Great Central
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Posts posted by Great Central
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Well it is now the 1st February and there does not appear to have been any last minute offers to rescue speedway in the isle of Wight for 2014 so that looks like the end for this year.
This is an extremely sad situation for NL speedway, and for British speedway in general. This isn't about fighting to save the stadium because it is being sold off for housing, but for a problem that is more deep rooted in the lack of support and sponsorship. I sincerely hope that Wightlink have been thanked for their support over the last few years because without them it would be impossible to hold it in the past and they need to be kept on board should their sponsorship be wanted in the future.
The fight now begins to build a platform, which the shareholders and Directors will support, on which to get it going again in 2015.
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Still no Press Release, which is understandable at a time like this. But the IoW website says the next shareholders meetig will be on Tuesday, October 14, 2014.
It has been on the BSPA website for some hours now
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Would be nice to know what the 100k was used for, if the complex without Speedway is profitable, can't believe that was used to keep Speedway afloat, perhaps it was to pay the Chairman, nice little earner Rodney, as Del Boy would say.
To be fair, a loss of £30k on speedway last year could have been possible and some of it is those skeletons. Unpaid VAT, Council loan not paid were just two mentioned last night. I don't doubt that The Chairman and Board are all honest people but just seem bereft of new ideas to turn it round. Population of 130,000 which must be doubled in summer and you can't get more than 250 there on a nice summers evening!!!
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Perfectly apparent to me. This is an opinion by the way and by no means a statement of fact (so no need to sue me for my £2.74p. Took me ages to save that
).The Chairman and (to a slightly lesser extent) two directors have between them stumped up well in excess of £100k in loans, which it appears to me they would rather like back at some stage. By not staging Speedway, the profits from other revenue streams at Smallbrook will give them a chance of recouping their money. Run Speedway? They're not going to see it and indeed would end up putting more money in.
As Brendan Johnson has tweeted, "One man got his wish". But, sad and disappointing as it is, it's their money and they're entitled to it back so who are we to criticise?
You are indeed entitled to your opinion and nobody should attack you for it, and you make a valid point about the Board stumping up an amount of money to save speedway in the IOW but the figure quoted is inaccurate unless the Chairman has put in nearly £80k of his own money and since he didn't know last night how much he had loaned, I can't argue with you.
The bank overdraft and Council loan equate to nearly £45k of the £100k and the Council loan repayment appears well under control.
What I found strange last night being a non shareholder and it being my 1st meeting, was that there appears to be no plan in place to turn it round and a resignation that if people don't want to watch speedway then there is nothing you can do about it. As greyhoundp said, given time, there was every opportunity to find ways of funding the deficit this year, even to the point that the debts could be cleared quicker but having said that there do seem to be too many skeletons left over from previous Boards that have wrecked forward financial planning.
On a positive note, the Supporters Club seem hell bent on keeping going and finding ways to increase club funds so well done to them because they may provide the rock on which speedway in the IOW continues in the future.
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Regardless of the outcome, well done mate.
I echo your comments - the fact that people are continuing to try their best to help the club will bring heart to Kevin Shepherd, Bryn Williams and the others who are fighting to keep the club alive.
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Anyone? If someone could confirm ASAP as I'm seeing someone in the morning who may be able to help.
I think that Bryn is probably the best person to take this question and possibly offline. What is disappointing is that you are one of a number of people that may have found some support for the IOW club and had the cry gone out earlier, then just imagine what may have been possible.
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The SKY money is surely to actually benefit promoters who are putting on the meetings for TV. If they don't get a share of that kitty what's the point of them staging TV meetings. Like it or not, as I see it - and rightfully so - the only beneficiaries are/should be promoters involved in hosting TV meetings, not as some generalised kitty pot for things like Air Fences.
I agree but in reality it has passed through the promoters hands very quickly, paying un-realistic wages for EL riders. A portion should have been held back, like football does from their TV money, to support the sport at grass roots level and to support the development of the sport.
