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I’m not saying it’s not the same sport etc it’s about pulling power and usually it’s younger fans into the 20/30 year old, you quote football clubs average 10,000? Christ that’s a league one attendances, united have 75,000, city 55,000, they have world wide fan base and kids know the players, speedway in Britain is trying to complete locally with that and kids are going to follow their friends and want a footy shirt etc not a BV or whoever top, it’s just how it is, speedway can try everything it can but modern life has changed and speedway unfortunately has been left behind

Well we seem to be stuck in limbo with the weather, all very frustrating as we all want to get on with the semis and finals. The relavent threads mainly seem to be full of Poole bashers conspiracy theories, all pretty boring really. So how about a bit of a review of this seasons team. Even before the start many fans wanted Vinnie kept, but maybe with hindsight that wouldn't have been so shrewd. Starke wasn't many people's fav selection but he has done the job. Tobias and Zac have shown what they're capable of. I still wish we had secured the services of Dan Thompson. But both Anders and Kerr have performed be it a bit inconsistently. What do you think?

I believe the BV riders have this written in their contract which imo is a good thing and shame other clubs don’t do it, I heard one promoter say he wasn’t interested in it when it was put to him as an idea, absolutely everything should be pushed by the clubs to forge that bond with the fans and club, riders on the whole are pretty easy going and will do such things if asked but if you don’t encourage they will just get in their vans and drive off

Although the SCB would no doubt disagree (Vinnie Foord case) as it is 120 miles from Northside to the Ecco -- even on a Sunday that'll be a three-hour drive -- it would be foolish to ask Nick, or anyone else, to try to fulfil the booking.

It’s pretty good at Belle Vue as most of our team ride for only us in this country with many who have never ridden for another top flight club. Most are quite long standing Aces with Dan being with us since 2016. It’s not the norm but something we like to do with our team. As with decades ago points limits, like rider control sees us forced to lose riders, we would have loved to have kept Max and Tom for instance but it’s good to see these riders continue to prosper at other clubs. Several riders are in the Craven suite after the meeting and mingle with the fans chatting and having photos and this has helped create a real affinity with the fans (many decked out in club colours) who see them as part of our Belle Vue family.

The councils giving money to polish clubs doesn’t make the clubs successful, the clubs being successful make the council money in tourism, speculate to accumulate, it’s happens in this country with anything successful, it’s just speedway isn’t, Does anyone who lives outside say zielona gora visit that town for any other reason than its speedway ? So how do the council attract visitors to spend their time and money in their town ?

That is a very good post, in this country we don’t address the differences we make excuses why we can’t do them

I get that it's a chicken & egg situation in Britain, but the appearance of the merch available in Poland is usually superior to this country, and doesn't normally start and end with a race shirt and a polo top. I bought some Janowski merch where I last visited Poland, just because it was a decent looking tee that had a cool speedway design on it - I don't think I could name a more boring and forgettable top-level rider than Janowski, but I still bought his merch because it looked decent. It's a completely different animal, yes...but it's the exact same sport. Why is it virtually the national sport? Why is it tribal? Why is merchandising a big business? I don't think Poland has any big secret that they're keeping from us, it's still 4 riders/4 laps/etc/etc. They just do everything better. They don't have PL football to compete with but they still have football clubs who average 10,000+ every match, basketball clubs that average 15,000+, volleyball is very popular, gridiron is popular, etc. It's not as if it's some sporting backwater where the choice is speedway or nothing.

Except at football where all ages wear their teams shirts even the women

It may well be the best but it’s only a fraction of the crowd, Birmingham had virtually non that’s my point, im not having a go at BV this is about British speedway, all fans need to wearing their own brands ,I’m going to Ipswich tonight and I will see how many wear their attire

I got to the point, in Poland I said it’s tribal like football in Britain it’s simple, speedway has ceased being that way for years, less people of the age who would actually want to wear team shirts or something associated with a certain team, scarves used to be more common in the 70/s and eighties but certainly not now, times have changed and demand has changed, fact of life

the south shop is open every match

im sure you just walk around with your eyes closed, but id say out of all clubs, and ive been to all, belle vue is one of the best for wearing team clothing

Yeah, that's the south stand... hey ho, just shows how different people notice different things 🤷‍♂️

The standing one whichever that is

Maybe, I’m not blaming the people I’m just saying this should be a thing that needs to be addressed and pressed

What is noticeable about Poland is how many people (in addition to other team wear) have club scarves and wave them at any opportunity - especially during races as their riders go by. It creates a great effect and is very visible. It's virtually non existent in UK, but so easy to do

Meeting will be over by Heat 10 imo, Ellis' injury will probably bring down Ipswich's points total a bit but nowhere near enough to give BV a realistic chance of making the Final. Damage was done on Monday and I think the BV fans in attendance knew that as well by the applause at the end of Heat 15.

Perhaps people go straight to the tracks from work? The Premiership is an evening sport over here in the UK as opposed to a weekend sport in Poland. Maybe this influences what people wear?

North or South stand?

Even more reason to put him in if he's already there. Przyjemski, Blodorn, Bednar are all in their respective SON squads. Neither him nor Ellis will get in the main team anyway, so probably a moot point, but he's a young rider having a good season.

When I was there a few weeks back I think I saw around 10 including my son, me and the Mrs were talking about how nobody was wearing them

I'd disagree with that actually, last time I was up there, in the south stand, I actually did notice how many team shirts were being worn by the fans... maybe it's different in the posh seats in the main stand

Ffs 🙄 I’m not comparing the two I’m pointing out that merchandise is and should be a must for all team sports including speedway in Poland the uk or on the moon, it’s branding and branding generates publicity and awareness but for whatever the reason we don’t seem to push it, so get off your high horse and actually get the point

Both clubs agreed the dates without anyone else having to get involved. Even with the guests Glasgow have too much fire power over the two legs for us to cause any real problems.