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Halifaxtiger very well put as always. Yet another balanced posting. Although I post as Great Central (most people know who I am because I live in Loughborough which is one end of a famous steam heritage line), I am Martin Widman Co Promoter and Joint owner of the Wight Warriors Speedway team. It is clear looking at the post by "crescent girl" that she hasn't read our press releases or postings on here. Whilst Barry and I did have misgivings about the product that we would have to promote as a result of the 35 points limit, that was not the reason why we chose to leave the BSPL. We may yet be proved wrong about the new limit but only time will tell and it will be a case of perception. The only reason was because as a member of the BSPL(albeit an Associate Member) we did not get the opportunity to discus its merits in a meeting or AGM, the pitfalls of it and the impact it may have on the product that we had to promote and the resulting impact on our business. The rules were dictated by the Board of the BSPL, none of whom have any liability as to the financial success of our business. In spite of the many emails sent seeking clarification about an AGM, about whether this method of dictating the rules which we had to work under would continue at the end of the year, no clear responses to our requests were made. We may actually be forced into publishing the emails to show that we are not telling lies and to show the lack of respect that we were afforded. We were therefore left with no option. Barry and I are the people who have started the business out of our own pocket, assisted by our sponsors and fans, and we live or die by how we run our business. It has to be noted that along with Mildenhall, we have never received any TV money from the BSPL, money which helps to subsidise the NL teams run by other league teams. As standalone clubs running more NL meetings than non standalone clubs, we actually put a lot of money into the BSPL and SCB coffers and yet got no say in how our business is run. Crescent Girl can buy out my share if she wants, and then be subject to the same dictatorial rules but I suspect the offer will be declined. I have tried on many occasions to come up with an analogy on the position we found ourselves in and can only come up with this one. Imagine you are a shop owner paying your taxes and rates to the local Council and suddenly the Council come along and say that you have to cut your prices by 25% What would you do?? Move to another area, get out of shop keeping, or accept the new rules and go bankrupt. Speedway is not in good shape right now and all we were asking was to be given the chance to have our say in how we thought it should run in 2021 and beyond. For now, that is all I will say but there is a lot more that could be said. Martin Widman

Sadly from reading a number of posts over the last few years on various forums, it is clear some speedway fans don't like to pay for anything that is 'televised'. They are always looking for a free service rather than pay for Sky, BT, Premier Sports, Eurosport, etc. This match was covered by the speedway updates site as are most matches. It is great when you can't get to your own track for some reason or for distant away matches. However this match was available thanks to the efforts of the Edinburgh promotion. The updater for the updates site purchased a pass to view the action and then posted detailed updates. It had 1000s of views none of which benefitted the clubs involved. Surely when a reasonably priced stream is available, fans from both teams and those with a casual interest should purchase a pass?

Tbh before the meeting no one gave us a chance and I would have taken a league point there and then. For others I guess it is hard to take as leading nearly the whole meeting apart from when it counts! But performance bodes well for rest of the season.

I don't think that's true. If it was, you would have to ask why the likes of Ryan MacDonald (27), Jamie Couzins (25), Kelsey Dugard (23),Nick Laurence (30) and Paul Bowen (32) have team places. I could certainly make a case that the low points limit has actually opened up more opportunities for riders who have been around for several years but have not progressed, especially bearing in mind that the talented three point lads would have gained team places regardless of the limit (as they always have). My understanding is that the low points limit was there to 'take the NDL back to its roots' and 'bring on the youngsters'. Given that every single British rider in the Premiership and Championship this season plus our GP representatives started in the third tier of the sport, that's nonsense because quite clearly the NDL (and the CL before it) has always done that.

Oh how I`ve missed a Steve Shovlar balanced match report.

The problem is more one of perception than reality. It seems to be a widely (if in my view very often mistakenly) held belief that it is automatic that as the standard of rider lessens, so does the standard of the racing. When Poole proposed dropping down last year, around 30% of their fans said they would not watch a Championship team. When Birmingham and Lakeside moved into the NDL a few seasons ago attendances - at least initially -crashed. In addition, we will all be aware of the number of people who have over the years at least said that they will not go again because of points limit reductions. Assuring them that the quality of racing is the same usually cuts very little ice indeed. As such, Isle of Wight had every reason to fear significant loss of supporters and consequent loss of revenue resulting from a points reduction. Besides which, their issue is not just what happened but the way it happened. Had there been a vote amongst NDL clubs (and I have yet to see anyone suggest that there need not have been) rather than having regulations imposed on them by and at the behest of PL & CL clubs (most of whom have no connection with the NDL) then it is entirely possible that the Warriors would still be part of that league. Then again, its extremely likely that had there been a vote the points limit would not have been reduced, which is almost certainly why it was imposed.

