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This season could have been the best we have witnessed for a long time. Eight teams, all of similar strength and each capable of winning matches. It was even suggested each team had a chance of winning the league. It was to be that competitive. The FIM had opened the door, prioritising our race days, giving us the freedom of fixture planning. The ball was firmly in BSPA's court to make this a season to remember. Then WHAM !! at the AGM , the members take a vote that destroys everything. This vote should never have been sanctioned. The BSPA should have been strong enough to implement the FIM guidelines, and instructed teams that the FRN will be Monday and Thursdays. The fixture schedule would be free to use every week to amply plan the fixtures, even giving allowances for cancellations. That vote on Wed or Thurs, although it was seen only as a preferred race night for CL teams, was in actual fact far greater importance than that. It was a vote on not using Danish riders and riding on a night we have no priority. It was obvious from the outset this could only create problems. Talk about a sport shooting it self in the foot. Here we are with less then a 3 weeks to go, and we still have 22 matches to run. That in its self is an utter farce. There is no way all these fixture will be completed. The first of DH's has been arranged for next week, and because of that vote about priority, there will be riders missing.. If teams are unable to fulfil their fixtures, the season loses all creditability. What could have been a monumental season is destined to end in disaster. All because of that mindless VOTE !!!

Having watched him weekly for the last two years, I couldn’t disagree more to be honest.

The point that orion makes about the play offs bringing extra support and keeping the season alive is correct. However the extra numbers through the turnstiles for the playoffs mask the major issues speedway has. Because of the way the sport is set up to run with doubling up etc those new comers come to see the event and not to support the local team as there is no longer any bond between the riders and club and the wider local community. The extra numbers don't turn up again until the club reaches the play offs or a cup final again. Take Ipswich last season Foxhall was packed for the play off final v Peterborough the meeting was fantastic and the atmosphere was superb. That was my 2nd meeting of 2017 I and the old gang and several new comers made our group 21 strong. We couldn't explain to the newcomers that Nicholls had ridden for both teams in the final and that half the Ipswich team also rode for Leicester. This season none of the 21 have returned with the exception of myself who went along on Thursday with a work colleague to see Drew Kemp make his debut. After Thursdays going on its quite clear that in 2018 the riders don't give a s##t about the supporters and the clubs they see it just as a pay cheque. Add that to the shambles the BSPA have made of running the sport in the UK the out of control doubling up and guest situation. The whole thing is a recipe for disaster. The opinion of several on here is that the moaners and those wanting to turn the clock back have been watching speedway for 60 or 70 years and just want the old days back. Well I first went to Ipswich at the age of 11had years of following the team all over the country. As I said I attended twice last year and because of the farce of Thursday rain off ( cook and Schlien hold your heads in shame) have yet to see a meeting this year. I want the sport to become a proper team sport with no doubling up eventually no guests but in the mean time tight controls on guests. I want to see the value for money that used to be 22 or more heats at Ipswich every week circa 1989/1990 so turn the clock back a few years maybe. I'm not some old fuddie Duddie but the guy that the sport needs to win back. I'm 40 years old with 3 kids who I could take to speedway every week that's your next generation right there but I don't have the will to attend or part with my money on a regular basis due to the reasons above. Now those with rose tinted specs who think all is well and that the product is good...... Well there must be thousands like me.

nice to see Stefan Nielsen back for Scunthorpe tonight

They have seen a different Rory to me then Has made some great passes and against high quality riders not just those you would expect him to breeze past Of course when you average 9.5+ and have the highest figure in the league that usually means you are out front more often than not and dont require to pass too many times Yes there is the odd time he coasts at the back seemingly not to bother but that has been few and far between as a Witch He does have a reputation for being outspoken. Many times that is good as certain things need saying. Sometimes it will see him singled out. Its all opinions as to when this is fair or not Most think he was wrong on Thursday but on balance he has been a superb addition to the team

