Leicester Lions 2016

[Halifaxtiger 5,318]

EXACTLY.

Publish and be damned, withhold the details and be damned and be accused of Freemasonry secrecy.

 

The way I see it , it doesn't matter what the arrangement with Bewley is. You can either ride for two clubs with the same race night or you can't.

 

I think you know that my view has always been that speedway needs independent adjudication (I hasten to add, not independent control) and I only wish that my comments were over the top. I also think you know me better than to say something simply to please others - my views are my own, always have been and always will be. The fact that my opinion is popular with others merely reflects the fact that they think I have a point.

 

I'd agree that you can't judge the correctness of one decision by another but what we have here is people whose record is, I believe, questionable at best and who cannot be seen to be impartial by any means. Having someone judging a case who can easily be accused of prejudice and who has made poor decisions in the past will inevitably attract adverse comment and raise issues about their competence in dealing with such cases.

 

I am sure that any ruling would attract debate but if it were independent there would be no allegations of self interest. Its difficult to see how that might not be better than what we have currently.

 

I am huge fan of Rob Godfrey and Scunthorpe (for the most part). There is, however, a very thin line between showmanship and taking an action that will damage the reputation of the sport and even compromise safety. Make no mistake, when Josh Auty went and sat on the track he was deadly serious and it most certainly was not something to please the crowd. Moreover, Peter Clarke's handling of the circumstances of that meeting was almost universally criticised and one can only speculate how someone like Jim McGregor, for example, would have dealt with it.

 

What effectively happened was that a rider and a promoter incited part of the crowd to take part in a sit in on the track in front of the tapes when riders were at the gate. The motivation for that was what happened to Auty in an earlier race and the referee's failure to take appropriate action in dealing with it. It was Clarke's view that it was merely light hearted; I am not sure that Auty, for one, would agree.

 

No ruling should ever been completely subjective. In making a decision, you look overwhelmingly at the circumstances and only marginally at the person. The question is whether that is true here.

 

And that's really my point. Given their history, can we be absolutely sure that this decision is entirely objective and without prejudice ?

 

The position on publication merely adds weight to the argument that they are not. While I'd agree that decisions will be criticised no matter what, surely the procedure should be consistent. After all, how can you justify making one person's misdemeanours public while hushing anothers up ?

Edited June 12, 2016 by Halifaxtiger

[Big Al 708]

Does anyone know about the two "fraudulent comments" Mr Hemsley was judged to be guilty of making - what he said and when/where/how they were made?

[E I Addio 15,843]

 

In truth, I could have put any names there - those were just the first three that came to mind.

 

It would be interesting to know what punishment that promoter got (if any) wouldn't it ?

 

I can certainly recall (albeit some years ago) Len Silver being abusive to a referee. Then there's the incident when Chris Louis entered the referee's box at King's Lynn at the precise moment that the destiny of the NL title was to be made a few years ago - he wasn't abusive, but he most certainly shouldn't have been there. If memory serves me correctly, he wasn't punished at all.

 

Someone has mentioned Mick Horton being fined, appealing and getting most of it cancelled. I can't remember why, but it would seem he has been down the same route.

 

Then there's the Rob Godfrey incident above.

 

Makes you wonder whether Hemsley has been dealt with fairly after all, doesn't it ?

The first point I would make is that fairness and consistency are not necessarily the same thing. Because on person gets an unduly lenient punishment for something it doesn't mean everyone else should get away with it.

 

I think we can discount Len Silvers behaviour in the past because times change, and no doubt Johnny Hoskins may (and probably did ) something similar to whip up the crowd but times move on. I can't remember any of the present crop of EL promoters doing anything similar, apart from the Keith Chapman incident I mentioned previously. To the best of my knowledge Chapman suffered no disciplinary penalty for his behaviour. I stand to be corrected if someone else knows differently but if my understanding is correct then I agree that it is unacceptable that someone in a management position should be allowed to behave that way without reprimand, but that doesn't make the Hemsley case wrong, it makes the Chapman case wrong.

 

The sport is riddled with inconsistencies but two wrongs don't make a right. It's ridiculously inconsistent that Craig Cook should be allowed to ride in the PL but Lewis Bridger on a much lower average isn't. That doesn't make the Craig Cook decision wrong it makes the Bridger decision wrong.