Wow, he must be a very powerful Chairman, to be able to make such important changes, as long as I can remember, Speedway was the reason that the whole setup existed , and why the shareholders invested in the first place, seems like time for an EGM and get the Club back on track, where it belongs, and back in the PL and not the NL.
Sorry editor didn't work, Speedway on it's own will never pay on the IOW, but as part of the whole package, and run correctly, would definitely be viable, but unfortunately too many bridges may have been burnt in the past, but if these can be repaired IOW could have a good future.
It seems from what little I have found out to be a very complex situation and if anyone could offer the shareholders some advice on company law, I am sure it would be appreciated because as Bryn has stated it could be a fiery and emotional meeting on the 21st January.
The air fence purchase was just a smoke screen since there were solutions and financing offered to get round it. Currently there is nearly 50% raised in pledges and there are still untapped sponsorship opportunities.
The real problem has been low attendances and higher costs than some other clubs incur but when the Chairman or someone else appears not to want to improve matters in respect of the speedway element of the club, maybe even working against the aims of the club in that respect, the shareholders are in a tricky position. One wrong move could see the club fall into the wrong hands. I don't think it is as easy as voting out the Chairman and Directors and you only have to check how many changes in directorship there have been lately to know that things aren't right at the top.
Great club and a great sponsor in Wightlink - just a pity that it has been steered down the wrong path.
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Having first witnessed speedway way back in 1966 I am as usual, apart from when I've been in Oz, bored stiff at this time of year and eagerly looking forward to the new season watching the sport I love at all levels from training tracks upwards on tracks of all shapes and sizes and different riding techniques required!
My one fervent hope apart from wishing all clubs/riders well and an injury free run, no impossible dream alas I fear, is is that the level of moaning and whining on this and similar forums without putting forward constructive replacement ideas recedes dramatically!
What are YOUR hopes for our sport in 2014?
Bryn,
I agree with your comments and when there is no speedway left in the UK, maybe some people will be happy. Yes it isn't pretty at times and I am sure that we all have ideas on how it can be improved, but it is what it is until someone really looks into what speedway has become and starts looking into the future a bit more.
I have two more wishes:
1) One which is dear to your heart, is that I hope the the Isle of Wight survives as a going concern. A great club that has lost its way a little and needs a lifeline to take it forward.
2) I sincerely hope that there are less injuries this year. It won't be solved by more air fences but by getting rid of those lethal silencers and there isn't much chance of that.
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I am sure that "in the legal world" there is a way the IoW board can sub-let the speedway rights at Smallbrook, as they do for football competitions for example who must just be tenants at the stadium?
The stadium is also rented out during the summer months for various other events. I see no problem in regard to an outside interest staging speedway. But I do stand to be corrected on my assumption.
Here for example is the football project currently running at Smallbrook Stadium - http://footballmundial.com/leagues/view/91/isle-of-wight-tuesday-6-a-side-league
An interesting link that you have provided which I think shows that certain activities may be being run with the wrong cost allocation.
Yes the 6 a side football is providing a contribution to the club but it is only bringing in £168 per week and presumably lighting and the referees have to be paid out of that.
If the other other activities are contributing on a similar basis, the speedway will appear to be more costly than it is. This is not an unusual problem and I think they will find that if speedway doesn't run in 2014, some of the costs previously allocated to the speedway element will still be there and what was thought to be a profitable sideline is no longer so.
But only if the majority of the shareholders agree presumably
Vince, you ask an interesting question over the constitution of the IOW Club. Not being a shareholder, I am not party to the constitution but I understand that you get a vote regardless of the number of shares held but the Chairman who is paid, I think, can make decisions without recourse to the shareholders so not running in 2014 may be one of those decisions that he could make to improve the financial position of the Club(company).
Of course what complicates things is that speedway is part of the name of the company and was set up to run speedway so how will the majority of the shareholders feel when the company is not running speedway anymore. I suppose they will feel agrieved but unless somebody comes up with cash to run it, what else can they do? Could they cash in their shares and what effect would that have?
