IronScorpion 1,407 Posted December 17, 2018 Didn't Craig Cook start racing at 21? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
East End Fan 426 Posted December 17, 2018 22 hours ago, Richard Weston said: Speaks the man who has that great prospect Ledwith in his team. That is truly laughable. Ledwith storms to become world champion at 50. I can see the headlines. ROFL MY team does not have Ledwith...or for that matter anyone else. Lakeside is no more sadly. But frankly, if Ledwith at whatever age, can beat other riders, he is worth his place. IF his age stops him from entertaining on the track then get rid of him. As a VERY senior citizen, I have no age discrimination thoughts about ANY active lifestyle. Good luck to Ledwith, I say. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ben91 1,743 Posted December 18, 2018 On 12/16/2018 at 6:17 PM, Richard Weston said: Speaks the man who has that great prospect Ledwith in his team. That is truly laughable. Ledwith storms to become world champion at 50. I can see the headlines. ROFL The fans don’t decide who their club signs. Just because Kent have signed Ledwith it doesn’t mean their supporters have to agree with it. ROFL indeed. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
orchardlane 15 Posted December 18, 2018 Leaves the door open for quality - Jordan Good luck and hope you have an injury free season. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AntiqueSteve 100 Posted December 19, 2018 On 12/16/2018 at 6:17 PM, Richard Weston said: Speaks the man who has that great prospect Ledwith in his team. That is truly laughable. Ledwith storms to become world champion at 50. I can see the headlines. ROFL Yawn....................... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dontforgetthefueltapsbruv 10,695 Posted December 19, 2018 On 12/17/2018 at 10:56 AM, IronScorpion said: Didn't Craig Cook start racing at 21? John Louis was 29 before he had a go at speedway 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fourentee 987 Posted December 19, 2018 On 12/15/2018 at 5:57 AM, Halifaxtiger said: No-one in their right mind would say that having Jon Armstrong (now well into his 40's) in the NL is a bad thing. Well said. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
orchardlane 15 Posted December 21, 2018 However much the powers that be insist on calling it a develpment league, it serves little purpose if all the new riders do is race against each other. They need a yardstick against which to measure their talent. Seniors provide this as long as teams are not loaded with them. 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cityrebel 2,960 Posted December 22, 2018 On 12/19/2018 at 8:56 PM, dontforgetthefueltapsbruv said: John Louis was 29 before he had a go at speedway Too right. When i first saw the tiger ride at Romford in 1970, he was alredy 30. I was just a wee lad at the time! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dontforgetthefueltapsbruv 10,695 Posted December 22, 2018 1 hour ago, cityrebel said: Too right. When i first saw the tiger ride at Romford in 1970, he was alredy 30. I was just a wee lad at the time! I was still a twinkle in my dads eye then! I was lucky that my childhood was Louis Sanders Davey Jolly Lanham etc Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
East End Fan 426 Posted December 23, 2018 8 hours ago, dontforgetthefueltapsbruv said: I was still a twinkle in my dads eye then! I was lucky that my childhood was Louis Sanders Davey Jolly Lanham etc You're just a baby, my childhood was Eric Chitty, Aub Lawson, Cliff Watson, Jack Parker et al 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
25yearfan 476 Posted December 23, 2018 On 12/19/2018 at 8:56 PM, dontforgetthefueltapsbruv said: John Louis was 29 before he had a go at speedway Ipswich speedways greatest rider and one of Englands finest, John Louis was born in 1941 and had his first rides on a speedway bike at Foxhall in mid 1969, so he was just 28 I believe! I'm all for bringing on young riders, that has to be a main aspect of the National League but I disagree with putting a rider in the team just cause hes young. Also if riders like Jon Armstrong, Robert Ledwith are still quick enough then their experience can be invaluable to young riders! 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sings4Speedway 3,246 Posted December 24, 2018 23 hours ago, 25yearfan said: Ipswich speedways greatest rider and one of Englands finest, John Louis was born in 1941 and had his first rides on a speedway bike at Foxhall in mid 1969, so he was just 28 I believe! I'm all for bringing on young riders, that has to be a main aspect of the National League but I disagree with putting a rider in the team just cause hes young. Also if riders like Jon Armstrong, Robert Ledwith are still quick enough then their experience can be invaluable to young riders! 100% agree with the above. The reason any rider should get a place is because they are quick/good enough not because they are young enough. There is an obsession at present with getting riders in as soon as they are 15/16. If they are good enough then i have no issue with it but if they require a little longer to develop then give them the time. There is also major issue with 15 year olds being included in league racing and the laws surrounding it that will only become more problematic over time. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
orchardlane 15 Posted December 24, 2018 On 23 December 2018 at 8:06 AM, East End Fan said: You're just a baby, my childhood was Eric Chitty, Aub Lawson, Cliff Watson, Jack Parker et al You must be as old as me!!! Don't forget the man in the picture (left). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
25yearfan 476 Posted December 24, 2018 (edited) A 15/16 year old rider who is quick enough, and ready for the commitment of League racing will almost certainly get a team place in the NL. Putting a wobbler not yet ready for NL racing is counterproductive to everyone including the rider. Anyway if a promotor has the choice of either an inexperienced 15/16 year old or a 30+ year old journeyman whos been around for a while who are at the same level, then the youngster will get the team place cause he/she will be seen as having more potential to improve. As a Mildenhall speedway regular, I can categorically state that Jon Armstrong has provided some top notch racing at West Row in recent seasons and is renowned for his great experience and mentoring of young riders! As for Robert Ledwith, he was a tenacious, talented rider in the early 90's in the top 2 Divisions who probably didn't achieve as much as what his ability suggested he would. If hes just half as good as what he was back then, he will serve a useful purpose in next years NL! Edited December 24, 2018 by 25yearfan Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
