markyb

Thoroughly expect to be shot down in flames and ridiculed but hey so what - want to share my experiences as a Coventry bees speedway supporter who is about to turn his back on the team and sport. My dad was a resident of Brandon and as a teenager in the 50's he would be part of the group that would be painting the inner white line and the bottom of the outside fence. So guess as a 1963 baby became part of his hobby in that era. I do remember in the early '70's seeing the likes of Rick France, Ron Mountford and the legendary Nigel Boocock. In 1976 I became a real regular fan and remember the packed crowd in March of that year where coventry led by ole Olsen met Ray Wilson of Leicester in the East Midlands bowl. Many fantastic years followed including Tee Mill tours coach trip to world final in Sweden (ullevi) in 1980 where Michael lee won (having watched ole knocked out at the inter continental final stage at white city) - made even more distressing hearing wrongly en-route that Finn Thomson (wolves) having crashed in practice and ole would be in ! Riders that stand out for me and bring back great memories for coventry include Mitch Shirra, alan Molyneux, Jiri stancl, Nigel Harrhy, frank smith, gary gougliemi, and Alf busk. Remember fondly the trip with many coaches of coventry supporters to Halifax and being trounced by Kenny carter, who I hated at the time, simply because the wasn't coventry. To speedway fans today, you don't know what you missed with Kenny and also the likes of Peter Collins, Chris Morton, Doug Wyer, john Louis, Dave jessop et al. In the latter years Coventry had the wealth of Greg Hancock, billy hamill, Andreas jonsson and lee Richardson (rip lee) in the same team at the same time. It's only when you look at that and what we got today as to how mugged off we, the supporters have become. Today's Poland Is the yesterday of uk speedway, no wonder that the sport thrives in that country and how pathetic we are here. When I go to coventry now, I see the demography of the speedway support and the lack of younger fans. Only a matter of time before it's lost forever. I have tried to introduce the sport to my 8 year old daughter and she is crazy about the storm's ryan terry-daley, but unfortunately she is in the minority. Really wish I had the time, money and proper experience to promote the sport - it can be real entertainment and a joy for both sexes and all ages, but think it's gone too far down the wrong path and direction. Come on all, shoot me down .

To the 17 riders who took part tonight - thanks for the opportunity to have shared the experience. Great stuff Rory on your win, fantastic effort Richard, but hey Mr Crump, amazing for an old un, potential for 2021 is exciting - bring it on !!!

Not posted on Speedway-forum for a few years (apart from a couple in the last half hour re British Final 2020.) but saw the subject about Michael Lee and 40 years on for him being world champion in 1980. Holy Moly I happened to be at the meeting in Ullevi, Sweden on that FRIDAY night. Me and my Coventry teenage mates had booked a Tee-Mill tours trip ( a coach journey from Birmingham And back) essentially to watch our Ole Olsen bring another world championship - alas we also SAW Ole fail to make the world finals - albeit was just a reserve - in his demise at the inter-continental final at White City. en-route to the final we had heard that Finn Thomsen (Wolverhampton) had crashed in practice, broken a leg, and Ole was in. Total bullsh**. So our support had to be moved elsewhere and the next best was to watch Michael win the evening. I so remember walking out of the stadium towards the ‘town’ and hearing Lee-o, Lee-o, Lee-o being sung by the Other English contingent. A spectacular evening with thousands in attendance - beaten I must add to the 2 finals I attended at Wembley By Olsen and Penhall (the Penhall win not the best for a Coventry supporter !) This era was fantastic for a fan of the sport, so many GREATS with many being English - Kenny Carter, Peter Collins, Malcolm Simmons, Dave Jessup, John Louis, of course Michael Lee, Sorry to bore the living daylights out of your all with my memories, but tonight I have enjoyed reliving the good times, this rather than enduring the grief we all encountering with the never ending COVID episode. Stay strong all and stay safe.

So okay, not a fantastic line-up but there is a whole spectrum of talent from seniors (sorry Jason, Chris and Rory) middle order and youngsters. In hindsight, although so many things changing on a minute by minute scale, perhaps a handicap at the gate could have been adopted - just a thought but a massive hats-off to ALL the guys who have made the effort - you a credit to the sport. As for Edward K, you had massive intentions and sorry you not able to attend. Looking forward to March 2021 which can’t come soon enough.

Your response made me smile - not so many of those in the last few months - thanks

What an embarrassment ! glad the team was classed as GB, as at least Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland can be ridiculed too. Time for Leonard (ooh Miss Jones) AKA Alun, Rossiter to realise he aint any good - only hope his football FA coaching badges can redeem him.

