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Spot on GW... 2.5 MILLION potential fans reside in the Greater Manchester conurbation, all within a 45 min drive from the NSS, with good motorway links to get there off the M60 Motorway Ring Road... Aprrox 1500 of these 2.5M (at best) attend each week... The ONLY Speedway Track and Team within their area... With a potential 'reach' of that magnitude, something doesn't add up does it?... And as the racing is generally VERY GOOD indeed at the NSS the lack of support has to be down to the cost of admission.. And I quantify that by the fact that there are probably 3000 - 4000 or so actual people who would consider themselves BV fans who attend sporadically over the Season with varying degrees of regularity, but simply don't see paying out the current admission levels each week as within their ongoing capability fiscally.. On here, we often talk about how to engage new fans, and mention how poor the Sport is marketed both locally and nationally , however, within most catchment areas there are a huge amount of people who 'used to go', possibly to an even higher number than those who still attend.. Just getting those back each week would be an enormous leap forward.. But at current admission levels I would say it would be very difficult to do that... Just as a throwaway thought, I always think it 'interesting' that when you do see meetings advertised in local papers either through adverts or in the weeky 'piece' put together by the local journo, they often never mention the admission costs as part of the meeting info... Most businesses who want your business scream out about how much they charge don't they? Strange that Speedway doesn't..!

We sometimes go on about the good old days, the big crowds, the best riders in the world riding here, a home meeting virtually every week etc., but the promoters of the 70's do have much to answer for in not investing in the sport when most clubs were making healthy profits.

You put your Birmingham in You take your Birmingham out In, out, in, out, You shake it all about.... That does it, the "Hokey Kokey" should be the walk-on tune next Wednesday, with the Benny Hill theme tune to accompany any other parades etc. You can't make this up can you? #speedwayshambles

I travelled down overnight and came through some very heavy rain. As i got closer to where im staying in Bournemouth it was drying out pretty well. Bit cloudy but plenty of blue in the sky, so its the train to poole to sample some of the good real ale watering holes then at last speedway. Immeterial to the score lets hope for some good racing. Seems we brought that Manchester sun with us

Strange circular glowing disk seen in the sky above Poole. Throwing off some type of radiation which seems to be warming atmosphere. Seen it before but it seems a while ago.

Yes speedway is dangerous we all know that including those who choose to make their living that way. As for bangers being a hobby not a professional sport, if it brings in the crowds to the point where profits are made surely it's worth speedway looking at it as a business model, i.e. riders going semi-professional (as they were in days of old). At least that way the sport might just last into the 2020s

I don't think we need to go as far as 'Handicap' races, but we could sure make it more enjoyable. The first step has to be the costing. This has to be uniform across the board with specific help for families. The situation of the tail wagging the dog has all but destroyed our sport. We cannot have this situation of technicians governing the costs of what the fans have to pay, and that has all but killed the sport off. The sport has become too expensive at ground-root level, and subsequently that is passed on to the fans. The Bikes are far too technical now and far outweigh the costs of sustainability. The sport doesn't need this degree of expense and persueing cheaper options has to be the first priority. If we carry on this same avenue, come 2025, there will only be watched by a 100 fans paying £30 each for the privilege. And that's a crazy thought....... This is not a £18/ head sport. They expect fans to come in to watch 15 processional races, that last all-night. Even at £10/head it would be a hard sell. Until that is addressed it will never change...

I do think that is is the central part of the lack of public support in the UK. The product needs a lot of change and improvement before new fans are likely to embrace it and support it with their cash. It is not going to happen though, because those who currently control it believe they are selling something terrific and worth 5,000+ people turning up for a match. Emperor's New Clothes syndrome. 75% of speedway races are boring after the first lap 2nd bend. It is things like standardised bikes with handicap racing that might, just might , bring in new fans. But it is not speedway "as we know it" and so it will not happen. You have to look at why stock cars / banger racing pulls in so many more people around the country. It represents chaos and mayhem and the unexpected / unbelievable things happening and "going wrong". Speedway offers three riders chasing after the race leader with , in most cases, nothing happening. Only the die hard purists understand and appreciate the techniques involved. Newbies in the UK do not and are therefore hardly likely to join the tribal fan base with any passion.

But that’s the point, he would have been in charge of world speedway. He would have made himself in charge, his billions would/could have controlled every aspect worldwide.

Unbelievable. Every club is so scared of Poole that they’re even calling rain offs for matches that don’t involve the Pirates.

Line ups im guessing will be like this: Scorpions - Guest or R/R, Stef, Josh, Jake, Jase, Danny boy and Gino Newcastle - Lindgren, Tero, Rose, Wethers, Robson, Wilko, Morris Scorpions should win this comfortably, although predicting big scores from Wilko and Tero

I predict a good spanking for the witches, between 12 and 20. Can't see this being a very good track for a few of the witches riders, unless they have suddenly learnt how to trap, which I doubt. I'm undecided on going, I really hate the place, apart from the sweetie stall. do they still have that?

Fred is the ultimate troll, especially when it comes to Wolves but in his comments about Lindgren/Thorssell he is 100% spot on.

We always used to go to the chippy, just up from the stadium. They do a Speedway Special Fish and chips. Great value and tasty fish and chips! "Fishcakes" in Garland Road.

I deal with you later Steve

A complerely dry day forecast today. Buster was known for getting a track in order within a couple of hours. In fact I have been to Lynn where it has bucketed down, then he’s been out on his tractor and got it raceable again. Has he lost his appetite? Genuine question.

Had a very wealthy family so his aquipment was top notch he just didn't adjust.What was quite amazing at the time 1973 he was mentioned as a replacement for Barry Briggs really.!!!

A bow down to your superior knowledge Joshua. Your scores were very Impressive last year. Just checked. I was wrong Josh Auty - 1', 1, 2, 1, 0 = 5+1 Josh Auty - 2 0 3 0 0 = 5 Earned alot of money there. You could retire with the money you earned at NSS Oh and BTW. Both scored at reserve

I agree with you ,one man ,one team but the situation in GB is out of control but the BSPA don't have the bottle to sort the situation out and go back to basics.Until this happens there will be no upturn in the sport in GB.There is no such thing as " your Team to support these days" it's just a bunch of riders " doing the rounds".Its a sad situation for speedway.

My god, Gavan and a BV fan complaining about Poole news on a Poole thread, are they just stupid or did they have to take a test...

I see Kings Lynn have already cancelled tomorrows meeting and looking at the weather forecast I reckon Rye v Leicester is looking doubtful as well. I know Steve Jenson tries hard to get the meetings on but perhaps its better to make an early decision to cancel than to start the meeting and have to stop at heat 10 which most fans hate as scores can change dramatically in the last 5 heats. All I want is for this bl??dy rain to stop so the speedway season can actually get started.

The track may not be the everyone's cup of tea but i don't think there is much wrong with the stadium. Personally i have enjoyed my trips to Monmore and hope to continue to do so.

Troy has always been the same, will never change. As you say Buster has to take a large part of the blame for last year but we all know what Batchelor is like, these comments still come as no surprise to anybody and he is entitled to his say.

Reading this week's S/S, It seem Troy Batchelor has a big dislike for the Stars and their Boss. He wants to remember, If he hadn't tried to pull the wool over our eyes, and done as he was contracted to do there would be no issues and he would have been able to ride all last year....... Obviously Buster has to be apportioned part of the blame of what unfolded, but Troy was no an innocent party. He seems to have forgotten that....... He's as much to blame as anybody. The biggest losers, as usual were the fans .....