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its not that the chairman dosent want to run speedway its that he dosent want to put anymore money into it. He has put a serious amount of money into the IOW .you cant really blame him for not wanting to put more
You are right Dean but it appears to me that he doesn't want to run it anymore, and doesn't want anyone else to run it either. Has he declared to the shareholders how much he has put into keeping the club going and doesn't this amount to financial mismanagement as a Director just putting in his own money to what is apparently a bankrupt business?
It is complex and a situation has to be found but I do think that regardless of what you or anyone suggests, it won't happen because the Chairman doesn't want it to happen. Really sad situation since it is a great little club.
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its not about having a finacial intrest in the club. The fact is the someone needs to step in and run the speedway .all the share holders want the speedway to run and not for money reasons. The share holders are fans ,but whoever steps in will straight away be running a club thats loosing £20,000 a year .yes savings could be made and maybe that person could turn things around but that person needs to have £20,000 to burn just incase they dont turn it around. I would love to be that person and have given them ideas where some savings can be made but the fact is i just dont have the money to do it. I like others dont really care what happens to the shares i currently have i just want the IOW to continue
It is indeed a complex situation over there and the more you ask, the more complicated it seems to get. Cutting riders costs would help reduce that annual deficit as would not competing in the NL Trophy which generally is run in the less popular times of the year in terms of spectators.
The air fence issue was a smokescreen since a number of offers of fences and sponsorship seem to have been rejected, and has diverted the attention away from the fact that the Chairman doesn't want to run speedway anymore. How that sits with shareholders I don't know since they all bought into a Company to support speedway, not to make money, and all they would be left with is being a shareholder of a stadium and its subsidiary "income streams". In fact Speedway is in the name of the company so it is totally clear what the Company was set up for.
In my view the decision not to run was made ages ago but deliberately declared so late that other parties and additional financial assistance couldn't be found in time to rescue it, unless of course somebody with real money comes in with a business plan that works. That of course is highly unlikely given the timescales and the attitude of the Board.
I don't know the answer but I do know that this is a unique case of a team closing not because of houses being built on the land but because of other issues and therefore every effort has to be put into finding a solution somehow because without the Islanders, British speedway at NL level will be worse off.
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I agree that weekend racing would be a good idea but Sunday would be a better option than Saturday I would think as Saturday is usually the day when holidaymakers have either just arrived and are settling in or going home. I hope something can be sorted out.
And of course ferry space then becomes a problem. I am sure that Wightlink would not want to give up valuable space to non paying speedway riders and officials but no suggestion should be put down without adequate thought.
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As an IOW regular, i don't think it's just the huge cost of buying an air fence which is the problem. The whole track also needs to be relaid, added to the substantial yearly losses incurred by the promotion is making that elusive sugar daddy harder to find.
You are spot on.
The financing of the air fence issue is something that can be overcome, not easily, but can be overcome. It is the losses that have been sustained and look like being sustained going forward unless something is done to turn it round that is the real problem.
There does seem to be some negativity that seems to be preventing people working together to come up with solutions which is a pity. Maybe the mystery backer came up against that negativity in his short discussions with the club?
I sincerely hope that the club continues since NL speedway cannot afford to lose it. It is unique and the people involved are good, passionate people but that won't pay the bills. What is clear is that Kevin and Chris and several others worked their socks off this year trying to turn it round but it needed something extra and that is probably more advertsing revenue and more promotion of what is a good nights entertainment at a stadium which some clubs would love to own.
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Good signing and a fairly local lad as well. I wish whoever posts the press release would check their facts though. The following is posted from the press release.
"Kent are delighted to announce the addition to their 2014 squad, teenager, Brandon Freemantle who appeared last season for the Isle of Wight and who made rapid improvement in the latter half of the season." He rode for the Islanders on the 2nd July, was injured and took no further part in racing in 2013. His average is only 3 though which is a steal.
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I used to leave the car on land and then get the ferry. Much better and cheaper.
I thought that the deal that they had going in partnership with Wighlink and Ryde taxis was a fantastic deal ie £22 all in but I am not sure that it was publicised enough. Yes it is on the website, but not in the easiest place to find and quite a few people that I talked to weren't aware of the offer thinking that driving across on the ferry was the only way.