Thank you so much! I was wondering the exact same thing! Is the quality of racing really that irrelevant now? Is the desire to follow your team through thick and thin irrelevant now? People still go and watch other sports because they enjoy "watching", and because they enjoy being a part of it. Are speedway fans now that shallow that the result - and the quest for a playoff spot - is the only thing that matters? If that really is the case, there is no hope for civilisation in Britain, let alone speedway... Steve

If he scores a point tomorrow it should be a jovial trip

It’s one in the eye for people who said he hasn’t anything about him.....while one swallow doesn’t make a summer scoring double figures away at arguably the hardest away track is an excellent performance.

Well said mate! I am sure you are right, there are many missing regularly like yourself who include the much needed next generation. I am a well turned off fan who has been watching in the previous 7 decades. That makes me an old moaner in the eyes of many who say I want the sport to turn back the clock. The only "turning back" I want is for speedway to give as much excitement on track as it used to do but the way it is run in the UK nowadays the only way is down. Down in interest by many and down in numbers paying to watch regularly as the last 10 years have shown. Av great pity as the sport could still have much to offer that " new generation " of fans. Can't see them finding out what it's all about though.

Last season as a season ticket holder I was proper ripped off and I have a right to be bitter. This season the management has made promise after promise for things they shouldn't be promising. They think they can call the shots on the Dane's own rider's. Who do they really think they are??? They're now reaping what they sow. They were warned but think they knew better. I have NO sympathy for the management of King's Lynn Stars.

??? "Thanks Denmark"? For what? For running their League properly? Or maybe is it for not short changing their fans through the implementation of a poorly planned, ludicrous, unfit for purpose operating model, which delivers missing riders week in and week out? Or is it just because they have the temerity and audacity to actually run on their prioritised night (as was clearly agreed by the BSPA, and Swedish and Polish Leagues)? I would suggest you should look to blame a few of those much nearer to home than Denmark for the nonsense that infests British Speedway..

Ive never swung my leg over a Speedway bike , Rory has had some terrible injuries...…..Keyboard warriors.

Josh or Nicolai to reserve for the playoffs? Can’t be bad.

A draw always feels like a defeat to the home team. Blown away by the Reserves yet again ,with our reserves not even close in any races. It is what it is now, but Gino has gone backwards since his spill in Germany and his confidence looks shot. What was Mr Peet doing in heat 15, when Jake was clearly a much better bet than Steve to pair up with Josh? Well done Bandits on a competitive match , I think our play off place is now blown.

Sad news today that Ronnie has died. Sincere condolences to family and friends.

Yep and the first was a damp nasty evening in April with about 800 others. The nothing we can do about it because it's speedway is the fundamental reason its a mess here. No its speedway so let's have guests in Poland they have a successful product moved with the times and run professionally. Regarding the play off final we went for the event rather than select team A or B. It's great that you can over look doubling up and guest fest and the 7 in the green and yellow are your team for the night. The problem is that myself and an ever increasing number can't.

If we had learned from our mistakes at Glasgow do not get into a position where a TS can be used and give e good reserve 7 rides maybe we could have had a great result

Don’t care what anyone says it was a cracking result you can only beat what’s in front of you well done

