Sherborne Green

Looking at the pictures there still appears to be an ambulance on the second bend

Most impressed with the coverage. Did wonder after watching other.

I followed Poole throughout the 90s and beyond. The number of cups they won were phenomenal. Great riders like Loram, Rickarsson, Holder, Ward etc. All fantastic to watch. However, many matches at home were big scores for Poole and although the riding was fantastic not always good racing unless the Poole riders missed the gate. in the late 90s there were unknowns coming in , Craig Boyce, Gary Allen, The Langdon brothers and someone call Adam’s. Boyce in the first few meeting kept falling off and others were slow. What happened to these riders. In the end if you wanted to see close good racing you had to go to the away match, which I did. Back to my home city team Plymouth. They have youngsters coming in and they are not hitting the ground running. Did anyone expect that? They signed two old heads and a youngster who is a track expert. What happens? The 3 times world champion gets injured before he rides at home and the youn track expert is out for the season before he rides for the team this year. Having said all that Plymouth are getting good crowds that will increase when COVID is sorted. From all accounts excellent racing that is exciting new spectators. They will not pull up any trees this year but hopefully put down sound roots to grow in the future. Gary May has now come in and with his knowledge and contacts things should get even better. Look what he did at Somerset. Also, what a pair of promoters in the Undertaker and Matt Bates. What they have done deserves success. Hope to be there soon, incidentally where I used to play Rugby for the OPOs against the Old Sutts but that’s a different story.

What people have to think is Plymouth were late getting accepted into the league when most riders had all been picked up. They were thinking for the future and establish themselves in this league and get the interest of the general public. Remember they are now the only team in Devon, Cornwall and Somerset. They therefore took the bold step of bringing in top heavy Jason ad Bjarne. This would leave them with few points to play with but what UK riders would be available. They would have to look for riders never before tried in this country but had some experience abroad. They are all young and could make it in the future. Everyone knew they would take time to settle. They also had bad luck with injuries to both Jason and Henry before a home meeting was even held. From what I have read the first match was a COVID sell out with a number of new fans who came out of interest and can’t wait to come back and the crowds will increase as COVID restrictions ease. The long term is the important thing not play off places this year. The improvements to the stadium and track are beyond belief. I have been many times over the years but only seen it from the road when coming home to Dorset . Well done all and the future I trust will be rosy. Well done to the promotion they deserve to succeed

I see Plymouth are announcing their first change of the season at noon tomorrow. A replacement for Henry I would think.

To put this in context. Pedersen scored 18 at Scunthorpe, 9+1 at Belle Vue, 0 at Peterborough and 11 at Plymouth. I do not know what went wrong at Peterborough but the rest of the scores are very good

I do hope Jack and Chris Holder are ok after they have proved positive for COVID in Poland. Poland is increasing the numbers proving positive and I hope that will not upset teams in this country having riders riding in Poland. Both Are showing no symptoms so hope it stays so.

Just looking who has already signed up for teams and the green sheets for the end of 2019 who did you have in mind on a 4.00 average?

All the fixtures are showing on the BSPA web site in forthcoming meetings.

There appears to be a great number of people who do not like the fact Poole have signed two Aussies. Lets just look at the other teams in this league. Berwick 2 from UK, 2 Aussies,1 Fin,1Dane, 1 Finland Birmingham 5 from UK, 1 Sweden, 1Italy Eastborne 7 from UK Edinburgh 3 from UK, 3 Aussies, 1 Dane Glasgow 1 from UK, 2from USA, 2 Danes, 2 Aussies Kent 5 from UK, 1 Aussie, 1 Italy Leicester 4 from UK, 3 Aussies Newcastle 3 from UK, 1 Dane, 1 Aussie, 1 Slov, 1 CZ Poole 4 from UK, 3 Aussies Redcar 3 from UK, 1 Germany, 2 Danes, 1 Aussie Scunthorpe 4 from UK, 1 Fin,1 Dane, 1 Aussie Somerset 4 from UK, 1 NZ, 2 Aussies

Gavin keep cool.Chill out. Yes you are totally entitled to your opinions but others are equally entitled to theirs. Please don’t think either you or them are correct. Only time will tell and no matter any of your thoughts who knows who is correct. Anyway, just enjoy the time of year and Peace on Earth and on this forum. Happy Christmas.

What do you mean I should know my place. Out of interest to you I go to Somerset, Plymouth and sometimes Poole and Swindon. I suggest you do not be so rude.

For clarity Eastbourne were relegated from Div 1 to Div3 if that is your reasonin. However, I suggest you are totally wrong and they did it to survive and cut costs like so many other teams have done in the past to ensure speedway survives. personally, I would prefer any team did that instead of going out of business. Looking at the crowds at some tracks with the ever increasing costs including flying riders all over the continent I am surprised if some of the higher league tracks will survive . I sincerely hope they will but we will see over the next few years.

Not worried about all this bickering going on BUT just clarify Poole were not relegated but chose for whatever reason to drop down.

DC2. Poole are now in a lower league. Swindon are champions. Fact. Poole have won far more Top league titles than Swindon. Fact Swindon in theChampionship (equivalent) were great entertainment. My family went every week. Speedway is a great sport and I trust Swindon will carry on the great work Rosco has done. ExExeter Weymouth and Poole with a Poole wife) About time you spent more time on your own team I think but only my opinion. anyway, Merry Christmas.

I keep out of the silly talk on here about Poole dropping down a league. The fact is that for economic reasons they have and that’s that. Personally , I would of hatted it if Poole had to let Ward, Holder and Magic go but those days have gone and the league has been diluted tremendously. Remembering when Poole were in the 2nd div before the racing was great and riders and fans were as one. Now top riders ride in so many leagues, home and abroad whose riders are they really. Costs of flying foreign riders in are tremendous and crowds are reducing. Therefore, if you want speedway costs must be cut. Yes it was great watching the Premiership it was no where near the standard of the old EL. Also watching Somerset the racing was great and a lot closer. Plymouth in the bottom league also provided some good racing on their own track. Therefore, you can say my team are better than yours but speedway is speedway and the closer the racing makes it interesting. Well done to Swindon for winning the league but remember they enjoyed the lower league in the past and I for one enjoyed it most weeks.

The point with Poole dropping down is that speedway will remain. They are likely to have matches against Eastbourne, Somerset and possibly Plymouth all within easy travelling distance. Costs will be reduced but I do not think crowds will. Speedway in the Premier is now very expensive with riders demanding high money. Top foreign and home bred riders do not now ride in this country. The number of riders riding in both leagues appear to be increasing so how many riders will the crowds miss out on? Yes you will miss out on the expensive riders but so be it to keep speedway. Yes Elite racing was great racing when the like of Ward, Holder, Richardson, Magic plus many others were here but those days are long gone. The racing in the lower league at Somerset has been great with more racing than in the top league. Racing in the lower leagues was great when the Wildcats/Pirates were in the lower league and crowds were great. i would prefer speedway in this league instead of no speedway. Also TV will now be showing both leagues so exposure will still be there. Also it will be open to free view viewers as well as those of us who pay.

Ipswich all the way. Poole just not in it. Chris Harris is a legend.

Please explain Ref decisions were poor throughout. Admit it could have been all four back for Heeps but what else? Serious question.

They would have to buy him from Poole.

Nodody giving any praise to Poole

I agree that Worrall and Covatti had off nights. One thing to consider is Covatti had just won the Italian championship on Sunday and had just got back. Agree riders do this all the time. However, I must bring these facts to light in view of what you say of these Poole riders. Remember Poole have raced 3 meetings one at home and two away. Over these 3 meetings Worrall is a little down on his average at 4.72 against a start of 5.46, Covatti even with such a low score yesterday is at 4.72 against a start of 4.70, Kurtz is at 8.00 against a start of 7.05. I am not saying there is no room for improvement but why show concern at this stage. A few more meetings balanced home and away before any true judgement can be made.

Does it really matter?

If anyone agrees with you or not it matters not. That is your opinion and you are entitled to it. In my opinion I believe Neil has done a great job. But that's my thoughts.

Poole were very fortunate with the way things went. This type of thing happens so much in a dangerous sport. A soccer or rugby team would bring in other players from their squad or an injured player would be substituted. Not practical in speedway but a squad system would make more of an even playing field.