Jump to content
British Speedway Forum

LionsDen

Members
  • Content count

    178
  • Joined

  • Last visited

Everything posted by LionsDen

  1. Congratulations to whoever made this. Very funny whatever your views. Love the bit when Hitler states he won the world championship on a bicycle.
  2. I'm sceptical too because surely Leicester Speedway Ltd is a private business and shouldn't qualify for grants to improve facilities which would be there to increase it's profits. That would be morally wrong in my view and not what such grants are for. Think they need to fill all the pot holes in Leicester's roads before anything else! Someone also suggested the mud hills can be used for acoustic barrier purposes! What is the wooden purpose-built acoustic fence that goes all the way around the 'stadium' for if that's the case then? Are the hills now so high they're making that obsolete? Whatever, some fanciful ideas being put about it seems but the reason the mud hills are there is for one reason alone. They are the inevitable consequence of a deal between various construction companies who need to tip their muck at a cheap rate, and Leicester Speedway Ltd who continue to desperately need to raise extra revenue. How that whole situation plays out is between DH and Leicester City Council I guess, though as other people have alluded to on here, I know various people within the council aren't at all happy with what's happened aesthetically to the former Beaumont Park.
  3. LionsDen

    Lions V Rebels 22.06.2013

    Tempted to say, "told you so" but that would be smug... Seriously though. A very accurate description and happy to agree with you for once.
  4. As a matter of interest, did you think what happened post meeting on Saturday was "positive" mrcts? Sounds like the racing was, which is very positive, but the tantrum directed at the riders has annoyed, disappointed and upset a lot of people, even including committed fans such as Neb. And most importantly, it's deflected attention from what sounded like a great night's entertainment for once. This season, in the public domain alone, he has slagged off the fans in the programme, had a row with one of his main sponsors and now had this very public slanging match with his riders too! You can defend him, as you obviously do, but let's face it, he doesn't make it easy for you does he? On the other hand, he continually makes it really easy for people to criticise. Maybe if he kept his head down for a bit and allowed people like Glyn Taylor and the table topping team of riders to just get on with their jobs it would all be a lot more 'positive'. EDIT: Just see your post in the Lions v Rebels thread and accept you're not an apologist for the promoter. However, my point is a general one about Leicester Speedway and how it's the promoter himself who is making it hard for people to comment positively.
  5. LionsDen

    Lions V Rebels 22.06.2013

    Strange that people can post defending the promoter's dummies out the pram toddler tantrum of Saturday night. He DEFINITELY went about it the wrong way. But then again, he always does. Whether he pays wages or not, behaviour like that is unacceptable in any walk of life and only serves to create hostility. It certainly doesn't make the people on the receiving end listen to whatever point he's trying to make. These are grown men doing a dangerous job and they aren't ever going to take kindly to being ranted at by someone behaving like a spoilt child who only ever raced a push bike. As usual it was not thought through, extremely babyish and sadly, true to form. When will he ever learn that respect has to be earned? You don't get it simply because you pay wages. No doubt the riders will continue to ride for the Lions (for now) but when faced with that kind of childish rubbish they had no choice but to make a stand, otherwise he gets away with it and will do it again whenever he can't control himself because of a score line that he doesn't like. It's sport. Sometimes you lose and he needs to get over it, not throw his weight around like some playground bully. Well done to them. Wasn't the racing meant to be great on Saturday? A shame that's getting overlooked somewhat purely because the promoter has scored yet another spectacular own goal.
  6. What an ignorant post! And insults aside, whether you like Sam or not, and I accept that's your prerogative of course, at least get your main fact right. Sam was not "disposed of" at all. It was his decision to finally walk away from Leicester Speedway after his efforts to resolve the issues were met with silence and non-communication. That said, he really did not want to leave having invested so much time and effort into the project, and having found various financial backers who were willing to back Leicester, but his role had become untenable given the situation he was faced with. That in itself is a long story. At the time I must admit his departure from the project really disappointed me. I liked Sam and enjoyed not only his company but also the wealth of speedway knowledge and contacts he brought to the project, something that we hadn't got on board until his arrival. Those of us remaining on the organising committee were told one thing but having made the effort to find out from Sam himself shortly afterwards I fully appreciate why he felt he had no choice. There are always two sides to a story and Sam has kept his counsel for the most part on this subject. He certainly doesn't want dirty laundry airing on a public forum and I respect that. Maybe he's saving it up for part 2 of his autobiography . I certainly hope so. For me personally, Sam's departure was the beginning of disunity creeping into what had previously been a united effort and the 'committee' gradually became an inept entity, only serving to do all the dogsbody work ahead of the opening. Opinions and suggestions mattered little, even from people who had played such a huge role in the whole project such as Ken Naylor, leading to his eventual walking away too (though there's a much longer story behind that too). I appreciate all this is history now but the reason I say this is because it appears to me that the issues that started back then still prevail today, and are behind a lot of what is causing problems three years down the line. Just an opinion.
  7. Can't believe some suggest the fans should pay to alter the track! The fans have contributed plenty, both before the stadium opened and plenty more since. And what would they get in return apart from what they should have had in the first place? The track is the responsibility of the owner, and the sad thing is, if he'd just listened to what people were saying when the track was being put down there would not be this problem. He thought he knew best - and he still does. I don't think anyone can come up with the perfect solution because ultimately it's his business and all the decisions come from him.
  8. Must admit, when I heard that on the radio last week it did make me smile. Whilst it's a very praiseworthy run of wins, it's not really comparable to anything earlier than the re-opening in 2011. Those of us who aren't 'newbies' will remember that the original Leicester Lions were a top flight team from when they started in 1968 right through to Blackbird Road's closure in 1983, a period when it was a much tougher and more competitive era for speedway in the UK. This 'record' is only relevant over the last 2 and a bit seasons and should be quantified with "at second tier level". Really it's just a nice bit of PR 'gloss' from Corporal Jones. That said, I guess there's no harm in fans taking comfort from it in the face of so much criticism surrounding the promoter, the track and so on.
  9. Great post SCB. History is there so we can learn it's lessons. Only the stupidly arrogant ignore it and believe they know better. Leicester is either a messed up opportunity going downhill fast, or an amazing success after 28 years with no speedway here. Depends which side of this very divisive fence you sit I guess. When we campaigned to get the sport back in Leicester, particularly after finding the site in 2007 and the 4 years worth of solid work that eventually resulted in the successful return of the Lions, I can honestly say I never envisaged that Leicester fans would be so split and falling out with one another as they are now. The whole campaign was one of togetherness with everyone working towards achieving the same goal. Somehow, since the place actually opened, that's all gone out the window. I have my own views on why, but ultimately, it's a sad fact and the many different threads on this forum regarding events at Leicester are a case to point.
  10. LionsDen

