Top Rider Shortage

[TMW 533]

As much as people say on here that the Heathens are able to pay more and attract the better rider is true. However it could all be taken away from us in a finger snap. As stated above, Wolves ran there cubs before we arrived, whats to say that next year they will want it back due to the NL Draft being a sucsess?

 

The management have stated that this is our last chance, after this season it would be down to the supporters to determine what happens to the club is a site for our own track isnt found.

 

There are already 7 new spaces in the NL this with the introduction of the Stags being involved again. If IOW stay on then thats 14 new rider places. We have lost so many to the NL Draft but isnt that a good thing. The national league is the development league and as much as it was great to win the lot last year the best thing I whitnessed was watching Max Clegg take massive steps in his development and look where he is now.

 

The reason why there is a lack of riders is because we have developed riders from all teams that are now too good to ride in this league not down to the new draft system but the PL points limit. From our team i can name that Blackbird Morris and Roynon are three names who cannot ride in the NL because they are too good. Paul Starke was very close to being over that fresh hold, and I dont excpect to see him in the NL next year.

 

The lack of 'TOP' rider shouldnt be a complaint, it should be a postive as is showing the sucsess of this magnificant league.

I'd say it's not just about the money at Cradley it's also about the staggering support home and away. who wouldn't want to win away in front if a big away crowd and the potential for sponsorship is there to. Who wouldn't want to ride under those terms? At the end of the day the promotion meeting supporters needs and a bit more points money is a bonus and let's face it banter or not all promoters look forward to Cradley rolling into town. I've never been to Mildenhall v Dudley meeting but I imagine the roof is raised by some feet at those fixtures :-) Edited January 21, 2014 by TMW

[Hunty 189]

I'd say it's not just about the money at Cradley it's also about the staggering support home and away. who wouldn't want to win away in front if a big away crowd and the potential for sponsorship is there to. Who wouldn't want to ride under those terms? At the end of the day the promotion meeting supporters needs and a bit more points money is a bonus and let's face it banter or not all promoters look forward to Cradley rolling into town. I've never been to Mildenhall v Dudley meeting but I imagine the roof is raised by some feet at those fixtures :-)

 

The national league fours were amazing for the rivalry. Nothing untoward but the way we won it was fantastic. It got a bit fisty on the track which gave us a point for I think it was a Mildenhall rider was disqualified for turning right on a stright against Morris!

 

Was amazing!

[montie 1,273]

 

The reason why there is a lack of riders is because we have developed riders from all teams that are now too good to ride in this league not down to the new draft system but the PL points limit. From our team i can name that Blackbird Morris and Roynon are three names who cannot ride in the NL because they are too good. Paul Starke was very close to being over that fresh hold, and I dont excpect to see him in the NL next year.

 

The lack of 'TOP' rider shouldnt be a complaint, it should be a postive as is showing the sucsess of this magnificant league.

it is true that riders have developed beyond the NL, but at the same time its is true that not enough has been done at what you could say Generation 1 stage,riders making league debut,total rookies,after all,the riders you have mentioned were rookie onces

 

that is where we need more spaces,then you will produce riders for the top on the NL and other leagues

 

Danny Phillips is a classic example---was without a team place last year,and that is wrong for a lad of his ability---these type of riders must be given places,but that is same in other leagues---Briks,Auty and Roynan not in the EL is equally wrong

[TMW 533]

it is true that riders have developed beyond the NL, but at the same time its is true that not enough has been done at what you could say Generation 1 stage,riders making league debut,total rookies,after all,the riders you have mentioned were rookie onces

 

that is where we need more spaces,then you will produce riders for the top on the NL and other leagues

 

Danny Phillips is a classic example---was without a team place last year,and that is wrong for a lad of his ability---these type of riders must be given places,but that is same in other leagues---Briks,Auty and Roynan not in the EL is equally wrong

The draft is a double edged sword. How are these lads supposed to earn when they are too good for NL and now it seems too good for the EL.

[bigred 188]

it is true that riders have developed beyond the NL, but at the same time its is true that not enough has been done at what you could say Generation 1 stage,riders making league debut,total rookies,after all,the riders you have mentioned were rookie onces

 

that is where we need more spaces,then you will produce riders for the top on the NL and other leagues

 

Danny Phillips is a classic example---was without a team place last year,and that is wrong for a lad of his ability---these type of riders must be given places,but that is same in other leagues---Briks,Auty and Roynan not in the EL is equally wrong

Danny Phillips chose not to take a team place last year and just concentrate on improving with practise,nothing to do with there being no place for him.