 

Now, as far as Hemsley is concerned, in any sport any attempt to intimidate the referee or umpire should be severely dealt with otherwise you are on the road to chaos. If Hemsly was guilty then it's right that he got a fine that will hurt, so he doesn't repeat the behaviour. The fact that someone else got away with it is an indictment of the sport but it doesn't excuse Hemsley.

 

If as you say self interest is at the root of Hemslys fine that is a serious claim and needs a bit of substance to support it. Personally I think Hemsleys fine is a bit steep but if guilty it still needs to be substantial. I am more surprised that people on here are so concerned about Hemsley and hardly give a peep when others seem to get away with similar behaviour. That is where the real wrong really lies.

Edited June 12, 2016 by E I Addio

[AlanF 295]

Does anyone know about the two "fraudulent comments" Mr Hemsley was judged to be guilty of making - what he said and when/where/how they were made?

1. Leicester is the best track in the country.

2. This Lions team is capable of making the playoffs.

 

Both comments made in front of witnesses so can't be denied.

Edited June 12, 2016 by AlanF

[Big Al 708]

1. Leicester is the best track in the country.

2. This Lions team is capable of making the playoffs.

Both comments made in front of witnesses so can it be denied.

Ha! If he was up before the beak for the likes of those, they'd struggle to finish the hearing within a week!

[Shirl 165]

Ha! If he was up before the beak for the likes of those, they'd struggle to finish the hearing within a week!

Following those comments maybe sectioned under the mental health act

 

Perhaps 9k is not enough

[tonyd 165]

Getting back on track - the fine imposed by the SCB is truly incredible; and I'm quite certain, could not be justified in a court of law. For a £300 penalty to increase to £7,500 represents an increase (if my sums are correct) of 2,500%!

 

I would love to see the SCB's rationale for this increase; particularly given the initial fine imposed v the severity of the alleged misdemeanour(s).

 

you dont know maybe the SCB have a payday loan that they have to pay back

 

They truly are an utter embarrassment to this sport; and undoubtedly, one of the biggest contributory factors for its sad demise here within the UK.

 

Cannot disagree with you there.

Edited June 12, 2016 by tonyd

[CB252 1,376]

Ludvig Lindgren replaces Watt

[mdmc82 2,878]

Ludvig Lindgren replaces Watt

Ouch. I'm not even sure a game of golf is going to make that better for him 😉

[beckettlion 195]

lindgren signing on paper makes us weaker... Fortunately it's raced on shale and he's been going better than watt has. Anyone know what's happening with szymon?

[CB252 1,376]

lindgren signing on paper makes us weaker... Fortunately it's raced on shale and he's been going better than watt has. Anyone know what's happening with szymon?

The way he rode in Poland last Sunday, he won't be allowed out to play for a while I wouldn't think!

[SCB 0]

Only Leicester could keep "strengthening" but getting weaker!

[beckettlion 195]

The way he rode in Poland last Sunday, he won't be allowed out to play for a while I wouldn't think!

If only he had another team, in a weaker league, to improve his form and confidence

Only Leicester could keep "strengthening" but getting weaker!

You really think replacing someone that's been as weak as watts been for us is getting weaker? Only weaker in reputation (and our reputation isn't exactly sky high)

[ruckerroo 792]

Be a shame if watts career comes to an end in the uk on such a downward spiral

[Steve Shovlar 10,439]

Be a shame if watts career comes to an end in the uk on such a downward spiral

Totally agree. Davey Watt has been an excellent rider in his career both here and in Poland where he held down a team berth for quite a few seasons.

 

He has been a very good second heat leader in his time and was reliable.

 

But his personal life has dragged him down. He seemed fine pre season but the sport moves on and the days of just turning up at p&p and expect to carry on where you left off are long gone. Out of season riders are not dossing about. They are going to the gym every day, some Watt himself said he couldnt stand, and working on getting their equipment spot on for the start of the season.

 

From day one Davey was off the pace, blaming his gear. But there was more to it than that. He let his personal life affect his riding to such an extent Matt git rid of him.

 

A move to Leicester might have resurrected his season but his scoring was just as bad. I heard that he is back with his Polish girlfriend but it didnt make any difference on track. Perhaps he is skint and can't afford quality gear, though thats just speculation.

 

The same fate that hit Adam Sheilds seems to have hit Watt.

 

Personally, I hope he can continue next season in the PL. He has given the sport in the UK quite a lot and it would be fair for the sport to allow him a couple more seasons at a lower level. Just my opinion of course.