leander

That's why it's a rubbish rule!!! Newcastle have been forced to release Connor Mountain to slot in Joe Alcock. no disrespect to either rider. but I would still class Leon Flint and Connor Mountain as possible stars of the future. How many of these "rising Stars" will have their confidence shattered finishing last every race they are up against the more established riders and quit the sport all together, as has happened on more than one occasion in the past. Do they stay at reserve all season?? Like in Poland . (where it was obvious from day 1 that Lezno would win the title as their two compulsory reserves were actually good quality 2nd strings). Or do they move into the team proper if their averages are high enough. A better, in my view, system would be:- Minimum 3 brits per team. one to be under 24, and one (or even two) to be under 20. Irrespective of average. They take their place in the team according to average. That way the "rising stars" would come into the championship when they are ready, and teams are not forced to introduce someone before he is ready

Not entirely. Reporting methods need to be taken into account. In England if you've had covid 19 and recovered over a month ago, then get die from other causes (i.e. road accident) then it is still recorded as a covid-19 death. In Scotland and Wales it is only recorded as a covid death if you've been tested positive within the last 28 days. According to one newspaper today the English death count is over estimated by approx 4000, because of this. Speedway won't be back this year in the UK. One positive covid test in Poland resulted in a 50% cancellation of this week-ends fixtures, and it could be worse depending on the test results taking place tomorrow (matches I've watched on tV seem to have an awful lot of mechanics, officials breathing through their throats judging how some seem to wear the masks). If riders start flying here, there, and everywhere again one positive test could result in matches being cancelled all over the place.

'Pilot' events already decided. Snooker at Sheffield and one one-day cricket match. Both with dedicated seat reservation and a crowd % limit. One day horse racing at Goodwood restricted to Goodwood race course members, meaning track and trace, if needed, is comparatively easy as details of those attending would be already held. So unless you can find an all-seater speedway stadium you've no chance. The only one I know of (Cardiff!) is being used as a nightingale hospital on standby.

It is easy to say British speedway stadia could cope with the size of the crowds at most meetings compared to capacity, and maintain social distancing. However, if you look at Poland with 25% capacity crowds social distancing is virtually non- existent with huge areas of the stadium empty and everyone standing in "clumps" of 40 or more, because they want to be with their mates. They can't all be relatives. Notwithstanding that " no fans in stadia until October" effectively rules out anything for this year, I have heard rumours that Greyhound stadiums, which are holding televised closed door meetings for dogs, will not allow any crowds into their stadiums (even if speedway had got the go ahead) to preserve the sanitised area from possible cross contamination).

Yes, but it isn't the risk to the riders that is the problem, otherwise Poland Extraliga wouldn't have started up. The problem is the supporters. Until the government agrees to some form of mass gathering being allowed then speedway in GB will continue to be on hold. The 'powers that be' can prepare as much as they like for a restart but until the government allow spectator crowds, of whatever size, then the BSPA are stuck. One of british speedway's problems is the age of it's fanbase which is far closer to the age of those deemed to be at serious risk of covid 19. As HGould said there is no guarantee that the stockcar meetings will go ahead with a crowd in attendance, despite the fact they appear to selling tickets for what could yet be a 'non event'.

Firstly, I apologise for the mistake regarding the removal of the facebook post in February. I made a mistake and hold my hands up to that error. I seemed to remember going back to the post to make a comment congratulating the NSSG on a job well done to find a message stating that it had been taken down at Mr. Grant's request. Obviously that was not the case and I am sorry. Secondly, I would like nothing better than to be able to come and help on Sundays. However, you don't know me or my circumstances. My mother lives with me and she is approaching 100 years old, and leaving her for any length of time alone is a no no. Last season I missed 3 meetings in total home and away. I usually have to pay quite considerable sums to organise care for her. Usually well over £150 if it has to be overnight. I have helped the club in the past as and when I could and will possibly do so again as and when circumstances permit.

Don't expect anything to change in that respect. After the last social evening (organised, I believe, by the supporters club. Certainly not Newcastle Speedway) the Supporters club facebook page had a post detailing how much they had raised on the night (around about £1200). This post was quickly removed at the insistence of Mr. Grant.

On the face of it no. BUT and it's a big BUT, at the first social evening after the take-over he was specifically asked from the floor " Would he be retaining all the current staff/volunteers?" The answer:- "Yes, we will be keeping ALL the existing people." If he'd said "we'll wait and see" then fair enough, but he said the exact opposite. I wouldn't be surprised if that was one of the reasons George quit. I seem to remember something similar happening at Workington a number of years ago when the new owner kept on all the previous track staff..........For about a month into the new season then they had all been "persuaded" to quit. Be warned!!!