[Baldy 69]

Nice reply Jayne I get fed up with people saying why don't you........... when they have no answers and just stand on the sidelines anonomously criticising and making futile suggestions about riders you have probably already tried or some who have not even returned your call.

 

If they had any idea how long it can take to sign one rider let alone a team full.

 

It is difficult this season but I believe that there is some merit in the EL Draft although personally I would have liked the Premier League to have been involved as well. Maybe in both Leagues each team to have one rider from the NL pool. More warning might have been helpful and then maybe we could have had a picking session as well.

 

Good Luck with your team I know how hard it is

 

Malcolm

I have all the time in the world for you Malcolm; in fact when you came to Stoke it kept me going for a while, so I will respect what you say to my comments. I no longer go to speedway due to the set-up we have in all leagues not just the NL because There is very large a gap in the riding ability of the num one riders and the lads that ride at reserve berth. I have too long watched riders finish 1/2 to 3/4 of a lap at times in front of others due to the spread in ability. I have often said I would be willing to watch lads of Ben Wilson's standard race against each other as I would also be willing to pay to see Rob the new seven at Stoke (sorry his surname has gone from my head) race against his standard but not Ben against Rob as no racing tends to be involved and I end up not entertained. Two to three good races a night is not enough. Why cannot sides be with riders of equal ability racing against each other?. I hear that for lads to get better they need to ride against better riders and to a degree that is correct if the ability is close; if not then a lad can be demoralised by the experience. This is not a complaint against you, just interested in your views.

[teddy2706 166]

To get bums on seats, promoters must provide a spectacle. However, last season, almost every Buxton home meeting was a spectacle, yet unless visiting supporters arrived in force, the crowd was low. This is a very sad state of affairs, yet the crowd for Deano's airfence meeting was very good.

Steeplejack's point about half lap leads is by no means confined to NL racing, we have all seen this happen at every level and will no doubt see it again.`

Regarding payment for riders, minimum pay and minimum travel allowances are insufficient for riders to break even if they are travelling any distances.

Sponsorship, not only from large concerns, but from the grass roots supporters will undoubtedly assist riders to invest in top quality machinery.

Whilst bracing myself for an onslaught from fans who believe paying to get in is more than sufficient, riders at NL level struggle with costs and in my experience, help, no matter how small, is usually gratefully received.

If it isn't, don't help that particular rider again!

Joe Hughes International will mail a tyre to any supporter anywhere, as I am sure all of the other speedway specialists will too.

Make an NL rider smile, give him a tyre!

It costs about the same as admission to three meetings (ish).

This will not alleviate a rider shortage, but it will assist in making sure those available can continue to ride.

[montie 1,273]

The draft is a double edged sword. How are these lads supposed to earn when they are too good for NL and now it seems too good for the EL.

 

Being to goOD for the NL is how it works.,,,,and there is nothing wrong with that..and im not sure who is to good for the EL??!

[TMW 533]

 

Being to goOD for the NL is how it works.,,,,and there is nothing wrong with that..and im not sure who is to good for the EL??!

Don't have places? Too good to be on the reserve draft? Did I say there was anything wrong with being too good for the NL? No I don't believe I did. I was alluding to their earning potential in PL only. Which at the mo is all thty have unless they have European commitments.

 

Oh we are going to have such fun this season

Edited January 21, 2014 by TMW

[Swift Saint 186]

I have all the time in the world for you Malcolm; in fact when you came to Stoke it kept me going for a while, so I will respect what you say to my comments. I no longer go to speedway due to the set-up we have in all leagues not just the NL because There is very large a gap in the riding ability of the num one riders and the lads that ride at reserve berth. I have too long watched riders finish 1/2 to 3/4 of a lap at times in front of others due to the spread in ability. I have often said I would be willing to watch lads of Ben Wilson's standard race against each other as I would also be willing to pay to see Rob the new seven at Stoke (sorry his surname has gone from my head) race against his standard but not Ben against Rob as no racing tends to be involved and I end up not entertained. Two to three good races a night is not enough. Why cannot sides be with riders of equal ability racing against each other?. I hear that for lads to get better they need to ride against better riders and to a degree that is correct if the ability is close; if not then a lad can be demoralised by the experience. This is not a complaint against you, just interested in your views.