    Leicester 2011 (slight Return)

    A very interesting read - and amazingly committed research Mick (haven't you got any work to do!? ) Many contrasting opinions - and it's notable that a large number of those names don't bother posting any more. Have they walked away, or simply got fed up of the debate? Whatever, there are too many in agreement for the poor track to be a non-issue.
  11. Not for one minute neb. Totally agree with you, especially having spoken to some ex-Lions who had differing 'off the record' views! Whether the rider's viewpoint is honest, or merely one for public consumption, being able to ride smoothly at the front proves nothing in terms of entertainment and I only used that example because it's one that some other people on the Forum have previously used to claim there's nothing wrong with the track.
  12. Great post Mick. It's amazing how many different pairs of red and yellow tinted specs there are but I suppose you have to credit the many ways the blindly committed continue to find to defend the indefensible. The bottom line is, and if nothing else all these threads show that too many reasoned and neutral speedway fans agree for it not to be true, the track is a massive problem and the entertainment level is subsequently poor. There are exceptions to this notion though. 1. The Leicester promoter who refuses to admit it. 2. The riders that gate, enjoy the luxury of riding to the chequered flag relatively unchallenged, and then claim the track is 'mint'. 3. The die-hard Lions fans who simply want a winning team. 4. The new fans who know no better than what they've witnessed the last three years. 5. And oh yes, those that simply go for the 'craic' and are not bothered by the standard of the racing (step forward TMW). The above is a dedicated but ultimately small number of people. The question for people outside of this group would be, is it enough to keep the sport sustainable in Leicester over the long term? This is a sensible and grown up debate, and not one of the childish mud-slinging variety as some believe. If the track was fine and the racing was acceptable then surely this discussion would not still be raging into the THIRD season? The concern for those that actually care about the long term is that too many local people who gave speedway in Leicester a try have now walked away unimpressed, and that too many people further afield simply don't bother coming to watch speedway at Leicester as a neutral (a great point recently made by Leicester Lion on page 12 of the Message To The Leicester Promoter thread). Leicester should have been picking up casual fans from all around the midlands who fancied a fix of speedway on a Saturday evening to augment the Leicester fan base, but that just isn't happening if crowds are now down to around the 1000 mark (Edinburgh match excepted) as many state. The facility itself (once you step inside the perimeter fence off the Somme remake outside) is very decent and certainly compares well with a lot of other clubs, especially at Premier League level. Everyone involved in that aspect should be congratulated. However, the bottom line is fans pay out their admission (and travelling money etc) to watch exciting speedway racing, not simply have a decent view and eat a nice hot dog. Sadly this debate will continue for a while longer yet. It's no use the promoter simply moaning at people moaning either, as he did in his programme notes recently. He can't argue black is white and expect everyone to simply agree with him. People aren't stupid. They see it with their own eyes, form their own opinions and inevitably use forums such as this to voice them. That's the way the world is these days so get used to it. If he can't afford to change it then he should come clean and simply say so. People would respect that rather than being told they're wrong and accused of being negative, and worse still, threatening the existence of Leicester Speedway. The entertainment value on offer is doing that - not the internet.
  13. I agree. However, the problem is there are three rather large pieces of drainage dug deep into the ground on each of the two bends so shortening the straights will necessitate digging them out again and replacing further back. No doubt this is a costly and disruptive exercise, and presumably the reason why it's only been a minimal effort so far. Beaumont Park has a strange combination of great drainage and crap track.
  14. I wasn't for one minute suggesting it will happen, just what should happen if people want this ongoing track debate to eventually stop. It won't go away whilst people are unhappy. Being too stubborn to admit he got it wrong doesn't make it go away either. And it's not just "a few people on here" who moan about it either. There's a large number who came to see speedway and now don't bother going any more.
