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A very good observation and worthy question. The difference lies between the two originally submitted samples. One was rejected because the fluid did not conform to normal urine composition and thus a further sample was requested which was refused by the rider in question. In the other instance, the official was happy with the sample provided and so didn't require anything further.

No "substance" capable of being detected in a random drugs test can be totally p**s out " (as you put it) overnight just by continuously drinking water. this is because the substance is also carried in the blood which is cleared via the normal kidney function. Differing substances take different length's of time to clear based on their type, strength and whether taken orally or intravenously. The exception to this scenario are psychedelic drugs which are extremely difficult to if not impossible to detect. However, conversely they are not included in instant drug tests.

Lions didn’t use a guest for Morris at any point following the offence taking place. That said, it’s difficult to see how in similar circumstances, using a facility can be regarded as beneficial to a club.

You need to realise that because the Lions had done so well by the time the Morris situation occurred the points available for a replacement was very low and Batchelor was one of a very short list who would fit. No question that his signing didn't help matters at all, but to replace him there was a need to ship out two riders and bring two more in and one of those (Cook) proved ineffective. Meanwhile & by comparison Peterborough & Kings Lynn, having had a terrible start to the season had room, average wise, to bring in new riders who could improve the team. Sheffield lost a top scorer and used the points available via new signings & releasing low performers to create their new look team. Bottom line is that options available to the Stars, Panthers & Tigers have not been available to the Lions.

In his interview on the center green prior to the first race (in summary), he said the performance at BV had just not been acceptable. he made more about his disappointment with how the Lions lost v Tigers having been five points ahead with only three heats remaining adding "He expected the riders involved in those three heats to have been more than capable of winning the meeting". He went on to say C Cook was expecting his call to let him know he was being replaced and that Kerr may not be the last signing that day and he had told the riders their performance that night would determine if he was to make further changes before midnight. Interestingly, all of the riders were near the pit gate and would have easily heard what the manager was saying.

At the time of signing TW his average was too high to be considered for Lions. Same situation with CH without dropping other riders as per Tigers & then frankly no nett gain for Lions. replacing Cook with Kerr is an improvement for the team.

Stadium owned by former promoter David Helmsley. Built on land leased from council. Current promoters lease from Helmsley. As folk know, Lions up for sale which will include the stadium lease as an asset.

FYI. - Today, the basic FA contract as used by many lower tier clubs including part time is indeed a simple document albeit if the player is full time then there are a number of pages included to cover full time employment law etc. However, the premier league player contract is as a minimum, 28 pages. In addition to these pages, the terms and conditions of the contract form part of a number of collective agreements between the Club (through the League) and the Player (through the PFA) affecting the Player’s employment. Further provisions are included which are additional or supplemental (say, image rights, media responsibilities, international representation, transfer of contract, tax arrangements etc) to those set out as basic remuneration and can run to many pages. Finally, details are also included of the players representative, (agent) his/her eligibility and remuneration arrangements, ditto if the club also used an intermediary . It is quite common for a Premier League player contract to run to more than 40 pages hence why a significant amount of time is spent by the players agent and the club in preparing the final version for the player to sign and witnessed (also by parent/guardian if the player is under 18) The contract is then registered with the English Football Association (The FA) and automatically aligned to the umbrella organisations namely UEFA & FIFA for rules regulations regarding transfers and international eligibility - to name a few. Speedway promotions engage self employed riders via contracts which are in themselves straightforward and arguably are in preference to the promoters requirements rather than that of the rider and in the UK solely governed by UK law, albeit the sport itself (rules regulations for meetings) is aligned on a global scale via the Speedway Control Board (SCB) to the Federation Internationale de lautomobile (FIM).

Fundamentally, a full or part time employee can see their employment terminated by the employer without reason within the first six months of their engagement. However, speedway riders are not employees of the promotion but contractors (self-employed) and if the contract they signed allows for immediate cancelation by the promoter for the rider to ride for the club without explanation or compensation, then it is entirely legitimate to do so.

Fixed race nights first & foremost.

