LionsDen

Mick. Just want to correct you and Barrow Boy on this issue. The council were NEVER, at any point, part of the funding for the development. It was all meant to be funded by private money. They would never have agreed to spending public money on it! The council's role was simply to approve planning and then subsequently arrange a lease for this public-owned site with Beaumont Sports Complex Ltd, who these days is one person, the same one as is Leicester Speedway Ltd. The exact terms of that lease, including commencement dates for any development, is what the issue is now, along with the appalling current state of what was formerly a very nice green public park. The non-speedway parts of the development were meant to be privately funded but no-one ever signed up to it, not before or after planning approval was achieved. Even the speedway had no money back then! The tipping arrangement, which came about some 9 months after planning was approved, is what raised the money for the track to be built. In the absence of any other sports organisations being involved, BSC Ltd are now faced with having to sort something out to appease the council and I think that's what he would be talking about when he says taking over the responsibility for it, but as the MD of BSC Ltd, it's his responsibility anyway as far as the council are concerned.

Sounds like he's in the right company.

This is what I'm hearing too. There's all sorts of stuff going on within the council. There's a feeling they've been hoodwinked big time - and now they're beginning to realise that. That site is about more than just speedway. As regards the track, whilst I'm personally sceptical that these changes will make the difference necessary, everyone just needs to wait and see. It needs to be seen over several meetings in different conditions before anyone can pass judgement.

Oh ok. Sorry Tina. Misconstrued your point in that case. That said, it's a bit silly if certain riders think there's no connection between their money and entertaining the paying public. If support dwindles because of the poor spectacle on show then inevitably the promoters will suffer financially and won't be able to pay them the money anyway. Speedway, like all other sport that people pay to attend, is in the entertainments business. I'm sure Leicester's crowds would be much bigger had they put in a decent track in the first place. That first year was always going to be vital in attracting new people to the sport - and there were big numbers to start off with. They came, they saw, and sadly, they didn't come back. Just the expected hard core now remain. The average crowd is way down on the original numbers expected and save the odd race, the consistently poor quality of the racing has much to do with that. Trying to alter the shape two years after it opened is a real case of the horse bolting and closing the stable door several hours after it's gone! Such a shame. Now you get supporters, and sponsors too, who were willing to give it a chance openly stating that these track alterations are the last chance saloon. Should never have come to that. The entertainment, much more than the results, will be vitally important this season.

I think Robert is trying to point out that the sole motivation for riders isn't money, as TMW seems to allude to, and I would agree with him on that. No doubt money is what encourages riders to perform better as it's a performance related sport, and an expensive one too so it's a case of 'needs-must' as far as that goes. However, I don't believe there are many sportsmen that enter their chosen sport thinking only of pound signs. If they do they would be the ones that will never succeed. You need more than that. I would argue that they enter it because they're good at it, they're competitive people by nature and they want to be the best they can be in their field. The financial rewards come with that and like any professional in any business, the best will get duly rewarded. Speedway certainly isn't one of the sports where merely average performers can expect to earn a fortune so surely riders are motivated more by the desire to take part in and compete in the sport that they love rather than earning money. The fact that so many riders continue to ride speedway when they can ill afford to do so would appear to back that up. Anyway, who cares why they do it really? The fact is they do - and with two appalling on-track tragedies having occurred in the last 9 months no-one can begrudge them a penny.

It wasn't totally a blank canvas. There were restrictions to the width of the space available to put down the track because there was supposed to be a 5-a-side football centre being built next door! (remember that?) Even so, the shape should still have been designed to accommodate that fact and not simply ended up like an oversized Slater Street. Jim's point about Sam is valid. When Sam got back from the USA after attending his brother's wedding in the spring of 2010 the track shape was already cut and he wasn't best pleased. Whilst he was away I remember DH saying to the rest of us involved back then, "It's two straights and two bends. How difficult can that be?" As he's had nothing but stick about the racing ever since it opened, I guess now he knows. To have to dig up all those deep set drains, and the kerbs too, must be a right pain. At least they're doing something I suppose but it's really a job that should never have needed doing. I do agree with one or two others that it's best to reserve judgement for now. The proof of whether the alterations were worthwhile will be in the entertainment served up this season.

