, 2020 Report Share Posted February 10, 2020 Im not against the rules to not allow an all starts team but surely Newcastle should have been informed before making any signings? The NT side will be good for riders trying to put themselves in 'the shop window' but by the same reckoning if they were offered a 'full' NL team place elsewhere they could no longer rider for the Gems? Either way rushing Wally in as a replacement (no offence to Leon he's not even close) is a crazy decision and removed any minor chances of seeing this side not get crushed all year. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wee Eck Posted February 10, 2020 Report Share Posted February 10, 2020 Can someone explain the value of those teams just riding in the NT please? The stepping stone between the NJL and SDL/MDL is surely the NDL so why insert another step, especially if it’s going to be filled with riders beyond the first stages of “development”? It can’t be to do with making money for the promotion as I’d hope that Newcastle’s admission price is the same whether or not there is a double header. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris116 Posted February 10, 2020 Report Share Posted February 10, 2020 21 minutes ago, Wee Eck said: Can someone explain the value of those teams just riding in the NT please? The stepping stone between the NJL and SDL/MDL is surely the NDL so why insert another step, especially if it’s going to be filled with riders beyond the first stages of “development”? It can’t be to do with making money for the promotion as I’d hope that Newcastle’s admission price is the same whether or not there is a double header. The problem is that Newcastle do not have enough dates to run a full National League programme but want to have a team racing at that standard to help progress the careers of junior riders. They need a few riders who are experienced at NDL level to help the newer riders. The progression as I see it is NJL, then SDL/MDL and then NDL, Championship and Premiership. The National Trophy was being run this season for the stand alone teams who need more competitive meetings than the NDL can offer and Newcastle are adding extra meetings for those teams which helps the stand alone teams and Newcastle. A win win situation as I see it. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tsunami Posted February 10, 2020 Report Share Posted February 10, 2020 (edited) On 2/10/2020 at 7:30 PM, Wee Eck said: Can someone explain the value of those teams just riding in the NT please? The stepping stone between the NJL and SDL/MDL is surely the NDL so why insert another step, especially if it’s going to be filled with riders beyond the first stages of “development”? It can’t be to do with making money for the promotion as I’d hope that Newcastle’s admission price is the same whether or not there is a double header. Newcastle, like a lot of other tracks, can't afford or not have enough riders to complete a complete season in the NL. I was looking last year at the possibilities of a NL team based on Newcastle/Redcar with shared home meetings, but the only NL track near to us was Belle Vue, which is 140 miles across the country. With the possibility of closure of Newcastle suddenly, we were resurrected by Rob Grant, but Edinburgh have now decided to enter the NL this year and they now have the Northern riders who wanted to ride NL. Rob obviously wanted an outlet for what riders we have, and a small venture in the NT seems like the perfect opportunity to test the NL water. Remember he has had a massive job on to get the Diamonds/Gems/Sapphires set up and running from the available riders, plus some new riders to the UK. As well as Wallinger, the NT will give both assets Josh Embleton and Joe Adcock a chance to show their skills having not been picked up in the declared NL teams. Newcastle will be back in the NJL this season with the Sapphires to defend the league title the Gems won last year The double headers will start earlier on the Sunday afternoon and the admission will be £3 extra. To think you can give the fans two meetings, and not charge extra, shows you don't really have a grip on the finances of running a business. Edited February 11, 2020 by Tsunami 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wee Eck Posted February 10, 2020 Report Share Posted February 10, 2020 Thank you for your responses which, other than the unnecessary kick about finances (which I’ll return to in a moment) are appreciated. It seems that the NT has been abused in the past with the essence of creating opportunities for up and coming riders being overlooked in exchange for a win at all costs mentality. Because of this, it’s my view that there should be severe restrictions on which riders can be included in an NT only team, perhaps something like under 18s or first season after NJL/MDL/SDL only. It should also be a ride for expenses league for any non-NDL team. Whilst applauding the efforts of Newcastle in entering an NT team, using Leon Flint would have been an expensive error (and that’s no slur on Leon who I expect to get rides in all three “professional” leagues this year) It’s one of the bees in my bonnet that Speedway is the only Motorsport that pays novices to learn their trade. It cannot be a coincidence that it’s also a Motorsport that is loss making. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete cc Posted February 11, 2020 Report Share Posted February 11, 2020 28 minutes ago, Richard Weston said: Any chance the title of this thread can be changed to just Newcastle Gems. They're in the NT - no more applying about it Start one ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teaboy279 Posted February 11, 2020 Author Report Share Posted February 11, 2020 2 hours ago, Richard Weston said: Any chance the title of this thread can be changed to just Newcastle Gems. They're in the NT - no more applying about it Done 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elmo Posted February 12, 2020 Report Share Posted February 12, 2020 What happens if one of the team gets offered a place in a NDL side during the season, say as an injury replacement before the NT is completed. How would that be different to the Flint situation? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Posted February 16, 2020 Report Share Posted February 16, 2020 what do you people have against Wallinger the man just wants to ride his bike and im sure would do a good job in the NL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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