Rye House 2020

[Welwyn]

Great to hear the fight continues. Happy to help however I can, albeit that could be limited given my full-time job and Councillor duties (unfortunately not in Hertfordshire, otherwise I could have been much more useful).

Would definitely be first in the queue to walk back through the doors!

[Rayleigh]

15 hours ago, RobMcCaffery said:

Thank you. Bad news travels fast, but not always in the right direction. A lot of people made false assumptions. Thank you for your support and apology. Much has changed but little actually destroyed. 

It still could go wrong but at least we have put up, a damn good fight.

 

 

Rob is right, Steve is putting up one helluva fight and hes not won yet but he has made significant progress.

The opposition are learning the old adage "Its not the size of the dog in the fight but the size of the fight in dog"

Edited November 18, 2021 by Rayleigh

[brianbuck]

Many congratulations Rob for all your efforts. You have persevered, very often in the face of so much negativity and scornful comments from the very people who purport to still call themselves speedway enthusiasts. I know you are not home and dry just yet (as also we are not at Birmingham), but the prospects look more than promising now, and you deserve so much credit for all you have done.

Very best wishes for the future, and I do hope that you will think again before carrying out your threat to sever your connection with speedway. We need people like you - especially in these difficult times.

 

[hasta la vista]

16 hours ago, RobMcCaffery said:

I know the feeling, my family managed to move me to the Midlands from late 1976, just in time to miss the great Fiala/Garrad/Mullarkey team. They moved me back to London judt in time for the '79 title theft by the Bog Moggies. 

I had a solution - pretend I was going out for Sunday drives in the Midlands - then head south. 

This all coincided with three years at uni in Liverpool. I can still remember the sheer seediness of the carriages back from Euston late on Sundays. It's not always easy to be a supporter.

There's still a way to go but we might look at streaming. We're hopefully going to attract fans from all over London and the south east (large in area but sadly small in numbers) who might be interested in what we're doing but not able to travel to all our meetings and would buy a stream to fill the gaps. 

I'm studying the excellent service offered by Edinburgh and a similar 'in-house' service might be an idea. 

Let's get the track back first.......

An outsiders view - if you get the price point of the streaming right you will have a chance of attracting decent numbers. Charge double figures per meeting like those clubs do then forget it.

[GWC]

I really hope the bspl get behind this as the south east has become a waste land currently for the sport.

[Fortythirtyeight]

1 hour ago, GWC said:

I really hope the bspl get behind this as the south east has become a waste land currently for the sport.

Not sure what your expecting from the BSPL ?

They have no money , no power except inside their own minority sport and haven’t shown a lot of interest in assisting other ‘defunct’ tracks , except Leicester when they were closing as there was a bit of self interest involved .We can hardly call any region a hot bed of speedway these days , maybe the north  ? ( Belle Vue, Sheffield, Scunthorpe , Redcar, Newcastle, Berwick ).

[GWC]

I don’t think any region has suffered more than the south east - all London tracks gone and Essex Kent Surrey Sussex and Herts without a league team. This would have been unthinkable even 10 years ago.

[chunky]

11 minutes ago, GWC said:

I don’t think any region has suffered more than the south east - all London tracks gone and Essex Kent Surrey Sussex and Herts without a league team. This would have been unthinkable even 10 years ago.

When you put it like that... 

[PotteringAround]

8 minutes ago, JohnHyam said:

Why is the thread title:

Rye House 2020

We are now nearing the end of 2021!

Because the thread is from 23 January 2020 maybe?

So what if it takes 2 years or 3 years to reopen Rye House, as long as someone is trying to reopen Rye House.

 

[PotteringAround]

22 minutes ago, JohnHyam said:

I am not belittling efforts to reopen Rye House. I saw my first meeting there in April 1954!!! I just thought that a thread indicating happenings NOW would be better. 

The happenings of now are on this page of the thread.

The happenings of January 2020 are on page 1 of this thread.    You can follow the entire thing through in chronological order from page 1 to the present.   It's not a difficult concept.....well not for most.

[chunky]

27 minutes ago, PotteringAround said:

The happenings of January 2020 are on page 1 of this thread.    You can follow the entire thing through in chronological order from page 1 to the present.   It's not a difficult concept.....well not for most.

Fat better than having multiple posts all stemming from the same thing, eh? 

[Technik]

13 hours ago, GWC said:

I don’t think any region has suffered more than the south east - all London tracks gone and Essex Kent Surrey Sussex and Herts without a league team. This would have been unthinkable even 10 years ago.

You can include Oxfordshire, Berkshire & Wiltshire in that list.

[25yearfan]

Good luck to those involved in trying to resurrect Rye House speedway, if ran properly it has been proven in the past to be more than viable. I suggest that maybe if the stifling set racenights hadn't been enforced then possibly Rye House wouldn't have closed a few years back cause Saturday nights in the top flight were well supported?

 

But Rob you've fallen into your mate Steve Ribbons trap of getting involved in petty arguments on forums which can make you look amateurish, looking for notoriety and rub people up the wrong way.

