EnglishRoundabout

Oh yeah, I forgot about the wife!!

I’ve worked in the H&S area, specifically in Swindon. The Premiership final match between Swindon and Wolves at Blunsdon in 2011 ( I think) the crowd was hugely overestimated by most people. But in essence it was heavily restricted to around 3000. Id be amazed if Poole was anything more than 3000. The 4000/5000 figures are very unlikely.

Having moved to Cornwall in the last few years, I’m looking forward to watching Plymouth this season. Season ticket sorted. I’m going to miss my first love, the Swindon Robins, and my second love the Rebs at Somerset, but going to put my Gladiators hat on now. With Crumpie leading the attack, what’s not to like?!!! Well done Plymouth for putting together such an attractive team for this season.

Thank you Grachan. Yes the 4TT does ring a bell. I think I actually went with Steve Shovlar, but not quite certain. Steve, can you assist?

May have been mentioned already about Brandon memories, but I recall going to Nigel Boocock’s testimonial there. I have vague recollections of the meeting however. Can anyone enlighten me please? I remember it being a steaming hot Sunday afternoon, and think it may have been an individual meeting? I also recall there being a massive crowd. Anybody else attend?

Yes, that’s probably an accurate figure of the amount of Robins fans Doris. Swindon fans always seemed to populate together, similar to what they did at Smallmead on the pit bend.

I remember that race Doris. Adams almost fenced Chrzanowski going into the third bend...I think he was taken by surprise at how quick the Pole was.....I think he scored something like 17 points that night. A couple of memories for me at Brandon....the British Final run off between Ray Wilson and Martin Ashby in 75 I think. What a fabulous race. Ashby stalked Wilson for 3 and a half laps before almost executing a perfect pass going into the final two bends...sadly, Martin was far too nice and gave World Cup Willy the room he needed to win by a tyres width on the line. The 2007 play off final between the Bees and the Robins....arrived late on one of the Swindon coaches...heard on the radio Swindon had extended their lead by winning heat 1 5-1. Much jubilation on the coach! Had also been informed that Sebastian Ulamek had crashed into the fence on the warm up!! Entered the stadium in five for heat 3. Looked across at bends one and two and saw a sea of red and white. Swindon fans packed in there. From then on, Swindon were completely outridden by a better Coventry side. Terrible shame that there’s no longer any Speedway at such a great stadium and decent track.

Sorry?

How in general did they ride together Bagpuss? I recall they spent quite a chunk of that season riding as partners at three and four in the Lynn side.

No, the Swindon management have taken the correct “vision “ as they have foreseen that there won’t be any Premier League Speedway this season and therefore given their blessings for Doyle and Batchelor to ride in Poland. No need to step down a league.

Thanks for the attached Blu. Doyley as ever being as open and as honest about the situation. Furthermore, Confirming my opinion that there will be no British Speedway this season.

I guess something similar to early nineties football when their crowds were at an all time low. Suddenly there was a spike in interest ( I accept that was probably due to Sky money) but sometimes in life you only realise how you miss something when it isn’t there. So maybe Sky or someone else will provide the financial assistance the sport deserves and desperately needs.

Maybe this whole godamn awful thing will trigger a resurgence In British Speedway? Wouldn’t that be marvellous?

Don’t want to put a damper on what is already incredibly tough times, but personally, can’t see a speedway season in the UK this year.

Hello Idh! At least we know it wasn’t you flashing your camera on the back straight there! Hope you are keeping well during these difficult times mate.

Who?

I remember the Adver headlines pre season 2007, something like “ Roscos’s dream team”, referring to the line up he had put together for the coming season. The failure to win any trophies that year was very disappointing and I recall Leigh Adams being particularly disappointed with the Performance of the team in the second leg of the play off final at Coventry. The team simply buckled under the pressure of a fired up Coventry side that night. Personally I think both the 2007 team and the 2019 team were pretty evenly matched, and I’d agree that the teams in 2007 were much stronger, I’d take the 2019 to win a match between the two sides, if anything because the 2019 team appeared to be much tougher mentally.

There was definitely an issue that particular season. It happened on at least three or four occasions. Mind you, I’m sure it’s not unique to Somerset.

What I would say about Ben Barker, and I’m sure there are plenty of Plymouth fans that would back me up on this, is that he is one of the sports best team riders. His team riding especially at Plymouth was outstanding when he rode there 5 years or so ago. Sadly that art has become almost redundant these days Barker absolutely loves being the pantomime villain and I reckon that helps fire him up even more. But like you guys have said, he puts everything into every race.

He was probably on his toes if he knew you were after him Ray!

Exactly right. I remember a quote from Mads Kornelieussen when the two rode together at KingsLynn some years ago. He said that he not only had to watch out for the opposition at the race for the first bend, but also for his partner Olly Allen!! Says it all really! Anybody remember when Olly was a country mile in front during one meeting, and then he unexpectedly pulled up on the third and fourth bend....he claimed he saw a red light, but it was obviously someone with a flash camera. He was absolutely furious...from where I stood I could actually hear Olly screaming in frustration as he coasted around the track

I don’t think he ever rode the OTA again after he left us. He was absolutely no nonsense going into the first bend and didn’t suffer fools gladly. Often his team mates would cop it too, but I remember Olly saying the first bend was “ all or nothing “ Olly was a great skipper at Somerset and often gave his time up for a mid meeting interview, answering fans questions and giving his opinion on speedway stuff Definitely missed at the OTA.

Think he came on the mike at the end of the meeting Cliffeboy, to apologise to Rebels fans for his performance too.

Yes, I think he scored something like 4 didn’t he?

There’s absolutely no doubt he will be getting folk through the turnstile at a rate of knots, especially the first few meetings at Foxhall.