The rain didn’t fall on a surface that hadn’t seen rain for a few days. Quite the opposite. A case of the “final straw” or “final litre” doing its bit.

Attendees for such hearings are “strongly advised” in writing to be accompanied by legal representation as matters arising can have legally enforceable outcomes. Similarly legal advocates are aware of what is and isn’t admissible in such cases

He has been suspended for refusing to take a test (or failing to provide a complete test) the 30 day suspension is an automatic punishment for doing so. Further punishment may or may not be forthcoming based on the findings of any subsequent hearing(s)

A number of suggestions for best team manager are for managers of yesteryear whereas the question posed at the introduction ask for “who are the best” not “were” or “have been” So current managers only?

On a general point re testing to WADA standards & the presumption that Nick was asked to provide a urine test. Under such situations the person is asked to provide one sample whist being supervised. He/she is then asked to divide the specimen into two containers labelled A&B. he/she then closes and secures the containers before giving them to the supervising person and completes the appropriate paperwork. There is no "second" sample requested. The samples are then sent away to a laboratory - no testing is carried out on site. To speculate. If a person has drank a lot of water the urine can become "too dilute" to be regarded as acceptable (this bit is true). The supervisor may recognise this fact (speculation) and request a second test, but I am not certain if this then supersedes the first test (I myself have only had to provide first test samples) I am not even sure if it is possible for the supervisor to actually recognise too diluted urine hence the speculation. Alternatively, NM may have not produced enough urine (us blokes know what its like when somebody is looking over your shoulder) and was asked to provide more to reach the required volume - it is quite a bit. So what remains to be established is why was NM asked to provide a second sample - The people who do the collecting know what they are doing so it would be difficult to understand why such a request was made unless there was legitimate grounds for doing so.

Or Morris gets a recall - if he's available?

Absolutely no need to speak with SCB as the Lions already know it’s a 30 day ban and they can only use RR facility during that period unless they drop Morris from the team & replace him with another rider. Passing any opinion on the situation is not advisable and comments best kept to actions made in response to the current circumstance i.e they will run RR for the next meeting or they have signed another rider to replace Morris short term or permanently.

Scott contracted to his commentary work so not available for any fixtures that clash with the tv work

What would you expect them to say? The issue occurred when Morris was riding for another promotion & the SCB statement covers all of the salient points including that the next step will be Morris attending a SCB hearing. Until the outcome of that hearing is known the only comments the Lions could make would be either judgmental or prejudicial to the case in question.

Your point is absolutely spot on. It is inconsistent where a team cant operate RR at the meeting where the offense occurred but can do so at their next match. Maybe somebody can offer an explanation as to why this is the case?

Lions will not be allowed a guest - must use RR. So definitely no benefit to the team.

If there’s nothing to buy then there’s nothing to hand over.

Why (if you are referring to the Laguta case) do you think that? There is a a statutory rule banning riders for 7 days who present a medical note relating to a none speedway illness. Laguta is not due to ride in UK for 7 days so no meetings missed - other than the Wolves fixture which is "explained" by the medical note.

Would the Lions want/need him though?

Maybe, the story goes like this. Artem rides Thursday at KL but gets a knock which looks like will put him out of Sundays meeting in Poland and Monday night at Wolves. KL promotion books guest replacement "Bomber", who lives nearby and is something of a Monmore track specialist(?) Wolves print their programme. But then, for Artem, good news, he makes a quicker than expected recovery enabling him to ride in Poland - happy days! Except, it is now realised it means he is fit to ride in UK (whoops) so not needing any more money cuz he's done ok in Poland he looks for a way out? Strangely, he doesn't go down the "aggravated the ankle injury route" which would mean he can ride as soon as he's fit do so, but instead opts for the "upset stomach" option meaning a 7 day rest (sorry ban) and cant travel to UK for Mondays meeting. One promoter (maybe) happy because now he doesn't have a big wage to pay and also as Artem has provided a sick note he's clearly not "witheld his services" and thus avoids a 28 day ban. Not sure the SCB (who the BSPA are accountable to) can do anything about it - but there again, Maybe Artem did have an upset stomach after all?