Tapping into what was once a major rivalry, Leicester's promotion obviously hope they attract a great turn out (and I can't blame them for that) but I do wonder how much they have considered the clash with the Leicester v Derby football game. That is a massive match, and far bigger to the majority of local people than what is essentially a rather meaningless speedway challenge fixture. Looks like another own goal in so much as I doubt they'll get the crowd they would have initially hoped for.

I guess Cov will be weakened by Roynon riding for the Lions - as he should do. A Prem reserve to cover for Adam in the Bees line up coupled with a proper no 1 guest for the Lions may help even it up slightly. Still a big win for the Bees though. PS: at least KK will find some shale on it this time. Very stupidly, he (and others) were allowed those laps when only the base was down. Part the reason why the track was so appallingly bad in 2011.

Anyone know if Leicester has a new team sponsor? I heard Elliots were pulling out.

Love this Jim. I'm probably in at least three of those... and I don't even go!!!

Agree totally. The track is what it is and it's a bit too late now to change it drastically enough to make a real difference, and to get back the people who have already been lost. It made me laugh seeing DH describe it as "nice, smooth and well manicured" in this week's Speedway Star. It may be all those things but he's missing the point because the one crucial thing it isn't is "entertaining". On a positive note (because some of us always get accused of never having a single good word to say ) the team looks really competitive and Glyn has done an excellent job in assembling it. Injuries permitting, it will definitely make the play offs.

Great point. And I speak as the person who designed that logo! I wish they would change it. When I was involved with Leicester Speedway, and the LSSC during the campaign, I did a lot of design and marketing materials for Leicester Speedway. Sam Ermolenko was also involved back then and he was the main driver behind the new logo. He asked me, and a guy he'd previously worked with in the West Midlands, to present some logo designs, which we did. The present logo is the one that Sam chose to run with (maybe influenced by Sam's previous involvement with the Bulldogs?). The rationale behind this particular logo was 'family appeal' and making it attractive to kids, hence the cartoon approach, which is why it appears "childish" to some I guess. Rest assured it wasn't my favourite of the seven I presented at the time. As an ex-Blackbird Roader I would have gone with one that was much more retro and featured a revamp of the Lion with outstretched paw design used in the early 70s. Sam was obviously less concerned about that and went for a more modern day approach that as Jim also rightly points out, affords the opportunity to work in conjunction with sponsor logos. I do remember being thrilled when Sam rang me at home in the spring of 2010 to say my logo had been chosen (even that one!). However, I find it embarrassing now though, and as the work carried out was unpaid, being done for a goodwill that no longer exists between us, I would prefer them to change it. That's up to them though. Certainly not going to lose sleep over it!

Oh dear, it's degenerated into a personal slanging match again hasn't it? Surely everyone who comes on the forum is entitled to a viewpoint? They are not necessarily wrong, or even mentally ill as someone suggested, just for having an alternative view. Jim the Whipper is right. Leicester threads have ended up being deserted and they now often appear to be bereft of any proper debate. Is Robert72 not entitled to question the intended track change given that there's form here in the sense that it was promised before and never happened? Whatever the rights or wrongs of his opinion, personally I don't think whatever they do will be enough to finally serve up the kind of 'racing' that caused the whole Leicester track debate to start in the first place. The problems with the track at BP go beyond a repair job and what they can do with either the money or time available. Having been there around the time it was laid, and knowing the people who helped put it down, our collective view is that it needs ripping up and starting again, and that isn't going to happen for obvious reasons, and nor should we expect it. Therefore I guess you either you accept it as it is (or will be by the start of next season) and pay your money each week, or you simply go elsewhere (though I wouldn't wish Coventry as an alternative on either Robert or Jim! ). Ending on a positive note, the fact that the track has a problem, and that this is at last finally recognised by the promotion, can only be a good thing.

It’s certainly an interesting Lions line up for 2013, and despite being seen on here as a true dissenter, I shall appease the wishes of the true supporters by only speaking of the team. Here’s what I think is an objective view... Doolan has been on a slight downward curve for the last 2-3 seasons and his scores at Leicester have never been that great so I was surprised to see him in there. I like Kevin though. He's one of the speedway’s good guys and I really do hope he turns things around. Hopefully not being the number 1 will mean he can ride without pressure and produce the goods. His spell at Redcar after being released by Ipswich augurs well but it was a season of two halves for him in 2012. Let's hope we get the latter form at Leicester. Roynan is a super rider to watch but the way he rides leaves him always likely to get injured, particularly as he also seems cursed with bad luck too! He scares me! I can't imagine how he'll get on with Leicester's track week in week out either as he likes to ride wide and there's not much to be had at BP out there. (The track debate is a separate argument so I'll leave it there) Niemenen and Bjerre will no doubt produce what they did last year so that's a decent platform and Graversen will likely score good points at BP so they should be ok at home. However, the bottom end still looks quite weak, especially away from home. I can't see any of those guys performing to double figures and taking 6/7 rides away etc. Regular good scores from reserve are a massive bonus to any team and Lions don't appear to have any so I can see a change at reserve by May as neither of the Lewis' will score the points to keep DH happy. Simon Neilsen is still unproven. It’s going to be a big learning year for him not having done a full season in this country yet and it will be interesting to see how, or if, his long lay off affects him. As we all know, every title winning team needs to pick up points away and that's going to be hard to do on a regular basis if they're struggling at reserve. Maybe the inevitable change will help achieve that. We'll see. It’s not a title winning side I don't think but I would expect a similar season to last. The Lions are definitely capable of staying unbeaten at home with maybe enough points collected away to make the top 6.

So, serious question.... is that a sensible business decision, putting the riders set-up preferences above the wishes of the paying public? Obviously the regulars want to watch a winning team, I understand that, but surely the larger public are the ones who will determine Leicester Speedway's long term future? That said, many of the ones who wanted the track altering have given up and stopped going now anyway. And I doubt whether putting the track right at this stage will get them back either. A massive one-time opportunity that was screwed up. Now it's simply a case of bolting the stable door after the horse has gone home bored.

I don't follow why Lions fans as individuals need to feel "extreme disappointment" to be honest with you. The letter to the council had nothing to do with them, or indeed, the Leicester Lions. It was all to do with something that we were part of a few years back and asked certain questions about how they, the council, viewed it. It was not in any way an attempt to make problems for the Leicester Lions, who as I said on an earlier post, are doing brilliantly this season and that's great to see. The letter referred solely to the greater site and to the terms of the planning application. I shall quote the promoter himself here from some recent programme notes where he refers to the state of the site.... "I think it is very important to point out this is not the direct responsibility of Leicester Speedway". For once I agree with him. It's not. It's the responsibility of Beaumont Sports Complex Ltd, not Leicester Speedway. Therefore, I don't see why you and others are getting so defensive about it. Incidentally, it also seems that people think it was us who got BBC East Midlands Today, BBC Radio Leicester and the Leicester Mercury involved. I can assure you it wasn't. It was an unknown councillor who was unhappy about the whole situation and he/she tipped off these media outlets, who still had our contact details from back when we were campaigning. They got in touch and simply asked us what we thought of the progress so we told them an honest opinion. We never at any point approached any of them so it wasn't a "clumsy attempt" at anything actually. But, clumsy or not, it seems to have stirred up a hornets nest. You need to realise, we're not fans who attend BP every week and as such see things differently to you and those that do. There is a bigger picture to be had about the whole proposed sports complex. Leicester Speedway is just one part of it but it's apparent an awful lot of people can't see beyond that. Instead of solely talking to speedway fans try talking to some of the people who aren’t speedway fans but were looking forward to the other parts of the complex being developed. All we did was ask questions of the council after we'd been asked them of ourselves. And let's face it, if there wasn't a story to be reported, do you think the media organisations would have bothered with it? Of course they wouldn't. If everything was hunky dory the letter would have been ignored and it certainly wouldn't have been leaked to the press by a councillor. I'm sure Leicester Speedway will be around for a long time to come and we’re not stupid enough to want to change that, despite what you may think. I'm sure you won't believe it, and even though it feels a long time ago now, but we're still both proud to have been a part of seeing speedway return to Leicester and there's enough folk go every week to justify it’s being there. I just hope that in the fullness of time the other elements of the sports complex we promised the public will also be there.

