Fromafar Posted October 28 Report Share Posted October 28 24 minutes ago, Bojangles said: Yes.... and no. Had a lot more Championship fixtures (30 out of a possible max of 36 - 83%), but could have been worse in the Premiership if they had been in the KO Cup and made the playoffs (24 out of a possible max of 34 - 71%). Basically Oxford raced in 64 (80%), but could have been 80 if they had been in all comps and reached the final of each. They also staged the Championship Pairs and British Under-19 Championship, so they couldn't have been that stretched with the fixtures. Berwick and Glasgow both had 12 home fixtures in the season, it’s just ridiculous planning.Glasgow have investigated heavily in the Stadium and Sport can’t see how that can help their business.Fans will lose interest if there is another season like last.I know a few who already have. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bojangles Posted October 28 Author Report Share Posted October 28 30 minutes ago, Fromafar said: Berwick and Glasgow both had 12 home fixtures in the season, it’s just ridiculous planning.Glasgow have investigated heavily in the Stadium and Sport can’t see how that can help their business.Fans will lose interest if there is another season like last.I know a few who already have. If Oxford were to pull out of the Championship KO Cup like they did in the Premiership, and the BSN Series were ditched (can't see a place for this in a 2H2A league), then a 2H2A season would add a grand total of 0 Cheetahs fixtures to the calendar (16 new league fixtures - 8 less KO Cup fixtures and 8 less BSN Series fixtures). Of course that scenario is based on KO Cup and BSN Series finals appearances, but you get the idea. Certainly sounds doable. Should stress this isn't on Oxford, though. Oxford aren't holding the SCB to ransom like some have claimed, it simply must have already been decided that 1H1A will be happening in 2025 for them to have declared they are running in three leagues. Unless something like the above scenario has been agreed upon. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteelShoe Posted October 28 Report Share Posted October 28 (edited) 1 hour ago, Fromafar said: Berwick and Glasgow both had 12 home fixtures in the season, it’s just ridiculous planning.Glasgow have investigated heavily in the Stadium and Sport can’t see how that can help their business.Fans will lose interest if there is another season like last.I know a few who already have. Totally agree 12 home fixtures is not enough with a capital N. I would rather see the leagues amalgamate forming a 16 team British Speedway League. You could even split it into North and South division of 8 teams each. The teams in each division go 1H\1A (favourable for crowds) then 3 fixtures 1H/1A against teams from the other division . Top 4 from each division go into Play Offs . KO Cup 16 teams randomly drawn. Scrap the BSN Series Number of Meetings League Min 20 Max 26. KO Cup Min 2 Max 8 . Total meetings Min 22 max 34. Play off numbers could be reduced to 2 from each division. It's not going to happen, not even sure it would work as I've just conjured it up but something different would freshen the sport up which is what is needed. Edited October 28 by SteelShoe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allthegearbutnaeidea Posted October 28 Report Share Posted October 28 8 minutes ago, SteelShoe said: Totally agree 12 home fixtures is not enough with a capital N. I would rather see the leagues amalgamate forming a 16 team British Speedway League. You could even split it into North and South division of 8 teams each. The teams in each division go 1H\1A (favourable for crowds) then randomly drawn fixtures 1H/1A against 3 teams from the other division . Top 4 from each division go into Play Offs . KO Cup 16 teams randomly drawn. Scrap the BSN Series Number of Meetings League Min 20 Max 26. KO Cup Min 2 Max 8 . Total meetings Min 22 max 34. But Sheffield/Ipswich etc want big riders, and the majority of championship teams can’t afford them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteelShoe Posted October 28 Report Share Posted October 28 10 minutes ago, allthegearbutnaeidea said: But Sheffield/Ipswich etc want big riders, and the majority of championship teams can’t afford them Better sponsorship is the key and spread the money around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoundTheBoards Posted October 28 Report Share Posted October 28 40 minutes ago, SteelShoe said: I would rather see the leagues amalgamate forming a 16 team British Speedway League. Where are you going to get a 16th track from? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Normski Posted October 28 Report Share Posted October 28 24 minutes ago, RoundTheBoards said: Where are you going to get a 16th track from? 16 at the moment Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoundTheBoards Posted October 28 Report Share Posted October 28 6 minutes ago, Normski said: 16 at the moment Where are you getting a 16th track from? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteelShoe Posted October 28 Report Share Posted October 28 9 minutes ago, RoundTheBoards said: Where are you getting a 16th track from? Sure Oxford would love to run 2 teams 😃 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chairboy Posted October 28 Report Share Posted October 28 Personally, I would prefer 2H 2A in the Championship - without the BSN Series, and without the play-offs/grand final. Can't we just have a straightforward league competition (and the KO Cup)? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikebv Posted October 29 Report Share Posted October 29 11 hours ago, Fromafar said: Berwick and Glasgow both had 12 home fixtures in the season, it’s just ridiculous planning.Glasgow have investigated heavily in the Stadium and Sport can’t see how that can help their business.Fans will lose interest if there is another season like last.I know a few who already have. There is nothing stopping clubs putting on extra meetings... Make them into something that fans see worth visiting and they can be a big success... Eg The PCMM at Belle Vue. A crowd of well over 2000 attends each season, which you could estimate, must deliver circa £45k to £50k in gate receipts at the admission charged... They put together a top class field and "amazingly" people attend.. The bottom line is that if the promoters could make league racing pay well, then surely they would have more meetings? If you are successful financially in business you open your doors for as long as you can.. And, vice versa, if you are losing money on certain days and times of day, by just being open at those times, then you cut back your opening times to remove those losses from your business... If, and we don't know if true or not, that Oxford only wanted 1H and 1A, then the rest didn't have to agree.. If it is 1H and 1A though it does open up lots of openings (and time), for each track to organise a "big event" locally which could deliver their best crowd of the season, which in turn could raise the profile of their team too and have a positive knock on impact to the league crowds as interest could be stimulated, (especially amongst those large number of fans who follow the sport, but only attend "now and again")... For the Championship clubs in particular, getting say three or four of Doyle, Emil, Bewley, Fricke, Holder, or Kurtz etc etc to their track must be an opportunity to deliver a more than decent crowd if advertised well enough..? And less meeting means lower season ticket costs, and annual admission costs for those who attend regularly, which may again help those who attend "now and again" to increase their number of visits..? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteelShoe Posted October 29 Report Share Posted October 29 6 hours ago, Chairboy said: Personally, I would prefer 2H 2A in the Championship - without the BSN Series, and without the play-offs/grand final. Can't we just have a straightforward league competition (and the KO Cup)? The only point I would make here is the play of finals yet again appeared to be a big success in terms of the number of people who attended. For an early season competition the BSN Final should have been done and dusted way before it was, management need to get to grips with this. Based on this season I personally wouldn't miss it if it didn't run next season and we went right into league meetings. Keep the KO Cup for sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteelShoe Posted October 29 Report Share Posted October 29 38 minutes ago, mikebv said: There is nothing stopping clubs putting on extra meetings... Make them into something that fans see worth visiting and they can be a big success... Eg The PCMM at Belle Vue. A crowd of well over 2000 attends each season, which you could estimate, must deliver circa £45k to £50k in gate receipts at the admission charged... They put together a top class field and "amazingly" people attend.. The bottom line is that if the promoters could make league racing pay well, then surely they would have more meetings? If you are successful financially in business you open your doors for as long as you can.. And, vice versa, if you are losing money on certain days and times of day, by just being open at those times, then you cut back your opening times to remove those losses from your business... If, and we don't know if true or not, that Oxford only wanted 1H and 1A, then the rest didn't have to agree.. If it is 1H and 1A though it does open up lots of openings (and time), for each track to organise a "big event" locally which could deliver their best crowd of the season, which in turn could raise the profile of their team too and have a positive knock on impact to the league crowds as interest could be stimulated, (especially amongst those large number of fans who follow the sport, but only attend "now and again")... For the Championship clubs in particular, getting say three or four of Doyle, Emil, Bewley, Fricke, Holder, or Kurtz etc etc to their track must be an opportunity to deliver a more than decent crowd if advertised well enough..? And less meeting means lower season ticket costs, and annual admission costs for those who attend regularly, which may again help those who attend "now and again" to increase their number of visits..? There is nothing stopping clubs putting on extra meetings, it's making an individual meting so attractive that it is worth visiting. The key to the Peter Craven is it is early season, riders are looking for practice , fans want a speedway fix after the winter and it is a bit different in that it has a 5 rider semi final and 6 rider final. Hugely more difficult getting top riders with busy schedules during the season some may also ask for megabucks. Look how tough it is getting many top riders to participate in the Ben Fund at any other time other than early season and it is for their benefit. Promoters are finding it hard to make league racing pay that is why Speedway needs to re-invent itself to make it more attractive. A lot more meetings could be financial suicide for some clubs but the Championship definitely needs more league meetings than last season. There has to be a happy medium and it is incumbent on all concerned to deliver it while making the sport more attractive. I very much doubt whether any Championship clubs could attract any 4 from Doyle , Emil, Bewley, Fricke,, Holder , Kurtz etc to ride in an individual meeting during the season and what would there demands be ? . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robinh88 Posted October 29 Report Share Posted October 29 10 hours ago, Chairboy said: Personally, I would prefer 2H 2A in the Championship - without the BSN Series, and without the play-offs/grand final. Can't we just have a straightforward league competition (and the KO Cup)? Sadly not! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IainB Posted October 29 Report Share Posted October 29 3 hours ago, SteelShoe said: The only point I would make here is the play of finals yet again appeared to be a big success in terms of the number of people who attended. We know that because we see that. What we don't know (we kind of do) is the adverse effect on crowds throughout the year because the johnny come lately glory hunters (ahem @mikebv 😉😜😂) come out of the woodwork at pay off time. They've given many other matches a miss during the season because it doesn't really matter if they win or not on any given night. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoffeeandTV Posted October 29 Report Share Posted October 29 4 hours ago, SteelShoe said: The only point I would make here is the play of finals yet again appeared to be a big success in terms of the number of people who attended. For an early season competition the BSN Final should have been done and dusted way before it was, management need to get to grips with this. Based on this season I personally wouldn't miss it if it didn't run next season and we went right into league meetings. Keep the KO Cup for sure. Certainly helped that the playoff final was between the team best supported teams though. Two clubs who regularly get close to 2,000 per league meeting, let alone a playoff final between the two of them. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevePark Posted October 29 Report Share Posted October 29 16 hours ago, RoundTheBoards said: Where are you getting a 16th track from? Oxford in there twice remember so it's only 15 (at the moment). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fromafar Posted October 29 Report Share Posted October 29 6 hours ago, mikebv said: There is nothing stopping clubs putting on extra meetings... Make them into something that fans see worth visiting and they can be a big success... Eg The PCMM at Belle Vue. A crowd of well over 2000 attends each season, which you could estimate, must deliver circa £45k to £50k in gate receipts at the admission charged... They put together a top class field and "amazingly" people attend.. The bottom line is that if the promoters could make league racing pay well, then surely they would have more meetings? If you are successful financially in business you open your doors for as long as you can.. And, vice versa, if you are losing money on certain days and times of day, by just being open at those times, then you cut back your opening times to remove those losses from your business... If, and we don't know if true or not, that Oxford only wanted 1H and 1A, then the rest didn't have to agree.. If it is 1H and 1A though it does open up lots of openings (and time), for each track to organise a "big event" locally which could deliver their best crowd of the season, which in turn could raise the profile of their team too and have a positive knock on impact to the league crowds as interest could be stimulated, (especially amongst those large number of fans who follow the sport, but only attend "now and again")... For the Championship clubs in particular, getting say three or four of Doyle, Emil, Bewley, Fricke, Holder, or Kurtz etc etc to their track must be an opportunity to deliver a more than decent crowd if advertised well enough..? And less meeting means lower season ticket costs, and annual admission costs for those who attend regularly, which may again help those who attend "now and again" to increase their number of visits..? Getting riders would be the main issue for weekend Clubs though.Your Doyle, Bewley etc are not around UK at Weekends.Would rather just see weekly speedway,starting to lose interest in the sport these days it’s just bit of a shambles in so many ways.The racing is still Ok but that’s about all,can’t see it attracting new fans and keeping them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteelShoe Posted October 29 Report Share Posted October 29 1 hour ago, StevePark said: Oxford in there twice remember so it's only 15 (at the moment). yeah that's why I said I'm sure Oxford would like to run 2 teams 😃. I would love to see Peterborough return, criminal what happened there with no viable alternative offered. I believe the fight goes on though as the planning permission for the houses has been refused. Isn't there some hope for Lakeside also ? . Be great if there was some good news re Swindon and Wolverhampton as well, we live in hope. Haven't totally given up on Mildenhall making a return either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteelShoe Posted October 29 Report Share Posted October 29 1 hour ago, Fromafar said: Getting riders would be the main issue for weekend Clubs though.Your Doyle, Bewley etc are not around UK at Weekends.Would rather just see weekly speedway,starting to lose interest in the sport these days it’s just bit of a shambles in so many ways.The racing is still Ok but that’s about all,can’t see it attracting new fans and keeping them. Got to agree, that's why I feel it needs a major revamp. It needs to be better, having the same teams sharing many of the same riders will not cut it indefinitely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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