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thommo34

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Posts posted by thommo34

  2. Posted

    Of course you are and so am I, if you read Tigerowl's post you will see genuine frustration expressed in a non personal way, it's as constructive as it can be under the current circumstances. A minority continue to be sarcastic and personal and believe that we are accountable through this forum, I am approachable, I will explain and discuss these issues on a one to one basis and answer honestly or say I cannot answer at all.

     

    I stopped visiting this forum regularly month's ago, occasionally my attention is drawn to posts usually by family members who are surprised at some of the comments when they can see the time and energy that is put into the sport generally without any thanks whatsoever. Jake Knight was mentioned in the PR because we needed to explain why he was not replacing Damien tonight - damned if we do and damned if we don't. The team news that has caused so much consternation is given to the press on a Monday but it was a day late this week because we did not know if the USA were going through to the Race Off in the SWC. We only publish the line ups the day before anyway and this was done yesterday albeit 4 or 5 hours later than usual because of the delay previously mentioned. Our programme is printed on a Thursday morning and if we are lucky we can make late changes to the racecard but for us to publicise the reasons why riders pull out of individual meetings like they did last week would really put the tin hat on it, injuries excepted of course.

     

    What is equally frustrating for me is the fundamental lack of understanding of the complex rules by many fans, even rules that are understood are often interpreted in more than one way. It's almost impossible and this gives the impression we are doing nothing about our problems, we had Adam Roynon under wraps for almost a month but could not introduce him until the regulations allowed, in the meantime we were cursed from a dog to a bitch for allegedly doing nothing. It was suggested by some of the more negative posters that we sign certain riders as a replacement for Simon, one was already out injured another rides in Sweden on a Thursday, another has 5 fixture clashes that would take him to his EL club first, some of these guys simply say thanks but no thanks I'd rather go here or there instead. Just 2 weeks ago a potential number 1 told us he did not want to come to the UK this year and within a week had signed for another club, money was never even mentioned so right now I cannot see a better option than a guest at number 1 not withstanding the possibility that Simon may be in a position to return at some point.

     

    Our problems are not unique at all in the current economical climate and some of the solutions go further than Olwerton, only time will tell.

     

    Currently we have Richard Hall carrying an injury with Simon, Damien and now Joe in the wars, Richard came back too soon from his Berwick crash, Simon from his Workington crash, Damien from his Somerset crash, Facu from his Sheffield crash and Joe wanted to try and ride tonight but pull out if he can't cope. All of this because they are committed and want to do the best they possibly can for the team, losing Simon has been a massive blow to us all we built the team around him and are consequently exposed, it's bad enough losing meetings and trying to keep spirits up without having to hear some of the ill thought out comments that appear in the public domain. Partners, parents and sponsors all make sacrifices and cannot understand some of the vitriol levelled at their rider."it's only frustration" and "it goes with the job" are excuses used by the perpetrators and show even less regard for the targets.

     

    I hope you don't feel this post is aimed at you SS, please view it as a general response to some of the points raised across the thread.

     

    Do have a nice day.

     

    Thanks for that Hoggy it really is good to see the menagement coming onto this forum to try to explain their (and our) frustrations.

    If the suggestions and criticisms on this forum are regarded in a positive fashion then I'm sure everyone will realise that we are all on the same side and the reasons are BECAUSE WE CARE.

     

    Keep it up, keep us informed and you'll see far more positivity from most of the posters on here.

     

    Best of luck for tonight and Saturday.

  5. Posted

    Missed opportunity again Sheffield.If line up was known last week, why not a feature on website. At least a couple of unknowns mentioned on here. Why not make an interesting article about who they are, where they come from, at least some exciting background to wet supporters appetites for this meeting. But yet again so called promoters failing to PROMOTE there own business, or in Sheffields case do we again have to wait for tomorrows Speedway Star to get the backgrounds. Sheffield do not like to inform their fans directly until its in the press. Pathetic promotion I think. Count me out.

     

    Totally agree.

    Why don't the promoters realise that they need to sell the sport to new (or lapsed) customers.

     

    Issuing a rallying cry (David Hoggart on Monday) merely smells of desperation, you need to generate real interest.

    Announcing the line up at a meeting is only going to tell existing customers. Surely the local press could be used early in the week when people have time to plan their Thursday evening. It seem to be obvious to everyone apart from the promoters.

     

    The riders themselves should realise that they also have a part to play. I find it particularly annoying, that Rick and Damien in particular, rarely acknowledge the crowd on the 3rd and 4th bend,. Unfortunately it can appear to the crowd that they don't care, although I'm sure that is not the case.

     

    Also slightly off topic, but does anyone know why there was a massive delay last week, I think it was between heats 6 and 7?

     

    We assumed that the delay was because of the sun, but why were we not told the reason?

    I'm not sure exactly where the problem lies, but if it is the entrance between the 3rd and 4th bend surely some temporary cover (a tarpaulin?) could be draped over the opening.Also why was the time not filled with something interesting. It would have been an ideal time to try to promote this week's meeting.