Doesn't make it right that they should be effectively "dismissed" without reason or explanation.

Rob is certainly ruffling a lot of feathers to say the least. At the first social do after the takeover he categorically stated the all the existing staff/volunteers would be retained. Yet, six weeks to the start of the season ALL of the "front" volunteers (i.e. turnstile operators, program sellers, etc.) were told that their services were not required this season. Without explanation, as far as I'm aware. Most of whom have been there for ten years or more. Personally I think that's a disgrace. If they were employed they would have strong grounds for unfair dismissal.

Andreas Jensen is stuck in Denmark, as is Nicolaj Klindt. Poland has postponed the first two weeks of their season according to Nicky Pedersen's facebook page. That is effectively a month as they are not due to start for two weeks. also at today's ben fund meeting it was rumoured that most of the Aussies had booked flights back home as they don't want to be stuck in Europe or the UK.

How do you know that Robbo didn't go straight to Redcar to ask them if he could hold it there. It's up to him after all. It's likely, from speaking with Robbo at his last meeting at Workington, that HE didn't want the meeting run last season, if at all at the time. It's also highly probable that he will make more out of having it at Redcar. The rent, if he's paying any. will be a lot less than what it would be at Newcastle. He'll possibly get a bigger crowd on a Saturday at Redcar than any other night and a saturday could be the best option for him. Too many dogs at Newcastle on a saturday for that to be an option.

Rob stated at the first "fan night" that Nicki had been asked (along with Bjarne and Kenneth Bjerre). It's possible that Nicki has a compulsory polish practice that weekend, since they are rather good at that.

Maybe it is. It was said on more than one occasion last season that certain elements of the website couldn't be updated due to technical problems. Let's face it it's long overdue for a major overhaul. For example, the "blog" is 18 month old, riders BSPA averages are last season's starting averages. And the "badge links" to other teams in the league are years out of date. Plymouth are still there (as is Workington) and they dropped down years ago .

Has anybody noticed that we have got Edinburgh in the KOC now and not Eastbourne as was originally announced (by BSPA).

Works fine for me. http://www.newcastlediamonds.co/news/article.asp?id=101076

Finger buffet is now shown as a hog roast.!

So. Does anybody know if the width of the football pitch has been reduced this season. i.e. Will they be able to widen the track on the inside of the straights without impacting on the current pitch dimensions. Most semi professional and professional leagues have a minimum and maximum allowed pitch size, but more importantly, they do not allow the pitch size to be altered during the football season.

Interesting to see quite how they are going to do this. It is going to be hugely expensive if they are going outwards, but the only other option is to take up part of the football pitch which, whilst being the obvious solution, I am amazed that Berwick Rangers are allowing. If that is the case. Still it needs it as entertainment has been dire in recent years. (drag race to the 1st bend springs to mind).

Doesn't have a number 1!!!!!! Didn't know Claus Vissing had left already. WE HAVE A NUMBER 1. His name is Claus Vissing. He is the 7th highest average NUMBER 1 in the League to start this season, and is on a par (within a few hundreds (average wise ) of the three immediately above him. He rode at number 5 for Glasgow for the first half of last season so has done plenty of heat 13 and 15. It is a slight concern being 2.12 short on the points limit, as this means the team has to improve by two points overall just to stand still. I'd personally have prefered an established 6.5 to 7 point rider plus either one of the two eastern europeans. However it is what it is and I, for one, just grateful we are still running. Time will tell whether the two new boys are over or under estimated on a 5.00. The slight concern being that most eastern europeans are big track riders and there ain't that many big tracks left in our league. It should be remembered that last year Smetana rode Lindgrens 2018 bikes when he was in this country. Hopefully he will have his own better bikes this year. As long as they put the effort in the fans will back them.

It's on the website. Nick Skorja and Andre Smetana. http://www.newcastlediamonds.co/news/article.asp?id=101067

Seem to remember people saying the same thing when we signed Matty Wethers two years ago. Vissing was no. 5 at Glasgow until late July last season so I've no worries there. Only 9 last places in 23 matches. home average 9.14 away 8.26. As consistent, if not better than, most no 1's.

He doesn't. Rode at 4 for the vast majority of last season despite being no. 2 in the averages for the latter half of the season.

Rest assured our number 1 will have an established average above 8.00

George said he would put money on that nobody on the room last night would have the remotest idea who at least one of the signings was, and it'll be a big surprise. I, for one, await this news with interest.