screm 8,057 Posted November 13, 2012 That is definitely true. You don't go to the speedway for the announcer. But I agree with MSC1874 in that their performance can stop some people from going. In my (pretty wide) experience, he's not that bad. He knows his speedway, for a start. The bloke at Sheffield thought Gary Irving was Tom Young, for heavens sake. No doubting Mr Barries`s knowledge of speedway,but hearing the same things week in week out does start to great after a while. One thing he could do is when theres a break in racing,waiting for a County Ambulance for example,he could interview a rider or two,instead of wittering on about texting some Bandit line etc. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Teal 74 Posted November 13, 2012 It's only my opinion, and yeah Dennis may do a lot if work, but all I'm saying is is that the announcing, presentation needs to be made modern, and exciting! Granted we are there to watch speedway, but these days entertainment means being constantly entertained- therefore included pre, during and to an extent post meeting Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
msc1874 143 Posted November 13, 2012 It's only my opinion, and yeah Dennis may do a lot if work, but all I'm saying is is that the announcing, presentation needs to be made modern, and exciting! Granted we are there to watch speedway, but these days entertainment means being constantly entertained- therefore included pre, during and to an extent post meeting Listen I am not doubting Dick Barrie's knowledge. I mean I recall the guy raving about Chris Holder a year before he came to the UK. The man is not daft. I am just saying it puts me off when he's on the mic. The Andersons have modernised so much at Berwick, great owners, but the centre green p/a is archaic. It's not fresh, or modern. Scott Wilson came to Edinburgh as a local dj knowing nothing of the sport. His approach was refreshing! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Teal 74 Posted November 13, 2012 Listen I am not doubting Dick Barrie's knowledge. I mean I recall the guy raving about Chris Holder a year before he came to the UK. The man is not daft. I am just saying it puts me off when he's on the mic. The Andersons have modernised so much at Berwick, great owners, but the centre green p/a is archaic. It's not fresh, or modern. Scott Wilson came to Edinburgh as a local dj knowing nothing of the sport. His approach was refreshing! I completely agree Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
seanmuffe 105 Posted November 13, 2012 Compared to some, he's pretty good. Take a trip to Coventry one time to see just how bad centre green announcers can be. On the same subject, I suspect that attendances at King's Lynn will increase this coming season. ...compared to most is not a measure i would use.... crap is crap... ....but that i think is class :approve: That is definitely true. You don't go to the speedway for the announcer. But I agree with MSC1874 in that their performance can stop some people from going. In my (pretty wide) experience, he's not that bad. He knows his speedway, for a start. The bloke at Sheffield thought Gary Irving was Tom Young, for heavens sake. ...was his name Hoggart by any chance? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
seedef27 107 Posted November 13, 2012 If the answer to speedways problem is appealing to the teens & lack of cash maybe someone could send a message to Simon Cowell with the idea of an new series called X-Factor centregreen announcer 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
spin king junior 394 Posted November 13, 2012 (edited) [/color] ...compared to most is not a measure i would use.... crap is crap... ....but that i think is class :approve: ...was his name Hoggart by any chance? Nope. It was Shaun Leigh who mucked that one up! Edited November 13, 2012 by spin king junior Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tigerblues 10 Posted November 13, 2012 Nope. It was Shaun Leigh who mucked that one up! Same bloke who couldn't tell the difference between Ashley Morris and Seb Alden! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bigeddiechek 1,094 Posted November 13, 2012 You think,if you mean by student someone who is taking further education,then I dont think there will be that many in the Berwick area as theres only an opportunity for any kind of further education at the Berwick Academy,and its not as if students are renting property in Berwick and then commuting to the universities in Edinburgh or Newcastle. Surely there must be people who go to Northumberland and Borders Colleges that might be enticed with student offers? Bundle them up with drinks offers, then it can be very appealing to students. I think Teal has put forward some good ideas. I also like the suggestion of opposite numbers being brought out in pairs to do a couple of laps instead of the painful parade: that is one bit of speedway that I really dislike. It is bloody hard going. I find Dennis very informative and worth listening too, not so sure about the music, Mr Barrie. Well, I respect him, but I can see that not everyone is of that view. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dempo 124 Posted November 13, 2012 The jump from £5 to £14.50 once people turn 16 is very off putting and unaffordable on a weekly basis.. I know plenty of students in Berwick who live midweek at their respective uni cities and travel back to Berwick for the weekend for work and/or to socialise with their mates. Attract more to to start their Saturday night at Berwick Speedway before heading out into town, a student deal involving drinks could be a good idea if publicised well. Shouldn't just be restricted to students but people of that age bracket. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Teal 74 Posted November 13, 2012 The jump from £5 to £14.50 once people turn 16 is very off putting and unaffordable on a weekly basis.. I know plenty of students in Berwick who live midweek at their respective uni cities and travel back to Berwick for the weekend for work and/or to socialise with their mates. Attract more to to start their Saturday night at Berwick Speedway before heading out into town, a student deal involving drinks could be a good idea if publicised well. Shouldn't just be restricted to students but people of that age bracket. Nicely said The jump from £5 to £14.50 once people turn 16 is very off putting and unaffordable on a weekly basis.. I know plenty of students in Berwick who live midweek at their respective uni cities and travel back to Berwick for the weekend for work and/or to socialise with their mates. Attract more to to start their Saturday night at Berwick Speedway before heading out into town, a student deal involving drinks could be a good idea if publicised well. Shouldn't just be restricted to students but people of that age bracket. Nicely said Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
seedef27 107 Posted November 13, 2012 Give free entry to Glasgow & Redcar fans.. any losses on the turnstile will be offset against needing Usain Bolt to fetch more alcohol from the Black & Gold. In all seriousness everything that can be done i am sure will be done by a promotion that do not just see a cashcow product but genuinely love the merchandise they have acquired and long may their improvisation continue 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Backless 538 Posted November 14, 2012 Compared to some, he's pretty good. Take a trip to Coventry one time to see just how bad centre green announcers can be. On the same subject, I suspect that attendances at King's Lynn will increase this coming season. Is that the best we can expect these days: he's not as bad as some? I'm not disputing your assessment - in fact if that is the case, there's a significant reason behind the decline of the sport. "It's a bitt crap, but not as bad as it could be". With regard to the other comments: Nobody is suggesting that people turn up because of good presentation. Nobody is suggesting that people turn up at a pub because of sweetly smelling bogs. But you head off for a family meal in a local hostelry and, despite the excellent ale and outstanding cuisine, if there's a stench of fermenting bogs, the chances are that you'll not make the mistake of returning. So Barrie knows his speedway. So do any number of bobble hat wearers, but you wouldn't want to listen to them all night, and they would be without the meandering patter reminiscent of a fermenting bog. As for solutions, Edinburgh's idea of a local DJ has worked well. Berwick used to have a youngish guy who was a DJ. Go down that route. He'll be finished by 9:00 most weeks, 9:30 at the latest, so it could easily be made to fit for a few quid (bearing in mind Barrie won't be doing it for fresh air). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Teal 74 Posted November 14, 2012 An idea I think music wise would be asking a different rider at the beginning of each week to choose songs/artists they'd like to hear played. Gives a few days to get a playlist sorted, then bobs your uncle! Paves the way for varied music! Summer months a barbecue and outside bar on third bend area? Some picnic tables? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Teal 74 Posted November 14, 2012 You think,if you mean by student someone who is taking further education,then I dont think there will be that many in the Berwick area as theres only an opportunity for any kind of further education at the Berwick Academy,and its not as if students are renting property in Berwick and then commuting to the universities in Edinburgh or Newcastle. How about getting students from Berwick Academy involved? I'm not sure what A levels they do, but could the speedway not get involved somehow? for example if there's a photography A level then put it to the school that pupils could get experience by being allowed on centre green to take pics? A music A level, how about being in dj box? Hospitality A level, ask for ideas from the pupils, Art A level , design some posters etc. all of this may seem pointless to some, but to me it shows an jnterest in the community, young people and could be a way if generating more interest and perhaps introduce more people to speedway. 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
