RogerM

We owe the Potters a good 'Ommerin', Heathens by 12 points I think,

There are no problems with the 'Club' but there clearly are with the 'Team'. Whatever has caused this massive dip in form needs to be collectively addressed by the Riders with whatever support we, and by that I mean the Management and the Fans, can muster. Our Riders are collectively a very talented and committed group and I am at as big a loss as anyone to understand why our season is in danger of becoming totally derailed! We are arguably the biggest 'scalp' in the NL but we aren't performing anywhere near that level of expectation at present. Whether the opposition see a very well supported and apparently well backed side arrive in town and up their game accordingly shouldn't be an issue and I would doubt that it is, but undeniably we are becoming too easily beaten of late. Whatever happens at Stoke tonight, and I am fearing another defeat, we then face four massive matches to complete our league programme. Let's just hope that we can re-group, confirm a play-off place and kick on from there. EVERY 'Heathens' Fan is behind you boys!! Lets get the 'Wood' rocking on Tuesday and start'Ommering Um again. Glass half full time!!!!

I did say 'appeared to' and in all honesty it's not often that R/R gets anything like the current average of the replaced rider. With the current form of Ashley Birks and the Worrall brothers this was one instance where the rule did what it was intended to do, but that's what Teams are for and well done to the 'Saints'

Having seen Adam Roynon over the last 2/3 weeks I hope he hasn't come back too soon, you have to trust the Riders judgement though but lets hope he doesn;t injure himself all over again! 'Scunfield' appeared much stronger with R/R and that certainly didn't help our cause but I think we all expected to get closer than this. Seems to be a collective lack of form/confidence and general good fortune throughout the Team of late, Fours win excepted. Onward to Stoke and lets 'Ommer Um but I'm one worried Heathen at present.

Don't think there is a Neutral Track now is there?

You need to keep up with the thread BWD. My initial comments refer to the BV Colts meeting at Monmore Wood a couple of weeks ago, on that occasion Jason was disqualified for delaying the start and allowed in the restart off 15 metres, my comments were referring to the fact that Ashley was not allowed to do likewise after the same offence yesterday, perhaps a SCB official could tell us why. Jason's exclusion from heat 15 yesterday resulted from him causing the stoppage of a race which does not permit re-instatement as far as I know and has no bearing on the starting fiasco. Jason is an entertaining and commited rider and I am sure that no one, lest of all any true Heathens fan, would wish to see him injured, particularly as a result of him giving hia all for his chosen sport. The fact remains that everyone who attended yesterdays Meeting went to see the Riders racing and not to see the Start Marshall marshalling!! As with Football and practically every other Sport, once the Officials get in the way then thats where the controversy starts. Much has been said about this subject now, but as usual, the real culprits are nowhere to be seen and won't be called to account for thir actions. Let those in charge do as they see fit to ensure that this does not happen again, I won't hold my breath mind!!

No it's not OK Jayne, but reading the posts thus far most of the evidence appears not to point to Ashley Morris. Having attended and watched an awful lot of Speedway down the years, I can't recall ever having seen a Start Marshall do any more than gesticulate or pat a front tyre to indicate to a rider that he should come to the tapes let alone physically interact with them! If it does indeed become apparent that the Start Marshall 'overstepped the mark' so to speak then hopefully some counselling as to his required impartiality will be offered. Please be assured that we at Dudley Heathens, having come so far in our fight to return and re-establish ourselves in the Sport take these things very seriously and we WILL take steps to eradicate such behaviour within our fan base for the good of ourselves and the Speedway community as a whole. However, as I am sure you would agree, we cannot be held responsible for the actions of others that promote the problems in the first place. This whole incident has left a bitter aftertaste to what was an exciting contest between two committed teams. We should all do our utmost to learn from it and do whatever we can to ensure that Speedway remains a popular and safe attraction to be enjoyed by all!

Thank You for your comments Sir/Madam but don't tar us all the same. The National League, and the sport in general, is far better for our presence than without us, and no doubt all the Tracks we visit are delighted with the extra revenue that our visit brings. It would be foolish to suggest that we were the only Club that had an element of over zealous support and that, I'm afraid, is the scourge of many Team games with a far higher profile than ours. Rest assured that Dudley Heathens is a progressive Club with the best interests of all supporters of our hosts and visitors at heart, If there is an issue and this becomes an ongoing problem, then WE as a Club will deal with it. Comments such as yours are unwelcome and unhelpful, be they factual or not. Remember, this situation resulted from the actions of one individual who should know better as the holder of an official position at a licensed and regulated sporting event. I hope and trust that he is entirely satisfied with his contribution to todays events and will rest comfortably this evening. Three more points for the Heathens and we move on from todays events and look forward to the rest of our season, hopefully we shall not have any further issues like today's to deal with again. Let us hope that all those involved in this matter are suitably proud of themselves.

I did check the facts Jayne, Garrity was excluded by the referee for delaying the start and that was announced by Peter Morrish. Jason changed his bike at the start line and then proceeded to 'Garden' his gate despite the Start Marshall asking him to come to the tapes, result, Red lights and Black flag for JG. It was then announced that he would start from 15 Metres back and a fresh 2 Minute allowance came into force.

Garrity was excluded for delaying the start as well so the Referee has got this decision totally wrong, or one of them did. The Start Marshall may well be biased but the Referee shouldn't be!!!

Why was Ash not allowed to go off 15 metres in heat 15, he was disqualified for a starting offence wasn't he? Same thing happened at MW in Belle Vue match and Garrity was allowed back in!!

Thanks for that, I thought we'd upset you!!

Excellent Web Site, shame Dudley aren't racing in the NL this season!

Hear Hear GP, The FA Premier League is well overstocked with Players from overseas no better than most of the UK Lads in the CC Championship or stuck on the bench or in the reserves. Have we learnt anything from the South African disaster? I very much doubt it.

Hopefully Armstrong and Roynon will deliver on their average this season but I am concerned about the lack of an out and out Number 1 to put a marker down in Heat 1 and then do the business in 13 and 15. However, I also expect big things from Ash and Tom in their second full season and I reckon these two will claim a fair few big scalps this year. They could be the real 'Engine Room' for us and both are well capable of upping their average by over a point I would suggest. Ash is going to benefit significantly from his PL rides and 'Slasher' Perry showed us on a number of occasions what potential he's got. Over to you Boys!!