Sings4Speedway

I thought much the same. Last time he was seen he was disappearing under the Kent air fence in a post match spin. Given the issues IOW were having at reserve early season i figured if he was doing anything good he would have had more rides.

If you are referring to "the bottom group who are likely in demand**" then i stand by this comment as all of the riders included have been consistent NL point scorers & have averages that lend themselves to be included in 2017 teams as for whetever the pros & cons of the points limit system it is currently a numbers game. If you mean "some may struggle due to improved averages & others may struggle because they struggled at NL level." as above its a numbers game and sometimes a rider ups their average a little and makes them unattractive compared to a flat 3 pointer. There are also riders in the list that struggled with NL for various reasons be they technical, financial or otherwise. As such these will make way as many 3 pointers have done in every season before. The nature of the sport suggests that some riders do not make the best of the opportunities given for various reasons and fall by the wayside.

If thats what Eastbourne riders have to do to get sponsorship i think i would take my chances with Pipe at Buxton

I think the signings have further implications than just the already documented shortfalls of each rider. With this two included it means that both Bowtell & Hunter will have to start the season in the main body of the team and with only 3.44 to play with there are limited options for a rider to use up those points or its sign another flat 3 pointer and end up almost half a point short of the team building limit.

Would make a good side however we are led to believe that Hopwood will be much further south, RTD will be going potty unless he has a change of mind again and sadly i thought Knuckley had retired?

Sorry i make so many interesting comments its hard to know which you are alluding to could you refresh my memory?

They can offer all the money they like, will be extremely funny when he doesn't get paid! Getting Shelby at reserve would be ideal but tricky as the rest of the team would be very strengthish in depth? If i was Jayne Moss (and thank goodness im not or the club would be in a terrible state) i would try and use my remaining points on Lee Payne(8.11), Lee Dicken(5.87) & Ben Basford(3.09) leaving them 0.09 under the limit.

Right then so strike Geary (signed), Cottham (unlikely to ride) & the bottom group who are likely in demand** it leave 3 groups. Group 1 includes riders who featured in a 1-7 last season, some may struggle due to improved averages & others may struggle because they struggled at NL level. Group 2 were included in NL teams but didn't maintain their place Group 3 are these still riding? names that have been mentioned but dropped off the radar? Group 1. J,Halder J,Purchase S,Tedham S.Woods B,Basford K,Bowdery N,Phillips C,Hay D,Holt M,Leek C,Locke A,Mellish Group 2. R,MacDonald R,Parker k Dicken Group 3. L,Millar D,Morgan G,Piper H.Banks Rest L Dicken** RT Daley.** D.Mason** N.Stoneman** J.Shanes** K.Hughes** L,Payne**

I think that statement was more positive spin than fact. Many riders could quote a full time mechanic (Dad/Mate), catering/dietary specialist (Mum/GF with sandwiches), Grand Prix level bikes (5 yr old Hans Andersen Engine) doesn't mean the Rickardsson Express is going to roll up.

I have to admit that i thought Lee might get snapped up elsewhere. Good rider with good equipment and solid foundations in speedway technique which other newer riders lack. Could easily put 2 points on his average if he hits a decent run of form.

Right back on track and based upon the original post with the inclusion of the most obvious omissions B.Andrews - Signed Kent J.Bailey - Signed K.Lynn B,Hopwood - Rumoured signed S,Bebee - Confirmed not fit for start of season? E,Jones - Retired? J,Kingston - Retired? M,Knuckey- Retired? E.Perks - Missing NL? S.Hazeldon - Confirmed not fit for start of season? Which leaves: H.Banks B,Basford K,Bowdery G,Cottham L,Geary J,Halder C,Hay D,Holt M,Leek C,Locke R,MacDonald A,Mellish L,Millar D,Morgan R,Parker N,Phillips G,Piper S.Woods J,Purchase S,Tedham L&k Dicken RT Daley. D.Mason N.Stoneman J.Shanes K.Hughes L,Payne I suspect the bottom 7 will be desirable/in contention for team places as established NL riders so leaves the remainder contesting the available reserve berths? (Disclaimer: the above is based solely on information i am aware of/has been posted at some point on this forum/or has been implanted in my brain by other means) if any of the above is incorrect please point out in the usual polite forum manner.

Whilst i am not doing cartwheels at the signing there are plenty of worse options available. Andrews was pretty dissapointing the last time he visited Central Park so would definitely need some laps to get dialled in to the place. Hopefully this can be the year he kicks on and proves to be a good signing rather than just one made due to the very ancient history his family has with Len.

