KevH 257 Posted August 1, 2018 Jon Cook and Stuart Douglas have been looking for a new home for the Hammers for a while now..........let's hope there is some positive news to follow. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brian 63 Posted August 1, 2018 (edited) The talk of discussions with Essex County Council have been kicking round for a couple of years. I suspect now we'll see just how close they are to finding a site. Edited August 1, 2018 by Brian Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
martin_t 219 Posted August 1, 2018 8 minutes ago, Brian said: The talk of discussions with Essex County Council have been kicking round for a couple of years. I suspect now we'll see just how close they are to finding a site. Hope the discussions go better than Cradley have with Dudley council. Sad news for speedway again Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brian 63 Posted August 1, 2018 (edited) https://www.beyondlakeside.co.uk/ Possibility this is a reason. Posted by Lakesidelive on FB Edited August 1, 2018 by Brian Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cityrebel 2,960 Posted August 1, 2018 Once the site was sold the writing was on the wall. The crowds after a positive start have dropped off. The public want more for their money than standing in a stadium with poor facilities. After the rye house closure, this is a real kick in the teeth for fans in the South East. I attended the first ever meeting there in 1984, and I will miss the old place, and the friends I've made there over the years. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
marko 955 Posted August 2, 2018 That article mentions north and east, the raceway is actually west of the retail park and south west of the main shopping complex, so this is probably another area, maybe just maybe someone will buy the land who wants to improve what is already there, long shot? the complex needs serious investment though and more uses, its clear the family who currently own it were asset rich but actually in terms of cash were very poor, so the raceway was just left to get more and more run down. There are not many places you can visit having not been there for 30 years and say, ow this place hasn't changed one bit, Arena Essex is the exception. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
liam 376 Posted August 2, 2018 Absolutely gutted speedway at arena has been a part of my life for many years. Sad day for me. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mjolnir 184 Posted August 2, 2018 24 minutes ago, liam said: Absolutely gutted speedway at arena has been a part of my life for many years. Sad day for me. Sad day indeed mate. I’ve been going to Arena my entire life, it’s not just speedway and my club that I’d miss but all the memories I’m reminded of when I’m there. I can’t help but feel a bit pessimistic about the future of the Hammers at this stage but I really hope there’s some encouraging news to follow from the promotion. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
liam 376 Posted August 2, 2018 Statement now on the website. Fingers crossed we will continue next season. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
old bob at herne bay 828 Posted August 2, 2018 So it’s Saturday night championship racing at Hoddesdon in 2019 for the Rye House Hammers. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
martin297 8 Posted August 2, 2018 3 minutes ago, old bob at herne bay said: So it’s Saturday night championship racing at Hoddesdon in 2019 for the Rye House Hammers. Maybe Dean Wood will step in and run it under the spedeworth banner,same as he does at Mildenhall. I hope so i have a lot of good memories of arena when i raced in the bangers there. Martin. (also of Herne Bay) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
noaksey 343 Posted August 2, 2018 4 hours ago, marko said: That article mentions north and east, the raceway is actually west of the retail park and south west of the main shopping complex, so this is probably another area, maybe just maybe someone will buy the land who wants to improve what is already there, long shot? the complex needs serious investment though and more uses, its clear the family who currently own it were asset rich but actually in terms of cash were very poor, so the raceway was just left to get more and more run down. There are not many places you can visit having not been there for 30 years and say, ow this place hasn't changed one bit, Arena Essex is the exception. The beyond Lakeside project is Arena Essex 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HAMMER180 96 Posted August 2, 2018 sad day indeed jon and stuarts very short statement shows that they are still hoping to stay onsite but with most new owners they will promise this and that to make it sound like they care what local people want then once signed on the dotted line its sorry change of plan gonna flatten it so I for one do not give much hope for staying there. maybe the answer is rye house which is ok for me as I am right in the middle of both rye and lakeside 30/40 mins but I do feel for the hammers fans coming from south of the river as that would proberbly take nearly 2 hours with the traffic at the tunnel. well lets hope the hammers can carry on wherever. going to Ipswich tonight so will see if I can find out a bit more COYH. PS just heard a rumour that drawings and plans for a housing estate and unbelievably a velodome are under way Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Daytripper 1,123 Posted August 2, 2018 11 hours ago, KevH said: Jon Cook and Stuart Douglas have been looking for a new home for the Hammers for a while now..........let's hope there is some positive news to follow. unfortunately, after Manchester Council got their fingers burnt over the Belle Vue project very few councils in these cash strapped times will be inclined to put much time and effort into helping a speedway club. The proposed shopping centre re development is still a few years off with planning permission etcs, so its possible the new site owners will give the club some form of accommodation. The last I heard, redevelopment of the whole area is on hold until a decision is taken about the new Thames crossing either at Purfleet or Tilbury Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pinny 2,536 Posted August 2, 2018 The figures banded about for attendances at Lakeside this season are alarming to say the least for a side near the top of the table. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites