The current state of the SGB CHAMPIONSHIP

[TTT]

First it was Newcastle, Then it was Plymouth now it's Birmingham.

Shady contracts being handed out with full intention of using guests throughout the season rather than a fully signed 1-7.

This years SGB CHAMPIONSHIP is a total shambles imo and it's only just started.

I think from 2023 onwards the whole league structure needs a re-think with contracts being double checked by the governing body of the sport because it's the fans who'll lose out eventually. 

Rider availability will become an issue once injures pile up, Premiership HL's riding in the Championship will soon see current GSA's sky rocket that'll rule them out of guesting and no forgetting inevitable fixture clashes in the future.

It's the fans who will lose out when those three clubs eventually end up booking 5.00 point riders to guest as a No.1 or a No.5 whilst being asked to pay full price for an uncompetitive team. Especially those who brought season tickets in advance.

[Gambo95]

23 minutes ago, TTT said:

First it was Newcastle, Then it was Plymouth now it's Birmingham.

Shady contracts being handed out with full intention of using guests throughout the season rather than a fully signed 1-7.

This years SGB CHAMPIONSHIP is a total shambles imo and it's only just started.

I think from 2023 onwards the whole league structure needs a re-think with contracts being double checked by the governing body of the sport because it's the fans who'll lose out eventually. 

Rider availability will become an issue once injures pile up, Premiership HL's riding in the Championship will soon see current GSA's sky rocket that'll rule them out of guesting and no forgetting inevitable fixture clashes in the future.

It's the fans who will lose out when those three clubs eventually end up booking 5.00 point riders to guest as a No.1 or a No.5 whilst being asked to pay full price for an uncompetitive team. Especially those who brought season tickets in advance.

Whilst I agree with you that it's not good for speedway, this thing seems to happen every season.

Take last season, Peterborough won the league using guests and r/r for most of the season. Since it's easy to get riders why did Peterborough not bother having a full 1-7 (oh yes they were stronger without signing another rider).

[GiveusaB]

Still waiting for bham to confirm about Ellis? 

But what you're saying is spot on.

It's a bloody joke! 

 

[Sherborne Green]

I believe the above totally unfair. Before you think this is the views of a fan of any particular team May I point out I am in Dorset and had a season ticket at Poole for 16 years.

Plymouth signed Kennett some time ago, I think he was one of their first signings. Yes he thought he had to pull out but later agreed to sign. He fell in his first ride and the injury is bad as it opened a earlier injury. I agree that this could be the end of his career but Plymouth have been looking high and low for a replacement but the rules abroad and BSPA have stumped them. Then Gilles had a very serious injury and Atkins for some reason quit the club.

How are clubs going to find riders when there are none there.

 

 

[Tosh1218]

Teams should be allowed a guest for a month then the should have to go with Rider/Replacement within the squad 

[LisaColette]

8 minutes ago, GiveusaB said:

Still waiting for bham to confirm about Ellis? 

But what you're saying is spot on.

It's a bloody joke! 

 

I'm not sure they'll say til they get a replacement? Plymouth didn't say Lawson was leaving until they had Hans. When's Brum's next meeting? 

[Mike0310]

Mark Phillips and Gary may said they have tried 16 different riders but they don’t want to ride here due to various reasons some being the sky high costs of visas others due to the costs of setting up here so what do you do one rider they did have lined up was turned down by the bspa I believe ,I can’t confirm why but if the reasons I have heard are true then the authorities need a long look at themselves.

[HGould]

Let's go back to 2018 when The CHAIRMAN lost a rider to injury so gave himself a Guest ALL season and even cancelled others Clubs Fixtures so he could get a suitable Guest. 

Let's look at the failure post Brexit to be prepared for Visa delays that were clearly going to happen 

Let's look at the failure to put some sort of limit on the combined average of top 3 heat leaders. 

Let's look at the closed shop that is the PL meaning not enough riders to stock 11 CL Clubs to a more level playing field. 

It's far deeper than Newcastle, Birmingham and Plymouth. They are victims of the system as opposed to them being the perpetrators. 

The sport is run by a cartel, for the cartel full of their own agendas. 

Start with an inpedendent Governing body, separate the SCB which the BSPL have effectively taken over and neutered. 

 

[mikebv]

It's UK Speedway....

It doesnt really matter...

Just go along and hopefully enjoy a good evenings entertainment...

There is pretty much no kudos in victory, no major financial reward, and hardly any media coverage other than the odd mention in a few papers for the play off winners allied to good coverage in the Speedway Star, so it really doesn't matter who wins any league..

What does matter is that teams win at home most weeks and stay solvent, which ensure riders who spend tens of thousands on kit are able to ride on many nights of the year to justify their expense..

The sport has been ran in a "bit Mickey Mouse" way for decades so it wont ever change.. 

It still has the capability to deliver a cracking night out, and the racing today is as least as good as I can ever remember, so just go along and enjoy what is on offer..

You might be even be lucky enough to be there for Bomber's 100th appearance of the season...

