NEWCASTLE DIAMONDS 2022

[Justgotmecpc]

54 minutes ago, phillipsr said:

He was though… its not his fault but quite simply he wasn't ready for the Championship he's not even a second string standard NL rider yet. Now hopefully he goes on and has a great career but it was at best irresponsible of Newcastle to put him into the team last year 

Fair point but rather than say he was ( the worst rider ) in the league was a bit uncalled for ? Why not just say Archie was clearly out his depth but not his fault at the end of the day as he was asked by his home town club to ride for them I'm sure every other lad or lass would jump at the chance whatever sport it maybe to represent their club & after seeing him learn a heck of a lot in the pits off the more experienced riders it will stand him in good stead for next season.. yeah & on the point that he's not a 2nd string NL standard I truly believe that if Archie had a full season without any hiccups he'd have finished his campaign as a 2 or a 4 in the national League & that's not pressuring the lad neither

[NSSG]

3 hours ago, Tsunami said:

Archie turned down the offer to ride for the Diamonds to concentrate on development in the NDL. Someone pulled the Gems out of the NDJ, and fortunately another team had faith in him and he rode for the Edinburgh Devils this year with merit. Other riders were used as the Diamond no 7 and then dispensed with.  At 16 and a year behind the likes of the Thompsons, Palin, Gilkes, he knew he needed that extra year to gain experience at the junior level . Archie was pressed by Newcastle management to help out at No 7 to replace JPB, and was given assurances that he would not be judged on this year, just get experience for next year. Next year has arrived and he has been overlooked. Rob should remember that when he joined the Diamonds we put him straight into the team along with other 3 pointers like Jamie Birkenshaw, Craig Branney and Jamie Robertson. Without those placements who is to say they would have made a career after that.

 No training school, no organised second halves,  dropped the Gems whilst at the top of the league and possibly league winners, no junior meetings, and now this. We were told of commitment to local talent and their place at Newcastle, it all just seems like a conflict with every decision made. With the Gems being dropped, three of us were prepared to pay for and run the Gems at our expense for the year, but one was told NO I've made the decision and your sponsorship will be returned.     

From Rob Grant 

 

Not that I need to justify my actions but I will point out that at the time of replacing JPB I knew Newcastle was in a financial hole and the Diamonds were having to be subsidised heavily to get the bills paid , hence the dropping of the National League as the crowd figures at the time were shockingly low. I told Steve Pate that things weren’t quite rosy and that I wanted to put Archie in so that if Newcastle collapsed the lad could say he had ridden for his home town club. We knew he wasn’t ready but we had our reasons for letting him do it. Archie could of easily refused to sign but he didn’t and we were pleased to give him the run till the season closed. 

We had 7 meetings left to stage in National League and we weren’t just talking a couple of grand to complete them it would of been a substantial amount. 

Some folk on here saying they offered to keep it going are talking utter garbage as no one approached me at all esp the main man that’s letting his mouth go. All sponsors agreed for the club to retain the sponsorship in order for the main team to survive. With the exception of the main man who’s letting his mouth go, who asked for a full refund, which was given. 

Newcastle are running championship only, you have a team to support, we have a facility to operate out of, we have a good loyal backing, let's just focus on keeping another club active as we don't want to lose any more,

We have seen the issues with Birmingham and Kent and we are in the same bubble.

So for heaven sake just enjoy what you have, while you have it as nothing is guaranteed anymore. 

Edited November 12, 2021 by NSSG
Spelling mistakes

[Diamondboy]

1 hour ago, NSSG said:

From Rob Grant 

 

Not that I need to justify my actions but I will point out that at the time of replacing JPB I knew Newcastle was in a financial hole and the Diamonds were having to be subsidised heavily to get the bills paid , hence the dropping of the National League as the crowd figures at the time were shockingly low. I told Steve Pate that things weren’t quite rosy and that I wanted to put Archie in so that if Newcastle collapsed the lad could say he had ridden for his home town club. We knew he wasn’t ready but we had our reasons for letting him do it. Archie could of easily refused to sign but he didn’t and we were pleased to give him the run till the season closed. 

We had 7 meetings left to stage in National League and we weren’t just talking a couple of grand to complete them it would of been a substantial amount. 

Some folk on here saying they offered to keep it going are talking utter garbage as no one approached me at all esp the main man that’s letting his mouth go. All sponsors agreed for the club to retain the sponsorship in order for the main team to survive. With the exception of the main man who’s letting his mouth go, who asked for a full refund, which was given. 

