Ben91 Posted September 9, 2012 Report Share Posted September 9, 2012 It really is fascinating how someone who has attached themselves to speedway for so long can have so little clue about the sport, even if the first line was meant as (lame) humour. You really have it in for the Ron Russell era. As someone who worked damn hard to help Ron keep the place open it really is a kick in the teeth to hear your constant whinging about that difficult time. Looking back I really wish I hadn't bothered now. It's hard to work out though whether I regret getting involved in that period more than helping Steve Ribbons revive the team in 1999. To be honest it's now become a very close-run thing. To me, Rye House has always been a difficult track to promote. The stadium is simply the wrong size and shape to create a decent speedway track, It's in a part of Hoddesdon that always had a poor reputation locally, making it very hard to sell to local businesses and it's right next to a river that for years caused havoc over flooding and drainage. I don't think that many tracks had the water coming up from below. It looks like Len has done his expert best to get round these problems, but then he gets slated for the tracks that he lays. Success at Rye House never seems to last and it looks like the cycle is heading downwards again. Sadly Ron bought it as it was spiralling down in the eighties and was unable to pull it round. I made some very good friends at Rye House but they weren't like the people I see spouting-off about the Rockets here. Strangely I have no memory of ever meeting you.It's probably the best move I made to get out when Len resumed control in 2000. I have high respect for him but could not ever work with those who he surrounds himself with. Seeing what happened to Steve Ribbons proved me right there. I remember walking into Rye House back in 1974 after Rayleigh's closure wondering just what the hell we'd done to deserve what had happened to us. I'm sure that some of you may have worked out who I am from recent posts, especially the above. I ceased posting as rmc partly because I was writing for Backtrack and thought it best to be more discreet. What was the clincher was seeing the utter garbage written in the BSF about the Coventry & Peterborough fiasco of 2010/11 . I really didn't want to be associated with it and in fact walked away from speedway totally until the very end of last season. It's all academic really because I'm ready to walk away again, probably for good this time. The space for reasoned discussion in the BSF is now so minute and so many decent contributors have either left or become silent that it really has become an unpleasant task to filter out the bull to find the few facts. It's easier to walk away when I see the comments you've been making. Actually, the big mistake was following Rayleigh to Hertfordshire. I used to be so proud to be a Rocket. People like you make me ashamed. Keep talking about the food, it's much safer territory. Anyway, time for me to go. I only made a very small contribution to speedway but I did my bit. As you so readily point out what I and others did just wasn't good enough was it? Apologies for trying to help the sport but it really doesn't want to be helped does it? Rob McCaffery For a few years a speedway commentator, occasional writer, 30 years a Rockets supporter, and at one time proud to be meeting announcer and presenter at Rye House. What a waste of time it all seems now.... Sorry but I'm missing the part of this post in which you've backed up your big headed claims you know more about speedway than everyone else here. Give me a camera and mic I'll be a speedway commentator, get me in the box I'll be an announcer/presenter. Give me enough money I'll buy the club but that doesn't make me any better than anyone else and it doesn't need any skill to do. Some of the drivel you've spouted above is down right disrespectful to the true Rye House fans, we all disagree but at the end of the day we want the best for our club, even Chris! Although I guess if you weren't there at Rayleigh you don't count as a true fan in your view? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reddan Posted September 9, 2012 Report Share Posted September 9, 2012 THE most worrying thing is that all of this is starting to have that "the club wont be around much longer" feel to it. Everyone is bitterly disappointed by this years team and subsequent performances, and the way the club has moved in the transfer market lately feels like a club that is no longer going to push the boat out (Simon Lambert....really?????) . But in truth there are so many factors involved in the way things have turned out. People support a winning team, so after our glory era 2005-2007 the team has slowly started to slide and as a result attendance figures have done the same. As a businessman youre not going to spend beyond your means so if income from gate receipts is down, youre going to cut your cloth accordingly. It just seems like a vicious circle though. Crowd goes down, spend less on team, crowd goes down some more, spend even less on team until there can only be one outcome, end of team. For what its worth I'll say this. Every promoter is going to do certain things at times that upset fans, it happens up and down the country. But Len breathed new life into rye house at the turn of the millenium and after a few years even delivered the much sought after trophies that we all craved. He bought the stadium, made slow, but steady improvements and now it all seems to be going a bit backwards, which given the way Len went about things in the first decade of this recent era seems a bit strange, and a little worrying if you ask me. If Len has had enough or feels that its time for him to finish his involvment in speedway, who is going to take over? The last thing we want is a fly by night Colin Horton type!