StevePark Posted February 21, 2021 Report Share Posted February 21, 2021 Taken from Newcastle Speedway Facebook Page: Max Clegg will lead the Newcastle "BTS" Gems side into the 2021 National Development League season, at the most important time in British Speedway, as it's vital for the development of young British talent with the new Rising Star scheme now in place which the top two leagues have implemented. Coming on board with Clegg is new asset, Joe Alcock, and the home town triumvirate of Josh Embleton, Archie Freeman and Danny Smith, while the club have confirmed that advanced conversations are being held to complete the side with the last two riders soon to be announced. Club owner, Rob Grant said: "Newcastle will operate double-headers on many Sundays, with Championship matches running first then followed by the National Development League, and with the earlier regular start time of 4pm at all our meetings, this will allow better value with 30 heats a-night, and highlights Newcastle's emphasis on developing British youngsters in readiness for rising into the Championship in seasons to come. "We at Newcastle are very much making a natural path to run from the Northern Junior League through to National Development League, and then hopefully to the Championship with the Diamonds, and this will also help Newcastle develop their own asset base and create a good foundation to work from in the future." 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dandelion Posted February 22, 2021 Report Share Posted February 22, 2021 BRILLIANT NEWS!! Not only does this mean that we must be riding in the league itself rather than the trophy, it means the Max can be more involved within the club, which can only be a good thing. Nice to see Danny, Josh and Archie all getting team places, being Newcastle born and bred and good to see club asset Joe getting a team place. Wonder if Josh out performs Joe in the Gems how long Joe will last as the Diamonds' number 7? A lot of pressure and friendly rivalry in the team, which is good. 1. Max Clegg 10.14 2. Josh Embleton 4.83 3. 4. Joe Alcock 4.36 5. 6. Danny Smith 3.00 7. Archie Freeman 3.00 Total: 22.33 Left: ?.?? The main question is now. What is the points limit, and how much do we have left to play with for the final 2 riders. Personally would like to see Jamie Halder back, but not sure whether that'll happen, all will come clear soon I'm sure. P.S. THJ, you got any clues? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Islander15 Posted February 22, 2021 Report Share Posted February 22, 2021 Good news! Maybe they’ll finish with Phillips and another 3 pointer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phillwhitewasmad Posted February 22, 2021 Report Share Posted February 22, 2021 7 hours ago, Dandelion said: BRILLIANT NEWS!! Not only does this mean that we must be riding in the league itself rather than the trophy, it means the Max can be more involved within the club, which can only be a good thing. Nice to see Danny, Josh and Archie all getting team places, being Newcastle born and bred and good to see club asset Joe getting a team place. Wonder if Josh out performs Joe in the Gems how long Joe will last as the Diamonds' number 7? A lot of pressure and friendly rivalry in the team, which is good. 1. Max Clegg 10.14 2. Josh Embleton 4.83 3. 4. Joe Alcock 4.36 5. 6. Danny Smith 3.00 7. Archie Freeman 3.00 Total: 22.33 Left: ?.?? The main question is now. What is the points limit, and how much do we have left to play with for the final 2 riders. Personally would like to see Jamie Halder back, but not sure whether that'll happen, all will come clear soon I'm sure. P.S. THJ, you got any clues? As I understand it 12.67 left plenty of points available for a fairly strong team. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arnieg Posted February 22, 2021 Report Share Posted February 22, 2021 8 hours ago, Dandelion said: BRILLIANT NEWS!! Not only does this mean that we must be riding in the league itself rather than the trophy, it means the Max can be more involved within the club, which can only be a good thing. Nice to see Danny, Josh and Archie all getting team places, being Newcastle born and bred and good to see club asset Joe getting a team place. Wonder if Josh out performs Joe in the Gems how long Joe will last as the Diamonds' number 7? A lot of pressure and friendly rivalry in the team, which is good. 1. Max Clegg 10.14 2. Josh Embleton 4.83 3. 4. Joe Alcock 4.36 5. 