So chuffed for Birmingham to be back on board - good luck guys - so much better than the pseudo ‘coventry’ outfit at the hell hole of Leicester

mr Gresham - without reading the thread but seeing the topic, immediately thought of Steve Gresham - wasn’t he a member of the Eastville days from way back when ? It ain’t you is it ? your post is 100% - for me, first time since 1976 I have not seen a live speedway event is in 2018 - not in the ‘flesh’ or even on tv. Missed Cardiff, and can’t say I gave a monkeys. Am Coventry based, where tonight there has been a BIG event close to the stadium in a hotel near the derelict stadium - have seen photos of the attendees and the age profile appears to be aged 50’s (I am being diplomatic here) and above. This week hearing the demise of Berwick and Lakeside/Arena - whatever they are called these days - just shows the writing is on the wall. The sport in the Uk needs an injection of younger personell, otherwise speedway will be remembered,purely on Wikipedia as what it was all about. No prospect anytime soon of that - being the younger injection I mean. as a youth, young man, middle aged man and now getting on a bit, had some fantastic experiences - Ole Olsen, Coventry Bees, trips to Dudley wood and getting our coach bombarded with stones from the Cradley ‘massive’ - Wembley world finals, White City dis-appointments when Ole failed to make the World final in Sweden 1980 (Michael Lee !) but travelling along on a tee mill trip by coach hearing false stories of Finn Thomson breaking a leg in practice and meaning Ole was in ! I remember our coach had a ‘commisioner’ who was Fat Rat Dave - who ran the supporters club office for badges/programmes at Monmore Green - my god we ripped into him with banter big time.

Just watched the Jason Doyle interview on Speedwaygb web site. Somerset Speedway you have one hell of a fella representing you in 2018. To my mind the BEST ambassador to the sport in the UK for loads and loads of years. His loyalty to British speedway and for what he says about the technicalities and differing tracks being short/long and tight proves that to be a complete rider you need to be involved in the sport on these shores. As a deserving world champion he could have walked away (just like the pseudo “British” Tai did) but no he stayed loyal. Injury free will be a worlds best for years to come and could become a true legend to the sport of speedway in the modern era.

The problem with Jim Lynch was that he stooped so low to be associated with a rubbishe hole called Leicester Speedway. He is a guy imo who has intregrity and professionalism -something that Leicester has never had and never will have. Mr Lynch, to those have have a proper knowledge and understanding of the “sport” , yes in quote marks, will I am no doubt, agree what a perfect ambassador you have been to BRITISH speedway - all the best to you fella.

Dave - having thought there was no way back, you come up with a Boxing Day 2017 movie which shows the end may not be at an end. Couldn’t give a monkeys about a grandstand, being able to buy a pie and a pint or buying a scarf / photo in a track shop. The only item we need is a track and seems as though there is something there still. Ok need a safety fence and a spark to control the starting gate and necessary racing red/green lights - the other bits can be worked upon in the future. HOWEVER- how did you gain access to the stadium albeit Boxing Day. How on earth did the gypo’s gain access the the heavily fortified stadium complex ? I live 2.5 miles from the stadium and pass it on a regular basis and have seen the barricades in place to deter yet more intrusions from the scum. Heard a 4th hand rumour today that Mr Sandhu had very recently made an unsuccessful attempt to buy back the stadium for a figure of 2 million quid from Brandon Estates ( allegedly to re-start stock car PLUS speedway ) Would appear that Brandon estates still clinging to the idea of being given planning permission to build homes on the site -however they should take on board that Oakdale nurseries (across the A428 road from the speedway} sold out almost 20years ago for the same reason but nothing has progressed The prospect of seeing / smelling speedway is still a distant prospect -but not dead and buried as I thought it was a few days ago. Mr Sandhu was a saviour to Coventry Speedway all those years ago ( he spent mega money transforming the place upfront - so untypical for ANY sporting club at the time and since) If the 4th hand rumours are to be believed, then maybe he could be back once more for a 2nd coming. The Coventry public have a place in their hearts for sport (ccfc at Wembley last year for a mickey mouse cup, Wasps for rugby union) Entertainment is the name of the game and in the right hands (anything not involving the HORTON clan and his sidekick WATSON, please, PLEASE, PLEASE !!!!) could be a winner. Keep the faith

Need to establish when the Nuffield Clinic sessions clash with Elite speedway before Mr Cook is taken on board - sounds crass but I been through the rubbishe of the stuff that Craig appears to be going through. My glass is now half full !!! With the right people, Craig will come through this and be in a better place. Get through it and no reason why he can’t set the “ cat amongst the pigeons “ in his speedway mission, All the best to you Craig, don’t give in and keep your chin up.

He don't act like a bloke who has testicles

Yet another "illness" for cook - what this time, upset stomach, toothache, bit of a cough and cold - what an a*hole ! They reckon Northern guys are tough - perhaps that's the problem - is he really a guy ? Gonna be true comedy in 2018 speedway GP I reckon.

Cook on the speedway world stage in 2018 - what a F'ing farce - although will make Saturday nights comical again I reckon.

