lbw 869 Posted September 23, 2021 Speedway Star is at least respectful of Newcastle's plight this week by putting ?marks at the end of the headlines unlike last week when the headline read Diamonds not Forever 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
leander 495 Posted September 23, 2021 On 9/22/2021 at 6:50 PM, Diamondboy said: Yes but the question is, did the promotion take the p@ss out of you? Not a chance. Would do it again, without hesitation, if needed. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ruffdiamond 6,115 Posted September 23, 2021 On 9/22/2021 at 6:50 PM, Diamondboy said: Yes but the question is, did the promotion take the p@ss out of you? 51 minutes ago, leander said: Not a chance. Would do it again, without hesitation, if needed. Maybe it was the other way round? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JRT 0 Posted September 24, 2021 Hi everyone - I'm new to this forum but first started watching the Diamonds in 1964 and have been a fairly consistent supporter at home and (very occasionally) away ever since. Not sure I quite qualify as one of the 350 hard-core die-hards but I'm solidly in the next category down. My working life was entirely in finance so I did think that I might be able to contribute in that context - however I listened with great interest to THJ talking in the bar after the match on sunday (I was the tall balding bloke at the back) and quickly realised that my knowledge of the cash flows associated with a typical speedway meeting/season/track build is negligible. I do want to offer some opinions however so will keep them fairly general. Every decent business plan/forecast/budget has to major on how great the product or service in question and how much appeal it has and how much revenue it can generate. In our case that means the quality of the racing and the quality of the viewing experience. A strong winning team would be a nice addition (altho maybe less important because it can actually be counter-productive for home meetings). So it's about racing and viewing and whilst ,like everyone else, I have had some great nights at Brough Park and have some great memories, I do not believe that our old track is capable in this day and age of providing either. The issues were set out very eloquently in a post on this forum a couple of days ago (sorry I haven't done a link) and I'm not sure I can better that - but in summary the deal with ARC is too expensive and inflexible and the track is too far away and the wrong shape entirely for modern speedway. So whilst there has been much well-informed discussion about how a new venture might be financed and what the legal structure might be, I believe all of this is secondary to the issue of finding a new location and track where the racing and viewing is great. That stands a chance of getting crowds above a break-even figure and not just appealing to the 350 and a few extras like me. It simply will not grow and prosper if it's just for the hard-core support - despite all of their fantastic goodwill and indeed monetary support. In that context I have to offer the unpopular (and regrettable) view that NL racing on it's own is a non-starter (or is at least struggling to beat the two minutes....). All of you folks above a certain age (unspecified..) will have visited Berwick's track Berrington Lough back in the day. Not without it's flaws obviously (eg way too tight) and ultimately not successful but I simply cannot get out of my head the prospect of a venue out of town for the Diamonds which is great for families to visit at 4pm on sunday afternoons in the summer. A great area to watch what goes on in the pits and engage with the riders, great racing (with at least two lines, some dirt and maybe banking), top notch grub and drink from Rob ( all revenue staying within the club?), sideline attractions for the kids, trade stands for the adults - all of Rob's initial vision. Sadly Covid, Brough Park, the handover and a few people letting him down made it all impracticable this year but the dream can be revived I believe. We have firstly to find and promote a potential venue which ticks all of the right boxes first of all to get individuals, sponsors and grant-awarding bodies etc really enthused and promising hard cash. Then we start the debate about the legal vehicle to use and how it's structured and all of the other stuff which the forum has touched on. I don't relish the prospect of a year out of course but that may be the inevitable consequence of a move. A few specific venues have been mentioned - eg Seaton Burn, Gypsies Green etc - and I have to say I can add nothing to the debate about them specifically. It is vital however that we focus first on the pro's and con's of each prospective new venue and allow the business plan and finance-raising to flow from there. Location,location.... yeah you know the rest. This might have also have the side benefit of eliminating all the arguing about the past - water under the bridge and a waste of everyone's energy and time. There is still great enthusiasm and knowledge to be tapped into. As an aside I had a chat with Rob long before the season started and he mentioned to me two possible venues - neither of them has been has been referred to on this or any other forum (as far as I know) and as it was in confidence I'm not about to disclose anything. I would be interested to know if they are still options or were knocked on the head for whatever reason. So if you read this Rob - would be interested in an update please. And please stop blaming yourself entirely for what has happened - you had the ultimate baptism of fire as a speedway promoter and came damn close to making it work. A massive effort which was greatly appreciated. Just as a footnote (are you still reading this?!! is there nowt on the telly? Sorry to drone on and on.....) I keep referring only to a new track. Not a new stadium or grandstand or owt fancy - just gimme somewhere to stand to see great racing (did I mention that?) and a decent team with Max and Connor and a genuine No.1 in it and I'm there. Hope springs eternal. Regards John T Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
