Parsloes 1928 nearly 495 Posted July 27, 2011 The programme doesn't promote the team as it is on sale at the meeting, which you won't be at unless you've been taken by a friend, or seen the meetings promoted somewhere... I agree the Rye programmes are terrible but they are really a minor thing in the grand scheme of things. If that's all you've got then you're clearly in the wrong. Hackney haven't gone bust, they are no longer running at Lakeside, so how that's Len's fault I have no idea, in fact if the Hawks weren't racing half their meetings at Rye then the Hawks would be bust now. I'm not saying Len is fantastic but in this case putting the blame solely at his door is a very untrue and stupid assumption. Actually you DON'T know the full story, in any way. Jon Cook and Neil Vatcher were poised to open an NL side at another location - brand-new, with planning consent (hopefully I don't need to draw you a picture!); and that, at a relatively late stage, hit the buffers. So the attention shifted instead to 'Hackney'. Yes, with Len also heavily involved. I'd hasten to suggest that Cookie's action in doing so, saved a 'club' (or at least a side comprising seven riders..) from being lost to the league. I also know that, contrary to what everyone on here says they 'know', that there are people seriously looking at the options for a Speedway site near to the old Hackney track within the wider Olympics/Eton Manor area. Some more support for the 'Hackney' project would've helped but sadly the usual suspects on here who are RH supporters (who seemingly are never happy unless they're moaning: eg "the Cobras is a terrible nickname..", er, why?) just rubbished it from the beginning. It's only now that Lakeside have pulled out that RH people are leaping to Len's defence - before he was the 'villian' for allegedly over-chgarging! Just a word about locations. The old Hackney track wasn't in what many people would call 'Hackney'. It was right on the border (and I mean right on the border - Warerden Rd's in THREE different boroughs) of Hackney borough, Newham and Tower Hamlets. The area Hackney Wick is mainly actually in Tower Hamlets (for example the Hackney Wick station is in LBTH..) and thought of (as ironically, now Europe's largest artists' enclave!) as part of Bow.. So should a new track be somehow carved out in this area, I personally can't think there's any sense in calling it 'Hackney'... East London Speedway would have far greater appeal and support area wide.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lucifer sam 3,953 Posted July 27, 2011 Parsloes, I still can't quite see why it's Len Silver's fault if Hackney have failed at Lakeside but are still running at Rye House. Surely it is Uncle Len who is the one now keeping the team running? All the best Rob Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ben91 1,743 Posted July 27, 2011 Actually you DON'T know the full story, in any way. Jon Cook and Neil Vatcher were poised to open an NL side at another location - brand-new, with planning consent (hopefully I don't need to draw you a picture!); and that, at a relatively late stage, hit the buffers. So the attention shifted instead to 'Hackney'. Yes, with Len also heavily involved. I'd hasten to suggest that Cookie's action in doing so, saved a 'club' (or at least a side comprising seven riders..) from being lost to the league. I also know that, contrary to what everyone on here says they 'know', that there are people seriously looking at the options for a Speedway site near to the old Hackney track within the wider Olympics/Eton Manor area. Some more support for the 'Hackney' project would've helped but sadly the usual suspects on here who are RH supporters (who seemingly are never happy unless they're moaning: eg "the Cobras is a terrible nickname..", er, why?) just rubbished it from the beginning. It's only now that Lakeside have pulled out that RH people are leaping to Len's defence - before he was the 'villian' for allegedly over-chgarging! Just a word about locations. The old Hackney track wasn't in what many people would call 'Hackney'. It was right on the border (and I mean right on the border - Warerden Rd's in THREE different boroughs) of Hackney borough, Newham and Tower Hamlets. The area Hackney Wick is mainly actually in Tower Hamlets (for example the Hackney Wick station is in LBTH..) and thought of (as ironically, now Europe's largest artists' enclave!) as part of Bow.. So should a new track be somehow carved out in this area, I personally can't think there's any sense in calling it 'Hackney'... East London Speedway would have far greater appeal and support area wide.. I never claimed to know the story did I?... So basically Len stepped in and gave Cook and Vatcher half the Rye NL sides meetings... You have still not answered my question, just written an essay which I'm really not bothered about. Sometimes you have to accept you're wrong... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
speedy den boy 19 Posted July 27, 2011 Ive never really understood how speedway approaches new ventures.This was a new venture,they knew that some outlets were closed at the track why didnt they say to speedway collecters(there are many on ebay) to come and sell their goods,its free to come but say maybe the stalls pay a percentage of what they take.Also the local Kart track is in the arena complex as is the fishing lake,surely something could have been done to encourage people to these events then go onto speedway.maybe a meet the new riders either in the bar or pits,just anything that would make revenue from nothing like quizzes(or even a jon cook talk on speedway would be interesting after the meetings. