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Didn't I read somewhere that a group of serial BSF doom and gloom merchants went for a drink together and spotted a sign saying "Happy Hour" so they all left ?.

I think to be fair to any of those who run the sport, they are not 'proper' sports' administrators... Just well meaning people who find themselves leading others of the same persuasion.. The top sports have a separate leadership team from the owners of the clubs, which means professionals can be brought in to strategically move the sport forwards. With their performance being measured by the owners.. Many of these people will get their positions through previous experience in similar roles and (possibly most importantly), a list of business and media contacts who can get the cut through needed to generate the right financial backing and publicity.. Speedway (in the UK), has never countenanced such a notion, preferring to keep everything 'in house', within the 'speedway bubble', therefore we have what we have.. I seem to remember, (maybe last year), a measure of success quoted was 'all clubs surviving'.. Maybe, even though appearing to be an incredibly low aspiration, that is indeed an achievement given where the sport currently sits in the UK within the wider sporting arena? Whoever is 'in charge', without all the wide and varied infrastructure needed, and a team of people around you with the required skill set to 'run a sport', leaving you to plan strategy, and be the figurehead, it must be a difficult, and maybe even a thankless task..

I cut my grass yesterday in readiness for this soggy spell. The joys of staying indoors!

I have to be honest, I'm a mere layman when it comes to everyone else's expertise and knowledge with Covid 19 on here, oh how I wish I had the analytical nowse and scientific qualifications to keep up with the rest of you wonkers.

Defo rain stopped play in Eagles land.

McNAUGHTON, Harold A Hastings based garage owner, Harold was a late starter to speedway and made his debut at the Sussex track in 1949 whilst in his late 30s. Despite this belated beginning, he wasted no time in making his mark on the sport, scoring eleven points from four rides on his second appearance for the ‘Saxons’ at home to Yarmouth, and recorded an average of over five and a half points per match in his debut season. This turned out to be the last season at the Pilot Field track and he moved along the south coast to Southampton in 1950 where he performed most creditably in Division Two. He was going so well in 1951 that, when Southampton pulled out of league racing in mid season, he was taken on by New Cross but found that the step up in class was too great and joined Ipswich for the start of 1952. Finishing as the second highest scorer behind Sid Clark, Harold had two productive years at Foxhall Heath and was due to continue his career in Suffolk in 1954. However, on the eve of the season Harold was forced to pull out of the side, reportedly due to a heart complaint and was not seen in the sport again. Year Club Division M R P BP TP CMA FM PM 1949 Hastings NL3 26 82 98 15 113 5.51 - - 1950 Southampton NL2 19 67 86 15 101 6.03 - - 1951 Southampton NL2 9 38 52 6 58 6.11 - - 1951 New Cross NL1 12 30 20 3 23 3.07 - - 1952 Ipswich SL 37 152 269 7 276 7.26 1 - 1953 Ipswich SL 28 108 164 24 188 6.96 1 1

Ok, that’s all well and good saying that but he should explain exactly what he’s “working so hard” on what are future plans and let fans judge if he’s doing a “good job”. As I said history shows he is incompetent and way out of his depth and hasn’t done much to promote British Speedway.

What are you basing that on? As a "critic", "armchair fan" and "keyboard warrior" all I see are the outputs, which are very little. It is also interesting to see that the BSPA had to engage outside help to secure the Eurosport deal. At least with GoSpeed the money stayed within speedway.

Missed in the papers but it looks as if cricket season starts tomorrow, at least for us in the south

It is pouring down here in the Deep South... Richard's post can be put down as subtle humour on the cricket season staring...

Excellent post mikebv.. I have to admit i didnt realise Speedway had any particular strategy except survival, i did attempt to take a look at its rule book some weeks ago, then i realised it has more than 100 rules, i think it was something like 130+ so even though it has no strategy it seems to have rules for everything else. The BSPL were asked in the ask the Chairman online session recently about having someone other than the BSPL oversee the Sport and his reply was, seeing as the promoters are the ones putting the money in, they are the ones who should say how things are run, that was Rob Godfreys opinion.. so it seems they are reasonably happy surviving rather than drawing up plans to move forward, Though they do seem to have made some progress by engaging Hatfits to find Commercial deals for the Sport, though they need to realise its not just a matter of finding sponsors, Sponsors need to be worked with in order to continue those Sponsorships/Partnerships in the years ahead..

So? Do it with riders that are willing to come.

I put my trust in you and that "other geezer" getting the maths correct as it's getting beyond me!

Don’t worry, Steve, you know where to see the statistics if you want to!

Staggering to see some sticking to their guns on this. Some nailed their colours to the mast early doors on this virus with their “glorified flu” nonsense and clearly don’t like to admit they were wrong on the internet. It’s ok to hold your hands up and say you misjudged just how bad this horrible virus was/is!

Problem is I do think most would still moan if the bspa came up with a eureka moment

Well it was a ‘statement’ although it didn’t really tell us anything and yes the situation is difficult but I suspect that is because nothing has been done or planned. The lack of information and leadership by the BSPA chairman & co isn’t unexpected as historically Godfrey and Chapman have proved they haven't got a clue.

And long may it continue.

Not allowed to show 'x-rated' videos!!! There will also be post-meeting interviews with Bjarne Pedersen and Matt Ford on Wednesday..

Might be a more recent fixture against Lakeside, 2nd September 2013, Poole 62 Lakeside 28 although I'm not expecting to see the Rye House match from 2017 anytime soon. You know the one: Poole 30 Rye House 60!

we have Birmingham v Newcastle from 2019 this coming Weds 29th at 7.30pm

Perhaps he's not the Messiah (He's just a Very Naughty Boy)

I suspect the other thread got closed down rightly so IMHO by the venomous personal insults being thrown around - not connected in anyway to JG!

Hang on , are people honestly classing riding a motorbike stoned just as bad as robbing two vulnerable people with a blade ? Jesus Christ.