keef

Certainly would make a difference Wade...peeps get pissed off when these tanked-up fans keep walking up and down the aisles carrying cartons of drink from the bars, occasionally spilling it over people. The missus and me only had one drink each in one of the pubs before we went in, but there is no control on the alcohol once inside, and the steward/police presence was almost non-existent to weed out the drunks. When I was a steward at Swindon Town we never had any problems with fans from Millwall, Leeds, Cardiff, Charlton, Bristol Rovers etc.,(although the Oxford mob dont need a drink to start a riot!!!). Inside the ground they are very closely monitored by CCTV, police, and stewards. I dont think it would have kicked-off at Cardiff if the fans had been sober, there were more police and stewards, and Gollob hadn't done so badly. The stewards/police were probably shocked that there was trouble at a speedway G.P

so its ok jellybrain for drunken idiots to have a punch-up at a speedway meeting causing lots of innocent people to move seats. They have to accept that do they, and not go again? You obviously didnt see what happened.

I was at that Workington Fours, 2004 I think great laugh watching the fat gits chasing 3 streakers, one of whom escaped over the stadium fence, and probably ended-up walking around the adjacent Tescos starkers: At Swindon Town F.C. anyone shouting obscenities, using racist insults, or being too pissed, could be warned by stewards, and/or removed by police. The crowd was down from last year's peak, probably due to crowd problems, and of course the poor-performing British riders. I don't think I would miss going, the highlights for me were Bomber's win 2007, and TRick 2005(my first G.P). The last 2/3 have been a bit flat.

Excellent post Shadow...will be communicating with Gerald Toms the stadium manager with regard to similar issues. Also it plainly states on the ticket that anyone under the influence of alcohol or drugs will be removed from the stadium. Clearly not enforced by the weak stewards. They would have had to evict about 5,000 fans. As a 6ft.3 16 stone ugly ex-steward I wasn't that bothered by the trouble but my little wifey was, as we were right in the thick of it. Felt sorry fot the families and elderly people and pregnant woman that had to vacate their seats because of the bovver, caused by a very small minority of no more than half-a-dozen cretins from both countries.(The English fans didn't appear to be pished.)

Agree...vast majority of the Poles are great fun, and very passionate about their sport. One even crying when Gollob was beaten. We had some fun with a few in the stadium last year. Just needs better alcohol control, and crowd control from the stewards. Quite a few fans wont be returning next year after the trouble me suspects.

I have been a steward at Swindon Town F.C and Swindon Speedway, and for the vast majority of drunks there would be a no-entry policy, or a quick removal if causing a nuisance. At Cardiff soft-drinks are confiscated before entry, which is ridiculous. You can purchase loads of booze inside the stadium. We were right next to the melee, and just saw the 2 Poles being pushed over the seats a few feet away. Don't know who started it, but it took one elderly steward ages to scale the steep terrace. The police were there pretty quickly, but why did they evict the 2 Poles, then allow them back in only to evict them again for making threats to the English fans. Very passionate fans, 99% are well-behaved, but their drunken state caused about 20 fans, mostly elderly, women, and families to move from the area. It's a good thing that half the seats were empty, so people could move from the trouble. I pointed out to the steward that a pregnant woman was in a distressed state. The stewards were poor, and it does say in the programme no standing in the stadium. Don't think my missus will be sitting in U20 next year. It was the first scrap I've seen at a speedway meeting, and hopefully the last. A bloody disgrace.

The Cardiff Millennium is the best place for it, plus big profits for Greggs the bakers. But they should ban all pissed-up Poles/Dudley fans . Caused a lot of annoyance to decent people at the top of bends 3/4,the cheaper seats, about 20 by us who decided to move seats(we stayed put). Luckily the police moved in when they did to prevent a large-scale scrap. Was more like being in a footie crowd. The gate would probably drop by about 8,000 though Attendance of 43,650 this year, and they have held prices for a few years, unlike the Elite League clubs. Don't think the number of Brits increases year-on-year, but certainly the number of Poles has. The vast majority are just out for a good time(same as the Brits),noisy, good-natured, just a very small number that are nuisances, and feel they have to keep walking up and down the stand to refuel every half-hour, spilling booze and clambering over people. Don't know where the stewards were? The stadium was a lot quieter this year, as the Brits and passionate Poles didn't have a semi-finalist to cheer. They were gutted when Gollob missed-out. I saw one in tears Good idea to have the meeting earlier as a couple of thousand fans can now catch trains. Must have been a couple of hundred getting off at Swindon, with the inevitable"We Hate Oxford" chants from a few. Together with 8 coaches from the area. I think there were more Robins fans at Cardiff than there are at Blunsdon at present. Saw banners I've never seen at The Abbey. Very well-organised by Arriva.