That’s how it should be... not just cos of the winning result but the racing too!! Much much better! Leon has been on something ... that boy has just lifted himself to a completely new level so far... brilliant for us to see. As he said last night, he’s heading into a very busy period for himself so hopefully comes out of it at the other end unscathed.. just knackered the longer he stays at reserve the more we benefit but based on last night I expect he’ll not be reserve come the end of the year... That was the Dany G we need that came to play last night.. he just looked a different rider... completely motivated... we need the same next week for sure! Scores like that from him can make the difference in big meetings! Jye understandably still struggling a wee bit following last weeks crash but solid points still... Much better from NBJ too... yes, he was solid last week but last night he notches it up to another level too good timing from him as he looks to be moving to the number 1 position when new averages kick in! I know results can impact how some see a meeting... but I could take home defeats better if we saw some of the passes we did last night... Onto next week now... if you were to ask me last week how I feel about Leicester coming I’d have said “not good”.... foreseeing a big home defeat... BUT... IF we ride like we did last night then it’s possible we could push for a very big morale boosting home win! I’ll be there... as hopeful as ever... expecting the unexpected

Oh dear. I will have to keep my eyes wide open when travelling up north. I always thought men were men up there but obviously not so. Regarding the island, thank you for your comments but we were only putting on what we thought the paying public wanted to see. We haven't given up and this week, we start on the road back with our MFS training school trying to develop the many youngsters, not so young, that normally attend.

As a side note was in queue for food in front of me were 2 young mums and kids who could not get served because they didn't have correct cash, come on if you're selling food make sure you have plenty change in your till, not everyone uses cards.

You just don’t get irony/sarcasm do you

Dream on. Peterborough have four number 1s in their team, Chris Harris, Scott Nicholls, Hans Andersen and Bjarne Pedersen have all held the number 1 race jacket in their careers. Panthers home and away win, I will be at the home leg. Really missed the speedway, chips and smell in the toilets.

They have yet to pick up on that simple fact that prior to heat 1 nobody knows which will be the best gates.

Armadale have built their team by putting Miller at 4 that can’t be doing one iota for his confidence for his 1st year in league racing ! I appreciate that they may have wanted the 3 x 3 pointers and one would have to go into the main team but is it fair on Miller ? ****edited*** although I do appreciate him and Rothery will swap places when they get their new averages

I have always been a fan of National League racing and we wait to see how the lower points limit has an impact over the year. As a visiting supporter to Belle Vue (and a neutral ) the entertainment was equal to or better than the Premiership racing I saw. However, it is a mathematical certainty that teams and riders averages will rise significantly over the course of the year (or as early as the first set of new averages come out ). What happens next year? Is it 35 points again or will it have to rise (or has that not been thought about yet )?

Certainly didn't expect to win by as much. A few good races tonight, Tommy Jorgensen was great, a couple of really nice cutbacks. Will the real Dany Gappmaier please stand up? Leon gets better by the week. Theo Pijper still decent around Berwick. I would like to see Josh McDonald on a decent bike, he could be on to something. Couple of times tonight you saw how the changes to the track might be working. A few riders trying the inside run off the second bend, Leon making it stick passing Pijper, then the cutbacks off the fourth bend, Jorgensen and Palin both successful. Hopefully a sign of better racing to come.

Sense of humour bypass alert......

what a bore 1 overtake 2 riders only for last 2 laps pathetic !! more action and overtakes in colts/berwick national league last night !!

Lakeside was never owned by the Speedway promoters. It was owned originally by Chick Woodroffe, the ex Stock Car champion who lost both his legs. I think it was subsequently owned by his daughter when he died. Chick did promote the Speedway himself for a short while but then rented it out.

Just so you’re aware not sure if you are. Crowds are currently restricted. So it’s currently available to everyone. However once crowds are no longer restricted up here I believe it will be going back to the 50 miles exclusion zone. Tbh the streaming was aimed at away fans or fans who were abroad or too far away to travel to the matches so they still had a chance to watch their team. Obviously with covid it’s came in extremely handy with the predicament we’ve found ourselves in.

Long over due but all a bit low key. Maybe get some public votes for some of the middle order men who were never big names but played a massive part in British Speedway. As you say there are so many worthy entrants with some many interesting stories.

Buster owns Peterborough as well as kings Lynn, doesn't own Ipswich.

It doesn't pay to bad mouth clubs when you leave, like you shouldn't bad mouth a company when you leave them, you never know if you'll go back again. Especially in a league of only 6 teams and 3 of them being owned by 1 person. I've not read that it was by mutual agreement anywhere, the KL press release just said he'd been "released"

Fingers crossed for him, got the best chance he'll ever have to improve in the Eastie all British system, good job he was in our squad.

Gone with TJ -1 vs Douglas @2.00 with Bet 365. Good luck if having a bet Added King's Lynn +4 win @2.10

Buster wrote the book. Don’t forget the suspected heart attack at Edinburgh when Topinka was stuck in traffic. Thankfully a full recovery made.