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Of how many teams? and remember, no doubling up and (if teams of seven) meeting only on Monday & Thursday

He would have ridden here no doubt about it. There’s a few others that probably would as well if there wasn’t so much uncertainty and waiting around. Becker, Ellis, Rew a few that spring to mind.

`if this had all been sorted much earlier, then the likes of Doyle etc could have signed on.

Klindt and Iversen two more. But it would be an awful team we all know it. Hiding to nothing.

Like been said who would Northampton have tho, Ipswich obvs couldn't get a genuine No1 if Brennan is their No1, if the rumours are true and riders like Ellis/Becker/Rew are giving the UK a miss then that leaves possibly Wright/Tungate, but after them two god knows.

And a league should comprise no less than eight teams if it wants to be taken seriously. Therefore a top tier isn't viable if only five-ish teams can be put together at the standard this "top" league wants to operate at.

Stene Pijper, Liam Greens (500cc) Ella & Douglas Marshall (125cc)

Not unusual for riders to agree verbally for one team and then end up signing for another. Hopefully Northampton is happening and Lawson has just been offered something better (could just be certainty) by Ipswich.

One league end of

6 is possible with a level enough playing field on team building limits, stability, a tv deal. 5 is the only feasible number in 2026 with any 6th being a disastrous bust. 7 - no way unless there is a sudden influx of new riders. But the way things are going, 6 will become unworkable even with all the conditions in place. Then 5, then 4. Time to fold things from 2027 and put new foundations in place.

'Potential Northampton side' does that include Lord Lucan and Captain Oates? With Shergar as the mascot?

I have seen on certain FB pages that the sport, to move forward, needs Coventry, Peterborough, Wolves and Swindon back... Who, it has to be asked, will ride for them?. Name those 28 riders of sufficient capability..

And at the risk of repeating myself, this is exactly WHY a current “top league” is only suited to 5 clubs. You’re struggling to get the fifth (Ipswich) team competitive, let alone a 6th! 7th or 8th? Absolutely no chance, forget it.

Of course it will... You know that, I know that, and tens and tens of thousands of fans, who no longer attend, but still closely follow the sport, elsewhere, know that... The undeniable issue, is that those who are quite happy to run the sport as a hobby, won't ever, for one second, accept that.. Until, of course, their hobby doesn't exist anymore..

Don’t think that’s now going to happen for that very reason. The 360 podcast said a few weeks back that Lawson was one earmarked for Northampton, but we now know he’s ended up at Ipswich instead. Thats an indication that Northampton isn’t happening. Could be wrong on that obviously.

What was once a laudable development idea, that gave those moving up a "safety net", should their higher division aspirations be beyond them... Became the ONLY reason two tiers can pass themselves off as a professional entity..

The reluctance to go back to basics and 1 League (albeit slower standard)is going to kill the sport of completely.

If Ipswich didn’t have the pick of the rider market , what will the potential Northampton side look like

Doubling up became a total joke. One season an ENTIRE premiership team was made up of double uppers and there were two other riders used in that team who were also double uppers making it NINE in total. Promoters such as this one have presided over the steep decline of our sport, usually from a position of power at the top table. Little wonder we find ourselves where we are with this kind of promoter running the show. Danny King (Poole) Craig Cook (Glasgow) Jason Crump (Plymouth) Jake Allen (Redcar) Paul Starke (Kent) Anders Rowe (Edinburgh) Drew Kemp (Edinburgh) Cameron Heep (Kent) Jordon Stewart (Redcar)

Is there any other worthwhile options other than Jeppesen on around the 4.5 mark? None seem to jump out and he seems the best option by a mile.

I did wonder if this type of thing would continue so good on the supporters club for carrying it on. The other, was the professional photo shoot that Chris always carried out at Ipswich Sports club on the morning of press and practice. Wonder if that will continue also.

Agreed the plus side is they have bought one of the two best supported clubs in the country agree re Reading money was p-ssed away on industrial scale.

UK Speedway is clearly hamstrung by doubling up.. Neither league can pay those top tier third HL's/SS's, and 2nd tier "one and fives" individually, what these lads want to earn.. Therefore, they share the costs, to ensure so many teams can actually exist at the level they want to run at, and riders get what they want.. The top tier need to have some "top talent" to justify their "top tier" status... And those who run the sport as a hobby have zero interest in what the top tier do, and have even less than zero interest in joining them, but do like using riders they couldn't afford if the top tier didn't subsidise them.. In short... Doubling up, and Guestfest after Guestfest, (196 in the top two tiers last year), actually renders the sport a ridiculously "hard sell" to both sponsors (from outside the Speedway bubble), and potential new followers.... (Not promoted well Richard? Really? How do you actually promote that?) Sorting this sharing of riders is the No1 issue, and the biggest barrier to the sport ever becoming seen as "authentic" by those who no longer attend, or wish to sponsor clubs.. To the likes of Richard Coleman, I say... Good luck... Many before have seen the huge potential in such a unique concept of motorbike racing in a town environs... And all then basically, gave up, and cleared off, disillusioned, given those incumbents who run the sport, are more than happy with their lot.. Us fans may see potential, those who run it, particularly as a hobby, don't feel any growth is needed... (Especially If it impacts them)..

Jan Kvech signs for Holsted

The supporters club are organising the annual meet the riders on March 26th at Venue 16 in Ipswich. Shouldn't it be at Area 51