Look, I've no idea who you are as you delight in arguing silly points from a position of anonymity but just so you know... he did. Which is one of the reasons why there was a wildlife conservation area (or 'Habitat Creation Zone' as it was described on the eventual plans) included in the site design. Are you suggesting one can't live with the other then? If so, no-one else involved thought that. Not the promoter, not the campaigners and not the council. Also, the LSSC, at his bequest as chairman at the time, paid £900 for the ecology report as part of the planning application. I was on the committee at the time and well remember the passionate discussions about this element to the site, as well as handing over the cheque. Do a little research before making your points. And be assured, your sympathies are irrelevant. Anyway, enough of all that. This is the thread to the Workington match and I have been sidetracked by factually incorrect comments from someone who can happily reveal a lack of knowledge, but not an identity. As such, I'm not going to discuss this anymore.

As I'm labelled a 'doom merchant' these days I'd just like to say here and now that I'm delighted to see the Leicester Lions went the whole league campaign unbeaten at home and are nailed on for the play-offs. A big achievement for a team that finished bottom last year and I wish them every success in the meetings to come. Interesting reading the Star this week that both Debbie Hancock and Rob Godfrey said if their respective clubs ended up in the top two then Leicester would be their first pick of opponents. Godfrey in particular was a bit harsh saying that the Lions had benefited from being in the right place at the right time at Berwick and Rye House. Whatever, even if they are perceived as the weaker of the 6 teams who get through it still remains that the Lions have had a massive improvement on track this season and as Jason Attwood said at the start of the season, the top 6 was the aim - and they've done that so many congratulations to the team. PS: Steady on Ballroom - they won't quite be top 2. And if you ask the right people you'll find out there is no "new found" environmental type. The person you're referring to has been one of those since before you were born (probably).

Not commented on this so far but as certain individuals were asking where the likes of Robert72 and myself are.... Glyn's sacking in the first place was handled very badly. Glyn himself has said that. Everyone knows that. A curt email whilst you're out the country is not an honourable way to sack someone - but he does have previous on that one! Glyn's re-appointment is well, frankly bewildering, in so much as his acceptance of it given his views last December. Sadly, Jason's position was getting increasingly untenable and when the promoter is openly discussing his dissatisfaction with his manager, and his desire to approach Eric Boocock, to non-essential people two weeks beforehand then it was only a matter of time before Jason was gone. That actually happened and I can imagine Jason got to hear about it, amongst other things. The truth behind all this presumably remains confidential to those imediately concerned, and so it should. However, what this whole furore has done is cause yet more rumour-mongering and yet more disquiet among the supporters (and I mean away for the microcosm that is the BSF) who can't understand why one experienced track curator is sacked in December, a new curator then gets appointed (who we're all told is going to right the wrongs of last season), the racing gets a little bit better and the team tops the league (albeit briefly) only to see the team manager walk out claiming he's unsupported by the club and the new curator is replaced after just two months by the one who wasn't good enough previously! Added into which he's also given an extra job of new team manager too! No wonder people are talking about Leicester Speedway as much as they are. And no wonder the supporters end up debating off-track issues here more than at any other track. The endless questions Leicester Speedway throw out into the public domain by their seemingly never-ending and non-sensical decisions means you're always going to get that. Inevitably some will chose to stick up for them come what may, after all, we didn't even have a track for 28 years did we? Some will criticise endlessly and some will not care one jot so long as the team's doing ok. Personally, I don't care either way anymore. The promoter will get the business, the club, the team and the support his efforts deserve in the long run. Knowing him as I did, my own view is that he needs to calm down a bit and stop acting like he needs to do everything immediately and falling out with anyone who spends any length of time with him! If he allowed people to get on with their jobs instead of interfering, brandishing the big stick, generally getting in people's faces and subsequently driving them away, he might find that what's obviously a difficult job becomes a slightly easier one! PS: I think bornagainlion is fairly accurate in his assessment above, apart from the bit about an epiphany - that would never happen!

