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I've read some bo##ox on this forum....I've no doubt contributed to some as well....but to say that nobody wanted to sign Harris/Riss/Shanes/Morris/Thomas... is pi##in ludicrous ! All 5 riders will be snapped up if we drop out the League.....I even think that Redcar would take a punt on Paco!

It's not always the answer, can't remember the guys name, co-promoter of Cradley and co-promoter at Swindon with Terry Russell a few years back, owns a transport company, ask him when he tried for a season and took the lease from Mole. He really had his fingers burnt. I know Mcloughlin tried lots of methods and I think even he struggled to get bums on seats, he did though get sponsorship. Perhaps Birmingham like speedway in general is now finding its level after year on year of watering down of the product and the die hards heading to the great speedway stadium in the sky.

Enjoyed that tonight.. Seemed to be a bit of thought gone in to the introductions and the music too.. With the proof being my 18 year lad and 23 year old son in law (first time attendee to speedway), actually recognised some of the songs One noticeable thing for me though was the fact I paid £27 for me and my student lad and watched pretty much the same riders that I paid £44 to watch a couple of weeks ago.. (No student concession) at the NSS in a top league encounter.. ie Schlein, Douglas, Morris and Worrall.. Much better VFM it seems in the Championship.. Add in Danny King, Hans Anderson and Kyle Howarth and you do have to question the top leagues prices for all intent and purpose the 'same thing'.. Racing was 'ok' with a few decent passes and several close races which kept you interested to the end.. Poole just too good for the Lions to make it a 'classic'... Seemed a decent crowd too with a bit of atmosphere getting generated in the main stand.. Son in law has said he wants to go again so taking him to the NSS when we get back of hols...

Whilst thats just false economy and won't solve the problem (paying riders more will mean even more supporters needed and its unlikely to magic them out of thin air). Birmingham have their limited crowd base and the chance of attracting a few new fans/neutrals/away fans so spending big on riders will only close the club quicker and produce even more gate and go racing (it will just be the home side doing it more often). Brum do have a chance though to build a team that engages with fans and provides on track entertainment. The likes of Harris, Shanes, Morris and Thomas are all racers who can pass but the track isn't there to provide the opportunities. Create an outside line that works, leave the inside line slick so there are racing alternatives. Speedway is a basic product and people will still pay good money to watch lunatics like Bomber and Shanes ride the boards.

For what it's worth I'm not that impressed with the outside viewing at PB. I like being on the home or back straight just in front of the start gate. Where else in speedway do the stadium put a huge steel bus type shelter to block peoples view of the start gate? Birmingham have. It's basically set up for dogs where banking and the view isn't as important, so unless you want a decent view you have to go indoors and upstairs, which loses it for me.

Get your wallet out then and cough up if you really think that is the answer, become that investor.

Another home win...

Sky high rents do always amaze me. I guess the landlords know they have clubs over a barrel and charge what they like? There must be level of sense applied though as if Brum close and no Speedway runs thats a fair amount of income lost per month to the greyhound folks.

The rent will be the absolute killer at birmingham. Remember the masons went there coz nobody nearer fancied a pop at it, god knows how much theyve slung at it .

Mine lost interest once it became unaffordable for them to attend at age 16 and whilst they were still in their last GCSE year. They couldn't pay the student price because that was for 6th formers and uni students, so had to pay adult prices. Even at the concession prices, it was too far out of reach and unaffordable to go week after week. Eldest still likes speedway, keeps up with all the news but has gone to maybe 5 meetings and two GPs since he was 16, youngest has gone to just one GP and no league meetings but still has a passing interest but middle son stopped going the week after his 16th and has absolutely no interest whatsoever....they were all massive fans at one point. None are interested in football...or any other sport come to that, speedway was their love and they would have continued going and still be contributing to the sport had the prices been more sensible for them to do so.

My son in law said that he wants to go again and said "I think I could get into this more when I understand the rules"... I quickly explained to him that Steve Worrall (who took his eye as "being good"), was Belle Vue's captain, Rory Schlein is Leicester's Nick Morris and Ryan Douglas' team mate at Wolves, and that Schlein will rode for Ipswich tonight because one of their riders is injured.. I then told him that Kyle Howarth rides for Sheffield, Hans Anderson rides for Peterborough and Danny King rides for Ipswich... As his eyes glazed over whilst taking it all in I just said.. "Best bet Jake, is to very much NOT bother trying to understand the rules and just enjoy the racing"... Taking him to watch Ipswich at the NSS next week...

‘Not sure promoting would make any difference’ ???????? Promoting makes all the difference

Apparently it says on the official site from the un-official spokes man that he is.

Newcastle will never get a better chance of a home win.

I’ve learnt that if I am pessimistic beforehand then I can always take defeat that wee bit easier as I will have expected it

I am actually the centre green presenter at Kent, although due to local covid restrictions we are very limited to what we can do. This season has been limited to a pre match coin toss, and post match interviews. In the past we have done interviews during the meeting but as you ve heard yourself the sound system is not the best. And its pretty pointless interviewing anyone whilst tractors are out as well. As for Glenn in the box, (when you are stood somewhere you can hear clearly...) there aren't many people better at getting all the relevant info out there, whilst dealing with all the refs commands as Glenn (and indeed his mentor Derek). I think people would genuinely be shocked at how much goes on in the box, frankly anyone who does that job has my undivided respect. Its fair to say the quality of the sound system has been a thorn in the side of the speedway since day 1, but i do know they ve had various sound engineers in over the years. So whilst there has only been minor improvements, that isn't through the lack of trying. I don't know for certain, but knowing we have a very tight curfew due to noise concerns from a couple of the neighbours, I imagine that has prevented them just plonking a couple of huge speakers on the greyhound track. Really great to read your various posts on the meeting and the stadium. I will share them with the club management, as when someone highlights all the positives that are happening you'd like to think they will take on board the constructive criticisms as well as the compliments. As for the crowd being quiet, despite air horns and the like being banned, I ve never heard us described as being quiet before. But I speak to many of my mates and many are still in awe of the speed, skill, and ruthlessness the step up in leagues has provided. Many fans are still getting their heads around the fact that the Poole Pirates are actually at Central Park. Nice to see soo many Poole fans, and getting to interview Midlo was an unexpected surprise.

Except Poole

Apart from Scunthorpe at home, the meetings have all been close affairs with most going down to the last few heats so the riders have been performing quite well in my opinion. The promotion have always promised a team of entertainment and racers and they all are. Whether we are a 'cheap' team I wouldn't know and as riders earnings are between them and the owners, I'm not sure how you would know either....

Yes, sometimes you are better off not knowing too many of the rules! Edit- as well as Leicester fans I did see a Coventry one. Which is good to see they are still getting their speedway fix with other midland teams to support til they get sorted again.

If that’s the case why did he come back to the sport.?

thats the way i see it these days as well

Allow plenty of extra time to navigate the roadworks

That is the right decision for him and the team.

Where else is Batch riding though? If it is just for Sheffield then that is not enough to keep you match fit! Let's hope he is signing for Kent!

Now is the time to back the club or regret you didn't when it's gone. I know you can not drag people in kicking and screaming, however as more and more of us are vaccinated it us time to come out and start to enjoy life again. You can start by attending perry barr next Wednesday.