4thbender

Why on earth doesn't the PL adopt the 2 home / 2 away fixture formula, guaranteeing all teams 24 home league meeting a season? It could then do away with the ridiculous play-off system, whereby theoretically a team finishing sixth in the league (i.e. mid-table) could be crowned league champions! It would also mean that the season would not come to an abrupt end at the end of August, as it does currently for the seven teams that don't make the play-offs. Nor would there be so many blank Thursdays in the fixture list, and riders could potentially double their PL earnings. From March to October, Thursday night is speedway night at Owlerton. We want competitive speedway, not Eastenders (promoters please note).

Couldn't agree more.

Generally agree, but what's the view on Stead being a big risk? Coming in on a 10+ average, after the knock he's had at Rye House who's to say he can maintain his own high standard? Could be he'll struggle next season. Kurtz might be a safer bet for no.1.

This isn't sour grapes (the Rebels won fair and square and hats off to them) but has Leigh Lanham undergone some sort of radical transformation since leaving Sheffield?

Is it true that Jason is the grandson of Freddie Garrity of the 1960's "Freddie and the Dreamers" fame?

That's rubbish. India ARE into cricket in a big way but haven't taken over English cricket. The Indian players that make the trip to play in English leagues have raised the standard of English players and given us goals to aim for.... just as Aussies have done for speedway.

You COMPLETELY miss the point Steve. Any Tom, Dick or Harry CAN get in... provided they come from an EU Country. Let me prove to you how unjust and ridiculous this is: Last season Taylor Poole thrilled many of us at Owlerton and proved beyond doubt that he is a potential star of the future. It now looks likely he will be excluded from taking further part in British speedway, his only 'sin' being that he is Australian. Another Australian by the name of Arthur Sissis, whose only claim to two-wheeled fame is finishing 29th last year in Moto3 grand prix racing, will nevertheless be allowed in to race in Sheffield colours on the basis that one of his forebears happened to have Greek heritage. How can that be just and equitable? The Whitehall jobsworths who dream up these inane and stupid immigration rules do so for the sole purpose of keeping their well-upholstered backsides in well-paid jobs. I've got £5 for the first person who can tell me any REAL justification for excluding citizens of the British Commonwealth from coming to practice their profession on these shores whilst allowing free and unfettered access to anyone and everyone from the so-called European Union (European Dis-union would be a more accurate title).

Congratulations Humphrey - at last I see someone making a sensible argument on this topic. When will the much-maligned speedway community wake up to the fact that there is absolutely no good reason to prevent professional sportsmen coming to the UK to make a valuable and colourful contribution to a sport which is dying on its feet? The 'jobsworths' who make up these stupid and inane rules do so merely to create and maintain well-paid positions for themselves and their elitist colleagues in Whitehall. I've got £5 for the first person who can tell me any REAL justification for excluding citizens of the British Commonwealth from coming to practice their profession on these shores whilst allowing free and unfettered access to anyone and everyone from the so-called European Union (European Dis-union would be a more accurate title)?

In my long experience, people who use the saying "rules are rules" do so because they cannot justify why the rule exists in the first place. Can you tell me any justification for excluding citizens of the British Commonwealth from coming to practice their profession on these shores whilst allowing free and unfettered entry to anyone and everyone from the so-called European Union (European Dis-union would be a more accurate title)?

Provided they come here prepared to abide by the laws of the land, are financially self-sufficient and aim to make a positive contribution to society, people of all nations should be welcomed. It's what made America great. Provided they come here prepared to abide by the laws of the land, are financially self-sufficient and aim to make a positive contribution to society, people of all nations should be welcomed. It's what made America great.

Can you imagine the furore if Man Utd were told they couldn't sign the likes of Rafael or Di Maria, or Chelsea's Ramires and Luis were sent packing back to Brazil because (by someone's perverted measure) it was ruled they weren't talented enough to be given preference over English players? This whole visa farce is a pantomime invented in Whitehall to punish speedway for being a noisy and dirty sport supported by oiks in the north. It doesn't happen in other sports; why should they pick on us? These individuals are international sportsmen originating from a Commonwealth country wishing to come to these shores in furtherance of their profession and to entertain the paying public. They are paying their own way and have contractual arrangements to prove they will be financially self-sufficient. Polish airline Wizz Air has recently announced that it will be operating a twice-weekly service into Robin Hood Airport from the Slovakian city of Kocise to "bus in" a further 400 immigrants on a weekly basis, most of whom will have nowhere to live and no jobs to go to, but will expect to be housed, provided with benefits to support their families and given free medical healthcare. Is it not time the speedway fraternity rose up in protest at this clear discrimination against talented individuals wishing to ply their trade in the UK?

This unwarranted interference in the affairs of speedway stinks, and the face of anyone who calls himself a speedway fan should be red with anger. Can you imagine the furore if Man Utd were told they couldn't sign the likes of Rafael or Di Maria, or Chelsea's Ramires and Luis were sent packing back to Brazil because (by someone's perverted measure) it was ruled they weren't talented enough to be given preference over English players? If we shut the doors to our antipodean cousins we cut off a rich vein of talent which has maintained British speedway for decades. I would go as far as to say that speedway in the UK would no longer exist were it not for the thrills, excitement and colour that our friends from down under have brought to our shores. The legendary names of Huxley, Van Praag, Moore, Briggs, Mauger, Young and Airey represent an 80-year legacy of speedway racing at its best. Their names have more recently been joined by those of Crump, Parker, Doolan, Holder, Doyle and Lemon. Who's to say the next generation won't include the likes of Ward, Schlein, Fricke, Sedgmen and Masters. If we allow some penpusher in Whitehall to determine who's allowed to grace our speedway tracks and who isn't, then we hand over the future of our great and glorious sport to the dead hand of officialdom. The whole situation is ridiculous and laughable, and if speedway stands for it we should all hang our heads in shame. Until the disgraceful and disgusting decision on Campton and Wethers is reversed, I would propose that fans from all Elite, Premier and National League teams withdraw their support and refuse to pass through the turnstiles. Teams should be free to contract with whoever they wish, regardless of nationality and, provided riders have contracts to prove their financial self-sufficiency, UKVI should have no business poking its nose where it's not wanted.

