The Cheese

Sheffield Eastbourne Edinburgh Redcar Don't think there is a real stand out team, they all have strong points but question marks over other areas. With the exception of Birmingham I think you could make a case for any of the other sides to reach the top 4 which should make for a very interesting season.

Read this yesterday, it's nice to see that Ricky is making progress. You have to admire the determination and hard work he's put in to get to this stage, not forgetting of course the wonderful job his dad continues to do. They should both be very proud of how much they've achieved together. If he ends up taking part in the Paralympics then it would obviously be an amazing story but whether that happens or not it's great that he's found a way to keep involved in sport. Good luck to Ricky and his family.

Difficult to judge until other sides are complete but there's a lot of question marks over that side. Could do well but wouldn't be a surprise if it was nearer the bottom either. Schlein on paper is a good signing but is in his last season before retiring, will that have an impact? As the season goes on, it would be natural to just start thinking more about staying safe especially with the injuries he's had over the years. Don't see too much improvement if any in Harris, no matter the level he will be inconsistent and have his fair share of poor meetings which is why his average is always around the same figure. Berge has the potential for a healthy increase but you think that every season, it never seems to happen and he ends up moving on. Kurtz has probably reached his level. The 2 reserves have good potential but both are very young still, neither are quite in the top level of the NL and whilst most other reserves will be from the 3rd tier they will likely have a little more experience.

If Starke and BWD are elsewhere as expected then Kyle Newman would be a better option than Kurtz

I'm assuming the 5 riders Jon Cook named in the Speedway Star article this week will be in your side so; Lawson, Kennett, Bowtell, Wood, Brennan which leaves around 14.35. Add in Adam Ellis perhaps and that would be 6.71 left.

Harris 7.52 if he gets the 2.5% reduction, Covatti 6.56 so 23.92 left. Interesting signing in Harris as you wouldn't say the OTA has been one of his better tracks.

If they are staying with the top 4, how about; 1st vs 2nd and 3rd vs 4th (1 leg). Winner of 1st vs 2nd goes direct to final. Loser at home to winner of 3rd vs 4th to decide the other finalist. Final over 2 legs.

Not many riders around the 4 point mark which makes things a little difficult with the limit of 38. Wright (7.68), Covatti (6.56), Wilson-Dean (5.85), Starke (5.73), Wajtknecht (5.06), Shanes (4.96), Atkins (2) - 37.84 Or going for more strength at the top; Morris (8.67), Wright (7.68), Ellis (7.64), Wilson-Dean (5.85), Greaves (3.99), Atkins (2), Kemp? (2) 37.83 If Kennett is available with his average from the Premiership last year that would convert to 8.16 which looks good value

Maybe just coincidence but Eastbourne and Birmingham seem to be the only NL sides who have updated their website with the AGM statement..

" The British Premiership, Championship and National Development Leagues have entertained a growing and more diverse audience by consistently delivering speedway of the highest quality. " The plan to gradually reduce doubling-up/down is fair enough because I don't think you can just bin it completely straight away but is the plan likely to survive it's 5 years? The Premiership using Thursday's is the sensible option just a year too late. A fan nominated race via social media just seems like a poor attempt at trying to look modern, it's hardly going to keep kids entertained during races etc. And naming a competition the 'Premiership Supporters Cup' is awful and embarassing, that needs changing right now before the season starts. Overall it mostly seems more of the same and disappointing.

Interesting.. assume this means Chapman isn't buying Peterborough as rumoured?

Disappointing to see Somerset drop down but if that's what needs to be done for the future of the club.. whatever league they're in you can guarentee the team will be competitive and entertaining.

He's also listed as director of 'PE168 Limited' since October which seems to be a new company selling new and used cars, and wholesale of watches and jewellery

Exclusive picture from this incident: I believe the lady on the left is the new chairwoman of the BSPA

Congratulations to Workington. I was one of those who thought it looked a poor team at the start of the season but happy to be proved wrong. Nice to see Bickley making another good contribution last night. Credit to the Workington management for sticking with him earlier in the year when he was struggling. I know they said at the start of the season there was no pressure on him but that's often said by teams and that rider is then the first to make way for changes. He's ended up more than playing his part in this success.