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhilK 150 Posted July 27, 2011 At no extra cost I believe... £16 for a PL/NL double header is not to be sniffed at! Very true Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Parsloes 1928 nearly 495 Posted July 27, 2011 I never claimed to know the story did I?... So basically Len stepped in and gave Cook and Vatcher half the Rye NL sides meetings... You have still not answered my question, just written an essay which I'm really not bothered about. Sometimes you have to accept you're wrong... What am I meant to be wrong about..? Am I wrong that Rye House fans on here slagged this off from the start..? And Rob, I never said Len was responsible, just that the 'Hackney' concept was embraced more by Cookie and at Lakeside than at RH where it's not been promoted as anything 'different' at all... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pollyanna 1 Posted July 27, 2011 I agree that in many ways the Hawks experiment at Lakeside was not a failure, not least in terms of the invaluable experience afforded to the younger riders. Brandon Freemantle, the Bens, et al can only have benefited from the opportunity. As a fan, I was happy to pay a little over the odds for the product to help develop these boys careers. Unfortunately, not enough people felt the same, and I can totally understand the clubs point of view in terms of the financial situation going forward. I applaud Jon Cook and co for at least trying to make it work. Sadly, the same thing happened to the Bourneouth Buccs at Poole last year. I's a difficult financial climate for everyone - Promoters and fans. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ray Stadia 1,071 Posted July 27, 2011 Like someone said, it is nice for some of the ex Hackney fans to see their team race jackets again, but in reality, what chance is there of a return of Speedway to the Hackney area? Therefore, for defunct teams to be using other existing stadiums, the only real benefit is to keep the name going and to publicise the name, in readiness for a new home, as is the reason behind Cradley Heath. Although they have been searching for a long while now and it's not happening yet, but could do, more chance than Hackney I would say. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Parsloes 1928 nearly 495 Posted July 27, 2011 Like someone said, it is nice for some of the ex Hackney fans to see their team race jackets again, but in reality, what chance is there of a return of Speedway to the Hackney area? Therefore, for defunct teams to be using other existing stadiums, the only real benefit is to keep the name going and to publicise the name, in readiness for a new home, as is the reason behind Cradley Heath. Although they have been searching for a long while now and it's not happening yet, but could do, more chance than Hackney I would say. Why so pessimistic...? Tthe site of the former Hackney track (see above for why that's not accurately to be described as 'Hackney'..) is right in the centre of the biggest park, sports and recreation development this country has ever seen... No room for Speedway..? If we don't try and seize this opportunity then we shall never get a better chance.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
salty 2,202 Posted July 27, 2011 Was interested to read in your earlier post about the interest in looking for a suitable Speedway venue in the "Olympic" area. It would be great if could come off, but I would worry that the change in demographics in East London over the past couple of decades might mean that Speedway is unlikely to prosper. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ray Stadia 1,071 Posted July 27, 2011 Why so pessimistic...? Tthe site of the former Hackney track (see above for why that's not accurately to be described as 'Hackney'..) is right in the centre of the biggest park, sports and recreation development this country has ever seen... No room for Speedway..? If we don't try and seize this opportunity then we shall never get a better chance.. I sincerely hope your optimism becomes reality. Not sure about East London Speedway as a name though. After all, West Ham Football Club will be using the main stadium and I assume they will still be using the name West Ham. An ideal opportunity for the rebirth of West Ham Speedway. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ben91 1,743 Posted July 27, 2011 Because you are going off the point I made Parsloes, how did Lakeside embrace the project more then Rye? I want facts, not "They produced a better programme." because the programme is not promoting the sport or club. Len Silver does charge too much for Speedway, be it PL or NL level but that isn't my point at all, I even said I wasn't defending him or making him out to be a saint but if it wasn't for him we'd have lost a National League speedway club mid season. It'd be fantastic for the sport to return to London I agree however. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
salty 2,202 Posted July 27, 2011 I sincerely hope your optimism becomes reality. Not sure about East London Speedway as a name though. After all, West Ham Football Club will be using the main stadium and I assume they will still be using the name West Ham. An ideal opportunity for the rebirth of West Ham Speedway. Agree that East London is naff, but not sure West Ham would be appropriate. Wouldn't want to be associated with the shambles run by the Porn Bros. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kasper 0 Posted July 27, 2011 ALL YOU PEOPLE THAT ARE MOANING ABOUT HACKNEY RIDING AT RYE HOUSE AND LEN SLIVER SHOULD STOP NOW.YOU SHOULD BE CARFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR BECOUSE IF MR HACKNEY /RYE HOUSE PULLS THE PLUG BECOUSE OF THE MOANING WHERE WOULD RYE HOUSE BE? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JC! 142 Posted July 27, 2011 (edited) ALL YOU PEOPLE THAT ARE MOANING ABOUT HACKNEY RIDING AT RYE HOUSE AND LEN SLIVER SHOULD STOP NOW.YOU SHOULD BE CARFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR BECOUSE IF MR HACKNEY /RYE HOUSE PULLS THE PLUG BECOUSE OF THE MOANING WHERE WOULD RYE HOUSE BE? No need to shout - and I wouldn't worry too much about Len caring about internet opinion to be honest. Experience suggests that he will relentlessly do what he wants to do and in his own way no matter what anyone says (as,of course, is his right as club and stadium owner). Edited July 27, 2011 by JC! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
