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Somebody sent me the link to this 'anthem' and I honestly thought April 1st had come early! Seriously guys, I'm halfway across the world and speedway people I know here have tears running down their legs laughing so much!Whoever thought this was a great way to inspire/motivate/put the fear into the opposition needs to reconsider when their meds kick in! Yes, I know it's nothing to do with me, I'm long retired from speedway and live in Aus but I still care about the club where I spent many a happy evening on the mic from way back in 1988.Hell we go rid of the war crys in 1990 (sorry Wild Wayne and Mother T!) because they were old hat . . .let along a choral extravaganza. Back in the days of the PL when the club were feared home and away it was 'Welcome to the jungle' that became the parade truck theme tune and even that sounds dated now so, for what it's worth, whoever came up with this idea. . .maybe ask the paying public for once - or as that just stating the blindingly obvious? Wishing everyone a safe and successful season ahead. . . now where did I put my Vera Lynn records????

They can do it - and have done it with the agreement of Matt Ford - so what’s your point?

I'm not exactly delighted with the team but I've been going since 1975 and I'm not going to stop now. I've seen us have great teams and poor teams before now and my enjoyment of speedway comes from the racing. We have plenty of racers in the team so I shall be giving them my full support. I have nothing to do with Newcastle Speedway other than attending for 43 years (with the gap years when shut). I get my moneys worth when Robbo or Lindgren blast past people on the outside of the 4th bend and hope to see plenty of it this season.

I see they have removed the ridiculous ruling which prevents a team from being able to use an injury rider replacement when already running RR and which cost you guys the KO Cup last year.

P and P is huge for a club. And if you are going to miss a meeting not a bad one to miss when it’s bloody freezing and been snowing all week. Gives the track another week to sort it’s self out.

Good reasoning behind the decision. Unlike Wolverhampton we haven't called a meeting off because we are scared of the opposition. Sooner or later if it hasn't already that snow will begin to clear up and Wolverhampton will have to face us.

Look good.

The result doesn’t matter - it’s the first meeting of the season to blow the cobwebs away and for the riders to get match fit for the league campaign

For anybody who has seen Ipswich's racesuits this year, that is EXACTLY the reason why all top flight teams at least should have them. Marketing and professionalism almost to perfection!

Sick of listening to idiots (young and old) ranting and hijacking this thread. Here are some facts. Birmingham are being vilified (by some) for trying to use the rules in their favour. (Well DUH!) when no-one REALLY knows which rider they have been trying to sign, its all supposition. Even if it is the rider in question it would appear that they have only tried to stay within the rules. Something that many other sports would recognise. (Cricket and Rugby spring to mind.) Birmingham have been vilified for not bringing youngsters on. Well, I could of course point out that recently we had the youngest team in the league and (possibly) of all time. But that was under previous management so does not point to what the current management are doing. The current management have joined the MDL to bring on juniors and have stated that is a big aim of theirs. This despite the severe restrictions placed upon Birmingham via the planning permision. This should be applauded. But here is the crux of the matter for me. Why should any team in the NL (with the exception of Belle Vue) spend money and time and effort on developing ANY rider when they are not allowed to profit from such investment. Until the NL is allowed to gain assetts via such investment then they have NO incentive to develop any rider. Why spend that money and then let the boys from the higher leagues just step in and gain an assett without having developed that rider. Its wrong and does not help supporters to become emotionally attached to their team. The incentive is to sign Riders that have all ready developed and shown form at this level.

SO sad to hear of the passing of Alan Whale, a wonderful photographer whether it be speedway, grass track or speedway, notably at Poole. However, grass track was Alan's true love and he did it proud during his many decades behind the lens.

Iwade has been venue for last 2 p&p, think both stadium accessibility and the fact that Sunday is far more convenient for the riders not having to take an extra day off work. I think the use of the track for the SDL meetings is 2 fold. It's not using up a Monday night at the stadium barring in mind we are not allowed 2nd halves. And Len has said that being on Sundays allows visiting teams to bring their full squads, our end of season double header featured both away teams tracking the same riders. Having a training track to practice on so close to the stadium is something that hopefully looks like is being fully embraced this season. I know Lens prefered choice was to run at Iwade last year but with no scb licence this was not possible then. To be noted after practice at Iwade, there is a meet the riders evening at central park. With free entry and free buffet plus the bar and pizza outlet opening up too.

You might have to wait til they come to Wimborne Road.

‘Wow, that’s a bit har” — thud.

Poole's press day has been postponed till Friday, the 70th anniversary meeting has been arranged for 70 year's time

Not biting thanks

I think the rules are posted by the SCB to the BSPA site & any changes are normally in bold.

It’s a fine line and the promotion have had to build a team probably on the worst case scenario in terms of crowds which is the right way to go and if the team is successful it will bode well for next year, what this team won’t do from the start is attract people like me back who have drifted away from the sport for one reason or another, however my concern is this team could struggle and that could have a reduction in the die hards who attend which could be disastrous,but start winning a few and produce exciting racing and you never know.........fingers crossed

Firstly I'm going to say I'm not overly excited by the team up till now, having said that I think we all knew this years team would be along these lines due to financial constraints. We'll certainly be reasonably strong at reserve, plus this team will give 100% on and off track. Hopefully we can hold our own at home to keep fans turning up.,and to use that word again consolidate for next year and garuntee the sport. I know some fans will just moan and whinge but if you only have a certain budget then what else can ppl expect.

If they did that and they showed old meetings including guests and R/R would you wish to leave??

I doubt if Chris will go down mate. If he cannot increase that 7.16 average i will be very suprised. Chris is really good, form is temperary class is permanant, he's not be a world champion by being average. And nobody wants injuries, he's had his fair share of those in the last few years. Talking to brick walls springs to mind ! could have finished his career, then you had poorDarcys unfortunate accident, that took the wind out of his sails, like it did everybody, and that was on top of his own problems. I would not have been suprised had he retired there and then. As i said, Chris was fine last weds, had a spring in his step and was the first out on the track. Its good to see him back home, and i for one hope he has a good season.

If it he was to blame wouldn't we just be told that "the actions of Mr Godfrey were accepted as being made at all times with the best intentions, and in consideration of his role within British Speedway". (Borrowed the quote from the SCB)

Helmet colours? Anyway they aren't almost identical at all. How long do we have put up with this childish nonsense just because your club have downgraded to race jackets?

Can't all the stadium stuff be discussed in a different section I'm bored of all the squabbling and keep this to talking about the nl team for 2018 i mean half the bees fans possibly more are not even acknowledging it a Coventry bees team because they don't think they should lower themselves to our pitiful depths of the national league yet Still Post On Our National League forum .. Good Luck To The campaign But its peoples Atttitude like ive Mentioned that will Lose you support Or Maybe just myn .

Live coverage on Eurosport 1 at 5pm on Saturday 24th March from Torun with Dave Rowe and Sam Ermolenko trackside.