Great to see Bailey back in the side. Local lad progressing well & a true product of British speedway development. As for the additional heat leader would Hughes fit?

With the points limit reduced, many riders improving their averages last season and team places filling up fast which riders from last years 1-7's are likely to miss out on a starting place in the NL this year? Below is a rough list of riders who achieved an average over 3.00, have not indicated retirement/year out/riding higher league only; **rumoured but not confirmed signings Tony Atkin Danny Phillips Darryl Ritchings Jack Smith** Dan Bewley** Lee Payne Rob Shuttleworth Tom Woolley Andy Mellish Kyle Hughes Luke Priest Lee Dicken David Wallinger Mitchell Davey Liam Carr ineligable NL Ryan Terry-Daley Connor Dwyer** Jamie Halder James Purchase Ben Basford Bradley Andrews** Jack Kingston Ellis Perks Gary Cottham Luke Harris** Ben Hopwood** Nathan Stoneman** Kelsey Dugard** James Shanes Dave Mason Brendan Johnson - Retired Josh Bailey Scott Campos Shane Hazelden S Beebee Shaun Tedham Paul Burnett Chris Hay

Putting a line through those who i think will miss out on starting places B.Andrews/J.Bailey/H.Banks/B,Basford/S,Bebee/K,Bowdery,G,Cottham/L&k Dicken/ L,Geary/J,Haldeer/C,Hay/D,Holt/B,Hopwood/E,Jones/J,Kingston/M,Knuckey/M,Leek/C,Locke/R,MacDonald/A,Mellish/L,Millar/D<Morgan R,Parker/L,Payne/N,Phillips/G,Piper/J,Purchase/S,Tedham/RT Daley.

Ok i concede its a solid team. Lacking a little bit of punch from the other heat leaders but would constantly have a solid reserve pairing plus engine room. I would say there are not many last places in that team & if you are not running lasts you are not being beaten.

As a guess and i kind of hope im wrong as it would be a great side Bewley - 8.65 Terry-Daly - 4.55 Phillips - 6.25 Smith - 6.32 Shuttleworth - 6.60 Halder - 3.57 Bickley - 3.00 Total 38.94

I suspect that Smith will be in Manchester (along with Shuttleworth & Phillips) & with Glasgow also running on Saturdays it may make that a non starter? I would be trying my hardest to get Stoneman or Mason the former being my top pick.

Decent signing that and creates a useful heat leader trio that should be able to perform both home an away. About time really Danny has great potential but has stagnated badly at Stoke. He was on a par with Matt Williamson when he first signed and now the gap between them is huge. Also add in the number of meetings he will miss when riding for Newcastle however i think he would fit into both Kent & Lakeside but my sneaky suspicion is that he will form part of a vert dangerous looking Belle Vuentry side

Im not that keen on Davey being classed as one of the Brits but think its a team based upon a lot of IF's. I can see Ronnie Pickering & Clegg doing well plus the heatleaders but i have my doubts if there is much improvement in the Riss's/Risseses/Rissi.......

The fact is whilst the NL is for the development of riders both young and old the first thing Stoke must do is put together a team that can be competitive this season. They are a club with dwindling support / visiting travelling fans for reasons listed endlessly on this thread and need to complete a side that is able to compete for honours if they are to have any chances of survival. As a side project they need to look at ways of developing younger riders and attracting them into the sport / through the ranks. Its no secret that the last good young rider Stoke signed was Danny Phillips and he has stagnated since joining the Potters but for this season and beyond Stoke need to build a competitive team regardless of age otherwise they will become another name in the history books.

Was still doing some MDL and doing it well. One of those riders that seemed to struggle making the step up by by far the pick of the bunch mentioned. Banks looked like he has lost all interest and bowdrey spent too long away from competitive racing and has cost him his edge. Shame really as at jnr grass level he looked a future world beater

I'm staggered that harland is in as a 3 pointer. Seen him have a few practice spins and looks hugely impressive. I'm assuming he has some new equipment from somewhere as he had old bikes but still looked quick. Not sure he is a true 3 pointer though

and a master on the bike. Only picked it up again a few years ago after a long lay off. If ye was 40 years younger he would be the bargain 3 pointer of the season. That said if he fancied it i reckon he would do a decent job for someone.

Vnuk it. Sounds truely horrific. Sadly i suspect that even in a heavily caveated form this is going to have consequences. Delayed perhaps but ultimately this is going to bite somewhere and bite hard.