6. Danny Smith 3.00 7. Archie Freeman 3.00 Total: 22.33 Left: ?.?? The main question is now. What is the points limit, and how much do we have left to play with for the final 2 riders. Personally would like to see Jamie Halder back, but not sure whether that'll happen, all will come clear soon I'm sure. P.S. THJ, you got any clues? A very positive start. Max will be a big draw in the NL, Archie really impressed me in 2020 and after his efforts for Leicester Cubs I am a big fan of Josh. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sings4Speedway Posted February 22, 2021 Report Share Posted February 22, 2021 1 hour ago, phillwhitewasmad said: As I understand it 12.67 left plenty of points available for a fairly strong team. If its 35 then the team could be very top heavy. It currently totals 25.33 so only 9.67 left, even with a 3 pointer like Ryan Mac i have fears for the worst number 5 in league history and a point under the limit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*JJ Posted February 22, 2021 Report Share Posted February 22, 2021 About five years ago, I commented that Clegg was too good for the NL: he certainly is now. He should have moved on a long time ago. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevePark Posted February 22, 2021 Author Report Share Posted February 22, 2021 9 hours ago, Islander15 said: Good news! Maybe they’ll finish with Phillips and another 3 pointer. I very much doubt it, but that's just a guess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sings4Speedway Posted February 22, 2021 Report Share Posted February 22, 2021 The other issue i see is how much benefit is there for Clegg to be in the NL side when its double headers. He will have already taken 4 + rides and then be facing another 5 maybe 6 with RR in play in the NL fixture. I know he will be unbeatable when running at home but its going to take a serious toll on his machinery as well as his focus. Not to mention if it all goes pear shaped in the main meeting the talisman would be missing for the second half. Without Clegg the team could have had 2 x 7-8 point riders and likely a bigger points return overall. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foamfence Posted February 22, 2021 Report Share Posted February 22, 2021 Very well done Newcastle, hopefully more clubs will follow this example. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PotteringAround Posted February 22, 2021 Report Share Posted February 22, 2021 (edited) Josh Embleton as 3rd heatleader on 4.83 Edited February 22, 2021 by PotteringAround Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phillwhitewasmad Posted February 22, 2021 Report Share Posted February 22, 2021 its a development team the way it should be local teams giving local lads a chance and long may it continue 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dandelion Posted February 22, 2021 Report Share Posted February 22, 2021 (edited) Well if the limit IS 35 points, I'll take this team to watch every Sunday evening thank you very much 1. Max Clegg 10.14 2. Joe Alcock 4.36 3. David Wallinger 3.87 4. Josh Embleton 4.83 5. Leon Flint 8.80 6. Danny Smith 3.00 7. Archie Freeman 3.00 Total: 35.00 exactly Don't see it anywhere that Leon is with Armadale again? But if he is I'm sure there's many other options with the 8.80 left... James Sarjeant for example? Two big hitters will help the kids (And Wallinger) along nicely. Tom Perry (8.50) would be a welcome addition for me as I've always enjoyed watching him, but I'm not sure if he rides anymore??? He will bring a lot of experience to the side at this level too. Edited February 22, 2021 by Dandelion Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PotteringAround Posted February 22, 2021 Report Share Posted February 22, 2021 (edited) 3 minutes ago, Dandelion said: Well if the limit IS 35 points, I'll take this team to watch every Sunday evening thank you very much 1. Max Clegg 10.14 2. Joe Alcock 4.36 3. David Wallinger 3.87 4. Josh Embleton 4.83 5. Leon Flint 8.80 6. Danny Smith 3.00 7. Archie Freeman 3.00 Total: 35.00 exactly Don't see it anywhere that Leon is with Armadale again? But if he is I'm sure there's many other options with the 8.80 left... James Sarjeant for example? Two big hitters will help the kids (And Wallinger) along nicely Suggest you buy a new calculator (presume you mean the limit will be 38.00 exactly?) Edited February 22, 2021 by PotteringAround 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dandelion Posted February 22, 2021 Report Share Posted February 22, 2021 7 minutes ago, PotteringAround said: Suggest you buy a new calculator (presume you mean the limit will be 38.00 exactly?) Whoops No, I've just been using the same spreadsheet for the NL teams as I have the CL teams and not moved the sum total cell to include all 7 riders, only the top 6 (Yes, I'm sad enough to make a spreadsheet this year, because there doesn't seem to be anywhere that displays all the teams, not even the official speedway gb website!!) FINE!! 9.67 left for the last rider. How about Jack Smith and Kieran Douglas. 1. Max Clegg 2. Archie Freeman (Ryan MacDonald) 3. Josh Embleton 4. Joe Alcock 5. Jack Smith 6. Kieran Douglas (Archie Freeman) 7. Danny Smith As I say, all will be revealed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
