Hamish McRaker Posted October 3 Report Share Posted October 3 47 minutes ago, Racin Jason 72 said: To blame the away fixtures for cash flow is ridiculous. They have had equal amount of home and away fixtures over the course of a season. Why would anyone invest in a team who only have a year left to run ? That’s not an investment that’s a donation ! They seem to be on a different planet, unfortunately Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pinny Posted October 4 Report Share Posted October 4 6 hours ago, Racin Jason 72 said: To blame the away fixtures for cash flow is ridiculous. They have had equal amount of home and away fixtures over the course of a season. Why would anyone invest in a team who only have a year left to run ? That’s not an investment that’s a donation ! They probably owe a load of money out for this season and thats why the begging bowl has came out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GiveusaB Posted October 4 Report Share Posted October 4 17 hours ago, Heathcote said: Every rider in the world is open to riding in the UK.....at a cost which far out exceeds any UK promoters budget. Its blatantly obvious why they stuck with Pawlicki, no other rider was willing to set up in the UK at the money that was being offered to them. Zach Cook was better than PP, but he was let go ??? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GiveusaB Posted October 4 Report Share Posted October 4 17 hours ago, Pinny said: I think it should be said that promotions crying to the fanbase about needing more people through the gate doesn't work and if anything has a negative impact. Moving up a tier when already losing money was just ridiculous and was never going to end well. Then fielding a team that wasn't going to compete was another foolish move. Tolley also made himself look daft when stating money wasn't an issue or something along those lines. You can't go crying that your then losing money and need more fans in. I saw it with my own eyes at Newport, the Mallett's had many faults which everyone knows about but they put their money into it and done all they could regarding signing riders. And if they hadn't of been in the press crying about crowds each week then I am sure they would have gained a lot more sympathy and understanding from fans. Winning teams are important, but history shows it has to be done from the off. Losing your first few home fixtures basically writes off the season, especially these days with such small league tables. Newport had crowds of about 300 each week and by the time changes were made to the side (which incidentally made them the best side in the league by some distance) the crowds didn't go up when results changed as the league title was well out the window. We got to the KO cup final and had a crowd of 1000 ish watch us absolutely batter Glasgow (who walked away with the league title that year). This just proves that when a team is winning and has a chance of lifting silverware, fans will come. But back to Birmingham, yes it will be great for British Speedway if they have another go next season but the best thing for them to do would be to drop to the Championship and try and sign a top side. Another season like the one just gone and it will only be the same negative comments or worse. And for God sake sort the management out. Get rid of Ermolenko and get a proper manager in. Think it was fairly obvious that Sam was appointed as a PR stunt in order to try and attract more Wolves fans through the gate....and in all fairness, he was handed a 'c#ap' 1-7 (with the exception of TB/ZC)... But, your point is right....all Clubs needs a proper speedway manager if they are to compete! 2024 was a shambles from top to bottom....as predicted before a wheel was turned.... Have to give Tolley credit for seeing the season out financially.....shame that he was badly advised! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trackrat Posted October 4 Report Share Posted October 4 (edited) From my opinion, poor track prep, Poor viewing areas, poor lighting, over zealous security checks on the entrance, car park charges & a losing team contribute to the drop off in attendances. Wearing a top hat like some kind of ring master was weird as well. Do like the pit walk before the start though. Edited October 4 by Trackrat 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arthur54 Posted October 4 Report Share Posted October 4 1 hour ago, Trackrat said: From my opinion, poor track prep, Poor viewing areas, poor lighting, over zealous security checks on the entrance, car park charges & a losing team contribute to the drop off in attendances. Wearing a top hat like some kind of ring master was weird as well. Do like the pit walk before the start though. It made for good viewing when we clinched the 2013 Elite League there 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1 valve Posted October 4 Report Share Posted October 4 (edited) Pretty sure the following suggestion will not get taken up, but here goes. It is obvious that come what may, 2025 will definitely be the last time speedway would be able to run at its current Perry Barr location and expecting anything other than receiving donations the current promotion is going to come up short on attracting serious long term investors, simply because there is no strategic plan in place for what happens after 2025 and what the investors money would be used for. What should be considered, is creating a well financed promotion (which may exclude or restrict the current promoters involvement) to build a strong team based at Birmingham for the 2025 season, whilst simultaneously searching for alternative venues, existing or new for the 2026 season. To be clear, the search should not solely be focused on finding a place in Birmingham, but should be spread far and wide not just within the midlands region, although folk associated with Wolverhampton, Cradley and (definitely) Coventry could provide possible suggestions for suitable alternative sites. The concept behind this suggestion being that in the 19 months between now and the start of the 2026 season, a business (promotion) is formed to be proactive in building a team capable of doing well in 2025 and then being relocated to a new stadium after the closure of Birmingham. This rather than what appears to be the current thinking of "hoping" something is found to save Birmingham and then "hoping" a team can be put together...Hope has never been a particular strong strategy in business. Finally, a word on the current Birmingham promotion. They have tried their very best to do whatever they can to save, promote and keep Birmingham speedway alive. Every supporter of every club should be grateful for such efforts, even if it is for the simple reason that opposition and fixtures have been provided for other teams to ride against. In doing so, the promoters have dug deeper into their pockets for the required cash than the vast majority reading this post will ever spend on speedway. But unfortunately, their efforts have come up short and so maybe now is the time for them to step aside and create the opportunity for others to seek a way forward with good wishes from the speedway nation. Edited October 4 by 1 valve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petecc Posted October 4 Report Share Posted October 4 It's ever so easy to say why don't the promoters do this or do that. When it's your money/ life savings / compensation to keep it afloat for a few seasons is used up , doing this or that has to be funded. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KIRKYLANE Posted October 4 Report Share Posted October 4 Difficult times ahead but hopefully they will be able to run in2025. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trackrat Posted October 4 Report Share Posted October 4 4 hours ago, Arthur54 said: It made for good viewing when we clinched the 2013 Elite League there How is this relevant? Do you think I’m a Birmingham fan? Ps this is a premiership thread so off you trot. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arthur54 Posted October 4 Report Share Posted October 4 (edited) 2 hours ago, Trackrat said: How is this relevant? Do you think I’m a Birmingham fan? Ps this is a premiership thread so off you trot. This is not a Poole thread, off you trot And know your a Poole fan Edited October 4 by Arthur54 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trackrat Posted October 4 Report Share Posted October 4 7 minutes ago, Arthur54 said: This is not a Poole thread, off you trot And know your a Poole fan In English please, just embarrassing yourself, again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pauljb Posted October 4 Report Share Posted October 4 Cash flow issues and they have not raced in a month? Sounds like money owing to riders or unpaid rent maybe? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hackett Posted October 4 Report Share Posted October 4 At the start of the season I personally doubted Birmingham would run in 2025 with the Greyhound situation. Following the latest press release from Birmingham , I think that is it with speedway in the Midlands apart from Leicester. Cash flow issues >> Never a good look think that is goodnight from the Brummies. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikebv Posted October 5 Report Share Posted October 5 Birmingham just isn't interested in Speedway... Fair play to those who have tried to make it something that the local populace would embrace and attend.. I went approx 8 years ago and felt "young" given the demographic of the place, and I was fifty.. If Phil Morris wants the top league to be clearly better than the next one down, then Birmingham will struggle to meet that criteria without "made up" averages to make their team look competitive... The Aces at Leicester on Thursday must have had an amount of fans that Brum have been "ok" with for a home match... You cannot expect that "true equality" that UK Speedway craves, when such a huge disparity exists between teams . 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OGT Posted October 6 Report Share Posted October 6 13 hours ago, mikebv said: Birmingham just isn't interested in Speedway... Fair play to those who have tried to make it something that the local populace would embrace and attend.. I went approx 8 years ago and felt "young" given the demographic of the place, and I was fifty.. If Phil Morris wants the top league to be clearly better than the next one down, then Birmingham will struggle to meet that criteria without "made up" averages to make their team look competitive... The Aces at Leicester on Thursday must have had an amount of fans that Brum have been "ok" with for a home match... You cannot expect that "true equality" that UK Speedway craves, when such a huge disparity exists between teams . I think the opening line of your post sums it up perfectly. Birmingham as a city has changed beyond recognition since the halcyon days of the 70s and early 80s, especially the demographic, which really is the key here. The 21 year gap between closing at the Wheels and the reopening at PB is another major factor. Add to that the fact that speedway is pretty much a minor sport now and you can see why the club is struggling to survive. Oh yes, of course, there are also plenty of other ways to get your sporting fix, as has been pointed out in previous posts. TBF, it's done well to last as long as it has. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deano Posted October 6 Report Share Posted October 6 (edited) 14 hours ago, mikebv said: Birmingham just isn't interested in Speedway... I disagree, in sorts, as people are interested, speedway just can't keep people interested. My lad at 15, is now interested in speedway and to be honest he does talk a bit excessively to me about it. He supports Birmingham and has managed to get at least another five of his schools mates to go along with him. But..... we lost just about every single match over the past two seasons and even got ourselves promoted half way through that losing streak! So his interest is now mainly Polish speedway, GP's and team GB. He's also really disappointed the Alan Grahame meeting never materialised, again. When you introduce new people to the sport, it's the same old problems... same riders each week, but a different team. I have to keep reminding people that speedway isn't run like the Warwickshire Bears or Aston Villa. Especially when these kids go to both of those too. Warwickshire bears had a live band and disco after the last game we went to, we had a great time. There was a lively atmosphere and Warwickshire lost on that occasion as well. I think if there is a future, we need to be told, do we have one, or will we be lost again. I most certainly won't be travelling for my fix. I wish Wolverhampton, Cradley and Coventry fans all the best with their endeavours, but I won't be watching. Edited October 6 by Deano Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heathen52 Posted October 6 Report Share Posted October 6 "I think if there is a future, we need to be told, do we have one, or will we be lost again. I most certainly won't be travelling for my fix. I wish Wolverhampton, Cradley and Coventry fans all the best with their endeavours, but I won't be watching". That is the big issue, I am a Cradley fan first and foremost who watches the very occasional meeting at Birmingham, last season (2024) I never went to one though I did watch the Birmingham streams early in the season, I simply cannot drag myself over to Brum to watch a poor team that was nailed on for the wooden spoon even before the season started, I wish Birmingham well but fear the worst. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pauldoveyspeedway Posted October 6 Report Share Posted October 6 1 hour ago, heathen52 said: "I think if there is a future, we need to be told, do we have one, or will we be lost again. I most certainly won't be travelling for my fix. I wish Wolverhampton, Cradley and Coventry fans all the best with their endeavours, but I won't be watching". That is the big issue, I am a Cradley fan first and foremost who watches the very occasional meeting at Birmingham, last season (2024) I never went to one though I did watch the Birmingham streams early in the season, I simply cannot drag myself over to Brum to watch a poor team that was nailed on for the wooden spoon even before the season started, I wish Birmingham well but fear the worst. It doesnt look good for Brum ..Its gone very quiet at Wolves wonder if there is any hope of a new stadium?????..Any takers ???? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goldhawk Posted October 6 Report Share Posted October 6 I am a neutrual . Back the Brummies all the way, we need every team we can get to get the Sport back . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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