ch958 Posted May 30, 2022 Report Share Posted May 30, 2022 for the guys worried about their earnings - one big league would give them 2ce as many meetings and they wd meet the top guys fewer times. And before anyone says lesser riders will suffer, in the halcyon days - for every Ivan Mauger there was, e.g .a Ken Wakefield who could only dream of beating Ivan. Many riders never rose above 2nd string level but were liked by the fans if they put the effort in. Then we could kiss DU/DD goodbye 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cinderfella Posted May 30, 2022 Report Share Posted May 30, 2022 7 minutes ago, ch958 said: for the guys worried about their earnings - one big league would give them 2ce as many meetings and they wd meet the top guys fewer times. And before anyone says lesser riders will suffer, in the halcyon days - for every Ivan Mauger there was, e.g .a Ken Wakefield who could only dream of beating Ivan. Many riders never rose above 2nd string level but were liked by the fans if they put the effort in. Then we could kiss DU/DD goodbye Can't agree with getting twice the meetings. Say 18 teams which would mean 34 matches where as at moment with 6 PL and 11 CL teams they would get 40 meeting plus KO Cup and play-offs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbieblackadder fan club Posted May 30, 2022 Report Share Posted May 30, 2022 I’m afraid to say in the majority of sports poor teams generally means poor/lower crowds and speedway is no different 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enotian Posted May 30, 2022 Report Share Posted May 30, 2022 8 hours ago, StevePark said: He must also have meant that he tried to sign the above (inc Batchelor) before the season started and Batch hadn't signed for Oxford at the time of asking? He tried to sign Batchelor before he decided to sign for Kent last season Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enotian Posted May 30, 2022 Report Share Posted May 30, 2022 20 hours ago, Diamond geezer said: What I find puzzling with Rob Grants interview tonight (and for the record it was nice having a voice finally), was the comments about not being able to sign foreign riders - this linked to inability to apply for a sponsors licence (visa) following the liquidation of the original company he took over. I would love to find the quotes from him last season, think they could have been in the speedway star. But I am sure I have read that he tried to sign last season - Kenneth bjerre - Martin Smolinksi - Troy batchelor then again this season, I am sure I have seen a quote saying he tried to convince bjarne pedersen of riding. one question - was that all bollocks then? I don't know if it was bollocks or not and as someone has said it's how hard you try that matters. Offering low terms would never attract those riders but you'd still technically tried, however futile that attempt was. But to try and unpuzzle you, and I'm not an expert, but I think EU riders who have previously ridden in the UK were all able to continue to ride in the UK post Brexit. Either without a permit or are guaranteed a permit. Bjerre, Smolinski, Pedersen and Vissing all fall into that category. Not sure about non EU riders but the attempt to sign Batchelor was mid season when he already had a permit to ride in the PL. What Newcastle couldn't do is sign new foreign riders because the promoters didn't have a sponsors license. If you think about the 2020 line up that never happened it was possible to sign Skorja and Smetaka as EU riders at that point but not for 2021 without a sponsors license. Now even with a sponsors licence some riders Smetaka(?) might not be awarded a permit as they don't fit the criteria. Which is why he never got to be in the Poole team last season I think. In summary it was possible to sign those riders without a license last season, I think. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruffdiamond Posted May 30, 2022 Report Share Posted May 30, 2022 9 minutes ago, enotian said: What Newcastle couldn't do is sign new foreign riders because the promoters didn't have a sponsors license. If you think about the 2020 line up that never happened it was possible to sign Skorja and Smetaka as EU riders at that point but not for 2021 without a sponsors license. Weren't they signed whilst the former promotion was still involved? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enotian Posted May 30, 2022 Report Share Posted May 30, 2022 31 minutes ago, ruffdiamond said: Weren't they signed whilst the former promotion was still involved? not sure but as I understand it the former promotion didn't have a sponsor license either. Just relied on being able to sign EU riders who at that time didn't need permits. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tsunami Posted May 30, 2022 Report Share Posted May 30, 2022 On 5/29/2022 at 9:30 PM, Shadders said: Newcastle don’t bring many to Berwick. Losing Edinburgh would hurt Berwick more They used to and you know that. Backstraight ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diamond geezer Posted May 30, 2022 Report Share Posted May 30, 2022 1 hour ago, enotian said: I don't know if it was bollocks or not and as someone has said it's how hard you try that matters. Offering low terms would never attract those riders but you'd still technically tried, however futile that attempt was. But to try and unpuzzle you, and I'm not an expert, but I think EU riders who have previously ridden in the UK were all able to continue to ride in the UK post Brexit. Either without a permit or are guaranteed a permit. Bjerre, Smolinski, Pedersen and Vissing all fall into that category. Not sure about non EU riders but the attempt to sign Batchelor was mid season when he already had a permit to ride in the PL. What Newcastle couldn't do is sign new foreign riders because the promoters didn't have a sponsors license. If you think about the 2020 line up that never happened it was possible to sign Skorja and Smetaka as EU riders at that point but not for 2021 without a sponsors license. Now even with a sponsors licence some riders Smetaka(?) might not be awarded a permit as they don't fit the criteria. Which is why he never got to be in the Poole team last season I think. In summary it was possible to sign those riders without a license last season, I think. So that makes sense (I think). The cynical side of me thinks there wasn’t a cat in hells chance any of them riders were ever going to sign anyway, so any attempt to sign them may have been more about PR than anything. If it was a genuine attempt to sign them, then the ££ must have been there to tempt them, so one would assume that would still apply to team building this year. not sure just random foreign riders will improve us, would have to be the right one. Look at Basso for example, and even he isn’t yet a heat leader. Most top riders who fall into heat leader brackets will have already rode here, and so fall into that”protected” category you referred to above - so assume that we have either tried already and/or we don’t want them. here is hoping for good news - Because I dread to think what Leicester and Poole will do to us in next couple of matches. And as for crowds - think a big signing will help draw in the crowds needed for sustainability. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bringbackHalifax Posted May 30, 2022 Report Share Posted May 30, 2022 Rob should have stood to his guns and walked at the end of last season. He is a butcher by trade not a promoter. He got giddy with the takings from the wake and thought it’s okay. BWD on a high guarantee and scoring zilch is not good business. Not the first time it’s happened but Newcastle will have to build trust with the rider population as they talk among themselves and the current rumours will not help. If true good on Starkey for holding firm. I think Newcastle need a winning team to attract fans and they are 4 riders away from being competitive. Very dark clouds and less attractive for someone to step in than it was in November last year. 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HectorRacing Posted May 31, 2022 Report Share Posted May 31, 2022 3 hours ago, bringbackHalifax said: Rob should have stood to his guns and walked at the end of last season. He is a butcher by trade not a promoter. He got giddy with the takings from the wake and thought it’s okay. BWD on a high guarantee and scoring zilch is not good business. Not the first time it’s happened but Newcastle will have to build trust with the rider population as they talk among themselves and the current rumours will not help. If true good on Starkey for holding firm. I think Newcastle need a winning team to attract fans and they are 4 riders away from being competitive. Very dark clouds and less attractive for someone to step in than it was in November last year. What do you mean about starke? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bandits4eva Posted May 31, 2022 Report Share Posted May 31, 2022 8 hours ago, Tsunami said: They used to and you know that. Backstraight ? To be fair, he wasnt up here the times you brought the bigger crowds. You haven’t done to Berwick for some years sadly. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HendoWozGud Posted May 31, 2022 Report Share Posted May 31, 2022 15 hours ago, Winditon said: Totally agree with your post. Not sure how much difference it would have made up to now but not having a team manager who can't motivate and seems pretty clueless doesn't help. Not sure if he does it voluntary but it needs addressing in my opinion. Let's hope we can turn it around I'm pretty sure he does do it voluntarily and never ever wanted the position in the first place. He didn't put his hand up for the job and I believe would rather not continue in the job BUT, no-one else is coming forward to offer their services and he's therefore in a catch-22 situation as if he steps down he believes no-one will step-up. Steve Pate is someone that loves his speedway and Newcastle Diamonds. He's one of those faithful few, that includes Rob BTW, that is on the track the moment they're allowed after the greyhounds have finished on a Saturday night working on the track until 2:00am and then returning first thing Sunday morning for more preparation work. He's also part of the crew that turn up as early as they can on a Monday to clean-up to meet the Stadium owners' requirements and ensure The Diamonds can continue. As for the Press Officer? The Club have approached a few people who they believe would do a good job. For one reason or another they have all turned it down. Mostly because they don't have the time that the role requires and wouldn't want to do half a job. Lawrence Hepple has been a great servant for Newcastle Diamonds but everyone has their tipping point and unfortunately he appears to have reached his. I'm fairly sure that anyone stepping into his shoes needs to be positively aggressive and chase the stories ensuring that the fans who pay their money and are entitled to know SOME of what is going on get to know that. It's a far from easy job that requires time and commitment but it is also a role that Rob would love to have filled by someone he can bring into the fold and improve the communication channels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shadders Posted May 31, 2022 Report Share Posted May 31, 2022 9 hours ago, Tsunami said: They used to and you know that. Backstraight ? Before my time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruffdiamond Posted May 31, 2022 Report Share Posted May 31, 2022 4 hours ago, HectorRacing said: What do you mean about starke? Sure Starkie used to be on here, maybe he may know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
screm Posted May 31, 2022 Report Share Posted May 31, 2022 7 hours ago, bringbackHalifax said: Rob should have stood to his guns and walked at the end of last season. He is a butcher by trade not a promoter. He got giddy with the takings from the wake and thought it’s okay. BWD on a high guarantee and scoring zilch is not good business. Not the first time it’s happened but Newcastle will have to build trust with the rider population as they talk among themselves and the current rumours will not help. If true good on Starkey for holding firm. I think Newcastle need a winning team to attract fans and they are 4 riders away from being competitive. Very dark clouds and less attractive for someone to step in than it was in November last year. I would be surprised if any club would hand out a guaranteed wage, if Newcastle have then that's a poor bit of business IMO. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mimmo Posted May 31, 2022 Report Share Posted May 31, 2022 Is everybody getting all these damn adverts from companies like SHEIN appearing between postings? It doesn't matter how many times you block them, they still appear!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cinderfella Posted May 31, 2022 Report Share Posted May 31, 2022 4 minutes ago, Mimmo said: Is everybody getting all these damn adverts from companies like SHEIN appearing between postings? It doesn't matter how many times you block them, they still appear!! Yip they are popping up more often than Chris Harris does as a guest. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cinderfella Posted May 31, 2022 Report Share Posted May 31, 2022 8 hours ago, bringbackHalifax said: Rob should have stood to his guns and walked at the end of last season. He is a butcher by trade not a promoter. He got giddy with the takings from the wake and thought it’s okay. BWD on a high guarantee and scoring zilch is not good business. Not the first time it’s happened but Newcastle will have to build trust with the rider population as they talk among themselves and the current rumours will not help. If true good on Starkey for holding firm. I think Newcastle need a winning team to attract fans and they are 4 riders away from being competitive. Very dark clouds and less attractive for someone to step in than it was in November last year. Paul Starke according to the Ipswitch website has aggravated an old wrist injury. It's worth remembering he suffered two broken wrist in a crash at the British Final at Belle Vue a few years back. I'm sure Paul, being the consumate professional, is missing for a legitimate reason as any "withholding services" would affect his Ipswich contract too. 1 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikebv Posted May 31, 2022 Report Share Posted May 31, 2022 46 minutes ago, cinderfella said: Yip they are popping up more often than Chris Harris does as a guest. No chance it's that many... Reality being stretched too far.... They should give him a camera and he could do a travel vlog around GB... Get the Tourist Board involved... 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.