topsoil Posted February 22, 2021 Report Share Posted February 22, 2021 16 minutes ago, phillwhitewasmad said: its a development team the way it should be local teams giving local lads a chance and long may it continue Two of my favourite articles in the Speedway Star this winter were on the Ipswich and Mildenhall teams of the late 70s. Both made up almost entirely from homegrown riders. If speedway wants to re-generate interest in the fans, that's a big way of going about it, producing local talent. Also sponsors are more likely to come on board for a local lad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevePark Posted February 22, 2021 Author Report Share Posted February 22, 2021 16 minutes ago, Dandelion said: Well if the limit IS 35 points, I'll take this team to watch every Sunday evening thank you very much 1. Max Clegg 10.14 2. Joe Alcock 4.36 3. David Wallinger 3.87 4. Josh Embleton 4.83 5. Leon Flint 8.80 6. Danny Smith 3.00 7. Archie Freeman 3.00 Total: 35.00 exactly Don't see it anywhere that Leon is with Armadale again? But if he is I'm sure there's many other options with the 8.80 left... James Sarjeant for example? Two big hitters will help the kids (And Wallinger) along nicely. Tom Perry (8.50) would be a welcome addition for me as I've always enjoyed watching him, but I'm not sure if he rides anymore??? He will bring a lot of experience to the side at this level too. Would Danny and Archie not be 2 pointers, rather than 3?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sings4Speedway Posted February 22, 2021 Report Share Posted February 22, 2021 3 minutes ago, StevePark said: Would Danny and Archie not be 2 pointers, rather than 3?? The 2 pointer thing was dropped after a season obviously it could have been re-introduced as nobody knows despite riders being signed, team building averages being changed and no official releases at all being made to joe public. i would think given how other teams are building the sensible 3 pointer being the base remains. As it stands Clegg will need a max every week, Freeman bags quite a few (hopefully due to less fixture he will get longer at reserve) and the the other heat leader is more than the suggestions ive heard. Providing Alcock has got dialled in from the CL meeting he could be a threat if not the others will be queuing up to take his place. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dandelion Posted February 22, 2021 Report Share Posted February 22, 2021 11 minutes ago, StevePark said: Would Danny and Archie not be 2 pointers, rather than 3?? As far as I'm aware, if the rules are the same as they were in 2020, the lower limit in the NL is 3.00, which is kinda stupid if they are wanting to bring new kids in to race, they look way more attractive to teams on a 2.00 than a 3.00. Things might change for this season though? And I hope they do 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevePark Posted February 22, 2021 Author Report Share Posted February 22, 2021 5 minutes ago, Sings4Speedway said: The 2 pointer thing was dropped after a season obviously it could have been re-introduced as nobody knows despite riders being signed, team building averages being changed and no official releases at all being made to joe public. i would think given how other teams are building the sensible 3 pointer being the base remains. As it stands Clegg will need a max every week, Freeman bags quite a few (hopefully due to less fixture he will get longer at reserve) and the the other heat leader is more than the suggestions ive heard. Providing Alcock has got dialled in from the CL meeting he could be a threat if not the others will be queuing up to take his place. 4 minutes ago, Dandelion said: As far as I'm aware, if the rules are the same as they were in 2020, the lower limit in the NL is 3.00, which is kinda stupid if they are wanting to bring new kids in to race, they look way more attractive to teams on a 2.00 than a 3.00. Things might change for this season though? And I hope they do Yeah, I stupidly looked at 2019, rather than the abandoned 2020 team lists. If they want to encourage new riders, then 2.00 would be better than 3.00 in my opinion too, all they have to do is drop the points limit accordingly, so teams are not overly "top heavy." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.