Respect for Harris tonight - ARE YOU FOR REAL ? - he rode like a turd - and a smelly one at that. At that showing, time for him to,get a job at B&Q like the rest of us old farts !

Chuffed big time for Swindon ! Well done to all of their 8 riders tonight, especially Bomber who played a blinder !!! Having been told numerous times tonight by Pearson, Tatum, Brandon et al of Mr Doyle being the best rider in the World right now, I have to whole heartedly agree and fully hope and expect he pulls of the dream in Poland come Saturday evening. He has been loyal to the speedway set-up in the U.K. this year when the other 'prima donna's' walked away. Big respect Jason Doyle. Hope to see you back in 2018

back in the day - this was a meeting that had a massive prestige and remember going up to the old BelleVue and struggling to gain a decent vantage point to watch racing with worlds best at that time - the best being British riders Collins, Simmons, Carter , plus the Danes of Olsen/Nielsen and yanks of the calibre of Penhall and the Moran brothers - now treated to the likes of Auty and so many second rate riders in a pathetic attempt to keep the sport looking as though it knows what it is doing. British speedway hierarchy need to bow their heads in shame for the guys who put their lives on hold for 60 seconds each time they race for the fast buck they "earn" yanks of Moran nor

Gemini has hit the nail on the head SO STRONGLY - I been a keyboard warrior for so long just because I loved the sport, the word 'loved' and wanted change - never gonna happen - my first season proper was 1976 with Olsen at Coventry - I cried when he had his final meeting - saw him at Wembley in '78 - went to Gothenburg in 1980 assuming he would qualify - alas was at White City when he didnt. travelled with Tee Mill Sport coaches from the midlands with "fat rat Dave" as coach Rep manager (the guy that sold scarfs horns etc At Wolverhampton in the early 80's. ). we even heard en-route that Finn Thomson had broken his leg in practice and that Olsen was in! Alas bullrubbish, but at least saw Michael Lee winning and celebrating his win in the city afterwards despite wearing DANMARK Tee shirts. Must be fantastic for the Polish supporters to experience what is ultimatlely an amazing experience like I did 35 plus years on. The polish speedway authorities get so much stick from here in the U.K. However they protecting the integrity of what is still an amazing spectacle overall Wearing T

See that Doyle and Lindgren are SET to be attending the league riders championship at Belle Vue in September and confess I too am SET to attend - however not a chance I this world I buy upfront tickets as expect Doyle and Lindgren to be washing their hair and armpits that day and therefore otherwise engaged - I reckon I could spend more effort washing my genitals than watching the 2nd and 3 tier replacements - the U.K. Speedway authorities have brought this upon the themselves - too many old farts with their fingers in the till - looking for a pension from the sport that they have ruined !!!

Had my biggest laugh for ages - although to see a certain Mr cook in speedway GP in 2018 will be far more amusing - he mentions about himself striving being to a world champ - maybe one day - snakes and ladders, tiddly winks possibly. Time for his parents and those close to him to be realistic with him. At least with Carl Stonehewer back in the day, he recognised his own potential without being a prick about it.

been watching speedway updates on the Kings Lynn vs Wolverhampton and it is so sad to to see the level of riders making up the teams (mr Lindgren excepted) you only have to look at the match reports in speedway star each week and see the riders in reserve berth who would top any number one in almost every British premier side. the sport in the U.K. being run by too many old farts with their " fingers in the till " who are lining their pockets for their retirement - thank heavens for Ronnie and Terry as otherwise where would British Speedway be right now !!!

Why would any human with a brain want to endure another speedway meeting involving Kings lynn and Wolverhampton- too late unfortunately for wolves fans who at least made the effort, to buy a tin of paint from B&Q and watch it dry on the way back to the midlands. read recently that mr chapman contemplated giving it all up - he clearly lost the plot and should be in the funny farm - no longer being in charge of what was once a decent and PROFESSIONAL sport in the U.K. Time to go Buster PLEASE

would thoroughly expect Mr Holder will put his "two's" up at British speedway - however could that glory for him be denied with regards a VISA - no employment in the U.K.until at least 3rd week in April - so would potentially be an immigrant seen as seeking benefits if he was allowed into the country.beforehand. Looking at Justin Sedgeman example from earlier this year, there appears to be a need to apply and be granted by a certain date. Perhaps he could get a tourist visa so he could tend to the plants in his Poole back-garden so making it look "pretty" for new tenants / owners. Holder better-days have long gone so hopefully no dispensation given to the Aussie tart.

massive respect Mr Chapman - they thought they were above the sport in the UlK and Holder and Batchelor bet black and red came up. could be a massive turning point in speedway in the U.K. I love the racing aspect - I don't need the names - ok it may drop down a level but still there will be support from the hard core. Long live British Speedway without the Ars@oles - plenty of multi national talent who out to impress us fans - and without us they don't exist.