  15. I assume you mean primarily the track. Are you not surprised though? Surely the reason for the ongoing discussion is because nothing has changed, save for a cosmetic appeasement that has affected nothing. Only DH seems to belive there's been an improvement and frankly, it's now time for his blinkers to come off. It's the single biggest talking point on here and amongst virtually every fan I speak to because the track is always at the core of any speedway business. Speedway, like all professional sports, is in the entertainment business. People pay their hard-earned money to be entertained and if they're not, eventually they will stopping handing over that money, whether they are supporters through the turnstiles or sponsors contributing extra revenue to the club. It's not good enough to simply say "if you don't like it don't go" and to keep on with an incessant "you're boring us" retort. If enough people decide to stop handing over money there will be no business to be had, and no speedway at all here, which after 28 years of waiting would be a crying shame. The people making these points aren't doing it because they want to have a pop at DH. They're doing it because they demand a decent speedway track and are concerned about how it can be sustained in the long term without one. The attendance on the Edinburgh meeting was a perfect example of people weighing up their options and choosing not to go. The value for money ratio is all out of kilter at Leicester and only the loyal head-in-the-sand few seem to think nothing's wrong, and their number will definitely dwindle further as time goes on. The debate about how it happened has been had over and over so I do agree that's no longer needed. However, what is needed, and somewhat urgently I would suggest, is a properly executed solution to the lack of racing entertainment served up at BP. The only other way this repeated track debate will end is for people not to care anymore, and that will be a sorry day for everyone who loves speedway in Leicester, whatever side of the fence you're on.
  16. It keeps happening because it brings in much needed revenue. But, as has been pointed out previously on this forum, the council aren't overly happy about it because as you say, it doesn't add a great deal to the aesthetics, particularly when compared to what the original approved plans looked like. That park must be several feet more above sea level than it was when the lorries first came in. Don't know about 5-side football but he could always open a dry ski slope if he keeps this up!
  17. Sorry but this "understanding" is incorrect. The planners were and are Beaumont Sports Complex Ltd which is run by one person - the same one who runs Leicester Speedway Ltd. It was his call how to split the land up and designate the areas required for the football pitches and velodrome that never were, not the councils. They simply lease him the whole site, which is why he is allowed to tip all that muck over the areas he isn't developing! The design of the site was down to him.
  18. I'd have thought watching some racing was essential because with all the love-in cliques that exist at BP you're more likely to be gatecrashing someone else's craic!
  19. Such a shame BritishSpeedwaySliders.com didn't design the real track shape. This is much better!
  20. re the tile of the thread. Surely the track IS a toilet? And I'll say this for Darcy, as much as a car crash as it was, at least it was an interesting listen, as opposed to the usual mind-numbingly boring stuff that Corporal Jones regularly comes out with.
  21. Loving the humour that's now been applied to a Leicester thread. A refreshing change! Tsunami. I can't ever recall £6m being quoted anywhere so what made you post that? If you lived down here you'd know that £4.5m was the figure regularly published in the Leicester Mercury in all their articles on the new speedway, 5-a-side football and cycling facility called The Beaumont Sports Complex. Presently, with it being solely a speedway track surrounded by a mud heap, the reality was/is a fraction of that.
  22. £6m? Hard to spot the jokes from the serious bits in this post so I'll assume that was the former and not the latter.
  23. LionsDen

    Leicester Lions 2013

    Talk about making the story fit the ending! We'll just have to beg to differ then Volty. To be honest though, it doesn't actually matter whether you or me think it's the fault of the council, BSC or even Charles Ochiltree for that matter. The bottom line is (as Hazzman pointed out earlier - and he should know) certain elements within the council are not at all happy with what has happened at BP. The issue facing BSC Ltd is in making them happy again. PS: I'm really happy that they have a new logo. And very nice too. Illustratively it's a sort of cross between Leicester Tigers and Eastbourne Eagles and I think it works well. See, not all bad when it comes to discussing matters relating to LS! For obviously reasons I'm pleased the previous one is now consigned to history.
  24. LionsDen

    Leicester Lions 2013

    No sticks. I was merely pointing out that it wasn't the council's responsibility to develop the site financially as you and Barrow Boy seemed to believe. Your post makes a sweeping assumption that it's all down to council incompetence. Be nice and easy to simply blame that given what most people think of their councils (and I'm no fan myself). However, I would contend they shouldn't have had the need to safeguarded these proposals anyway. They were submitted and subsequently dealt with in good faith. Whatever, that's all history and getting something sorted going forward is between them and BSC. Let's hope they do because that site is a right mess now and it's causing concern as Hazzman pointed out.
×

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue. Privacy Policy