 

 

[GiveusaB]

2 hours ago, lisa-colette said:

I'm not sure they'll say til they get a replacement? Plymouth didn't say Lawson was leaving until they had Hans. When's Brum's next meeting? 

Tuesday at Oxford

[ruffdiamond]

1 hour ago, HGould said:

Let's go back to 2018 when The CHAIRMAN lost a rider to injury so gave himself a Guest ALL season and even cancelled others Clubs Fixtures so he could get a suitable Guest. 

Let's look at the failure post Brexit to be prepared for Visa delays that were clearly going to happen 

Let's look at the failure to put some sort of limit on the combined average of top 3 heat leaders. 

Let's look at the closed shop that is the PL meaning not enough riders to stock 11 CL Clubs to a more level playing field. 

It's far deeper than Newcastle, Birmingham and Plymouth. They are victims of the system as opposed to them being the perpetrators. 

The sport is run by a cartel, for the cartel full of their own agendas. 

Start with an inpedendent Governing body, separate the SCB which the BSPL have effectively taken over and neutered. 

 

Too many questions there like!!!,,, baby steps. 

[Doners123]

It’s simple …..

 

until the people looking after speedway in GB are completely neutral it’s a joke ! 

Neutral chairman and board members are need for British speedway and only then will it be taken seriously. 
 

the people running it look out for themselves and themselves only.

I can’t see it changing for a while because the people in charge won’t let it happen. 

[lewy]

2 hours ago, HGould said:

Let's go back to 2018 when The CHAIRMAN lost a rider to injury so gave himself a Guest ALL season and even cancelled others Clubs Fixtures so he could get a suitable Guest. 

Let's look at the failure post Brexit to be prepared for Visa delays that were clearly going to happen 

Let's look at the failure to put some sort of limit on the combined average of top 3 heat leaders. 

Let's look at the closed shop that is the PL meaning not enough riders to stock 11 CL Clubs to a more level playing field. 

It's far deeper than Newcastle, Birmingham and Plymouth. They are victims of the system as opposed to them being the perpetrators. 

The sport is run by a cartel, for the cartel full of their own agendas. 

Start with an inpedendent Governing body, separate the SCB which the BSPL have effectively taken over and neutered. 

 

Absolutely nailed it.

[Mike0310]

Spot Oh your right there about it being a cartel led by said chairman one rule for one and one for another independent people with no allegiance to any club should be running the sport you never no they might come up with some fresh ideas .

[Najjer]

Said it loads of times - but 6 rider teams with a British junior at no.6 is the minimum requirement of what the Championship should be.

Less riders to find, cheaper British rider and the existing riders getting more rides and earning more whilst the need for guests and R/R drops down. Guests shouldn’t be allowed unless there is 2 or more riders missing. Even more money to be wasn’t for riders. Everybody wins!

[OGT]

12 hours ago, mikebv said:

It's UK Speedway....

It doesnt really matter...

Just go along and hopefully enjoy a good evenings entertainment...

There is pretty much no kudos in victory, no major financial reward, and hardly any media coverage other than the odd mention in a few papers for the play off winners allied to good coverage in the Speedway Star, so it really doesn't matter who wins any league..

What does matter is that teams win at home most weeks and stay solvent, which ensure riders who spend tens of thousands on kit are able to ride on many nights of the year to justify their expense..

The sport has been ran in a "bit Mickey Mouse" way for decades so it wont ever change.. 

It still has the capability to deliver a cracking night out, and the racing today is as least as good as I can ever remember, so just go along and enjoy what is on offer..

You might be even be lucky enough to be there for Bomber's 100th appearance of the season...

 

 

Speedway is lucky it has some people left who put up with all the shenanigans.

[ch958]

there's no rider shortage, the ridiculous strength of the 2nd tier is strangling their progress from the 3rd tier. Even if they're not world beaters they're competent and could make up team numbers. Yes, I'm saying the CL should be weakened. If Eastbourne and others come back next year it will be needed otherwise it won't work and we'll lose tracks.

[Jonnybegood]

There is room for easty and worky in the 3rd div. 

[cinderfella]

Now being a Glasgow fan I'll probably take a little flack for this but if a rider withdraws from a meeting, and I use Tom Brennan withdrawing at Newcastle last Sunday, surely he should be required to 'rest & recover' for so many days rather than ride the next day?

 

The whole set up British Speedway is a joke. Two (senior) leagues made up of the same riders more or less.

It's little wonder fans wonder if riders can give 100% to their team given the strain on machinery and of travel.

[Sings4Speedway]

7 minutes ago, Jonnybegood said:

There is room for easty and worky in the 3rd div. 

Is there? The only reason places have been filled this season is due to the low team building average from the year before and artificial average inflation. Even then riders bound for retirement have been tempted back to make up the numbers. Drop in two more teams and the averages have to be cut again to fill the places. There aren't enough emerging riders and thats the bottom line. You need youth classes with 24 plus a season so that the top 4-6 graduate. At present some classes get 6-8 riders and they all will be looking for a NDL place and many will get one simply out of necessity.