65Sarge

I'm not sure losing Gomolski weakened them in the slightest, but congratulations to the Lions, I think it's going to be a long season for Robins fans unless changes happen.

On what we're seeing Down Under, I fear the Robins may have dropped a spherical one not signing Justin? Master Bellego has a point to prove to justify his selection. I feel rather sorry that at the minute Justin has no team, I'm sure that won't be for long, let's hope he doesn't come back and bite us in the bum!

I am trying to keep an open mind about speedway this year, I truly believe that like myself, nobody really knows what will work, high average top end top riders with a couple of rabbits at reserve or a balance side of has been's, maybe's and may never be's? It is interesting to read Mr Shovlar's recollections of Swindon past, the joyful days of the 70s and early 80s following the men and machines all over the Country, rarely seeing a victory but always enjoying a fine day out. The Pork Scratchings from the pork van at Cradley being a personal favourite. I always wonder what happened to fanatic of the time Colin the Jeweller, I recall him writing a relatively awful song to the tune of Buck's Fizz's 'Making your mind up' (so probably 1981?) which all had to learn on the coach to Kings Lynn if I recall correctly so that it could be sung when Crumpie won a race. Sadly, I have to admit that I recall it started - First you gotta speed Phil up, then you slow the others down ............................... (own up, you're singing now aren't you) As for the lads who raked the track, what a 'fine' bunch they were, I often look at my photo album of the 1983 2 coach trip to Norden for the World Final and wonder if any in those pictured in the bar are among those who frequent this forum? Whatever happens, I am pleased Swindon have a team and hopefully a new stadium to ride at next year sometime, if success comes, fantastic, but to me, happiness will always be 40-38 (or more so 38-40 if we're away).

Congratulations to the Lakeside track staff for getting a raceable track from the mess in the 5pm pictures. Well done to the Lakeside team for a solid professional performance, good luck in the play offs. Robins, with the exception of JD and Charles, you should hang your heads in shame, that was a p*ss poor effort. Rosco, you are Swindon through and through, but I fear you have lost your mojo as you seem unable to nurture and help our young English reserves to improve and compete, and as for the lack of ability to motivate the team as a whole, what can I say. Onwards towards hopefully a new stadium and hopefully a better constructed team with bigger b*lls and the ability to compete when it comes to the crunch, Goodnight Vienna.

Pictures of the track are not encouraging. I am not really worried who progresses as my heart has not been in it this year, I just hope the decision whether to ride or not is based on the state of the track, not the importance of the meeting. There has been plenty of options to have run this in the Summer, so no excuses. We don't need another bad injury in the sport.

Bugger, placed my (fortunately small) bets on tonight's Coventry v Lakeside thinking it's Friday so Lakeside are at home, just realised it's Coventry at home tonight, doh 😕

They do now, but when they first left Eastville they played in Bath at Trumpton.

Annual thing? The farewell meeting or the announcement to keep fans up to date with what's happening? 😉

I get in the office about 5.30, so at least I will have something to look forward to with my first cuppa (as long as it's not the return of the Batch)

I am guessing there was a dire shortage of brain cells and common sense in 1982? I enjoyed trying to second guess who would be worse out of the Bees & the Robins. Main difference Robins fans saying we were crap, Aces deserved it well done, Bees fans trying to come up with more excuses than a normal human being could imagine to justify their loss and accuse everyone else of cheating while crying like spoilt brats. Shame there was no Havvy interview tonight, would have loved to hear his whinge (might have needed subtitles though).

Interesting to read the comments, just a shame about the accusational b*ll*cks being posted by a certain idiot Coventry fan. Swindon never deserved to win, fantastic team performance by the Aces, thoroughly deserved. Yes the conditions didn't help the Robins, but with the exception of the time with Darcy leading the way, the Robins have been a leaderless ship this season, Rosco seems to have lost his passion and his riders respect, I hope there is speedway at Swindon next year but only if there is a leader in the camp and no Batchelor please. Well done Belle Vue, superbly ridden, good luck in the final may the best team win.

