Witches

[mickthemuppet 976]

As you were then . Elite League speedway for Ipswich next season.

I don't think with all the teams that want to join the Premier League in 2011, they could find enough dates to fit all the fixtures in.

[Ipswich Jules 192]

Not much to get excited about, not exactly good news:

 

This is in the East Anglian Daily Times:

 

WITCHES DEAL FALLS THROUGH

 

Ipswich Witches director Chris Louis has admitted an 11th hour deal to bring Elite League speedway to Foxhall stadium in 2011 has fallen through.

And although it doesn't mean there won't be EL racing at the Suffolk circuit next year, the breakdown is a massive blow to the club, who were gearing up to announce the perceived good news to their fans this week.

And with the British Speedway Promoters' Association AGM taking place in Bournemouth, starting Thursday, Louis is travelling to the south coast knowing the future of the club is very much up in the air.

"We thought we had secured a deal with interested parties to secure Elite League racing at Foxhall, but it fell through yesterday" Louis admitted.

"It's a big blow, I can't pretend it isn't. But we are not the only Elite League club in this position.

So we go to the AGM on Thursday to find out our future. It could be either league, Elite or Premier. I don't want to think it could be no league at all."

[Pinny 2,536]

You must ask the question, how much are Ipswich asking for?

 

They dont own the stadium. All they own is the name Ipswich Speedway and a few riders, the majority of which don't want to ride over here.

[Trees 2,814]

You must ask the question, how much are Ipswich asking for?

Perhaps it was a big sponsorship deal?

[Lovey 20]

Perhaps it was a big sponsorship deal?

 

And even a sponsor would want to see some value for the money they put into the club. And, as pointed out above, given that Ipswich Speedway has virtually no assets*, a large "sponsorship" would be pretty much the same as buying the club ... what's the point in putting up a load of dosh if yuo can't get some say or involvemetn in the club. From a commercial point of view, a sponsorship is unlikely to generate sufficient revenue to make the investment worthwhile.

 

* certainly in terms of riding assets there are not enough to form what would be considered to be a competitive EL team.

Edited November 16, 2010 by Lovey

[Pinny 2,536]

Its already been stated that a takeover has fallen through, Trees.

 

I certainly wouldn't be willing to spend much on buying Ipswich Speedway, its a buisness losing money with very little assets.

[Steve Shovlar 10,439]

Not sure why Ipswich are in such dire straights. They get decent crowds every week and the team they put out isn't full of international stars costing a fortune in wages.

 

The problem is that no serious investment has taken place for years. If they get a decent youngster at number 8 they don't seem capable of tying him to the club. Sundtrom the latest rider to slip through the Louis fingers.

[Trees 2,814]

Its already been stated that a takeover has fallen through, Trees

Thanks for putting me right, I hadn't read that ....

Theresa

[maneacat 473]

I wonder if Chris Louis is playing his cards close to his chest until the AGM - keeping other promoters in the dark about what may or may not be happening at Foxhall in 2011 could work in his favour

[Presenter 144]

Slightly expanded story in the Evening Star, Mike Bacon writes:

 

WITCHES' ELITE LEAGUE HOPES FALL THROUGH AT THE 11th HOUR

 

Ipswich Witches director Chris Louis had admitted an 11th hour deal to bring Elite League speedway to Foxhall Stadium in 2011 has fallen through.

 

And although it doesn't mean there won't be EL racing at the Suffolk circuit next year, the breakdown is a massive blow to the club, who were gearing up to announce the perceived good news to their fans this week.

 

And with the British Speedway Promoters' Association AGM taking place in Bournemouth, starting on Thursday, Louis is travelling south knowing the future of the club is very much up in the air.

 

"We thought we had secured a deal with interested parties to secure Elite League racing at Foxhall, but it fell through yesterday," Louis admitted. "It's a big blow, I can't pretend it isn't. But we are not the only Elite League club in this position. So we go to the AGM on Thursday to find out our future. It could be either league, Elite or Premier. I don't want to think it could be no league at all. But the bottom line is our future is currently out of our hands."

 

The Witches endured a torrid 2010, with attendances dropping alarmingly for the end of the campaign. But Louis and father John, have always stated they wished to remain in the Elite League and clearly the pair have tried everything to secure that.

 

"Since our 11th hour deal fell through, we have even gone as far as to contact a local businessman, who has intimated before he would like to take the club over. But even he didn't want to take it on and into the Elite League."

 

Seemingly for the Witches fans everthing is up in the air until Sunday, when the BSPA will announce the outcome of their three-day get-together. For Ipswich, it does appear nothing can be ruled in and nothing ruled out.

 

But one thing does appear for sure and that is that in the current climate the Witches will need a lot of persuading to race in the sport's top tier in 2011.

 

As for last year's current Witches side, Scott Nicholls continues to attract interest from Swindon and Belle Vue, while Linus Sundstrom is expected to sign for Peterborough.

 

However, should the Elite League be a viable prospect for the Witches in 2011, Nicholls would surely be the club's No.1 target once more.

[Ipswich Jules 192]

Since the last minute collapse of this deal they have "even gone as far" as contacting a local businessman who has expressed a interest in taking over the club? Shouldn't this kind of thing of been sounded out a long long time ago and not as some kind of desperate measure to retain control?

There is a saying - "put up or shut up" and the Louis clearly can't put up, so time to move aside and let someone who can do it, do it!

Otherwise the speedway at Ipswich will close and won't re-open = the fans lose.

The Louis will pocket nothing = the Louis lose

The potential investor won't have his chance = they lose

Everybody loses!

But if the Louis stop trying to cut their noses off to spite their faces they can walk away with something, the investor gets the club they want and the fans get a breath of fresh air and speedway at this once great club - it's now time for the Louis to show if they care more about Ipswich Witches or themselves, sadly I fear the longer this goes on the more likely that it will be the latter

[Steve Shovlar 10,439]

What about a consortium of other EL promoters to lease the club for a couple of seasons? They can stick a manager in charge of day to day running and keep enough clubs in the EL to keep it interesting.

[cityrebel 2,960]

What about a consortium of other EL promoters to lease the club for a couple of seasons? They can stick a manager in charge of day to day running and keep enough clubs in the EL to keep it interesting.

with uncle bob always threatening to jump ship you would need a big consortium to keep the EL going.

[Bomo1 141]

with uncle bob always threatening to jump ship you would need a big consortium to keep the EL going.

Can't see that happening with only Poole apparantly making a profit!!

[Daniel Smith 5,666]

What about a consortium of other EL promoters to lease the club for a couple of seasons? They can stick a manager in charge of day to day running and keep enough clubs in the EL to keep it interesting.

 

You'll just get self interest with promoters insisting on certain riders riding, dropping averages for the following season & Ipswich still finishing bottom of the league.

 

You're not on the look out to get Davey Watt a team are you Steve