  7. Posted

    only problem i can see is that would require us to have a team manager who can tell the riders what is good for the club and not just for themselves.

    Its time we stopped knocking Ricky and started to appreciate his importance to the team, particularly in away matches.

     

    I think I've come up with the solution to the riding order. I'm convinced that our team managers do look at this forum and consistently do the opposite to anything that is suggested

    Perhaps if we all stated that it was a bad idea to alternate Richard and Ricky at number 5 it would happen!

    • Like 3

  10. Posted

    I've got to agree that we need a team manager who knows what he's doing. The thing I find most surprising is that no one seems to have mentioned the fact that last night we were running Rider replacement for the fifth averaged rider in the Number 5 position meaning that only Joe, Damien and Jake could take the rides. In 3 of the races there is already either Damien or Jake in the race anyway so in 2 of the rides it was going to be the 2 reserves. That was the only reason why Jake had so many rides.

    I don't understand why its taken so long to change the riding order. It was obvious to most people at the start of the season that Joe should be riding at number 2. It is also obvious that Ricky riding with Richard is not a good combination. I have always thought that Richard should be riding at number 5 at home with Ricky riding at 5 for away meetings but that seems to be far too obvious for our team managers.

     

    We need now to hope that Saturday's meeting goes ahead so we can make some much needed changes.

  11. Posted

    As many people have said there seems to be no better way of replacing an injured number 1.

     

    My annoyance is with the rule that allows a guest for the higher averaged reserve. It seems obvious to me that a guest from a lopwer league (not an old timer though) would be a much better and fairer solution and would give opportunities for younger lower league riders to show a wider audience what they can do..

  13. Posted

    Thank you for making this public knowledge, and maybe the Promotion should make it more public knowledge rather than sending out mixed messages, not everyone can or attend the STAARS nights.

     

    The reasoning for using Richard Hall is fine if the objective is to win all the home meetings then I think that they have ensure that Richard Hall rides at number 5 at home not at number 4.

     

    Lets have a Team Manager that thinks tactically.

     

    I heard that Richard Hall would only ride at number 4 last season (was it in his contract?). If that was the case it doesn't allow a team manager to think tactically.

    No rider should be able to dictate in that fashion - it is imperative that the team manager should have a free hand regarding positions in the team, tactical and heat 15 rides.

     

    I would also add that Hugh Skidmore was vilified for refusing to ride in Heat 15 at Somerset. He himself told me that the reason was that he did not have a bike fit to ride. This apparently was ignored by the powers that be on the night.

  14. Posted

    Halls trouble is that he never seems dialed in on in his first ride(s), usually resulting in a heat advantage to the away team which last season put too much pressure on his team mates. Whilst his blasts from the back are exciting to watch, the team set up last season really needed a skipper who won the race on the first corner (aka Ricky A).

     

    To me the preseason team management change was the main reason for the weak team, this season therefore we expect better!

     

    This was also a big problem with Ricky Wells. Most weeks we saw Richard and Ricky come a poor last in their first races and then come good later. The problem with this is that we quite often seriously behind by the end of heat 4 and playing catch up. I have also felt that a successful team will always be capable of pulling out a good lead in those early heats whilst the opponents were learning the track.

    I also felt that there should have been more experimentation with the team pairings last season.

    Hopefully serious lessons will have been learnt.

    • Like 1

  16. Posted

    The same koppe who has been beaten by NL riders in 2nd halfs !! Only signed because he is an Aussie

     

    So already we're all doom and gloom - let's give the lad a chance, we've had some good Aussies over the years.

    I've watched speedway for 51 years and this year was the first time I've ever wanted a season to end, probably the worst Sheffield team I've watched, but already I'm looking forward to next season.

     

    Let's wait and see, be positive and give them our full support during the winter and next season.

    • Like 2

  17. Posted

    Basically I've got to agree about the team effort, or lack of it in many cases. However the plus side is that there was some excellent racing.

     

    But is it just me or does anyone else feel cheated about the fact that we were supposed to have a full team for the first time for months - but where was Chico? Even the announcer didn't seem to know whether he was there or not.

    Anyone reading this forum would know that Charlie Gjedde wasn't riding but all the publicity yesterday on the website and local paper was still saying that he was in the Rye House team.

     

    This seems to be a total lack of professionalism by the promoters, they expect it from the riders but they set a pretty poor example.

     

    For the first time ever, in over 50 years, I want the season to end. Roll on next season!

  20. Posted

    Thanks for the reply but I'd already looked there and there's very little about 1961.

     

    I would be very interested in the very first match I watched which was against Plymouth and seem to remember the score as being 43-53 to Plymouth. I also think that Ron Bagley top scored for them and very shortly after was transferred to Sheffield.

  21. Posted

    I started watching the Sheffield Tigers in 1961, but unfortunately I have not kept any programs from that era. I can remember most of the riders but I wondered if anyone could provide any sort of access to that seasons performances, results and scorers.

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