25 years next year 2022

[Neila]

Yea speedway in a pickle too many people in charge with self interest, but where did the big crowds go too, and how do they get attracted back ?  Just got to look at the channel 5 documentary birds bikes and blokes with Workington featured, massive crowds home and away, but in 2018 even for the last few meetings when trophies were won, the crowds weren't anywhere near those in the documentary.

God only knows how to solve it, as some of the promoter's and sponsors with deep pockets will get sick and walk away, then where will speedway be? May have to revert the 2nd league to be part time like it was in the 70's, 80's and early 90's.not having young riders wanting to do it full time with a nice van umpteen bikes and full time mechanic.

[jenga]

5 hours ago, Neila said:

Yea speedway in a pickle too many people in charge with self interest, but where did the big crowds go too, and how do they get attracted back ?  Just got to look at the channel 5 documentary birds bikes and blokes with Workington featured, massive crowds home and away, but in 2018 even for the last few meetings when trophies were won, the crowds weren't anywhere near those in the documentary.

God only knows how to solve it, as some of the promoter's and sponsors with deep pockets will get sick and walk away, then where will speedway be? May have to revert the 2nd league to be part time like it was in the 70's, 80's and early 90's.not having young riders wanting to do it full time with a nice van umpteen bikes and full time mechanic.

maybe its time to close British speedway down for around 10 years or so . by that time speedway could make a comeback and all the money grabbers will not be around to drain the pockets of all who try to put on a good show for the paying public at a reasonable price 

something tells me i and many others will not be around to see it happen 

Edited December 27, 2021 by jenga

[coldace]

On 12/19/2021 at 4:39 PM, Jaizer said:

Didn't really work though..as I understand the designated riders for Glasgow in them days refused to travel leading to severely under strength sides. 

But it did work, at least for the first several years of the British League from 1965. The fifteen to twenty years after '64 were the most successful that I ever experienced, good crowds, an abundance of strong British riders coming through and top riders from other countries regularly riding.

The last few years of the old National League in the 1960s is a bit similar to what's happening in the Premier League now. Ever decreasing teams competing, dwindling interest and fans picking and choosing when they attend.

Pity we don't have someone to impose their presence, reorganise the league, allocate riders and create a credible structure that could be sold to sponsors. The product is still very accessible but the organisation around it lacks all credibility I'm afraid. 

 

.

[Pinny]

What strikes me as quite alarming, is the fact that the internet and social media in particular have gained in popularity over the years whilst this forum is getting quieter and quieter by the month. The winter months on here used to be full of discussions, anticipation for the new season and new signings etc... nowadays it really is flat on here barring a few threads.

[jenga]

just think what it would be like if fans did not go on other teams forums/sites for a bit of banter and the odd naughy chat .

[Nickinho]

On 12/28/2021 at 6:07 AM, Pinny said:

What strikes me as quite alarming, is the fact that the internet and social media in particular have gained in popularity over the years whilst this forum is getting quieter and quieter by the month. The winter months on here used to be full of discussions, anticipation for the new season and new signings etc... nowadays it really is flat on here barring a few threads.

They're all on Tinder.

[GWC]

Considering in 1965 the new British league had no Craven (killed) Moore Fundin Knutsson (retired) of the big 5 and only Briggs left.

So it wasn’t the big stars that saved speedway in the U.K. but bread and butter riders and a variety of teams week to week.

Could it happen again probably no as people are far more informed these days and the ‘mystery’ aspect of an unseen rider coming next week in sos and so teams doesn’t happen any longer.

[ch958]

32 minutes ago, GWC said:

Considering in 1965 the new British league had no Craven (killed) Moore Fundin Knutsson (retired) of the big 5 and only Briggs left.

So it wasn’t the big stars that saved speedway in the U.K. but bread and butter riders and a variety of teams week to week.

Could it happen again probably no as people are far more informed these days and the ‘mystery’ aspect of an unseen rider coming next week in sos and so teams doesn’t happen any longer.

there is much to be learned from 1965 onwards to the early 70s

[coldace]

4 hours ago, GWC said:

Considering in 1965 the new British league had no Craven (killed) Moore Fundin Knutsson (retired) of the big 5 and only Briggs left.