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I seem to remember that when the IOW first requested to be included in the PL, an undertaking was given that the IOW had to pay for the ferry charges for all the away riders and visiting officials. Dave Pavitt used to meet a nominated boat on the pier head, and had all the tickets to hand. Don't know if that arrangement still follows for the NL, as that would be an extra cost to the home promotion.
Not the case anymore. The very generous sponsorship package by Wightlink Ferries ensures that all riders and officials get across to the Island and back free of charge. Very efficiently they do it too!!
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no news ?
No. I am presuming(don't know) that the BSPA will be informed before releasing any news to the wider world. There has been a lot of work going on everywhere to keep the club alive and there was even a big pledge today from across the water but whether it is enough to sway the verdict I don't know. It is disappointing that it has been left so late to take action since more could have been done before the season ended.
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With respect 'Halifaxtiger' why were you 'waiting for that one' as my response was directed towards 'Grand Central' and, as you can see he has to listen to his boss!
Seriously though, where exactly would the money come from? The club's in debt, it's struggling to find funds to by an air fence which it HAS to by to continue and, like most club's when it comes to the nitty gritty of actually physically doing things e.g. handing out leaflets, lots of people may have come up with ideas on forums such as this and at supporters meetings etc but few get involved.At this moment in time, it's 'crunch time' with the priority being to save the club, find the necessary funds for the air fence etc., and thus operate in 2014 for, as TMW has alluded to, if the Wightlink Islanders don't operate in 2014, it's going to be nigh on impossible for speedway to return there. Just look at Reading, Hackney, Wimbledon, Halifax, Bradford...
Bryn,
Is it possible to get the website updated with the correct amount raised. It has sat for ages on £9135 yet the GoFundMe appeal has been boosted by a very generous anonymous donation of £100 only yesterday. Thanks to all who have pledged donations.
Martin
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Anyone know the birth place of Lewis Rose? Just compiling team profiles for my unofficial Stars website and can't seem to find much information on him anywhere, apart from his birthday that I found on speedwayresults.com!
I think you will find it is Reading. Read it in SS recently.
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Because I knew that you - or someone else- would ask where the money was coming from to advertise. In the case of IOW, it simply must be found.
I'd be the first to admit that its very easy to spend others money (although I would point out that I was a shareholder at Mildenhall and put my money where my mouth was then) but the simple fact is more than any other club in British Speedway Isle of Wight need to advertise, and they don't.
I came down to the Island in April 2008 and Dave Pavitt showed me the gate take. There were about 200 paying spectators, but he assured me that from July-August it would be around 900. No other team's attendances vary to that degree because of holiday makers.
You will know better than me, but I think this is all about the £20k or so needed for the air fence. If there was no need for one or if the money is obtained, there would be no doubt about Isle Of Wight taking their place in the NL.
No it is more than the £20k. I thought that but was advised differently. As you point out money has to be found somehow to advertise the product on offer.
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With respect 'Halifaxtiger' why were you 'waiting for that one' as my response was directed towards 'Grand Central' and, as you can see he has to listen to his boss!
Seriously though, where exactly would the money come from? The club's in debt, it's struggling to find funds to by an air fence which it HAS to by to continue and, like most club's when it comes to the nitty gritty of actually physically doing things e.g. handing out leaflets, lots of people may have come up with ideas on forums such as this and at supporters meetings etc but few get involved.At this moment in time, it's 'crunch time' with the priority being to save the club, find the necessary funds for the air fence etc., and thus operate in 2014 for, as TMW has alluded to, if the Wightlink Islanders don't operate in 2014, it's going to be nigh on impossible for speedway to return there. Just look at Reading, Hackney, Wimbledon, Halifax, Bradford...
Bryn,
It is Great Central, not that young upstart Grand Central from the New World!! I think that Halifax Tiger is spot on with his comments about advertising being so important to the Isle of Wight. If it is a lost cause trying to stir up support in the Island, and I don't think it is which is why I keep helping out in the background, the tourists who come across are therefore the lifeblood of speedway at Smallbrook but if they don't know it is there then they won't go.