Newcastle are running championship only, you have a team to support, we have a facility to operate out of, we have a good loyal backing, let's just focus on keeping another club active as we don't want to lose any more,

We have seen the issues with Birmingham and Kent and we are in the same bubble.

So for heaven sake just enjoy what you have, while you have it as nothing is guaranteed anymore. 

There are times when saying nothing is best......

Edited November 12, 2021 by Diamondboy

[GWC]

10 hours ago, Arson fire said:

Agree with this. Chatting to Rob Lyon several years ago about the structure of British speedway being ar5e over t!t, he was concerned then but they wouldn't listen.

Either use and accommodate them going forward as a rule, or dont…but stop mucking them about. 

I think the RS facility was needed last season so that the riders got a guaranteed team place rather than be used for team building and then dumped when averages change.

I don’t see so many young riders coming through currently and the RS of last season should be nailed on for team places now.

Maybe in a season or two the facility will reappear if the talent comes through. 

[szkocjasid]

1 hour ago, GWC said:

I think the RS facility was needed last season so that the riders got a guaranteed team place rather than be used for team building and then dumped when averages change.

I don’t see so many young riders coming through currently and the RS of last season should be nailed on for team places now.

Maybe in a season or two the facility will reappear if the talent comes through. 

I don't think that would've been the case, it was well documented that there was a lack of riders due to Covid / Brexit / Polish rules. 

The main difference was the RS rule gave Danyon Hume a Champ spot (deservedly) & allowed for stronger guests at reserve (e.g Leon Flint replacing weaker riders)!

[KEITH M]

15 minutes ago, szkocjasid said:

I don't think that would've been the case, it was well documented that there was a lack of riders due to Covid / Brexit / Polish rules. 

The main difference was the RS rule gave Danyon Hume a Champ spot (deservedly) & allowed for stronger guests at reserve (e.g Leon Flint replacing weaker riders)!

What is defined as a rising star .. You are always going to get problems… if the rule had of been around in the 70’s and 80’s Kenny Carter would of been a rising star, Michael Lee would of been a rising star, Gary Havelock would of been a rising star the list could go on, so there will always be riders at reserve who are better than others at a young age which would sh@ft the ruling to keep reserves equal 

[Fromafar]

4 hours ago, Diamondboy said:

There are times when saying nothing is best......

Think it tells a lot about how the Club is being run.

[enotian]

There's plenty of young British riders out there with potential to be really good riders in the future, including Archie. The trouble is that the Championship is full of riders who should only ride at a higher level but now maximise their income by also riding at Championship level. I know these guys aren't SGP standard by any means but some of them are next level down, Masters etc. 

These guys are established and by having these two income streams and potentially some continental racing as well they have a massive advantage, in terms of being able to invest in better equipment, than these young kids trying to progress.  No reflection on Archies ability but it's too difficult to compete in a league where the majority are on much bigger budgets. It's bad enough for someone like Max Clegg or Matty Wethers trying to compete with only one team place as opposed to everyone else's two.

There needs to be a level which will allow these lads to gain track time (not just three rides) and progress against more experienced riders as well as other young riders. Unless there's an influx of teams into the National League (hopefully all six Premiership teams will have one) then I'm not sure where any talented kids get a ride?

With potentially only nine teams in the Championship they could easily have retained the rising star scheme if they'd wanted. Atkins, Edwards, Lawlor, Parkinson-Blackburn, Ablitt, Freeman, Gilkes, Hagon, McGurk(s),  Mulford, Spencer and Spooner would all benefit from riding against more experienced riders. But how would they fare against riders like Chris Harris with his 400 years experience and earning x times more than them. Had the  Rising Star system been retained, to make the teams level you really need to also restrict teams to only one rider over 8.00 and no one would vote for that even if it makes financial sense for some of the struggling teams.

On that basis they have to retain all the double upper/downers there is really no point of retaining the rising star scheme. I just hope there is some alternative option for these young kids to get track time and progress so they can progress to the next level.

I'm sure Archie's time will come again but based on the youtube footage of Geordie Congreve (who is 4 years his senior) he would look to be the better bet in 2022.  Presumably he comes in on a British licence as the Diamonds aren't able to access work permit riders. If that means just under 8.00 for the last rider Richie Worrall would make the Diamonds competitive especially with Wright at reserve.