So it wasn’t the big stars that saved speedway in the U.K. but bread and butter riders and a variety of teams week to week.

Could it happen again probably no as people are far more informed these days and the ‘mystery’ aspect of an unseen rider coming next week in sos and so teams doesn’t happen any longer.

I agree it wasn't the 'big 5' that had anything to do with it really. It was how rider allocation ensured that all teams were about equal in strength.  Previously in 62 they attempted  to make it more competitive in the NL with handicapping. That really didn't work. Some experienced riders who dropped to reserve suddenly had a 10 yard start on the majority of other riders and  a 20 yard start on the 'big 5'. Ludicrous! 

[Nickinho]

I'm going to be controversial here but a large reason for the dwindling fortunes of British speedway is the huge demographic and cultural changes which have taken place since the 1970s. The white working class of Britain which made up the vast majority of fans in the old days has to a large extent been decimated and the cultural rituals of fathers passing down their sporting and socialising interests to their sons is pretty much a thing of the past. Football in England was saved by television and the middle class whereas football crowds in Scotland (outwith the Old Firm) have halved in the past 30 years so speedway hasn't been the only casualty. These cultural changes have not spared places of leisure like pubs either and the only reason gyms have prospered (lockdowns notwithstanding) is because they made themselves more appealing to a burgeoning middle class who favour comfort over the wind and rain. Not many people from Gen Y onwards want to stand with a pie on the terracing in the pouring rain on a Friday night to attend a speedway meeting when they could be in a warm bar watching sport on the television. The only way for speedway to survive and prosper in the future is to secure television deals, or failing that (which is likely) to delve more into online revenue through streaming etc., because with the current stadia (Belle Vue aside) crowds are not going to increase any time soon.

[Guest]

1 hour ago, Nickinho said:

I'm going to be controversial here but a large reason for the dwindling fortunes of British speedway is the huge demographic and cultural changes which have taken place since the 1970s. The white working class of Britain which made up the vast majority of fans in the old days has to a large extent been decimated and the cultural rituals of fathers passing down their sporting and socialising interests to their sons is pretty much a thing of the past. Football in England was saved by television and the middle class whereas football crowds in Scotland (outwith the Old Firm) have halved in the past 30 years so speedway hasn't been the only casualty. These cultural changes have not spared places of leisure like pubs either and the only reason gyms have prospered (lockdowns notwithstanding) is because they made themselves more appealing to a burgeoning middle class who favour comfort over the wind and rain. Not many people from Gen Y onwards want to stand with a pie on the terracing in the pouring rain on a Friday night to attend a speedway meeting when they could be in a warm bar watching sport on the television. The only way for speedway to survive and prosper in the future is to secure television deals, or failing that (which is likely) to delve more into online revenue through streaming etc., because with the current stadia (Belle Vue aside) crowds are not going to increase any time soon.

Wise words on your part Nickinho. IMO worthy of very serious consideration by those with genuine concerns about the future of British speedway.

[uk_martin]

On 12/19/2021 at 5:24 PM, mikebv said:

Maximum pay rates would certainly help deliver this too, with a maximum meeting payment for every club being the same for all..

What would you consider to be an acceptable attrition rate in riders who would choose to ride in the French, Danish or German leagues rather than allow their earnings be affected?

How many Australian riders will choose to ride in Britain if the return on their considerable investment in getting here isn't matched by the prospect of a worthwhile return?

As a matter of interest, at what figure would you set your cap at?

[mikebv]

4 hours ago, uk_martin said:

What would you consider to be an acceptable attrition rate in riders who would choose to ride in the French, Danish or German leagues rather than allow their earnings be affected?

How many Australian riders will choose to ride in Britain if the return on their considerable investment in getting here isn't matched by the prospect of a worthwhile return?

As a matter of interest, at what figure would you set your cap at?

£1 below the total income left after all other running cost bills are paid .....