A far better meeting despite the score. Of course the result was predictable given the Devils injury list. The pre meeting parade was lead by ex servicemen. Before it got under way, Danny Ayres stood and chatted with them and shook their hands. You could see their pride as he did so. Before the meeting, it was good to meet up and chat with long standing friends Halifaxtiger and Phil Kirk. Easy to see why the Tigers are on course for a NL whitewash of Trophies. Some excellent speedway throughout, but the two major talking points were Hts 13 and 15. Heat 13 was absolutely top drawer. Whatever level you enjoy our sport, this race was right up there with the very best. Pearson and Tatum would have exploded with compliments. Three riders side by side for two and a half laps, with all combinations of results happening on every turn. 3-3 to 2-4 to 1-5 to 2-4 to 3-3 and back again. It is probably the best ever race at the SBA. Extraordinary stuff. Ayres angry that he came 2nd! Full credit to PhilK who waited at the pit gate to congratulate Morley on his win, with a BIG smile on his face too! It was that good. Ht15 was a strange one. Going into bend tree, Atkins was leading, as Morley dive bombed him, forcing a small error.This in turn took him out into the path of Ayres who was blasting round the outside. Ayres fell. Now for me, stood just in front of the tapes, it was one of two exclusions. Either Ayres for hitting the fence and falling or Morley for causing Atkins into an unnecessary error causing Ayres to fall. Bizarrely, the referee excluded the only totally blameless rider, Atkins! Even Kevin Jolly was surprised as he shouted to Ayres 'you are back in'! The following copied from the Plymouth Forum, where I tink the referee contradicts himself! Interesting stat.....heats 1-8 we were 16 points down. Heats 9-15 only 2 points down.Heat 13 special. How about heat 15 where Morley tore into bend 3 like a bowling ball.I asked the referee about his decision. "From my point of view Ben nudged Henry who then nudged Danny causing him to fall. I had to exclude a rider which was a very difficult decision hence the reason for the wait. I felt Henry was the main cause of the stoppage although unluckily"Fair enough ref. Thank you for the explanation Read more: http://plymouthdevils.proboards.com/thread/9690/devils-mildenhall-fri-aug-2018?page=5#ixzz5OVhlxEpw

Togliatti v Balakovo Wednesday August 15th

I guess last Christmas by wham must have took some explaining to you ?

I just wish I could understand averages. You have both lost me

Hello from Riga

That's abit harsh on Covatti who has been absolutely brilliant since signing for us, Wednesday night's score apart. Even in the main body of the team he has scored well both at home and away. As Cliffeboy has eluded to, the biggest problem is Lawson. He just hasn't been winning enough races and the last few times I've seen him has looked well under power. He really needs to be backing up Jack for us to stand a chance.

I think a little perspective needs to be had with a few fans and about our current promotion. Last season, one of the best for many years as a Sheffield fan. The promotion put together a superb team, drafted in a superb guy in Simon Stead to be team manager, and really gave us fans a season not to forget. This season, unfortunately, has not gone to plan. They obviously had a line up in mind and thought they had Lawson, until he changed his mind and went to Lakeside. Maybe Lasse coming in wasn't the only change they had to make once Lawson decided otherwise? The issue with Josh Bates they obviously got wrong, and I'm sure will hold there hands up too. Gravesen coming in seemed a sensible decision, and he deserved another chance after his great performances last season. Again, unfortunately it didn't work out. Team changes made again and bringing in Broc and Georgie, I thought was a good move. Broc has done ok so far, but unfortunately Georgie struggled. The issue with Bjerre I think has been on the cards for a while! A great rider, but not the easiest guy to manage by the sound of things (I have never met or spoke to the guy so that's just an opinion from the outside looking in). Our performances this past month have not been good enough, and I'm sure the riders & promotion will fully understand the fans frustration. The promotion no doubt will know they have made a fair few mistakes this season, but I have enough faith in these guys that next season they will do what's needed and put together another good side. We have no chance of reaching the play offs, so making team changes is not a bad idea at all. Anderson may surprise a few, who knows, but its worth a shot to see what him and Connor can do now till the end of the season. If they can't show what the promotion are looking for, then they can access that and decide for next season. We do not have squad systems or training etc like most other sports, so the only way to see how a rider is, is the sign him and give him a go in your team! I will be at all meetings for the rest of the season, bar Edinburgh away, and I will once again be there next season no matter what riders we have. I am a Sheffield supporter, not a glory supporter. I will support my club through the good and bad times! Frustrated fans I understand, but fickle fans who cannot accept bad times within a season, are what really grind my gears!