[Fromafar]

1 minute ago, enotian said:

There's plenty of young British riders out there with potential to be really good riders in the future, including Archie. The trouble is that the Championship is full of riders who should only ride at a higher level but now maximise their income by also riding at Championship level. I know these guys aren't SGP standard by any means but some of them are next level down, Masters etc. 

These guys are established and by having these two income streams and potentially some continental racing as well they have a massive advantage, in terms of being able to invest in better equipment, than these young kids trying to progress.  No reflection on Archies ability but it's too difficult to compete in a league where the majority are on much bigger budgets. It's bad enough for someone like Max Clegg or Matty Wethers trying to compete with only one team place as opposed to everyone else's two.

There needs to be a level which will allow these lads to gain track time (not just three rides) and progress against more experienced riders as well as other young riders. Unless there's an influx of teams into the National League (hopefully all six Premiership teams will have one) then I'm not sure where any talented kids get a ride?

With potentially only nine teams in the Championship they could easily have retained the rising star scheme if they'd wanted. Atkins, Edwards, Lawlor, Parkinson-Blackburn, Ablitt, Freeman, Gilkes, Hagon, McGurk(s),  Mulford, Spencer and Spooner would all benefit from riding against more experienced riders. But how would they fare against riders like Chris Harris with his 400 years experience and earning x times more than them. Had the  Rising Star system been retained, to make the teams level you really need to also restrict teams to only one rider over 8.00 and no one would vote for that even if it makes financial sense for some of the struggling teams.

On that basis they have to retain all the double upper/downers there is really no point of retaining the rising star scheme. I just hope there is some alternative option for these young kids to get track time and progress so they can progress to the next level.

I'm sure Archie's time will come again but based on the youtube footage of Geordie Congreve (who is 4 years his senior) he would look to be the better bet in 2022.  Presumably he comes in on a British licence as the Diamonds aren't able to access work permit riders. If that means just under 8.00 for the last rider Richie Worrall would make the Diamonds competitive especially with Wright at reserve.

Don’t think Richie Worrall will be at Newcastle.

[Brough Diamond]

22 minutes ago, enotian said:

There's plenty of young British riders out there with potential to be really good riders in the future, including Archie. The trouble is that the Championship is full of riders who should only ride at a higher level but now maximise their income by also riding at Championship level. I know these guys aren't SGP standard by any means but some of them are next level down, Masters etc. 

Spot on Enotion. There's a video on Youtube entitled ‘why speedway is failing’ by a young rider that provides an explanation to back up your comments.  

Edited November 12, 2021 by Brough Diamond

[Gaz]

Our new reserve is on a 4 point average.

[hawkeyenz]

I'm glad George Congreve has been given an opportunity but I think he will need a lot of support to achieve a 4 point average.

I've watched him develop in Christchurch over the last few years and I think he is short of Championship standard. Sure he is 3 time NZ u21 champion but that is a bit of a smokescreen as to his ability given the standard of the opposition.

I wish him all the best and I hope he proves me wrong. Hopefully BWD will be able to help him out. 

[Tsunami]

How did the getogether go last night. Any announcement as to the last rider.

 

[SteveLyric2]

Good to see BWD's return making the national sports pages today!

[Terrace Grumbler]

I have no issues with the team to date. Depending on the young New Zealander 's average if the final rider were Kyle Newman or Richie Worrall I think we would win most home meetings and that's what principally counts.

When (a while ago now) most years we had a team that was competitive, young overseas riders were given extended runs in the team and noone complained much. I have a great deal of sympathy with Archie Freeman, his parents and sponsors (and @Tsunami who I know has put a lot of time and effort in) but ultimately - as was made very clear to all supporters last season - this is a business.  I have never run a speedway club and have not seen the break-even figures for Newcastle but from experience in running other businesses the first consideration when times are tough has to be to keep the ship afloat and that can mean taking hard decisions. 

[Bandits4eva]

4 hours ago, Tsunami said:

How did the getogether go last night. Any announcement as to the last rider.

 

As one of Newcastle speedways longest going supporters, I’m surprised you weren’t there! 

[diamonds7]

3 minutes ago, Bandits4eva said:

As one of Newcastle speedways longest going supporters, I’m surprised you weren’t there! 

probably on another one of his cruises 

[Tsunami]

19 minutes ago, Bandits4eva said:

As one of Newcastle speedways longest going supporters, I’m surprised you weren’t there! 

Best not to go there. 

[Bandits4eva]

1 hour ago, Tsunami said:

Best not to go there. 

I’ve an idea

[bruno]

Please tell lol