 

I think you and Steve mean well and your doing what the BSPL should have done a couple of years back with Rye House with the generous planning on offer and just basically keeping a track going but I think it'd be wise to keep your distance from online forums.

[iris123]

4 hours ago, 25yearfan said:

Good luck to those involved in trying to resurrect Rye House speedway, if ran properly it has been proven in the past to be more than viable. I suggest that maybe if the stifling set racenights hadn't been enforced then possibly Rye House wouldn't have closed a few years back cause Saturday nights in the top flight were well supported?

 

But Rob you've fallen into your mate Steve Ribbons trap of getting involved in petty arguments on forums which can make you look amateurish, looking for notoriety and rub people up the wrong way.

 

I think you and Steve mean well and your doing what the BSPL should have done a couple of years back with Rye House with the generous planning on offer and just basically keeping a track going but I think it'd be wise to keep your distance from online forums.

Agree with that 

[old bob at herne bay]

20 hours ago, GWC said:

I don’t think any region has suffered more than the south east - all London tracks gone and Essex Kent Surrey Sussex and Herts without a league team. This would have been unthinkable even 10 years ago.

The vast majority of the losses of speedway venues in London and the South East have been due to loss of  land and the huge profits to be made selling land for housing.  £1000 a week rent for speedway 5 months of the year - bah why bother ? When the carrot of millions of pounds for housing developments is dangled , not much will get in the way..... eventually. 

There is also a change in the demographic of the supporters - who used to live close to city centre stadia. Local support was strong - local shops and businesses would advertise the speedway with some pride and receive complimentary tickets for doing so. Now these  places house a different crowd, with no interest in outdoor sports, cocooned in the million pouind apartments and watching the latest online film offerings on their 60 inch TV's.

Speedway tracks in the South East it seems have to attract crowds from far afield ..... with the associated costs of travel and in some cases even car parking charges. 

However, Grass Track racing in the South East continues to attract large crowds to one off events scattered around the countryside. Folks seen happy to travel a distance for an afternoon's entertainment, with a beer tent , and an option for overnight camping on the field. Getting up close and personal with the riders who are often more relaxed and seem to be enjoying themselves   .... taking the family out for a jaunt into the countryside having a picnic and maybe even getting splattered with mud watching... all adds to the atmosphere seems to be the "product" (to use the latest buzz word)  that people like.

 

 

[RobMcCaffery]

6 hours ago, 25yearfan said:

Good luck to those involved in trying to resurrect Rye House speedway, if ran properly it has been proven in the past to be more than viable. I suggest that maybe if the stifling set racenights hadn't been enforced then possibly Rye House wouldn't have closed a few years back cause Saturday nights in the top flight were well supported?

 

But Rob you've fallen into your mate Steve Ribbons trap of getting involved in petty arguments on forums which can make you look amateurish, looking for notoriety and rub people up the wrong way.

 

I think you and Steve mean well and your doing what the BSPL should have done a couple of years back with Rye House with the generous planning on offer and just basically keeping a track going but I think it'd be wise to keep your distance from online forums.

Steve walked away a long time ago. As for me I find it hard to tolerate injustice and malevolent postings. IO try to keep up with matters affecting speedway and more specifically our plans. 

Of course we mean well. I've been  a Rockets fan since they were at Rayleigh and despite the poisonous attitudes of too many supporters I still love the sport deeply. Despite illness I am helping Steve for no payment, just love of the Rockets. When I see ill-informed people undermining our efforts of course In see red. 

The intention was to see this campaign to its conclusion then walk away back to the "terraces". It seems if wse do win the fight I will still be wanted and needed. Lord knows why. I'd rather just watch Edinburgh's marvellous back catalogue of old season's videos. 

 

Isn't there something wrong with me having to walk away from social media than the abusers? 

Edited November 21, 2021 by RobMcCaffery

[25yearfan]

I'm afraid thats the nature of social media, I avoid most of it apart from going on here cause I like to see whats going on in the speedway World.

 

Still in your current position of trying to convince persons with the power to say yes or no, that reopening Rye House speedway is worthwhile, arguing online and biting at people who maybe aren't saying correct things and/or have a different opinion to yours isn't productive.

Now I fell out with your mate Steve Ribbons on here years ago cause I correctly said that he isn't the right person to run a speedway outfit but I respect him cause he was a major player in the 1999 rebirth of Rye House speedway and the 2002 reopening of Wimbledon. - History proves all this correct.

I see a similar story possibly emerging at Rye House.

 

I wish all your efforts in reopening Rye House speedway the best of luck. 

 

Like I said before the (so called) BSPL back when the last promotion running it folded, should have made more effort to keep the track going cause Rye House is a proven League track and also has less restrictions which means it can be used for training purposes!

 

Best way to beat all your critics is to prove them wrong by a successful conclusion to your campaign with speedway taking place at Rye House again, good luck again! 

