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Any news on whether he’s been having a spin at the various practice sessions at Scunny over the past couple of weekends?

All valid points. We had a long dry spell with no one, other than Tai, coming through to challenge Bomber and Scott Nicholls for a place in the GB Team. And even with only three decent riders, we had boycotts and fall outs over pay as well as a lack of professionalism in preparation. But, over the last 10-15 years, we’ve had several initiatives to help bring the next generation through. Neil Vatcher with the British Youth Championship deserves much of the credit for this but Phil Morris and the late Graham Reeve were also heavily involved. Bev and Marcus Williams in Australia set up the scholarship - some called it boot camp - in their house and Ian Sinderson of ATPI and Richard Cotton of Rentruck got the No Limits training programme going. When the efforts of Vicky Blackwell and Rob Painter are added to this, you can see how individuals are the ones that have created a set of circumstances that have moved us out of the doldrums when it came to developing riders. From a very lowly position, as well as the GP stars, we’ve now got several decent riders chasing for success. Like Tom Brennan, Dan Thompson, Drew Kemp, Joe Thompson, Dan Gilkes, Leon Flint and several more. Each and every person who has helped to create this, and, of course, Simon Stead is part of this, deserves recognition and thanks. BSPL and many individual promoters are the villains in this - taking but giving little in return. Turning the Development League from amateur to professional was a huge mistake, driven by vested interest. The bottom league should have been a ride for expenses league, but who remembers the year Adam Ellis - and no slight on Adam intended - turned down a championship role because the NDL was paying him too much? For him, it was the right thing to do but it should have been a wake up call for the promoters. Coming back to the original point, the GB Team has been more than the individuals involved, whether that’s those that operate in plain sight or those in the background. But its strength has been because it has operated as a team and Simon was part of the team. Of course GB will regroup without him, but that doesn’t mean his departure shouldn’t be regretted.

There’s still a strong desire to make this happen, work is going on at the stadium towards it but I’m told this week is the Final cut off for a yes or no

Lots of ways to get to the UK from Australia, either east or west but may not be as cheap as usual routes via Dubai etc

Now we have the 5th team and Easter is only 5 weeks away 😧 surely the fixtures should be out this week, fans need to make plans to attend, riders need to make plans regarding travel at home or from away and sort mechanics etc . Can't do these at a drop of a hat

There’s two northern based premiership clubs with Aussie no.6’s on 3 point starting averages this years isn’t there? 👀

Add in new British riders on an average of 2 instead of 3 too 👍

Ah yes - the 2 with current board members....

I dont disagree with you i was reacting to a generalization not you directly

Luke Harrison?

There’s two northern based premiership clubs with Aussie no.6’s on 3 point starting averages this years isn’t there? 👀

Or they could simply have maintained the minimum 4 point average for non Brits That change only really seems to have been made to benefit one club

I think you were responding to me - if you were then that wasn't what I said. I was responding to the debate around the league being weak that year. The comment on the play off final was only about the result and Scott beating Bewley. So your statement above is factually and certainly and definitely incorrect.😉

Jordan Jenkins isn't a rising star so can't use him as a no 7

Only way to stop it, Is to bring in a rule stating that both reserves have to be British Riders which would leave Clubs looking something like the following. BV -> Mulford and Cairns KL -> Rushen and Scott LEI -> Kemp and Gilkes IPS -> Jenkins and Edwards SHE -> Harrison and Killeen

I would add Lidsey

Where's Ipwsich?

Exactly my point... A continuing downward spiral of short term reactions, that means UK riders get replaced, become disillusioned, and then give up... If genuine World Class talent was coming in, then fine... However, invariably, for the last 30 years or so, most overseas riders have been nothing more than journeymen using a revolving door... And all done to win something with little kudos or relevance given the operating model used... Maybe ensuring more supply than demand for riders could mean UK Speedway gets ran authentically like other nations run their version of the sport..? It certainly won't happen with so many teams not even bothering to take UK rider development seriously, and also not protecting those who are on the lower rungs of the professional ladder...

With just about a month to Opening Night, there does seem a vibe about the club this year. The regular Total Access podcasting by Greg Blair is refreshing, not least since he has sorted out the sound with a proper mike. A few lesser podcasts are more reminiscent of two cocoa tins and a length of string.

If Northampton run then..... 1. N-K. Iversen 6.71 2. R. Tungate 5.89 3. E. Riss 6.46 4. C. Wright 6.11 5. N. Klindt 6.46 6. L. Kerr 5.36 7. J. Mulford (RS) = 36.99

Where was this energy when Mark Lemon dumped Jake Mulford for Tate Zischke @ No.6?

i think the guys a nob but each to their own. Interesting to read the star this week and the comments from Jason Edwards about the club ethos and management at Ipswich - hugely complimentary - lets just hope that isn't lost

Thought Northampton had one too.

It’s your holier than thou tone of your posts that irk people. ”oh if only all the other clubs were like belle vue, we’d never treat riders like other clubs do” (you know, accept for when you do) like you’re the saviours of British speedway and everyone else has an active agenda against belle vue to bring British speedway down.

Really? They have a right-wing populist, nationalist, and protectionist leader voted in by folk who are far from socialistic. Or am I thinking about the BSPL and their Chair 🤦‍♂️