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womble53

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Everything posted by womble53

  1. womble53

    Somerset 2017

    You see that's exactly my point. I wasn't there either, but I have spoken to people that were, and have heard a totally different account, including from people in the pits, but I wouldn't dream of putting it out on here, as I wasn't there, and didn't see for myself
  2. womble53

    Somerset 2017

    From the first two words on your post I take it you weren't even there, so if you weren't, anything you have to say on the matter is pure conjecture
  3. womble53

    Somerset 2017

    You can Howard......if you add Nicholls, Harris, Andersen, Bjerre & King to your list, one or more of them will be at the Oaktree every home meeting.........Just saying
  4. womble53

    Somerset 2017

    If you listen carefully, you might find the answer to that question here: https://youtu.be/tbol_PJLWD0?t=9m23s
  5. womble53

    Somerset 2017

    Think you'll find that once Rye House were unable to fit the meeting in to their fixture list, the opportunity was there for any of the other clubs to put in a bid to host it. You know the old saying, 'If you're not in it, you can't win it'
  6. On Facebook today (Caroline Watson aka Midnight Lady), I have been reading with great sadness of the passing this morning of an old friend, Dennis Wallace, better know to many on these pages, and those of the Monarchs Chatzone as 'Merlin'. I first met Dennis through my travels with the Somerset Rebels, when he kindly provided board and lodgings to myself, and several other Rebels fans, on our trips for the Scottish tours. He was a wonderful host, and nothing was too much trouble for him, his breakfasts were legendary, and his home was our home. He would meet us at the airport, and whisk us away for trips around the area, and some wonderful Haggis lunches in various hostelries around Edinburgh. Dennis was great company, witty, knowledgeable, smart and with a love of speedway, and in particular the Monarchs, which was plain for all to see. We all enjoyed many conversations about Speedway, and many other subjects, sat around the TV with a beer in hand. Not only did he open his home to visiting fans, he also provided a home for many of the riders, who raced for the Monarchs over the years, Cameron Woodward, Aaron Summers, Kalle Katajisto, and Max Dilger spring immediately to mind as recipients of his hospitality. I recall one occasion, when the late Emil Kramer was looking for a hotel for the night, to catch an early flight home the following morning, and Dennis immediately offered a room at Chez Wallace, with the offer of a lift to the airport in the morning. Emil didn't know Dennis at the time, but over a beer or two in front of the box, they talked about speedway and life, and they became firm friends. Suffice to say that wasn't the last time Emil sampled the Wallace hospitality. There are many on here, who would have crossed verbal swords with Dennis, and been on the end of his sharp & quick wit, especially Tigers fans, and whether you agreed with his point of view or not, he was always interesting & entertaining in what he had to say. Sadly Dennis suffered a stroke a few years ago, which affected him greatly, and I believe of late that he had suffered more strokes, which eventually led to his sad passing this morning. I for one feel privileged to have known him, and will miss his kind hospitality, impromptu tours, and ready wit. My condolences go out to all his family & friends. RIP Dennis
  7. womble53

    Somerset 2017

    No Gemini, with Rye House moving up, and Plymouth moving down, they would have been mad to stay in a league where there nearest opponent would have been Peterborough, and every away fixture would have required a huge amount of travelling and the related cost, where virtually every opponent, bar Peterborough & Ipswich are based in the northern half of the country. A league where the prospect of any amount decent away support, in terms of numbers, would have been virtually zero. Moving to the Premiership has not only seen the massive travelling cost reduced, but has brought the prospect of relatively local derbies with Swindon & Poole, with at least 4 or more meetings per season, where the away support should be much more than they have seen at anytime in their years, since 2000, in the Premier & Conference leagues. granted there will be some increased cost from riders wages, but the club has always managed this well in the past, so I would expect that to continue. So no, I can't agree that they are mad to be taking the step up, as the way I see it, there was little left, by the way of financial viability for the club, to stay in the Championship, quite the opposite I'd say. Ask Glasgow why they haven't taken the step up, I think you'll find that had they moved up, they would have been in a similar situation to Somerset, had the Rebels stayed put in the Championship
  8. womble53

