Greg 123 Posted July 31, 2013 So is it just Andre so far people ? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
waco 1,026 Posted July 31, 2013 Sure this thread is about the challenge match against a side called Wimbledon... I just think league matches are far more important to the regular fans at Kent and have not had the coverage that this relatively unimportant challenge match has had ,like its the most important thing to happen this season,,of which of course i happen to disagree.. But please carry on i will say no more on this thread...No offence intended.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Parsloes 1928 nearly 495 Posted July 31, 2013 I'm at a loss why you keep questioning that this fixture is on. Let me spell it out..: IT IS ON...! On the 12th. August! It's gonna be Glorious!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted July 31, 2013 (edited) Look, a meeting has to be arranged some time... Before it is arranged, er, it hasn't been...! So I'm somewhat at a loss as to how to respond to the criticism that one day it wasn't arranged and then next it was, without any "build-up"... I'm going for a lie down in a darkened room!!!! I'm at a loss why you keep questioning that this fixture is on. Let me spell it out..: IT IS ON...! On the 12th. August! It's gonna be Glorious!!! I have always accepted it was taking place on Monday August 12. Any reason I thought to the contrary was because of the initial quote above? And I agree with you - it could prove to be an excellent match. Let's just hope those who supported Wimbledon in the Conference League era will show themselves at Central Park on match day. Perhaps more response from old Dons' fans will be forthcoming when they start to see the make-up of the Dons' team? Edited July 31, 2013 by Guest Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JC! 142 Posted July 31, 2013 I'm at a loss why you keep questioning that this fixture is on. Let me spell it out..: IT IS ON...! On the 12th. August! It's gonna be Glorious!!! But why is this happening? is Ronnie Moore going to be there? Is there an ulterior motive? Why is it not Hackney? I am beginning to get suspicious now, maybe that this is just for fun, to give Wimbledon fans a chance to meet and have a catch up, to promote the sport to some possibly lapsed fans, or as a respectful nod to the past by the Kent promotion. I need to know, I think that I deserve that much at the very least. Nurse, the pills 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SCB 0 Posted July 31, 2013 Although retired, I'm sure Tom Brown has ridden a handful of times at Plymouth. He may be tempted by a one off. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Parsloes 1928 nearly 495 Posted July 31, 2013 Although retired, I'm sure Tom Brown has ridden a handful of times at Plymouth. He may be tempted by a one off. Been asked but sadly couldn't do it... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Greg 123 Posted August 1, 2013 Would be awsome to see Tom Brown back on a speedway bike. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted August 2, 2013 As the 'big match' draws near I am still unclear as to why the Kent Kings v Wimbledon challenge match was arranged? It seems to have been suddenly placed in the Kings fixture list - obviously - on an open date, with the Dons title used for want of needing to name an opposing side. There must have been a specific reason as to why it was decided to use a 'Wimbledon team' to fill the date. The match was suddenly announced without, so far as I can see, no real build up previously. I see it is for the `John Cearns Cup`.Neil hopefully will enlighten us who John is In the Cearns family tree. Gustix does there have to be a reason for this fixture other than - Kent Kings Owner Roger Cearns family is steeped in History concerning the Famous `Wimbledon Dons`.And surely any fixture that keeps the `Dons` name in the fixture list has to be good. I honestly want the fixture to be a success and personally I am fully aware of the Cearns' family's links with Wimbledon Stadium. In no way I have criticised the fact that a Wimbledon team is to appear on track for the first time in five years - believe me at this delicate stage in current happenings at Wimbledon Stadium it is to be welcomed. What I criticise is that there was no previous build-up for the match. It just came over originally as a 'throwaway' comment by 'Blazeaway'. Look, a meeting has to be arranged some time... Before it is arranged, er, it hasn't been...! So I'm somewhat at a loss as to how to respond to the criticism that one day it wasn't arranged and then next it was, without any "build-up"... I'm going for a lie down in a darkened room!!!! John Cearns was a director of Wimbledon Stadium for many years, and defended the retention of speedway at Plough Lane in the face of increasing disillusionment and indifference from the GRA. In my opinion he was a real unsung hero of the sport and it's fitting that he's being honoured in this way. His father was the legendary WJ Cearns, Chairman of West Ham FC and builder of Plough Lane! So is it just Andre so far people ? With a 10 day countdown to the historic match taking place - we still have no answer as to why the Kent Kings v Wimbledon match suddenly appeared on the Kings fixture. It does ten to look as though it was created as a "filler event." I would like to think that it was more than a "just what can we stage on August 12" fixture by the Kings? It's also likely that we may start getting some names in regard to who will represent Wimbledon in the match. So far only Andre Cross seems to have been named although plenty of others have been suggested by followers of this thread. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
