TAST

Trev I agree on the "Evidence" point - the best example being the annual "AGM Statement" :-) In terms of seats we've debated this before - I started watching speedway standing at the entrance to the first bend and always have ever since! When forced to have stood/sat in different locations and not enjoyed it as much - after 36 years watching speedway don't think I'll change now!! Think any enforced action against the current promoter would have resulted in a very premature ending to the current season - and would have possibly changed supporters opinions!! Trouble with a reduced number of Elite League tracks is that Poole will end up on TV every week!! I have started to draft a fictional script of a potential conversation between The "BSPA" and "Rick/Julie" - as we get in to the close season (and after it has been refined), depending which way the wind is blowing, I might post it on here!! :-) Tel

Trev I think Rick and Julie's involvement next year is more dependant on whether the BSPA has to/is prepared to offer them a large Olive Branch Tree!! If the Elite League falls below critical mass (breaches any Sky deal) the situation could get very interesting!! There was also one of those rumours floating around our end of the Stadium, towards the end of this season that Rick would not entertain getting directly involved again, while MIck was still around. Think Julie had to be a named Promoter to allow Mick and co to run this year!! (but I might have made that up). I was also told Mick was not permitted to promote the "Fours" because of the earlier debacle at Coventry. Tel

Hi Trev All well thanks. Elaine has been given the all clear after the surgery on her foot! To mark the passage of time Ryan (who first went to Peterborough at 4 months old) is 18 in 2 months time!! So we are in the middle of the University visits. I know we will disagree, but we feel the racing this year has been more competitive in the PL better, and from what I've seen said about the Elite league and the BSPA inevitably re-shuffling the deck chairs on the Titanic over the Winter, still would prefer PL next year. Agree that away from the racing the behind the scenes organisation and communication has reverted to the pre Frost era. Hope you are keeping well Terry Not Fisher would prefer Ostergaard Totally agree no MJJ - total waste of space!! Tel

PL and Sundays for us as well. 3:00pm start would be nice!! Tel

Our 10 year old daughter regularly attends (admittedly she started attending when she was 2 months old) , we live in Northampton and to-date it has not effected her school attendance. The only impact is that we do not stay behind - Promoters could mitigate this by NOT having intervals on school days during school term!! Come to think of it she never goes to sleep before 10:30 -11:00pm anyhow. I also believe race night is not a factor. When we first heard Peterborough were going to race on Tuesday - we thought it would be a nightmare - It was not. Looking at activities every night of the week we had something on with one or other of the kids or ourselves. You make decisions and prioritise what you want to do. In fact Alex gave up Tuesday night "Brownies" in favour of speedway. We also later realised - years ago when we followed Milton Keynes - they rode on a Tuesday!!! I also think people mix up "League racing" and "GP" racing two completely different things. League should be about Team Racing" and leave GP to Individual racing, The Elite League has tried to mutate into "Individual racing with 7 riders" and forgotten its roots. Terry edited - no idea how managed to post two messages in One!!

Would that be me or Alex you are referring to? Me? Too old been going to speedway since 1979 - many careers and a few teams ago. Plus I have no need to hide behind multiple handles to say what I want to say. [before anyone accuses me of having a handle TAST is my initials and first 2 characters of my surname - it was allocated to me by my last employer as an e-mail address 25 years ago.] Alex - she is far too sensible and switched on!, for a 10 year old her punctuation, spelling grammar and geographical knowledge - (e.g. she knows where Plymouth is as she has been to the city many times) are very good. And I'm told that she likes the team but none of them can hold a candle to One Direction and some guy called Nial! Tel

Hi Trev Retired from work - not speedway. Up till next Tuesday won't have missed a match. Conveniently rained or had health and safety issues at the Showground when we did go on holiday. Unfortunately that record will be broken as Elaine has got to have another operation on her foot next Tuesday. Don't you listen to Edwin during matches - announced Alex's 10th Birthday this Tuesday. What do I think so far - far better than the Elite league - enjoy the meetings - better team racing - far more variation in opposing riders and a lot more unpredictability. Downside some of the refs - shame can't have a different set for Premier League. For the first time in years really looking forward to going away - seems a far broader selection of better away tracks in the Premier league. The only thing getting in the way of our away travels is the away fixture list - far too many clashes with pre arranged events or limited travelling times. Would have gone to Plymouth - but even with Elaine's driving - could not get from Northampton to Plymouth in 3 hours. Season tickets certainly been value for money so far. Got to do the University visits with Ryan this year (yes he’s 18!!) so trying to persuade him to consider Universities near speedway tracks – not being very successful – Only Sheffield and Manchester do the course he wants – and I’m not going back to Belle Vue (wrong league, awful track, and my navigation system threw a fit when I shouted at her (allegedly) last time we went. Threw an unreasonable strop and vowed never to go to Belle Vue again). I take it you are still sitting in the cheap seats!! Not biting in respect of KKS – Celebrating – KKS and Coventry – both deserve each other !! Al the best Tel

Looks like the day is going to get better and better

Speak for yourself Terry

And what have village idiots done to upset you?? Terry

Thanks Dick Have replied to PM with contact details. Terry

Happy new Year Dick Other than North (and Monberg ) have you any other suggestions who might be the final rider? all the best Terry (looks like quote is working again)

Pool Quay Good news!! We will be leaving 1 Individual behind (hopefully) to keep you all amused and distracted. Its always pretended to be one of us - but basically tends to follow any team that it dreams, may employ and over rated underperforming Dane with perennial Hay fever!! Hope you have a good 2014 and enjoy the gift we leave behind!! Terry