Tenner was a rip-off, filled in my SStar racecard, then prog when I got home. The radios weren't worth having.

Good stadium at KL but does it hold over 45,000 peeps and have a roof Wouldn't mind travelling to London, Birmingham, or Manchester, but they will need a roof. Cardiff is an excellent venue.

We only saw 2 Poles being escorted out by the law. They were the couple that were pushed over the seats by the Brits. One English fan(at least 40) pushed by me to join in the melee, having rushed from another area. Then 1 pole came back in and was promptly chucked out again, for making threats to an English fan, followed by another dozen or so who seemed drunk, but were just enjoying themselves. They were moved to another part of the arena. They shouldn't allow people to drink alcohol in the stadium. We weren't allowed to take soft-drinks in, but it's ok to buy as much booze as you want inside. Ridiculous We enjoyed the live music in the Fanzone, and the usual pre-meeting atmosphere, and chatting to the fans from all over Europe. The police and stewards were probably hoping for an easier day, after having to police Cardiff City fans. Not good for the women(including one distressed pregnant one), kids, and families that had to move from that area. With more and more Poles turning-up every year it certainly adds to the atmosphere. Most of the races seemed to be over by the 2nd. bend. A few good passes. Well done Greg

Love to see the old bugger win it. Had great support from the British fans and was quick to acknowledge them.

A lot of British fans had moved away from the area, and the police only ejected 1 Pole who came them came back in and started threatening a British fan. Was quickly ejected again. 6 of one, half-dozen of the other probably. The 5 Brits in the back row involved in the fight didn't have drinks in their hands. It was handbags anyway. Added to the excitement. This type of behaviour should be reserved for the football yobs, not at a speedway meeting. It was sparked-off by a poor Gollob ride in one heat, and the fanatical Poles probably got upset at the Brits taunts.

Great win for Old Greg, and a pick-up at the bookies on Monday. Fully deserved for the top points scorer, and well received by the British fans, for the popular Californian. Bomber unfortunately only one heat win for the 2 Brits, Tai unlucky. Dissappointment for the thousands of noisy Poles. brawl between English and Poles broke out by us and the police and stewards soon moved in to sort it out. Great atmosphere again, probably the biggest crowd I've seen at Cardiff. Well-organised at Cardiff Central station. Great day out, I'm still deaf.

Joe Screen

He's through to one of the 3 semis(just, scoring 8 points), with the likes of Janowski, Zetterstrop, Iversen, Monberg, KK, Lindback, Barker, Wrighty, HansAnd, Lindback, Pedersen, Kennett, King etc.,. Klindt, Steady, Jonasson, and The Fish missed out. Didn't go last night but good luck to Johnno, one of the sport's characters. There's been some good racing at Blunsdon this year, the only reason the crowd is down is because of the poor home form,(and the bloody weather), not the track. Schleiny always goes well at Swindon.

Ticket office is in Heol Y Porth between gates 3-4...ticket booth in Park Street between gates 5 and 6-7

the raceday information line is 07003 921235

I have to feel sorry for your wife to have to marry such a bozo. Shale is not a good idea as it hurts more than confetti, which is paper. Also it will stain her dress and cause distress to the cleaning staff at the venue.

What, all hundred quid Will probably have an ew punt on Hampel Crump Hancock Holder for first 3.

After their shock double defeat against the Brits with Crumpie back in I will be surprised if they dont win it.

Crump Hancock Holder Hampel Aces and Pirates

I may have a wager on the 4 H's...Hancock, Hampel, Harris, Holder. Although Crumpie has won the last 3 meetings I have attended. Can't rule leader Gollob out, although Cardiff is not his favourite place. Sure Lindgren and Pedersen will be thereabouts, perhaps Scotty or Sayfutdinov for the other semi-finalist.

Will be driving now as they've hiked up the fare for the last train.

Will probably be catching last train to Swindon, which leaves at 21.30, change at Bristol Temple Meads. Have been in the stadium before when it has overun the 3 hours, and started at 5.30. As has been said the southern end is a lot closer to the station. Me and the missus considered driving as we have done the previous few times, but last year we got stuck on the M4, and just made the start. Normally it's o.k, avoid driving through city centre traffic on way out. We head for Cardiff West/M4. You can park in side street if you're lucky. Or you can pay to park, designated car park, and shuttle bus is laid on. We have considered getting the supporters coach from Swindon as well. Have a great time Gary, the atmosphere is something special. Go Scotty the Swindon/England flyer.

Swindon roo bins Gathercole and Sedgy confirmed.