Arch Stanton Posted March 20 Report Share Posted March 20 (edited) 47 minutes ago, TTT said: I agree regarding Cook. Just my opinion but Leicester started with Kemp @ No.6 last year and he struggled, Then Drew got replaced and Leicester went on a run and that was with Lawson @ No.2 instead of Howarth. Personally I think the league is stronger this year and that Leicester tail end is weaker than the one that struggled at the start of 2024. I think Leicester already had their work cut out for them in regards to a play-off place in 2025 before Cook done his usual bail out. Leicester were never gonna challenge this year whatever with all due respect. They only just made it through last years semi (with huge help from the ref) against an injury ravaged Ipswich without our top end so this year having Howarth instead of Lawson they don’t have a snowballs chance. Just don’t think an on the way down Cook with all his issues is as big a loss as it seems. Edited March 20 by Arch Stanton 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
40-38 Posted March 20 Report Share Posted March 20 22 minutes ago, RS50 said: The statement says, unable to ride "at this time". So is Drew a temporary replacement only? Who will want Cook back anyway? I think it unlikely Cook would be back at Leicester again even if he was suddenly OK. It's a shame, on his day he can still be a good rider, but those days are getting fewer and fewer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arch Stanton Posted March 20 Report Share Posted March 20 What I will say though about Leicester, they’ve never been shy in making changes so although the starting line up isn’t a title winner, it’s how you finish that counts the most. The side in the latter months could look totally different to the one that starts the season. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lionsman66 Posted March 20 Report Share Posted March 20 22 minutes ago, Arch Stanton said: What I will say though about Leicester, they’ve never been shy in making changes so although the starting line up isn’t a title winner, it’s how you finish that counts the most. The side in the latter months could look totally different to the one that starts the season. I see the likes of Becker , now Kemp & even Hagon replaced before July 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teromaafan Posted March 20 Report Share Posted March 20 1 hour ago, 40-38 said: I think it unlikely Cook would be back at Leicester again even if he was suddenly OK. It's a shame, on his day he can still be a good rider, but those days are getting fewer and fewer. those days are getting fewer and fewer......Long gone more like! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tellboy Posted March 20 Report Share Posted March 20 Nobody can rely on Cook anymore,and more fool any team that even considers putting him in their team.Remember when Lynn had him,he done the same there,although most fans blamed Buster,now they are actually seeing the other side of the coin and see that Cook is the one letting teams down. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hamish McRaker Posted March 20 Report Share Posted March 20 The news about Cook comes as no surprise does it? He ceased to be a viable team member at the Premiership level at least two seasons ago. It highlights the enormous loss that Dan Thompson is to the club and team. I don't know how he has been allowed to desert Leicester but whoever is responsible should be sacked 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H20 Posted March 20 Report Share Posted March 20 Cook been no where near a bike again all winter just like last year. Only showed up at Workington press day last minute with the promotion not even knowing if he was coming. Let Workington down big style last season not turning up at Redcar and not even informing anyone he was not going to be there, bar his mechanic who went to watch and told the promotion he was not coming. Previously massive disregard to the Ben Fund meeting pulling out due to a bad back, after he must have been well backed by this fund for his aid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IainB Posted March 20 Report Share Posted March 20 6 minutes ago, Hamish McRaker said: The news about Cook comes as no surprise does it? He ceased to be a viable team member at the Premiership level at least two seasons ago. It highlights the enormous loss that Dan Thompson is to the club and team. I don't know how he has been allowed to desert Leicester but whoever is responsible should be sacked The decision to replace Dan with Drew Kemp in June 2023 was an absolute stinker! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SJA Posted March 20 Report Share Posted March 20 4 hours ago, TTT said: If he is then Dickson should give him his P-45 anyway because he's taken the micky out of Stewart and everyone else associated with Leicester Speedway. Cookie has had all winter to come to a decision, But he's dropped out at the last minute leaving the Lions management scrambling around to a point where they've had to revert back to a formula that didn't work at the start of last season (Weak Reserves). Could've given the Lions management a months notice in advance to give them the best possible opportunity to scout Europe for a rider on a assessed 4.50. I suspect they may have tried the European route before signing Cook for 2025. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruckerroo Posted March 20 Report Share Posted March 20 4 hours ago, Marksman said: There was a reason why the Workington promotion choose Batchelor over Cook, and was always going to be the right call. Was hundreds of social media comments at the time questioning why he wasn't going to be back at the Comets, but Andrew and Steve knew best. Don't think Leicester will be affected too much, but for Berwick it will be a disaster Like making a choice between ronnie and reggie tbh 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siggysigalos Posted March 20 Report Share Posted March 20 Sadly.....Not surprised on Cook whatsoever, as some have said on here already, why Stewart gave him a slot is baffling in itself. Would be stunned if any of the other 6 sides touched him at any stage of the season, but this is Speedway in the UK, so never say never. On Drew Kemp, another chance for the lad, but he must be running out of them, i hope he goes well for the Lions. Not sure the loss of Cook changes much, his best days are way behind him, and Leicester for me still battle with Lynn for 4th. But i do agree with others they are weaker than last season, especially with Howarth replacing Lawson. But season is upon us and i cant wait, and will definetly visit Leicester this season, as always have a good night there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IainB Posted March 20 Report Share Posted March 20 12 minutes ago, siggysigalos said: On Drew Kemp, another chance for the lad, but he must be running out of them, i hope he goes well for the Lions. He's probably due a testimonial he must have signed for Leicester at least 10 times during his Speedway career (so far) 😂 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gazzac Posted March 20 Report Share Posted March 20 5 hours ago, 40-38 said: I think it unlikely Cook would be back at Leicester again even if he was suddenly OK. It's a shame, on his day he can still be a good rider, but those days are getting fewer and fewer. Think those days have well and truly gone, so unreliable and has been for many years unfortunately, and let so many teams down. Think it was the last chance really, time for both rider and promoters to move on to something new I would have thought. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cowboy cookie returns? Posted March 20 Report Share Posted March 20 3 hours ago, IainB said: The decision to replace Dan with Drew Kemp in June 2023 was an absolute stinker! Dan Thompson is a huge talent, certainly impressive with Ipswich. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THE DEAN MACHINE Posted March 20 Report Share Posted March 20 I’m still surprised he is granted a licence to race 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hodgy Posted March 20 Report Share Posted March 20 It is well known Cook has had a long battle with his mental health. In these days we try hard to make it noticed as a serious illness. Yet there is not one thought or consideration about how he is. Only assumptions regarding letting another team down. It’s a horrible place to be, I’ve seen it many times. One week you’re on top of the World and looking forward to the future. It can suddenly change over night to not want to even leave your house. It’s quite obvious he’s faced some demons but FFS, let’s take a step back, then judge in sickness or health. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tosh1218 Posted March 20 Report Share Posted March 20 47 minutes ago, Hodgy said: It is well known Cook has had a long battle with his mental health. In these days we try hard to make it noticed as a serious illness. Yet there is not one thought or consideration about how he is. Only assumptions regarding letting another team down. It’s a horrible place to be, I’ve seen it many times. One week you’re on top of the World and looking forward to the future. It can suddenly change over night to not want to even leave your house. It’s quite obvious he’s faced some demons but FFS, let’s take a step back, then judge in sickness or health. I agree with what you say mental health is massive nowadays so in real terms if Cooky is not fit to race suspend his licence as it isn’t fair on the other 3 riders in the race if Cooky is having problems , what goes on in the championship side of his racing is he a risk ?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IainB Posted March 20 Report Share Posted March 20 50 minutes ago, Hodgy said: It is well known Cook has had a long battle with his mental health. In these days we try hard to make it noticed as a serious illness. Yet there is not one thought or consideration about how he is. Only assumptions regarding letting another team down. It’s a horrible place to be, I’ve seen it many times. One week you’re on top of the World and looking forward to the future. It can suddenly change over night to not want to even leave your house. It’s quite obvious he’s faced some demons but FFS, let’s take a step back, then judge in sickness or health. He's definitely in the wrong game then. He needs to retire and go and work for some Local Authority or something... where he can live the rest of his life on the sick. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teromaafan Posted March 20 Report Share Posted March 20 9 minutes ago, IainB said: He's definitely in the wrong game then. He needs to retire and go and work for some Local Authority or something... where he can live the rest of his life on the sick. Cookies mental health is very important but it shouldn’t be speedway’s problem. Although he should have called it a day before, you have to question the clubs that keep giving him chances. His license should be withdrawn on the grounds of health and safety, to proctect both himself and fellow riders. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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