Not talented enough? Then why do British promoters want to employ them? If we shut the doors to our antipodean cousins we cut off a rich vein of talent which has maintained British speedway for decades. I would go as far as to say that speedway in the UK would no longer exist were it not for the thrills, excitement and colour that our friends from down under have brought to our shores. The legendary names of Huxley, Van Praag, Moore, Briggs, Mauger, Young and Airey represent an 80-year legacy of speedway racing at its best. Their names have more recently been joined by those of Crump, Parker, Doolan, Holder, Doyle and Lemon. Who's to say the next generation won't include the likes of Ward, Schlein, Fricke, Sedgmen and Masters. If we allow some penpusher in Whitehall to determine who's allowed to grace our speedway tracks and who isn't, then we hand over the future of our great and glorious sport to the dead hand of officialdom. This unwarranted interference in the affairs of speedway stinks, and the face of anyone who calls himself a speedway fan should be red with anger. Can you imagine the furore if Man Utd were told they couldn't sign the likes of Rafael or Di Maria, or Chelsea's Ramires and Luis were sent packing back to Brazil because they "weren't talented enough to be given preference over English players"? The whole situation is ridiculous and laughable, and if speedway stands for it we should all hang our heads in shame.

This is madness. These individuals are international sportsmen originating from a Commonwealth country wishing to come to these shores in furtherance of their profession and to entertain the paying public. They are paying their own way and have contractual arrangements to prove they will be financially self-sufficient. Polish airline Wizz Air has recently announced that it will be operating a twice-weekly service into Robin Hood Airport from the Slovakian city of Kocise to "bus in" a further 400 immigrants on a weekly basis, most of whom will have nowhere to live and no jobs to go to, but will expect to be housed, provided with benefits to support their families and given free medical healthcare. Is it not time the speedway fraternity rose up in protest at this clear discrimination against talented individuals wishing to ply their trade in the UK?

For Ricky Ashworth video update, visit: http://www.thestar.co.uk/video/news/ricky-ashworth-3936036014001

Arthur Sissis’s Moto3 career is over. He has been dumped by his Moto3 team Mahindra Racing. Sissis gave an interview to Australian Motorcycle News and stated: “I’m happy. I want to go back to speedway. I’ll go back to Australia to try to get back up to speed, then go and race in Britain.”

If Scotland decides to leave the UK on Thursday, what will happen to Edinburgh and Glasgow? No longer part of Great Britain, they will not be eligible to be part of the British Speedway Promoters' Association, will therefore not be bound by the rules of British speedway and Scottish riders will be classed as 'foreigners'. has anyone thought through the ramifications of all this?

Has it not struck you that if the Scots try to wriggle out of taking on their portion of the national debt their credit worthiness on the international money markets will be zero? They'll never be able to borrow money ever again and will be a bankrupt nation from day 1. I don't think that particular tool is going to work.

It was announced in sombre tones at the end of last season that Neil Machin had had enough and the Owlerton club was up for sale. With great fanfare in January Damien Bates and Peter Mole were welcomed as the new team owners. However for (at least) the past few weeks the programme has stated that the promoters are Damien Bates, Peter Mole and NEIL MACHIN! Does this represent changes at the top or am I missing something?

At least the Tigers escaped without further injuries which, for us this season, is as good as a 4-point win!

Chris will be remembered with great fondness by everyone at Sheffield for his spell with us. I recall him being named Man-of-the-Match for his sheer 110% effort and commitment in his last outing for us. Speedway is all the poorer for the loss of Schrammy.

I think the jury's out on the Ben Wilson signing: time will tell. Might be a good omen though: Sheffield are always a better team when there's a 'Wilson' in the ranks!

The thing I've noticed about LL is that when he gets overtaken by an opponent he immediately looks over his shoulder to see where the next one is. In my book this betrays the psychological mindset that he's expecting to get passed and is focusing more on retaining second place than putting up a fight for the lead. Contrast this with Stead who, on the rare occasion he finds himself being passed, fixes his attention on the man in front looking for an opening to win back the lead. LL's mindset is all wrong and that's why, when the inevitable changes are made, the axe must fall on him (along with Proctor, who's all at sea). Interesting to note that with the manager threatening team changes in the local press, Poole's gone out at Peterborough tonight and scored ten.

Anyone know what the record is for the highest aggregate points win over two legs? Whatever it is I reckon the record will be broken tomorrow! Speaking of winning the toss, it strikes me that Sheffield riders find it very difficult to compete from the no. 4 gate position, but the same affliction doesn't seem to strike opposing riders.... or is that just my imagination?

Couldn't agree more. Sheffield's promotion traditionally has a reputation for standing by its riders, but how long will they persevere with under-performers? I got a slating on this forum for suggesting that they should be on the phone to Argentina inviting Facu to return, but there's no doubt on last night's showing that he would be a more-than-adequate replacement for any one of four riders. If this were the end of the season, there's no way the promoters would be offering new contracts to numbers 2 to 6, so why don't they grasp the nettle and make some decisions NOW about the inevitable rebuilding? Disappointing as it may seem, heads will have to roll if Sheffield is to salvage anything from this season.