Good luck to both sides, may the best team win and hopefully both are back on track next season

Haven't read what exactly is said yet (lucky if the post comes this early!) but I would think there is obviously going to be some doubt. Until it's known what the strength of the league/s is, who else is in them etc then it makes no sense to confirm 100% what your plans are. As for the team, Jaimon Lidsey a possibility?

After a meeting full of arguments, backstabbing and threats the best AGM ever, the BSPA have come up with plans for an exciting new era.. Doubling-up: It's clear that this is starting to become a slight problem. Teams will be limited to having 6 riders who double-up. Fixtures: There have been a few difficulties this year so from 2019 onwards all teams must have a 6 week period during June-August with no fixtures taking place. This is to ensure the annual scramble to fit everything in at the end of October takes place. Teams finishing their fixtures in early September will simply not be allowed to happen. Fixture planning: After his successful intervention this season, Rob Godfrey will compile the fixture list and any changes/re-arranged fixtures must have his approval. Guests: Teams should only use their contracted riders if a suitable guest is not available. Admission prices: In an effort to increase attendances, admission at all venues will be capped at a maximum of £10. Clubs may also add an exit charge of up to £20 which fans will be required to pay before being allowed to leave the stadium. Abandoned meeting policy: If a meeting is abandoned for any reason after the meeting has started, the captains of each team will take part in an exciting new addition. Using the Barry Briggs homologated rain-off hat, 4 coloured balls will be placed inside. For every race still to be completed, the captains will take turns and whichever colour is drawn out first is deemed to have won that race, drawn 2nd is 2nd and so on. This will take place on the centregreen and fans will be invited to watch it take place for a fee of £1 per heat. Improved presentation: Before the rider introductions on the parade both teams will be required to take part in a club war cry. All music played should be from the 1980s and 'The Final Countdown' must be played before heat 15. Failure to do so will result in the meeting being awarded to the away side. Social media: Recognising this is vital all clubs will be encouraged to keep their official websites up to date with a detailed match report expected within 48 hours. To celebrate these plans it can also be revealed that a new 'Chairman Chapman' Wulfsport coat will be available from December. Pre-order now for a guarenteed Christmas delivery - the ideal present!

Of course it's not ideal but what are they supposed to do with half a team out injured? Would be more of a farce if Somerset turned up with just Doyle, Lawson and Covatti

I assume Starke is guesting in the 2nd leg because Wright won't fit without the extra 5% but surely a precedent has now been set?

I can understand why people don't like play-offs but there's no guarentee King's Lynn would have been champions if it just came down to who finished top of the table. Maybe they wouldn't have coped with the added pressure etc, maybe they would have done even better, it's impossible to know what might have happened differently. Then you have things like Somerset losing at Leicester by 2 points when they didn't bother using Doyle in heat 15, they would likely have won that instead, would Belle Vue have won at Somerset with nothing to play for instead of needing it to keep their play-off hopes alive? Obviously King's Lynn were unlucky in the final and have had a great season with a team that many, including myself, thought looked poor but starting a season knowing you have to finish top is completely different to just making sure you finish top 4 and being top is a bonus. The relevance of every meeting changes.

Iversen and Palm-Toft both seemed to get a runners-up one so I'm sure Kurtz would have got his

Mentioned in the Speedway Star this week that the referee from this meeting, Willie Dishington, has been banned for the rest of the season for his mistake in not allowing Steve Worrall in heat 15. Is there really any need to punish him like that? Mistakes happen, not the first time and it won't be the last. Also very poor that he was only told of the decision by email. It's always being said that there is a shortage of referees, seeing one get treated like this is hardly going to encourage people to want to do the job..

Now confirmed that Harris guests for Holder

Congrats to Poole, had quite a few lucky moments during the play-offs but to be honest there were a couple of things that went against them as well.