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They certainly are. Been bad for years.

Thanks.....my memory is going

2015 was the 50th anniversary of speedway coming to King's Lynn but was not the 50th season. King's Lynn shut its doors for a whole year in the 1990s. Lakeside seem to have signed ten riders but Lynn are stuck on six. What is going on in West Norfolk this winter? Reminds of some long time in the past when there were a couple of vacancies in the team virtually right up to the start of the season when up popped Kennett and Woods ...and those with long memories know how successful (not) that was.

Good point. They have been hugely damaging in the past to speedway attendance figures. Can remember Eagles doing a Saturday afternoon to dodge round a Euro or World Cup match.

The great complaint from fans of all leagues is R/R and guests. NL fans are no different. Doubling up/down/sideways/ and fast track is a way of getting over the rider shortage. Speedway never thinks these things all the way through. Edit = Bet it's going to be cold in north Norfolk the next few days. Lazy wind on the way!

All very well for an EL club supporter to have that point of view. The us and them is being created by the EL/PL who don't wish to pay for riders they take from the NL. Developing a rider costs money. Why shouldn't the EL/PL pay and why must they have priority? If EL/PL want priority, find your own young riders and then let go out to NL-for free, of course.

Totally agree Cat. If NL is to succeed and provide riders for PL and EL it must be able to profit from having assets. If not, what's the point in spending money on training people. Like much in speedway, not a very funny joke. Perhaps the NL clubs should declare independence.

Too much priority for the higher (allegedly) level of speedway will lead to the death of the lower levels. Fans of NL and PL don't like seeing matches where their riders have been whisked off to a higher level, only to be replaced by guests and r/r. Why doesn't the EL just employ enough of its own riders without having to steal others from lower divisions? The EL made a mess of the bed-they should sleep in it.

EL and PL want everything by "coming first". They profess to want to see British speedway improve and get stronger and say the NL is the nursery. The NL will only be the nursery if enough fans for along and watch the NL. Grabbing NL riders like that will not help. Such EL and PL priority is wrong. Then, the EL is clutching at straws with the fast track scheme.

Eastbourne seem to be all over the internet...and rightly so. The key is to talk to the fans, which they do, and help the supporters understand what the issues and pressures are. Most speedway folk want to know and, if they do, will generally be supportive. Look at the threads on here with reference to Lynn and Leicester. Tell people what a struggle it is to recruit a No 1 and what you are doing. Promoters must never leave a vacuum - it will be filled; not necessarily to their liking. I commented last year on Mr Cook's love of saving information for set-piece events when he sees fans face-to-face. That belongs to another age. Get the information out there as soon as you can.

Pick them up from Bedes?...make 'em walk. It's not far down the lanes. We had it tough, etc etc

Upse the forum has closed? Start your own. Launch you own Facebook page. It's not that difficult.

Another Sunday, another wet day in Sussex. Will this rain every stop? Arlington must be soaked. A pre-season skid loooks a long way away as it stands. Hoping the weather dries up soon.

Thanks to you both for the update on squads. I thought I must have skipped a whole Speedway Star! If Lakeside are leading the way, I say good if it means fewer guests and R/R.

Is the EL having a squad system this year? I haven't seen anything official - perhaps someone could post a link for me. Thanks in advance.

That was what was reported at the time, if my memory is correct.

You used to pass it every time you went to Peterborough from Lynn, in Eastfield Road, I think. Not sure whether that is Dogsthorpe or not; havent lived that way for a long time to recall. Agree, those days wont return but it is up to promoters to create new great days and heroes.

People said that last year and Eastbourne won 3 trophies and finished 2nd in the league. Don't under-estimate the Dugards. They will work their magic on Kyle and the rest of them I've not been to Birmingham (well, at least not the current stadium) so was only looking at the length. We're agreed that he is a good signing with plenty of potential - like the rest of them

I think the Championship of Sussex was only his second or third outing on a speedway bike so that was an incredible performance. 'Weapon around the big tracks' - what about the points he scored at Birmingham? That's a small track, isn't it????

Last reserve spot has gone to Charley Powell. No big surprise. Eastbourne look to have a very solid team.

I'm not so sure that people will worry that much with a difference of two or three pounds (less than the cost of a pint of beer)

Was making a general point (not defending Kent) and how it affects prices for all speedway. Makes the idea of £10 speedway unfeasible. How much of the £10 goes to the taxman? It does not leave much to run speedway. Medical cover, licences etc are the same in the NL as are in the EL.

VAT at 20 per cent is the killer

All to do with the material now being used.

Owen has said he is not riding this year on a full-time basis because of work commitments.