Ron Butler

Here is the best brief biography I have read of a man it was my privilege to watch on many occasions. http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/6499...rderField=alpha There you have a man who could teach many riders of today a great deal - starting with an ongoing demonstration of real and true sportsmanship. Ron.

Twice nightly at 6.00 and 8.00 live on stage at the London Palladium?

It wouldn't be the first time that Jon has ridden for Belle Vue, Rami. Some years ago he regularly appeared in the Elite team.

Can Belle Vue 'Colts' be added to the list, please. The promoters confirmed their intention to run at the recent National League AGM. I don't the names of any riders yet but there are a thriving bunch of eager lads who regularly ride second-halves at Manchester.

Belle Vue have now officially confirmed that they will be running a team - Belle Vue 'Colts' - in the 2011 National League. Whilst this primarily to aid the development of their present juniors it may be that they would need some men with greater experience to fill a gap or two.

Greetings Steve. I think you are in error by implying that Peterborough 'have a large wad in the bank'. Their stated reasons for withdrawing from competing in the Elite League were purely due to cost. It was further stated that they wished to continue presenting speedway in the town and were hoping to compete in the Premier League or even the National. Apparently it remains to be seen whether the masters of the sport will allow this. As for the conduct of Avtar Sandhu at Coventry. The man is a disgrace to the sport, I remember well what a great club the Bees were under the control of Charles Ochiltree. Sadly, those days are long gone and are just a distant memory. Regards, Ron.

I fear that any further downturn could, to all intents and purposes, prove terminal.

Could be rephrased as 'About time some had a clout behind them'? I jest! Ron.

I haven't read or heard any reports that it has.

Thanks for the info, Shawn. I didn't know that. It's a really good rule though. Regards, Ron.

So German nationals are barred from competing in British speedway - are they?

Yes, KBT, I feel that the club should be granted a facility and that the rider concerned should be penalised. Best though that we leave it to the Lord to choose who should be 'discipled'.

Belle Vue can only ride home matches on Monday or Wednesday (occasionally Sunday afternoon). The GRA - stadium owners- require all other times for greyhound racing.

This is the ideal opportunity for James to prove his critics, myself included, wrong. I sincerely hope he does so and extends his score to the remaining matches of the season. Should this happen I will, before the eyes of you all, consume a generous portion of humble pie. Go to it, James, I'll happily suffer indigestion. __________________

Thank you for that, Midnight. It's very refreshing to read input based on logic and consideration of the facts rather than hero worship and bias. No doubt young Mr Woffinden will have his day.

Thanks for that, Pete. All is now clear.

Bryn, Thank you for your post numbered 82. I found it quite an informative insight into the world of the speedway referee in general. Hopefully it will encourage some of our fellow forum contributors to take a more reasonable attitude when commenting in the cold light of day. Regards from a fellow speedway veteran. Ron.

Clarify!

I've said elewhere, BWitcher, that I feel the umpires/referees in any sport are continually at the mercy of spectators who ought to have visited Specsavers on their way to the match. I sometimes feel that team managers have quite an easy job in comparison.

I think they usually try do exactly that. Trees, - at least at Belle Vue. From my television observations most of them at other tracks also do. What can the marshall do, however, if a rider insists on positioning his machine at an angle? As far as I'm aware the start marshall has no punitive or executive powers he could apply. Should not the much maligned man in the box warn or penalise the offending rider?

Whilst agreeing with all else you say, JD, I cannot accept the comment I have highlighted. Surely a decision cannot be both 'incorrect' and yet 'justified'? Are you not contradicting yourself? Perhaps you would clarify that statement.

I completely agree with you, Bryn. It would be totally impractical to have two methods of decision making. I feel that referees should not have sight of television monitors during matches. Decisions should be made on the naked eye principal as they are in matches which are not televised. It's ludicrous to have what amounts to having two methods of making crucial decisions. This is illustrated by the fact that this matter has been presented for discussion.

You have my deepest sympath Youn Dietbowers. I can offer no consolation! It gets worse. I know that because I'm 27 years older than you and evry time I sit at my keyborad thekeys are in a diifferent order than the last time. The result? My daft compewter churns out rubbish - as yew can sea. It's all very sad and I don't know what the remedy is - if there is one With sympathy, Ron. BTW: This is a consignment of geriatic shoemakers! (a load of old cobblers)

The season proper hasn't yet started in any real sense but people on several threads are already posting negative comments about the weather. Come on - either be more optimistic or transfer your allegiance to a sport that's never affected by weather conditions. May I suggest international tiddlywinks?

Hope the meeting goes well for you; with just enough rain to give a decent racing surface. Enjoy the season, Ron.