Phil Morris appointed Premiership CEO

[NeilWatson]

BRITISH Speedway is delighted to announce the appointment of Phil Morris as its Premiership Chief Executive Officer.
Former rider and manager Morris, who will continue as FIM Race Director at Grand Prix and World Cup events, takes on the newly created position with the responsibility of overseeing all aspects of Premiership business.
47-year-old Morris will be a major decision-maker at the top of the Premiership, both in terms of rulebook interpretation and race-night operations, and the specifics of his role also include an active involvement in the running of televised meetings.
BSP Ltd Director and Ipswich promoter Chris Louis said: “The Premiership CEO is a new role which we all agreed was very much needed and I think the timing is right, especially with what’s going on in the world of speedway.
“We want to enhance the professionalism and integrity of the league, as well as making it simple, transparent and fun for the fans to view and understand, and to improve the product and put British Speedway back at the top of the tree, where it did sit for many years.
“Phil is unquestionably the right man for the job. His grounding is in British Speedway, he loves British Speedway, and he also has one of the top positions in World Speedway, which made him the perfect candidate.
“He will be tasked with making sure the rulebook is as simple and easy to follow as possible, both for those involved within the sport and also for the fans, and that it is absolutely understood and adhered to.
“Phil will also take an active role in televised meetings. He will be on-site and assist with the presentation of those meetings to make sure they are as fluid as possible and that the format is rigidly stuck to.
“The appointment has the full backing of the Board of the BSPL, and we’d also like to thank the other people who showed an interest in the position and were part of the process.
“We see this as an evolving role which will develop as the year goes on, but fundamentally we’ve brought in a top man to lead the Premiership and I think it’s a hugely positive move.
“Phil has seen all sides of the sport as a rider and a manager, he’s never stopped following British Speedway and he has the experience of what is probably for this sort of role, the top position in World Speedway.
“We couldn’t have a better guy on board, and as a league we are delighted with the appointment.”
Morris enjoyed a long and successful racing career over nearly 20 years, the majority of which were spent with Reading, and as a youngster he was part of the Racers’ British League Division One title-winning side in 1992.
After retirement, he team-managed Birmingham to top spot in the Elite League in 2013 before missing out in the Grand Final, and he also took joint charge of the flourishing British Youth set-up alongside current boss Neil Vatcher.
Since 2015 he has held the position of FIM Race Director and has officiated at over 80 GPs along with the World Cup, Speedway of Nations and GP Challenge.
Morris said: “There are three words associated with this role that stand out for me: integrity, transparency and perception, and all of those are big things for me which I feel need to be improved.
“I’m not here to lie to anyone and I’ve already made it clear that I’ve seen some events and incidents over the last few years that I believe we can improve on a lot – and I’m saying ‘we’ here because I’m now going to be part of it.
“I want to do my very best to try and lift levels across many different facets of the Premiership, from club officials and regulations to the visuality of the events we’re staging.
“Hopefully that will then filter down to all levels of speedway, so even though my job is Premiership CEO, it’s something which can benefit British Speedway as a whole.
“I’ve been very lucky to work at the highest level of the sport, so my eyes are probably quite focused on good quality levels of the product, and I’ve always said that speedway is a good product.
“We’ve just got to package it right and make sure other things are acceptable along the way, and I’m very much looking forward to getting started.”

[Petecc]

Well that's the start of what fans have been asking for.

[Bagpuss]

Sounds promising and about bloody time.

[Dave Jones]

This could be a big day for GB speedway, he mentions integrity & transparency amongst his aims. That would be a massive step forward.

[Arch Stanton]

Hugely positive step forward. A long time coming mind! Hopefully will eradicate at best the bending of the rules, and at worst blatant cheating..

simplifying the rule book is something that’s been needed for some time, no grey areas, just black and white so everybody can fully understand them. 

Edited March 1, 2023 by Arch Stanton

[R87]

Where does this leave Rob Godfreys role as BSPL chairman?  Does Morris have authority over him, or does he still need to report to the promoters?

Still a few questions that need answers before we start the back slapping I think.

[FromBendThree]

Didn’t see that coming, great decision by PL. feels like a chasm opening up between Premiership and Championship. The CL looks and feels very much like Div 2. I know why Poole run in CL but surely their fans must be wishing they were in top league now.

[Arch Stanton]

1 minute ago, FromBendThree said:

Didn’t see that coming, great decision by PL. feels like a chasm opening up between Premiership and Championship. The CL looks and feels very much like Div 2. I know why Poole run in CL but surely their fans must be wishing they were in top league now.

You’re right, and exactly as it should be. The only reason they originally tried to bring the leagues closer together was to introduce promotion/relegation which let’s be honest, was never going to work. 

[Grand Central]

And so the lack of leadership of the SGP worsens further.

[dontforgetthefueltapsbruv]

A much needed step in the right direction and an ideal choice for the appointment at this time IMO

Let's hope that all involved emmbrace the move and that we don't see Phil undermined or hampered when something doesn't go the way desired for certain quarters 

[arnieg]

An encouraging move. However it will be a challenging role for Phil given how many problems the sport has.

 

So what do the Championship promoters do now?

[ch958]

The big question is 'how much authority will he have?' What happens when someone says 'its my business, I'll run it my way'

[LisaColette]

42 minutes ago, FromBendThree said:

Didn’t see that coming, great decision by PL. feels like a chasm opening up between Premiership and Championship. The CL looks and feels very much like Div 2. I know why Poole run in CL but surely their fans must be wishing they were in top league now.

I don't mind either league tbh. 

8 minutes ago, arnieg said:

An encouraging move. However it will be a challenging role for Phil given how many problems the sport has.

 

So what do the Championship promoters do now?

Do what Poole say? 

[MattB]

13 minutes ago, ch958 said:

The big question is 'how much authority will he have?' What happens when someone says 'its my business, I'll run it my way'

This is going to be the big test.  Phil always comes across as somebody who doesn't suffer fools gladly.  If he decides something needs changing and the promoters all close ranks again he won't stay in the job long.

It's a a role so many of us have called for over a long period of time, but it will only work if everyone buys into it.

[bigcatdiary]

24 minutes ago, ch958 said:

The big question is 'how much authority will he have?' What happens when someone says 'its my business, I'll run it my way'

If he has any sense he will have signed a contract with at least three years on it, if not it could be a short appointment.

[midlandred]

1 hour ago, Grand Central said:

And so the lack of leadership of the SGP worsens further.

Who gives a toss about SGP?

[HGould]

Every action has a reaction and an end aim.

IMHO this is step 1 on the road to the PL breaking away from BSPL (but still aligning to SCB and therefore ACU) to create a separate entity to optimise TV money and Commercial opportunities and to do effectively what PL has done in soccer, and in similar way to the way Cricket is also redefining on Franchise type basis.

I think they will want an 8 Team League (more riders coming in from Poland will help that) and possibly ultimately 9 or 10.

Poole and Glasgow are the obvious targets.

[Grand Central]

23 minutes ago, midlandred said:

Who gives a toss about SGP?

Me. But not you. 

Someone has just pointed out to me that he is continuing with his GP job anyway whilst doing the PL job in his days off.

So we can both be reassured that he gives a toss about both, equally.

Edited March 1, 2023 by Grand Central

[Lefty]

Does it lead to tracks being over watered? 

[Racin Jason 72]

Great appointment and much needed