I also don't think that the air fence is the issue here. Yes the club is about £10k short right now but how long has the campaign been running. Not that long and a protracted campaign over the winter will bring in the additional money, and the Supporters Club have offered some help going forward with any instalment payments. What it needs however is a unified push on air fence fundraising and also how to improve attendances and I have offered my help in any way that I can.
Why am I bothered about whether the IOW runs or not? It is because in this case it is not about the land being sold for houses but being viable going forward. It is a great club, run by shareholders in a not for profit context which is a great ethos. It will affect the NL and British speedway if it doesn't run and who cannot be excited by its unique position. I was involved to a small extent in Leicester coming back and am trying to get a home for the Long Eaton Invaders and like many on here who have tried to resurrect speedway clubs, it is nigh on impossible to do. Much easier to keep it going rather than trying to start afresh which TMW was alluding to.
The focus should be therefore on clearing the debt and improving visibility of speedway to the tourists and the air fence will take care of itself. At the moment, in my opinion, it is acting as a smoke screen to the real problems behind the club's vilability.
Martin
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Some excellent suggestions "Grand Central" - are you offering to sponsor the cost of putting them in place?
Bryn,
I think you know my views on the IOW and where they should go in the future but with Mrs W(TMW) watching my every move, I could not possibly commit on this forum to such a generous offer from you. As the Government would say "We are currently exploring all avenues and opportunities"!!
Martin
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Every single person going to the IOW goes on the ferries. When I went over, no posters at all on either Wightlink or Red Funnel.
Then there's the IOW tourist magazine that's distributed free on the ferries and elsewhere and tells visitors about everything there is to do and see. No adverts there either (if memory serves me correctly there was a one line mention under sports).
No posters or leaflets in caravan sites (at least there wasn't on the one at Whitecliff Bay where my brother has his caravan) so I presume there were none in hotels or Bed & Breakfasts either.
The sort of advertising I am suggesting is in the places where people who know nothing about the Island will be looking - and that's not in press releases.
Some great ideas coming up all of which I hope will sway the decision the right way on Tuesday. I think now the issue has come out onto the forum it is showing how people are willing to help with ideas. Of course they have to be translated into action by someone but at least the ideas are there.
Leaflets should be placed in every tourist attraction on the Island and maybe a deal struck up whereby a purchase to one attraction gets you reduced admission to another.
There is a small advert on page 61 of the Wightlife magazine right down at the bottom but could be easily missed since it seems to blend in with the ones next to it. A thought would be for the Supporters Club to try and fund a full page advert next year if they run. What about contacting former riders(there are some illustrious ones that have cut their teeth around Smallbrook) and ask them to donate one item for auction on ebay with funds going to the Supporters Club to pay for increased advertising.
What about advertising on the TV screens on the ferries - more expensive but for about £2k I think, it appears that you can access a potential of 800,000 pax for three months(June, July and August) with over 400,000 opportunities to view the advert on the 5 ferries Portsmouth to Fishbourne route. It would be better than watching the garlic growing!!
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Isle of Wight getting crowds of 120 might have also been the reason the club has withdrawn from the league.Impossible to state a credible business plan on those crowd levels.
And that is at the root cause of the problem.
Apparently there are speedway supporters on the Island that will not go and support NL racing which they see as being of a poorer quality to PL racing. Well they should watch some old videos because the NL lads race just as hard with probab;y more passing.
The Club really needs to attract the youngsters in the Island since not many turn up on a Tuesday to watch the great racing but you can't fault Chris Hunt, Kevin Shepherd and a few others that spent their weekends trying to drum up support attending every possible venue that they could, displaying bikes and handing out promotional material. .
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Has Iwade Closed
in Speedway News and Discussions
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I sincerely hope that all those issues can be resolved since grass roots speedway needs Iwade. It is a brilliant little track, quite technical in nature and situated in a great place.
Best of luck to all involved with resolving the problems.