StevePark 2,780 Posted September 24, 2021 Taken off Facebook: Important Press Release regarding the future of Newcastle Speedway will be released later this evening. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jaizer 2,853 Posted September 24, 2021 2 minutes ago, StevePark said: Taken off Facebook: Important Press Release regarding the future of Newcastle Speedway will be released later this evening. Hope it's good news. Keeping fingers crossed for you all 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
StevePark 2,780 Posted September 24, 2021 PRESS RELEASE (Taken Off Facebook): The Inspiration and determination of the late Dave Tattum breathes vital life into Diamonds' future Newcastle Speedway owner and promoter, Rob Grant, was shedding more than a few tears on Sunday, along with hundreds of other Diamonds' fans who were attending the final farewell of the club, but in honour of the memory of his former co-promoter, Dave Tattum, who tragically passed away at the weekend following an arduous and lengthy battle with illness, the Geordie former racer feels it would be grossly disrespectful to walk away and allow the club to close right now. An emotional Grant said last night: "Since Sunday's amazing meeting, which was charged heavy with emotion, I've done nothing but sit back and think, and talk with my family about the past and the future, and it seems totally disloyal to Dave's memory that I walk away at this stage and potentially shut the Diamonds forever under our promotion's name. "Dave Tattum spent most of his last months teaching me in depth, with all the information and skills I'd need for running a speedway club, and all that while he was fighting for his health under very difficult circumstances, but as my great friend, he dedicated his time to me and Newcastle Speedway, and that is why I cannot walk away from this great club. I cannot do that with Dave, his efforts and, his belief uppermost in my mind. "No concrete offer has come forward, but we've been looking at my other two businesses and looked hard and deep into things, and I will not walk away, and I will keep Newcastle running in 2022 for the memory and influence of Dave Tattum. We do have new backing and I've learned a lot in the last 18 months which will only benefit the future of the club. Also, I have sent in an application for a new co-promoter to join me, and he's a businessman, who will be a very familiar face to the Brough Park faithful, and obviously knows this club inside out. "The loyalty shown to us proves people of this City and beyond, love this club and desperately want it to continue, and the love poured out over the weekend has been an important factor in this decision and we have to repay that huge level of loyalty. "This time, however, will be starting preparation for 2022 on a level playing field with the rest of the teams, and won't be playing catch-up in the team building stakes, which will, at least mean, we'll have a decent chance of challenging for much better league place that this 2021 season, which is now well behind us." The Newcastle Speedway press office will be keeping a close eye on this story, and will report all developments as it happens, but above all else, the important news today is the Diamonds will come to the tapes in 2022 and powered by the memory of the late Dave Tattum. 19 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
eide67 199 Posted September 24, 2021 Excellent news! Good luck for next season. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Deano 1,318 Posted September 24, 2021 Wonderful news! Well done Rob and every supporter of Newcastle speedway. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
the hobbit 152 Posted September 24, 2021 Brilliant news. So pleased for the fans. Kudos to Rob Grant Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jaizer 2,853 Posted September 24, 2021 Superb news. Well done granty Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Terrace Grumbler 337 Posted September 24, 2021 Brilliant, brilliant news. An immense vote of thanks from us Diamonds supporters to young Mr. Grant is called for, I think. What a cracking start to the weekend! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Markone 3 Posted September 24, 2021 Wow, great news! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TotallyHonestJohn 3,078 Posted September 24, 2021 Well that's saved me booking a room at the South Gosforth Club and an awful lot of fans having to put their hands in their pockets... Thanks to all those who offered to help and it still may be worth having those discussions... Brilliant news and let's see where we go with it from here... always said the best bloke was in the job... Regards THJ 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Barry The Cat 78 Posted September 24, 2021 Fantastic news. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
