Blackadder

Members of the consortium to be made public and progress on the new fence?

From today's Sheffield Star:- Joe Screen insists Barnsley teenager Josh Bates is ready for Premier League racing. Bates has been snapped up by Sheffield as one of their reserves for the new season after securing his release from Elite League Swindon. And Screen, Sheffield’s new team manager, is relishing the prospect of working with the youngster. He said: “I think I can offer some good advice and coaching to Josh. “When we first started talking about my role at Sheffield it was mainly about coaching the riders and then it snowballed into being a team manager. “Josh is very young and has just come through the National League, but he’s got talent and ability and that’s the most important thing.He’s had Louis Carr working with him and Louis knows so much about the sport, I hope I can also contribute and help make him better. “Riders like Simon Stead, Leigh Lanham and Andre Compton have been there and seen it all before. All I can do with them is offer my opinion on bike set-up and things like that. “But with the younger lads like Taylor Poole, Adam Roynon and Josh Bates I would like to think I can make a difference with their career.” Screen has been overwhelmed by the messages of support he’s received since his appointment last month. “It’s been amazing,” he said. “I just want the season to start now because there is so much enthusiasm around the place. I can’t thank everyone enough for the kind messages I’ve received on joining Sheffield.”

Ty is reliable and a nice bloke. I hope he does well for you. Are the floods affecting the OTA?

From today's Sheffield Star:- David Hoggart says the new five-year deal for British Speedway with Sky Sports is a massive boost for the sport. And the Tigers co-promoter has once again underlined how the club would love to stage a televised meeting at Owlerton. The cameras have only been to the venue, regarded as one of the best in British Speedway, twice since live coverage of the domestic sport began in 1999. Sky were present when current Tigers team-mates Simon Stead and Andre Compton collided in a dramatic Premier League Riders’ Championship in 2004 – and a World Cup event in 2001. Now Hoggart says the consortium who are in the process of purchasing the club would lay out the red carpet for the broadcaster. He said: “The Sky deal is excellent for the sport and members of the new consortium would be pleased to welcome them. “Speedway needs to be promoted to a wider audience and there’s no better way than with TV coverage. This is a massive shot in the arm for the sport when it could easily have been lost. We must embrace the TV coverage more than ever. We have a British world champion and a Sky deal. We cannot ask for more than that.”

The knife used to do the slicing was made by a Sheffield Cutlery Mester, and he decided where to cut, so that Sheffield was in the north.

Well done to all concerned with arranging a very interesting and potentially exciting Tigers team. All tick - a refreshing new team and team manager; new muck for the track, hopefully bringing the return of Fortess Owlerton; the return of those 2 old stalwarts, team riding and team spirit. Still to tick - progress on a new fence, and a welcoming, friendly sign in the visitors' area of the pits - Welcome To The Jungle!

From the Sheffield Star website today:- Leigh Lanham has vowed to offer the benefit of his experience to Sheffield’s younger riders this year. The former Ipswich man was unveiled as a new signing for the Owlerton side last week and he admits he’s been taken aback by the welcome he’s received. He will be looking to hold his average in a revamped Tigers side which so far sees only Simon Stead and Adam Roynon retained from last season. Said Lanham: “I at least want to maintain my average although of course the aim is to try and put a little bit on to it ideally. “I’m not making any big promises but obviously I want to maintain what I do and make the most of my experience because I’ve been around for a few years now. “I’m a team man as well which does help in getting results in those tight meetings by bringing a bit extra to the team, and hopefully I can have a positive influence to help Sheffield have a great year.” And Lanham is well aware of the troubled times Sheffield have been through over the last two seasons. He said: “I know they’ve struggled as a team and we have to ensure we win our home meetings as a starting point. “I’m confident we can do that with the team the management are putting together and I really can’t wait to get going now. “The fans will be keen to see us do well after a couple of poor seasons, but they were not helped last season by Simon Stead’s injury so early in the campaign. “I like the way the team is coming together and I really feel we have a good chance to be knocking on the door for a play-off place. I’m looking forward to the new challenge and we should have a lot of fun along the way too!”

Alex Edberg, Simon Nielsen and Hynek Stichauer are the only ones I can see from last year's Green Sheets.

.The consortium bit is correct but I don't know about the condition.

He finished on 8.15.

I forgot to mention that there was an excellent letter from Ian Hunter in last week's comic, summarising his view of how Neil Machin has lost his enthusiasm for the sport and how the promoters need to 'wake up and smell the coffee'. We'll done Ian.

Yes, thank you Richard.

Only went to Blackbird Road twice; good racing from what I remember. The last time was in May and it snowed on the way back. What happened to Soldier Boy?

Article in the Sheffield Star saying a deal is close to completion with a rider who has never ridden for Sheffield before. The outcome of the talks will influence the lower end of the team, with Andre Compton and Damien Koppe both in contention. They are talking to 2 high profile PL riders plus 1 from abroad who has never raced here before. No mention of Facu.

Hyde Road, The Shay and the County Ground for me.

Doug Wyer and Jim McGregor came up with a simple solution for the problem with the sun on the 3rd bend - put tinted goggles on. For some reason, it didn't go down well with the riders. After seeing him in an old Heartbeat on ITV2 yesterday, I will put Paul Cooper's name in the hat for the Team Manager's job.

Opening date announced - Thursday March 27th. Press and practice day March 20th.

Jack ran a lot of the second halves at Owlerton last year.

If we were to go top heavy, I would prefer Ty Proctor, but even his average of 9.22 (I think) would probably be too much.

Pleased to see the sale go through, some new shale has been ordered and there has been a good start to team building; now hoping the team is completed soon with riders who can entertain and are reliable.

The fastest track in British speedway will be Sheffield until another track becomes faster. As the inside line isn't being changed, the claim stays. Would like some new muck on the track though.

This week's comic has arrived early. Says there are 3 interested parties who have tabled offers, Tony Mole, a foreign businessman and a consortium. Neil expects to make a decision early in the new year. No drastic changes to accommodate rugby league will be made at the moment, but the concrete apron next to the starting gate will be removed.

Sheffield have signed the fewest number of riders of any EL or PL team, including Peterborough who have only been in the PL for 5 minutes. Could do with some progress on new owners and some inspiring new riders. Has the new fence been ordered, and has a load of new muck been ordered so that Graham and John can bring back Fortress Owlerton?

From what I have seen of Nicolai Klindt, he is worse than Paul Thorp at anticipating the starts, and not as good at it. Referees have got wise to him, and that has probably affected his confidence. As has been said, it is gate and go, or struggling.

One of very few riders to cause the red lights to come on at Owlerton during the warm up lap before the meeting had even started.