Haza Tuesday night not good for us - our youngest has commitments every night for the first part of each week. Looks like it's going to cost me a lot in bribes for her to give up her Tuesday nights - she likes speedway but never misses a commercial opportunity. I've always though a Sunday afternoon/Evening would be a good race night and keep us out of the Elite League going forward. Terry

Hi Trev Sorry can't get Quote to work on the forum - paste and ctr-V also does not work!! Peterborough going PL has actually re-energised our interest in the sport - as can be evidenced by me powering up the keyboard again!! In all the years the Elite League has been running - they have never got their act together - unless the whole of the self interest old guard is kicked out can't ever see them getting their act together. I've know you long enough to know that you "don't believe what they tell you" !!! And as for Trevor's quote he is obviously not a James Bond fan "Never say Never again" springs to mind. Have a happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year and I do hope our paths cross in 2014 Terry

Screamer We will have to agree to disagree. Posts with "Lots of hate" comments don't make a point to me, nor do I perceive them as "Banter" they just remind me of what we have hopefully left behind in the Elite League forum. I don't particularly want Peterborough back in the Elite League, I would prefer Lings Lynn to drop to the Premier league and get back to the days of the Old East Anglian rivalry between Ipswich, Lynn and Peterborough. (might have to include Rye House these days). Yes I confess I've dug out my Speedway Surveys from 1996 and have been reminiscing over better days. Terry

Badge Ipswich is on my list of away tracks for 2014 (subject to fixture dates) to be negotiated with she who must agree. That said I have never forgiven you lot for the forced replay of the 1995 Speedway Knockout cup - still have a framed score chart of the original leg at Peterborough somewhere. So a lot to settle!!! Have vague memories of an excellent Fish and Chip shop on the outskirts of Ipswich. all the best Terry

Screamer We were about to comment that the Premier League thread was a friendlier place with less vitriolic and aggressive my team is better than yours comments. Thanks for re-enforcing that. I would suggest that in respect of the team you support, that you perhaps have a short term memory. I do hope your delusions of grander in respect of your teams tenure in the elite league is not just a short term pipe dream whilst individuals re-arrange the Deck Chairs on the Titanic yet again. I can say I don't hate KIngs Lynn - and I hope I don't end up this time next year having to pity them. Have a Happy Christmas and A Prosperous New Year. Terry

Why go back to what is now, a more expensive, poorer standard league with limited variation of teams ,part time star riders and complex rules that keep getting re-interpreted to suit certain "Key" Teams. Think the only Elite thing about it will be the "Entrance Price". Can't be that Elite if Sky no longer want to sponsor it. Tel

Shadders/Cyclone According to she who thinks she must be obeyed, she reckons one year we stayed at a hotel roughly half way between Glasgow and Edinburgh. (holiday Inn/Hilton??) Apparently it was quite a while ago as we did a northern tour that included Stoke, Middlesbrough, Berwick, Edinburgh and Glasgow - I have no recollection of visiting Glasgow more than once!! That's what age and 25 years of marriage does to the memory. Tel (nearly caught typing this!!)

Neill Now! Now! only thing I know about Lincolnshire is that it allegedly produces sausages Point of etiquette - No need to mention anything I allegedly say on here to Elaine when you next see her - will only result in me suffering pain and discomfort!! [That goes for you lot in Block D at the EOS as well] Question for you from Alex - she wants to know if there is any chance of an Ice Cream van at the EOS next season (like at Coventry) - she thinks it would keep the mob at the back of the stand and Mark Plummer happy!! Not so sure that is her motivation!! all the best Terry (back under supervision)

Diamond ernie Thanks - I'm sure Elaine gets TravelLodge mailshots on deals etc. - I will mention it to her. Thanks Terry

Shadders Took the current wife to Glasgow and Berwick (some time in the last 25 years)!! Berwick no issue understood them far better than the mobs from Wiltshire and Dorset!! Glasgow - that was a totally different experience - very intimidating - rapidly came to the conclusion we were the only English people in the stadium, and if anyone around us discovered we were English, that we would not be in the stadium for very long. The quietist the other half has ever been!! Now come to think about it.... Yet, been to at least 2 Edinburgh tracks and had a great time at both!! Edinburgh do have a half decent castle and a military tattoo - just too many tourists. Tel (sent without supervision by she who is currently out!!)

Diamonds Ta! from memory had a great time at Newcastle - reason we were so late back was the time we spent in the bar after the match. next time I's like to be able to drink alcohol!! Doubt the Hilton is anywhere near as expensive as the amount it cost us to stay at the Hilton(might have changed hands now) in Cardiff !! Thanks re the 25th - Got a table booked at a restaurant in New York - next May - taking the wife and the kids all the best Terry

Diamonds Just added Newcastle to the list of tracks I want to go to next year (subject to fixture list) to be negotiated with she who must be given the impression she is obeyed. Now, the last (and only time ) I visited Newcastle Speedway was in the early '80 between wives!! and before kids!! Those days I followed Birmingham Speedway. I drove from Northampton via Birmingham to Newcastle and back to Northampton via Birmingham after the match - getting home just in time to go to work the next day. After taking current wife to Glasgow Speedway and back on the same day (following Peterborough) - I no longer get away with those sorts of trips. So I can add a sweetener to the negotiations what are the decent places to stay and eat in Newcastle? Other half likes comfort and we both have a preference for good Chinese or Japanese. As next year's a very hectic year - something to do with the current wife remaining in place for 25 years - apparently I get some sort of silver award. Tel (this has been proof read and approved by she who must be consulted so don't blame me for typo's)