The title of this thread appears to be very apt if this Twitter comment is correct..... Ritchie Boocock ‏@_Booey_ Not sure who started the rumour of my old man going to Leciester, but up to now it's .....................bollox! #justsayin please RT

Some very good points here Warren (particularly that last one about certain people giving hints as to 'inside' information but never saying who they are. Anonynimity is a convenient refuge for some). I only know Jason from the beginning of last season when the stadium was being built and he was clerk of the course but he is certainly an energetic and enthusiastic person who simply loved being amongst the riders. The reason behind him making this stance and resigning is that quite rightly he feels he is being undermined as team manager with unwanted team changes being forced upon him. As other people have already stated Hemsley only listens to himself, frequently flying in the face of sound advice from people more experienced than him so I can only imagine that Eric Boocock will be advising Glyn directly and not coming into contact with DH on a regular basis as that would be a recipe for disaster! One point, and this I find hard to understand, is why Glyn would take on this role? He was not a happy man at the manner of his sacking during the winter, particularly how it was done by email whilst he was out of the country. He must know what DH is like to work with so why is he prepared to go through that again, particularly given DH's appalling track record at working with people? Only champion appeaser and diplomat Alan Jones seems able to stay the course! A lot of the track equipment at BP is Glyn's so maybe he wants back in for that reason? Struggling to see why otherwise. Steve btw

You make Alastair Campbell look a complete amateur at spin! Team manager resigns because of lack of support and that's "brilliant news" apparently. DH should appoint you as his Press Officer!

In a letter to Leicester's shareholders last week (about 5 I think!) he stated that the Elite League was his intention. Ego or Sky money. It's either one - or both!

Oooh, I hope you don't include me in that Mick. Cretin's certainly a tad harsh! My reasons for saying what I do on here are most definitely nothing to do with suffering from cretinism! And I most certainly don't say what I do blindly! I've seen from the inside what goes on and my eyes are wide open. The bigger issue is that to rectify anything you need to admit to it first, and I see too many people up at Beaumont Park desperately trying to pretend all is well when it's patently not. They're the ones for whom blindness is the problem.

And you're absolutely spot on too Jawadt500. Great post. All of it. Sad to say but this short-termism is damaging Leicester Speedway. When a rational poster like Volty comes on and says what he does then they need to listen. I've had my disagrements with Volty on here previously regarding the way Leicester is run but I respect his opinon and he's definitely not aligned to any separate agenda. He just says what he thinks and having accurately recognised the problem has been brave enough to say so - and in doing so ended up even lumped in with heretics like me and robert72! As for Hemsley, to ignore the problems with the track, and this despite having told certain people he would be doing otherwise, just doesn't make sense long term. His programme notes this week were interesting too. He complains about the low attendance aganst Rye House and then goes on to implore everyone to 'spread the word' and tell people what a great night out is to be had at Beaumont Park. Hard for anyone to do that though when you know it not to be true. I invited several new people along last season for their first ever taste of live speedway but none of them have shown the remotest interest in going again. Besides which, he's the promoter. Surely it's HIS job to promote! He says there are lots of people in Leicester who don't even know that a speedway track is there - and he's right. But who's fault is that? He needs to look inwards instead of simply asking everyone else to take action. His PR man is now wearing too many hats, and he himself is a promoter who doesn't promote. IMO of course!