skydog

It's a bold prediction but it wouldnt surprise me. We had him in the Reading Development League team at 16, and he's definitely got something... just hope he gets an injury free run to prove himself.

We didnt ask... cant think why

But it still mentions Swindon... we were told that we couldnt compete using the terms "Reading" or "Racers" in our name. Having said that I get that these upcoming matches are just one off challenges, so a bit of a different case.

We had some great rows - sorry banter , with the coach load of Oxford fans that used to come and stand by us on the 2nd bend at Smallmead. It always ended civilly though with comments like "see you at the British Final". It was similar with Wolves fans but never ended on such good terms with them!

Unfortunately, I think Osborne played a blinder with Swindon. Make excuses why they couldnt run for a couple of years, then by the time they delivered the killer blow, half the supporters had moved on already. If this had happened immediately after the 2019 league win the fans would have been up in arms. They did a similar thing with us at Reading, promise a new track next year, oh sorry maybe the year after. Then maybe next year, before you know it, not enough people care...

And Reading

Maybe someone should also mention to them that Speedway fans are actually aware of Osborne's record when it comes to Speedway tracks, and there is very little chance of anyone believing that he is going to do anything at all that benefits our sport. Unless of course it benefits him. And if he has suddenly realised that he can make money out of it he must be really kicking himself for closing all those tracks down! I just cant believe they think everyone is that gullible.

Dan will do very well for you. I'm always surprised how little he is mentioned when people are talking about British prospects, and imo riding a big track every week will do him the world of good. He conducts himself very well, I think he'll make himself very popular.

Was really hoping Dan Gilkes was Oxford bound (because it's not too far me) Given an injury free season, he will be a star for someone

And before they kicked us all out of the development leagues, the 2 main things they said were unacceptable were not having full teams, and not completing our matches. Just proves what a load of bo****ks they were talking.

Yes but that still doesn't explain what GI gained from the closure

I would have said you were right, except... they never owned the land that Reading stood on. I have never worked out what they gained when it closed, apart from cutting their losses on a business/lease they maybe shouldnt have ever bought! Considering the council wanted it gone, why all the GI BS about a new stadium? All they actually had to say was "oh dear the council wont extend the lease any more, we'll be off then" And dont they actually run the greyhound racing, rather than someone else pay them rent to do it? That was how I always understood it.

The bit that I really dont understand is that TR says dogs are stopping... CO says they arent... but they are both named as directors of the new company so the remedy should be simple... "Hey Tel, it's not true that the dogs are stopping, I dunno what people are talking about." "Oh ok Clark in that case there is no reason to stop running Speedway at The Abbey, I'll carry on". "Yeah you do that Tel, cos we love Speedway, you silly billy". " Ok cheers Clark. Just one thing, why have we set up a new company to find somewhere to run Speedway when there is apparently no reason to stop at The Abbey?" "Come on Tel, that's just to keep the fans guessing, you dont think we're going to be honest with them after all this time do you?"

Reading was the same as Poole. But same end result as Swindon. Nobody is safe when they're involved.

Anyone involved in Speedway knows that Osbourne and his company have no interest whatsoever in building a stadium for Speedway or for anything else. So in my eyes the fact that TR is claiming to be be doing just that with them proves it is purely lip service. An insult to any fan of any club that has ever suffered at Osbourne's hands. A few years ago I was contacted by a Torquay United fan who was worried about GI's promises of a new out of town stadium, as he had seen their track record. I told him the most important thing their fan club could do was to convince the council not to be fooled by Osbourne's lies. The fact that these councils continue to do so absolutely astounds me. Do they never research who they are dealing with? I guess the truth is they no more honourable than he is.

Although I havent been I know of plenty of Reading fans who been regulars this season

It's ok, stop with the panic... Clark Osborne says they arent closing. And we all know he would never lie...

Martin Peters (his son Sam rides dev league) and James Tresadern have been running the Weymouth set up since 2016. Not sure what happened to that land, maybe they jumped the gun announcing it. I do know they have tried to get it back to the last venue but theres no chance. As far as I know they are still looking but I suspect that the early fervent determination has turned into a realisation that they could be looking for a very long time

According to Reading council, Reading's derelict site is now owned by a development company. GI only ever leased the land from the council.

Thanks, much appreciated.

Is anyone able to tell me the length of the Somerset track? And the width in the straights and the bends? Thanks in advance

That was the case, and many more new requirements were laid down due to the Atomic Weapons Establishment opposite. I doubt you would permission for any racing there now it has lapsed (at least 5 years since it was used). The land was up for sale, not sure if it has now sold, but I know that the only interest in using it for racing was from those of us trying to get Reading back on track.

We are still trying!

I thought it was just me that was confused by this... there was a time when we used to moan that they didnt grade the track and therefore the racing suffered!

We are still trying to find possible sites in Reading... Smallmead is a definite no even though nothing has been built on it. Unfortunately there isnt anything to report to get excited about, any return to Reading still looks to be some time away.