    Rip Bryn

    Bryn was a top man, and a great friend of Speedway. He was one of life's characters who, despite his debilitating illness, could be found anywhere around the country and, in the past, around the world, watching speedway. I first ran into him on the Isle of Wight, when the Rebels visited Smallbrook, where he was the track announcer, amongst other things, and along with Ian Belcher, he invited us both into the referee's box to partake in some Bread Pudding, which he was particularly fond of. I recall that Christina Turnbull was the referee that night, and when it was time for the meeting to start, we were about to depart the box, but Bryn wouldn't hear of it & insisted we stay. We spent most of the evening enjoying Bryn & Christina's banter & their company throughout the meeting. It was a wonderfully enjoyable evening, and one that was repeated several times afterwards. Whenever the Rebels were on the Island, a message would be broadcast over the tannoy, asking Ian & myself to go to the referee's box, and sure enough the Bread Pudding would be waiting, and would be offered up as we entered the box. Since that day, it has always been a pleasure to run into Bryn around the country, and on one particular occasion I was visiting my parents in Stockport, and my wife & I had a night at Kirkmansulme Lane to watch the Aces v Lakeside. It was a truly, truly awful match, with the evening only rescued by a chance encounter with Bryn in the car park as we were leaving. He was the last person I expected to run into, although I probably shouldn't have, but the pleasure was all mine, and I went away much happier for having seen him than I would have done had our paths not crossed . That was Bryn Williams, here, there & everywhere to watch speedway, and always with time to stop & chat. I heard that he was in hospital shortly after he had been admitted, and called in to see him a week ago on the Monday just gone, after getting off the train back from Brussels, just up the road at Ebbsfleet. I hadn't seen him for some time, so was a little shocked at how his illness had treated him recently, but under it all was the same old Bryn, sharp as a tack & funny. I also had the pleasure of meeting his brother Gareth, who was also there visiting. Although we couldn't stay long, as we were still 3 to 4 hours from home, it was a visit I'll cherish, and won't ever forget. Bryn was a top fellah, who will be missed by a great many around the Speedway World, and I feel privileged that he let me into his world on that visit to the Island, and my life has been richer for knowing him. My thoughts go out to Carys, Andy, Gareth and the rest of the family RIP Bryn
  9. womble53

    Somerset 2017

    Don't know why you're worried about that Howard, you're never there to buy one these days
  10. womble53

    Somerset 2017

    Think someone needs to remember this is NOT the Elite League, it might still be the top tier, but it's a good step down from the EL. just 0.19, pretty close
  11. womble53

    Somerset 2017

    Sorry Naj, but I'd be flabbergasted if he was in the team, after GM's comments at the presentation night, about the night he stood in as team manager for Kings Lynn at Poole. To say he was not impressed would be an understatement.
  12. womble53

    Somerset 2017

    Format is exactly the same as you're used to, they've ditched the stupid format used in the EL last year, that's one of the reasons they've gone with PL based averages for team building, as the old EL format skewed the average badly for the lower riders, and saw people like Bjarne Pedersen riding at reserve
  13. womble53

    Somerset 2017

    If you follow Somerset on Twitter, or the Rebels new Twitter on Facebook page, you'll see them as they're announced, as they normally post them up as they're introduced at the social night Some people still hanging on to the old Elite League, when will people realise that the SGB Premiership is not the old EL, it's quite a step down, hence the 50pt team building limit & massive averages (which will obviously fall to 12pts or below) for people like Chris Holder, Jason Doyle etc, but a step up on the old PL. In my opinion last years team would have given many in the 2016 version of the top flight a good go for their money.
  14. womble53

    Most 5-1s

    Even his own team mates
  15. womble53

    Somerset 2017

    You obviously haven't looked at the make up of both new leagues lately?
  16. womble53

    Youngsters Ready For Premiership?

    It's 50pts, but this years averages calculated on a riders last Premier League (now the Championship) average. Any rider who only has an Elite League average will have that increased by a factor of 1.4
  17. womble53

    Somerset 2017

    What have you been sniffing Kelvin, have you lost your mind? You clearly weren't at the end of season dinner, or you would never have even entertained the notion, let alone put it in print
  18. womble53

    Lakeside 2017

    Can't see how that can happen, as the EL & PL AGM's are combined and take place over the next three days, so if they can't run EL because of the date of the AGM, they're not running PL either......So it looks as though NL is the only option. Unless, of course, they're given an extension on the date to confirm their intention to run. This has happened before, with Plymouth I believe
  19. womble53

    Somerset V Sheffield 27.10.16

    Memory playing tricks on you CB, lost by 15pts (53-38) on 12th August & by 18pts (54-36) on 9th September. On top of that Rebels have won the last two at Owlerton, 51-39 on 22nd September & the 2pts last night, with the only defeat at Owlerton, by 10pts (50-40), coming on 11th August. Not saying for one minute it'll be a cruise for the Rebels, as I'm a pretty pessimistic person in this type of match, always think we're going to have a hard meeting & it makes it an all the better feeling when we get through it. If your coming down, have a safe journey & enjoy the match
  20. Not my team I know, but found this interesting little article today, which I thought might make an ideal starting place http://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/sport/speedway/craig-cook-facing-dilemma-over-monarchs-future-1-3922415?utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=twitter&utm_source=twitter
  21. What difference does that make, both have identical averages. Bradley has been riding in a team with a very strong top 5, and spent some time in the main body. If the pair switched teams, Bates would probably now be riding at reserve for the Rebels, and Bradley in the main body of Sheffield team...........It's all relative
  22. womble53

    Somerset 2016

    Good plug for 2017 Andrew.........nothing like getting in early
  23. He didn't say that it took him 45 mins every Friday, he qualified it afterwards, but yes it is possible to do it in 45 mins at the right time of day, even on a Friday. It's only 47 miles from the Exeter Services junction to the Oaktree. Google maps have it down as a 40 min run in light traffic
  24. I take it you didn't have to travel up or down the M5 to get there Friday.......Just saying!
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