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hooversquash Posted September 9, 2012 Report Share Posted September 9, 2012 We all know times are hard at Rye House & Len is "cutting his cloth accordingly" (Red Dan), but I need some help in understanding the stadium 50/50 raffle? My interpretation in that of all the tickets sold, 50% goes into the rider pot & the other 50% is the prize to the lucky ticket holder. Last night for instance, I bought tickets, both blue & yellow (2 books being used along side each other), so I get strips with the number begining 661. All ok there. The wining ticket begins with the number 161 (woo hoo) and is paid out £75 winnings. Is this correct or should it have been more? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn Posted September 9, 2012 Report Share Posted September 9, 2012 Awful season that started at Ipswich losing Neath and has got steadly worse. Lows - loss of Neath and Bowen through career threatening injuries. Retirements from Frampton and Hawkins - whats that all about?? No show from Nelson and the gall of the management to keep trotting out garbage about the "incorrect "form filling is just unbelievable. Yes some bad luck but also some strange stuff going on behind the scenes. What could give us hope for the future - sign Robert Lambert ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blazeaway Posted September 9, 2012 Report Share Posted September 9, 2012 It really is fascinating how someone who has attached themselves to speedway for so long can have so little clue about the sport, even if the first line was meant as (lame) humour. You really have it in for the Ron Russell era. As someone who worked damn hard to help Ron keep the place open it really is a kick in the teeth to hear your constant whinging about that difficult time. Looking back I really wish I hadn't bothered now. It's hard to work out though whether I regret getting involved in that period more than helping Steve Ribbons revive the team in 1999. To be honest it's now become a very close-run thing. To me, Rye House has always been a difficult track to promote. The stadium is simply the wrong size and shape to create a decent speedway track, It's in a part of Hoddesdon that always had a poor reputation locally, making it very hard to sell to local businesses and it's right next to a river that for years caused havoc over flooding and drainage. I don't think that many tracks had the water coming up from below. It looks like Len has done his expert best to get round these problems, but then he gets slated for the tracks that he lays. Success at Rye House never seems to last and it looks like the cycle is heading downwards again. Sadly Ron bought it as it was spiralling down in the eighties and was unable to pull it round. I made some very good friends at Rye House but they weren't like the people I see spouting-off about the Rockets here. Strangely I have no memory of ever meeting you.It's probably the best move I made to get out when Len resumed control in 2000. I have high respect for him but could not ever work with those who he surrounds himself with. Seeing what happened to Steve Ribbons proved me right there. I remember walking into Rye House back in 1974 after Rayleigh's closure wondering just what the hell we'd done to deserve what had happened to us. I'm sure that some of you may have worked out who I am from recent posts, especially the above. I ceased posting as rmc partly because I was writing for Backtrack and thought it best to be more discreet. What was the clincher was seeing the utter garbage written in the BSF about the Coventry & Peterborough fiasco of 2010/11 . I really didn't want to be associated with it and in fact walked away from speedway totally until the very end of last season. It's all academic really because I'm ready to walk away again, probably for good this time. The space for reasoned discussion in the BSF is now so minute and so many decent contributors have either left or become silent that it really has become an unpleasant task to filter out the bull to find the few facts. It's easier to walk away when I see the comments you've been making. Actually, the big mistake was following Rayleigh to Hertfordshire. I used to be so proud to be a Rocket. People like you make me ashamed. Keep talking about the food, it's much safer territory. Anyway, time for me to go. I only made a very small contribution to speedway but I did my bit. As you so readily point out what I and others did just wasn't good enough was it? Apologies for trying to help the sport but it really doesn't want to be helped does it? Rob McCaffery For a few years a speedway commentator, occasional writer, 30 years a Rockets supporter, and at one time proud to be meeting announcer and presenter at Rye House. What a waste of time it all seems now.... Er, bye then... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JCookie Posted September 9, 2012 Report Share Posted September 9, 2012 Er, bye then... You're supposed to plead for such an important person to stay and post amongst us peasants. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iris123 Posted September 9, 2012 Report Share Posted September 9, 2012 Er, bye then... Just another hypocrite who doesn't like fans being able to have their say,unless agreeing with his opinion.And the best bit is he spent soooo long slagging off anyone who hid behind an alias,and what does he do??????? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan_Jones Posted September 9, 2012 Report Share Posted September 9, 2012 Retirements from Frampton and Hawkins - whats that all about?? Hawkins hasn't retired - he rode for the Birmingham scratch team at Leicester last night. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rayleigh Posted September 9, 2012 Report Share Posted September 9, 2012 As Michael Winner says "calm down everyone". I am sad as everyone that this season has been a disaster from the first lap at Ipswich. But well done Shadders for not giving up, by always state your disapointment on the forum but dont give up. March will soon be here and I am sure so will Rye (rejoice). Garrity, Kasper and Mellgren will be back and maybe even The scarlett pimpernell from Aussie all on really low averages, combine this with a big No 1 and the 2012 season can be put in the dustbin. The presentation (laughable) Fish and chips and the raffle will then become irrelevant. When you are dismayed in the team just think Mel Taylor, it always helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedcarRacer Posted September 9, 2012 Report Share Posted September 9, 2012 (edited) Wow, dont think many Redcar fans could see many more wins coming this season, let alone one at Rye House. Sounds like both Rye and Redcar have similar issues of apathy and financial belt tightning which is adversely affecting their excellent fans bases because if you serve up dross then people get sick very quickly. Brilliant from Max Dilger - cementing his place in next year's side if he hadnt already. Well done Max. Edited September 9, 2012 by RedcarRacer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KenB1 Posted September 9, 2012 Report Share Posted September 9, 2012 Rob McC, you have had more comebacks than Harry Redknapp, ok so you worked for Bonner at Km/screen sport and announced a bit, so have I, but doesn't mean anyone else cant have a say? Results have been poor, but a PL team, can't have 4riders scoring 18 points from 20 rides and expect to win. Lots of reasons why the season has fallen apart, injuries bent the main. However your 30 years supporting the Rockes must include the 20 years that you have walked away from so really your total is about 10, Shadders goes up and down the country and will do so as long as the team exist, full credit to him. Let us know when yet next comeback is! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheekycobra Posted September 9, 2012 Report Share Posted September 9, 2012 [crawls onto the thread avoiding the flak] Well done Bears [crawls out again] 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seanmuffe Posted September 9, 2012 Report Share Posted September 9, 2012 Rye should be one of the easiest tracks in the country to promote. A massive untapped potential fan base all across Hertfordshire. I live around twenty minutes from Hoddesdon and have never seen so much as a leaflet locally. In the right hands, someone like Jonathan Chapman for example Rye could be the best supported club in the country. Now that is funny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Travertine Posted September 10, 2012 Report Share Posted September 10, 2012 ................ I remember walking into Rye House back in 1974 after Rayleigh's closure wondering just what the hell we'd done to deserve what had happened to us .................. ................ For a few years a speedway commentator, occasional writer, 30 years a Rockets supporter, and at one time proud to be meeting announcer and presenter at Rye House. What a waste of time it all seems now .................. Something just doesn't seem to add up here .................................... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrmiddlesbrough Posted September 10, 2012 Report Share Posted September 10, 2012 It really is fascinating how someone who has attached themselves to speedway for so long can have so little clue about the sport, even if the first line was meant as (lame) humour. You really have it in for the Ron Russell era. As someone who worked damn hard to help Ron keep the place open it really is a kick in the teeth to hear your constant whinging about that difficult time. Looking back I really wish I hadn't bothered now. It's hard to work out though whether I regret getting involved in that period more than helping Steve Ribbons revive the team in 1999. To be honest it's now become a very close-run thing. To me, Rye House has always been a difficult track to promote. The stadium is simply the wrong size and shape to create a decent speedway track, It's in a part of Hoddesdon that always had a poor reputation locally, making it very hard to sell to local businesses and it's right next to a river that for years caused havoc over flooding and drainage. I don't think that many tracks had the water coming up from below. It looks like Len has done his expert best to get round these problems, but then he gets slated for the tracks that he lays. Success at Rye House never seems to last and it looks like the cycle is heading downwards again. Sadly Ron bought it as it was spiralling down in the eighties and was unable to pull it round. I made some very good friends at Rye House but they weren't like the people I see spouting-off about the Rockets here. Strangely I have no memory of ever meeting you.It's probably the best move I made to get out when Len resumed control in 2000. I have high respect for him but could not ever work with those who he surrounds himself with. Seeing what happened to Steve Ribbons proved me right there. I remember walking into Rye House back in 1974 after Rayleigh's closure wondering just what the hell we'd done to deserve what had happened to us. I'm sure that some of you may have worked out who I am from recent posts, especially the above. I ceased posting as rmc partly because I was writing for Backtrack and thought it best to be more discreet. What was the clincher was seeing the utter garbage written in the BSF about the Coventry & Peterborough fiasco of 2010/11 . I really didn't want to be associated with it and in fact walked away from speedway totally until the very end of last season. It's all academic really because I'm ready to walk away again, probably for good this time. The space for reasoned discussion in the BSF is now so minute and so many decent contributors have either left or become silent that it really has become an unpleasant task to filter out the bull to find the few facts. It's easier to walk away when I see the comments you've been making. Actually, the big mistake was following Rayleigh to Hertfordshire. I used to be so proud to be a Rocket. People like you make me ashamed. Keep talking about the food, it's much safer territory. Anyway, time for me to go. I only made a very small contribution to speedway but I did my bit. As you so readily point out what I and others did just wasn't good enough was it? Apologies for trying to help the sport but it really doesn't want to be helped does it? Rob McCaffery For a few years a speedway commentator, occasional writer, 30 years a Rockets supporter, and at one time proud to be meeting announcer and presenter at Rye House. What a waste of time it all seems now.... Come to Redcar rob as we would have you as announcer. I remember you interviewing us Middlesbrough tigers/bears on numerous occasions at away meetings for screen sport, better than the sky sports announcers any day Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Silvers Posted September 10, 2012 Report Share Posted September 10, 2012 Come to Redcar rob as we would have you as announcer. I remember you interviewing us Middlesbrough tigers/bears on numerous occasions at away meetings for screen sport, better than the sky sports announcers any day *lick, slurp* BELCH Perrrlleeeze....... How long is your tongue? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shadders Posted September 10, 2012 Report Share Posted September 10, 2012 Come to Redcar rob as we would have you as announcer. I remember you interviewing us Middlesbrough tigers/bears on numerous occasions at away meetings for screen sport, better than the sky sports announcers any day I'm afraid the Rockets number 1 fan and Ronnie Russell's spokesman Mr McCatheter has retired from speedway, not that anyone had seen him at any Rye House meeting for a number of years. He must have been in disguise! Success at Rye House never seems to last and it looks like the cycle is heading downwards again. Name a PL club that has had year on year success. Every club goes through peaks and troughs. To me, Rye House has always been a difficult track to promote. Crowds were topping 1,000 five years ago, now they've more than halved. Can't all be down to the recession Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrmiddlesbrough Posted September 12, 2012 Report Share Posted September 12, 2012 (edited) *lick, slurp* BELCH Perrrlleeeze....... How long is your tongue? You don't even know me so what right do you have calling me an ass licker ? The guys done me no wrong so what's your problem ? And anyway have you heard our (redcars) announcer at the moment ? No as its non existent. Exactly what I was saying in my post, to many nit picking assholes on this forum Edited September 12, 2012 by mrmiddlesbrough 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Silvers Posted September 12, 2012 Report Share Posted September 12, 2012 Ass licker 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrmiddlesbrough Posted September 12, 2012 Report Share Posted September 12, 2012 Ass licker Prick 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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