Edited November 21, 2021 by 25yearfan

[iris123]

13 minutes ago, 25yearfan said:

I'm afraid thats the nature of social media, I avoid most of it apart from going on here cause I like to see whats going on in the speedway World.

 

Still in your current position of trying to convince persons with the power to say yes or no, that reopening Rye House speedway is worthwhile, arguing online and biting at people who maybe aren't saying correct things and/or have a different opinion to yours isn't productive.

Now I fell out with your mate Steve Ribbons on here years ago cause I correctly said that he isn't the right person to run a speedway outfit but I respect him cause he was a major player in the 1999 rebirth of Rye House speedway and the 2002 reopening of Wimbledon. - History proves all this correct.

I see a similar story possibly emerging at Rye House.

 

I wish all your efforts in reopening Rye House speedway the best of luck. 

 

Like I said before the (so called) BSPL back when the last promotion running it folded, should have made more effort to keep the track going cause Rye House is a proven League track and also has less restrictions which means it can be used for training purposes!

 

Best way to beat all your critics is to prove them wrong by a successful conclusion to your campaign with speedway taking place at Rye House again, good luck again! 

Again, endorse your cmments

Ribbons obviously has some good points, but commenting on an open discussion forum wasn't one of them. You have to take the good and bad comments. That seems to be a failing with Rob umpteen times over the years

Sure though everyone wishes Rye House a successful future

[PotteringAround]

6 hours ago, 25yearfan said:

I'm afraid thats the nature of social media, I avoid most of it apart from going on here cause I like to see whats going on in the speedway World.

Still in your current position of trying to convince persons with the power to say yes or no, that reopening Rye House speedway is worthwhile, arguing online and biting at people who maybe aren't saying correct things and/or have a different opinion to yours isn't productive.

Now I fell out with your mate Steve Ribbons on here years ago cause I correctly said that he isn't the right person to run a speedway outfit but I respect him cause he was a major player in the 1999 rebirth of Rye House speedway and the 2002 reopening of Wimbledon. - History proves all this correct.

I see a similar story possibly emerging at Rye House.

I wish all your efforts in reopening Rye House speedway the best of luck. 

Like I said before the (so called) BSPL back when the last promotion running it folded, should have made more effort to keep the track going cause Rye House is a proven League track and also has less restrictions which means it can be used for training purposes!

Best way to beat all your critics is to prove them wrong by a successful conclusion to your campaign with speedway taking place at Rye House again, good luck again! 

What he said!

Ignore the keyboard clowns and the idiots trying to disrupt what you're doing.    Don't even bother to argue or engage with them.

Just keep up the good work.  Keep us genuine speedway fans informed of any developments.  Let us know if any support is needed with letters or petitions.

Good luck with everything you're trying to do.    I'd love to visit Rye House again.

 

 

[RobMcCaffery]

16 hours ago, 25yearfan said:

I'm afraid thats the nature of social media, I avoid most of it apart from going on here cause I like to see whats going on in the speedway World.

 

Still in your current position of trying to convince persons with the power to say yes or no, that reopening Rye House speedway is worthwhile, arguing online and biting at people who maybe aren't saying correct things and/or have a different opinion to yours isn't productive.

Now I fell out with your mate Steve Ribbons on here years ago cause I correctly said that he isn't the right person to run a speedway outfit but I respect him cause he was a major player in the 1999 rebirth of Rye House speedway and the 2002 reopening of Wimbledon. - History proves all this correct.

I see a similar story possibly emerging at Rye House.

 

I wish all your efforts in reopening Rye House speedway the best of luck. 

 

Like I said before the (so called) BSPL back when the last promotion running it folded, should have made more effort to keep the track going cause Rye House is a proven League track and also has less restrictions which means it can be used for training purposes!

 

Best way to beat all your critics is to prove them wrong by a successful conclusion to your campaign with speedway taking place at Rye House again, good luck again! 

Just what is the point? 

I'm already fighting ill-health. Enough is enough. The utter rubbish I've had to put up with for the crime of trying to resurrect the Rockets now it's the "Fit and proper person" angle. Your words of encouragement are rather flimsy given your preceding comments. 

My record within speedway should be robust enough. Clearly it isn't. 

Time to put myself first. I'm sure Steve will cope. Don't believe the utter rubbish that's written about him. What's the point of all this effort if it's going to be constantly undermined.

But then you all know more than me. Who needs hours on the phone sorting out policy and tactics, responses to correspondence with the park authority, Carter & Bailey, East  Herts Council plus trying to get the local media onside and making sure that we are closely following SCB requirements, no you all know far better....

 

I still love this sport. God only knows how and why. Time to retire to the terraces and work through Edinburgh's superb video archive.

Speedway and too many of its fans and me? We just don't fit. I believe in honesty and friendship, rather than aggression and deceit. 

Better things to do. As was once said. "You can't be reasonable with unreasonable people". 

I'm sure Rye House will do fine without me, probably far better. Now where's that queue of willing alternatives? Time to return to my own standards. 

Rob (A Rocket 1971-2021)