paulrickett

Can I just ask those who were watching on BSN, did Woffinden swear on air? I thought it was only on the stadium PA.

I agree Jason. I was at Foxhall six years ago and it was a memorable night for all the right reasons (from our perspective). After last night I don’t want Tai anywhere near our club next season. Immature isn’t even a starting point. Again, apologies to all the Witches fans.

No it wasn’t. It was embarrassingly bad

We did tons of promo work at Sheffield, free kids/fetes/ schools/flyers/posters/a whopping big screen ad at the end of the Parkway seen by thousands … but if the product is rhubarb then you’re wasting your time. It all needs a MASSIVE rethink, top to bottom.

Excellent post

It wasn’t Neil. It did work well for starters but the Unison head honcho was latterly asked why they had stopped coming and the general answer was that they didn’t enjoy it.

Correct. 30 or so years ago we had 5,000 to watch Tigers v Long Eaton.

They did this at Sheffield in 2019 and managed to get Unison involved, which was a massive thing. £10 a ticket through their social group and initially they came in droves…but as the season progressed it dwindled to hardly any. That should tell you something.

Absolutely. Speedway is the BEST motorsport but in the UK it’s the worst run. It’s great to see the big kids racing over here…but the sport can’t afford to keep paying what it is to entice them. It is ridiculous.

Yes there is. A new deal was agreed a couple of years ago. Shared amongst five promoters, which makes it a vital income stream…for now.

Some very interesting thoughts and the six-man team idea was mooted five or so years ago. For me the main sticking points are costs, costs and more costs. It costs a fortune to get started in speedway, a big gamble for any aspiring rider, and the ongoing finances are just as bad. Who pays? The fans…£22 (plus £3 car parking and £3 prog) is tooooo much for what you get. That’s why the demographic ain’t getting any younger because people just can’t afford it in the current climate. If me and the missus go to Owlerton it’s £50 for 15 minutes of racing, much of which is processional to boot, having to watch in what have become awful facilities. Not nearly worth it. That takes me to one big league…does anyone really think the Premiership promoters will agree to that and in doing so significantly dilute their TV income? The riders will also pack in in their droves because they’ll only have one team, where at the mo most have their costs geared to two, which in itself is a MASSIVE turn off for most fans. So what’s the solution? That’s up to the BSPL bumpkins I’m afraid…the ones who following last year’s PR disasters thought that the best way forward was to keep things as they are and introduce transponders for more accurate times. Don’t hold your breath…

The countdown is on for Ricky's Big Day this Sunday...hopefully as many fans as possible can make it for a unique celebration of speedway. The doors will open at 3.30pm, admission is the usual £15 for adults, £11 for O65s and £1 for 15s and under and live band Seventh Son will be playing in the Panorama Room at 4pm. Meanwhile, nip over to Facebook for details on car parking....it's another fantastic gesture from our sporting cousins, which came out of the blue (and white!). See you Sunday, wear your team colours and make as much noise as possible for one of Speedway's real heroes. https://www.facebook.com/rickysbigday