blueherb777 571 Posted August 2, 2013 Gustix.As far as I know Chris Mills and Chris Schramm are the only named riders so far.As far as I am concerned do not see why there has to be ANY reason for this fixture.Yes there was spare date,I think Kent supporters are grateful for regular Speedway (just ask Lakeside fans about fixture list being all over the place),Roger Cearns would quite naturally want to keep the Wimbledon name in the public domain (like when we had the Kent Laurels),it gives the riders of Kent another fixture and the riders that ride for the Dons.I suspect it is not easy getting a team together to represent the Dons (whether they have rode for them or not) and be competitive. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted August 2, 2013 (edited) Gustix.As far as I know Chris Mills and Chris Schramm are the only named riders so far.As far as I am concerned do not see why there has to be ANY reason for this fixture.Yes there was spare date,I think Kent supporters are grateful for regular Speedway (just ask Lakeside fans about fixture list being all over the place),Roger Cearns would quite naturally want to keep the Wimbledon name in the public domain (like when we had the Kent Laurels),it gives the riders of Kent another fixture and the riders that ride for the Dons.I suspect it is not easy getting a team together to represent the Dons (whether they have rode for them or not) and be competitive. It's getting round to what I thought. Something on the lines of "we have an open date and a team to race against. And up pops that of Wimbledon". So on to the Kent Kings fixture list goes a challenge match against Wimbledon. I suppose it could so easily have been Stamford Bridge or Walthamstow for want of a London team name? Really so far as Wimbledon fans are concerned it's all rather meaningless? Edited August 2, 2013 by Guest Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Parsloes 1928 nearly 495 Posted August 2, 2013 We've been over this a number of times now! If you honestly can't see the difference between Wimbledon, a club which raced in the CL from 2002 to 2005 and which remains a club with a very large number of dedicated fans and where there's still very active campaigns to get the team back to Plough Lane and Stamford Bridge and Walthamstow which last staged the sport in the early 1930s and early 1950s respectively then tbh I despair entirely!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted August 2, 2013 (edited) We've been over this a number of times now! If you honestly can't see the difference between Wimbledon, a club which raced in the CL from 2002 to 2005 and which remains a club with a very large number of dedicated fans and where there's still very active campaigns to get the team back to Plough Lane and Stamford Bridge and Walthamstow which last staged the sport in the early 1930s and early 1950s respectively then tbh I despair entirely!! Yes, of course I know all that about Stamford Bridge and Walthamstow! I just threw their names in the ring to try and indicate that the forthcoming challenge did not seem to have even a BASIC reason why was the Wimbledon name chosen? All I need an answer to that query and keep getting by-passed is "what is the reason for staging a match against 'Wimbledon.'? There must have been some forethought before adding them to the August 12 challenge match date. What is it? When the Dons' supporters club put Wimbledon teams in challenge matches after the sad departure from Plough Lane in 2005 there was always background to why they were taking place as well as the then - probably easier at that point in time - ability to name a Wimbledon team well in advance of the match. All we have is contradiction now on Andre Cross since 'AJ is King" indicated only Chris Schramm and Chris Mills will be riding for Wimbledon. This forthcoming match seems to have very much a "it will all be all right on the night" feeling about it. Edited August 2, 2013 by Guest Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Parsloes 1928 nearly 495 Posted August 2, 2013 There are three riders confirmed in the team who rode for Wimbledon in the CL days. Andre who rode for the Dons 2002-'04; Chris Mills, in the Trophy team in '02 and Chris Schramm in the CT side in '03. Despite closing as relatively recently as '05, you will actually find it's extremely difficult to find many active riders who rode for the Dons. The likes of Lee Strudwick, Robert Smith, Danny Betson, Grant MacDonald, Scott James and Matthew Wright - all from the most recent Dons league team - are all, surprisingly really, no longer riding. Nor are the likes of Daniel Giffard, Barrie Evans not to mention the older riders like Chris Hunt, Buzz Burrows, Wayne Barrett, Jason Prynne who've all retired from Speedway. So if you think you can do better in putting together a side of current riders who actually appeared for Wimbledon (in the CL days or even previously) then it would be interesting to hear! Your comments about this match being thrown together for 'no reason' are way off the mark and are unnnecessarily insulting to all involved in planning this meeting; and as far as I can tell not viewpoints shared by anyone else! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted August 2, 2013 Your comments about this match being thrown together for 'no reason' are way off the mark and are unnnecessarily insulting to all involved in planning this meeting; and as far as I can tell not viewpoints shared by anyone else! At last we are getting there. What is the reason for the match? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