God this is all a load of horsesh*t being spouted on here lately. I for one have no issue with the Aces having AJ as guest despite the fact in my opinion it strengthens them based on recent form, however, it would have been far better for Zagar not to ride yesterday to recover for the final / GP and at the same time stop all this sh*t slinging. Personally (just my opinion) Zagar is taking the p*ss, but the Aces have used the situation to their advantage as any sensible promotion would, just like Poole have with Dak North. The promotion's job is to do the best they can within the given rules, if they are bent but not broken, so be it, let's get on with it race hard and fair and hope for a good safe meeting (with Swindon winning by 15 of course). Too much bleating by fans thinking they have the morale high ground when there isn't one, there is no honour in any professional sport these days hence why I preferred it when the teams were primarily made up of working men who raced part time. Let's hope we get two decent contests to watch tonight and the best teams progress.

That'll be called a locum or an agency worker, so most would be allowed with few exceptions where the job is highly specialised.

If he rides (which personally I doubt), I shall say fair play to him and hope the Robins can haul back the 14 points, if they don't, I shall wish the Aces well in the final. Looking at the weather forecast, looks like a fair bit of rain all day up until late afternoon, 50/50 whether it's on I reckon?

Based on what I have read, Zagar has no excuse not to ride tomorrow, but no doubt it'll be take the p*ss out of the UK fans and not bother time tomorrow. Should the Aces get a guest facility?, personally I think not, but in the interests of etc etc AJ will no doubt have spent the week getting a Blunsdon engine ready. I think the outcome is a foregone conclusion especially if it rains, good luck in the final Aces unless a miracle happens.

I remember the guy who sold the pens, deaf and dumb fella, from memory he was called Oscar and travelled to many tracks selling the pens?

Agree with much of what you said except in H12 Worrall took Wright off and was correctly excluded. H14, Morris was away and Killer was 3rd and looking faster than Nicholls off bend 2, so how you can say a likely 3-3 I do not know? All in all Aces solid and deserving, Robins poor, track even worse in regards to providing any racing to watch, unfortunately very gate & go. Hoping for a better 2nd leg, but expect the Aces to cruise through.

Lots of Ifs and Buts, but at the end of the day, the Aces hold a valuable lead and are deserved favourites for the aggregate win. I never understood why the Robins chose to ride away first, but then again, it's all about opinions. Let's hope Monday has some proper racing as tonight was boring and made worse by the Robins ineptitude and inability to compete (I apologise to those who attended and created an apparently superb atmosphere, well done all of you).

Can you tell me this week's lottery numbers please? But he might have gone 0,1,1,0? Who knows as he didn't ride!

Right now I genuinely don't think he has a clue.IMO he is trying hard to be restrained and professional in front of the cameras rather than exuding his natural passion for all things speedway and Swindon. He may appear a total pillock at times, but without that energy and total commitment for his side, he is not a leader but a spokesman. Come on Alun, let's see the old passion back, you may look a bit of a tool at times, but you are safe in the knowledge that Havvy will outdo you 10 to 1 on that front!

Well ridden Belle Vue, in the likely event the Robins fail to haul you in on Monday, good luck in the final. I hope it's the Pirates you face primarily down to a few idiots on here from Coventry who I find annoying and because Havvy makes Rosco look sensible. May the best team win!

Sorry, please accept my apologies; I must not feed the troll I must not feed the troll I must not feed the troll I must not feed the troll ............

How are Swindon lucky, they have admittedly been shocking, but lucky? Only an idiot would think that.

But if Wright was going so slow, why didn't Worrall just ride through the gap around the kerb which was clearly big enough or just ride around the outside? If the man behind you is faster, your job is to put yourself in the best position to make it difficult for him to pass, which Wright did.

Maybe Worrall should have just turned left and ridden through the gap he'd been left instead of drifting out and taking Wright's leg/wheel?