You make some interesting points and I am not sure how best to find ideas that will rectify what you have said. Indeed, the actions taken by the Elite League during the close season, which I actually support to a degree make the situation you describe even worse for them. Ok two reserve races there may be but how are the National League reserves going to fare against regular Elite League team members?

 

In the example that you give at Stoke Ben Wilson and Rob Shuttleworth will not normally race together. Only in the event of an injury would that likely to be the case. You have to give opportunities to newcomers and it is difficult to select them at the start of the season. We feel that given his fantastic enthusiasm his rapid improvement last season and his family pedigree and support Rob has a chance to be that magic discovery. But let's not pressure the lad. He has promised his utmost what more can one ask for? James McBain our other reserve has more experience and I feel sure that he will be an exceptional capture but looking at what happened at Stoke last season when everyone said at the start of the season that we had a good team and yet at times we could not have beaten a drum.

 

But I believe that National League speedway because of the effort of the riders and the unpredictability is far and away the best to watch and I believe I have seen more third tier speedway in this country than anyone else. I smile now that all the snobs who made the assertion that they were not going to watch what they called "wobblers" now will be saying how great that level is which in turn will help us. But the mixing between the two levels in the same race may be a problem. I feel that the Premier League should have had one NL reserve and the EL one also and that would have been an improvement. But I do not know that for certain.

 

I hope Mr Steeplejack that you will return to Stoke and that we will excite and entertain you. We have a burning desire to do well but who knows? One bad injury could wipe you out if you need a top replacement. Its that difficult.

 

I don't think that really answers your question but it is my thoughts on this difficult subject.

 

Malcolm Vasey

[roguetrader 51]

I'd say it's not just about the money at Cradley it's also about the staggering support home and away. who wouldn't want to win away in front if a big away crowd and the potential for sponsorship is there to. Who wouldn't want to ride under those terms? At the end of the day the promotion meeting supporters needs and a bit more points money is a bonus and let's face it banter or not all promoters look forward to Cradley rolling into town. I've never been to Mildenhall v Dudley meeting but I imagine the roof is raised by some feet at those fixtures :-)

The really sad state of affairs is that you actually believe your post is true. The truth is that Dudley/Cradley will be the death of the National League. There are set points money for the National League which Dudley/Cradley openly abuse. It could have been much worse as your out of touch Management Team wanted to sign an Australian ringer as reserve who would have made a mockery of the National League.

Thankfully Scunthorpe yet again will restore the true ethos of the values that the National League represent and something Buxton has always seeked to achieve.

[TMW 533]

The really sad state of affairs is that you actually believe your post is true. The truth is that Dudley/Cradley will be the death of the National League. There are set points money for the National League which Dudley/Cradley openly abuse. It could have been much worse as your out of touch Management Team wanted to sign an Australian ringer as reserve who would have made a mockery of the National League.

Thankfully Scunthorpe yet again will restore the true ethos of the values that the National League represent and something Buxton has always seeked to achieve.

I'm not a Cradley supporter. Just giving a view of why a rider may have their head turned. I'm sure the money is good and for what it's worth I think Williamson has been ill advised. If Cradley supporters are happy for the constant thrashings at home then should they be deprived? the rest of the league can aim for 2nd place and have a lot more fun doing it.

[roguetrader 51]

I'm not a Cradley supporter. Just giving a view of why a rider may have their head turned. I'm sure the money is good and for what it's worth I think Williamson has been ill advised. If Cradley supporters are happy for the constant thrashings at home then should they be deprived? the rest of the league can aim for 2nd place and have a lot more fun doing it.

Fair point and good post.

[Hunty 189]

I'm not a Cradley supporter. Just giving a view of why a rider may have their head turned. I'm sure the money is good and for what it's worth I think Williamson has been ill advised. If Cradley supporters are happy for the constant thrashings at home then should they be deprived? the rest of the league can aim for 2nd place and have a lot more fun doing it.

I don't see it being that easy for Cradley. The home meetings can be a bit of a whitewash sometimes but individual heats can be absolutely fantastic to watch. Last year I saw the best racing all year at Monmore Wood on a Tuesday night. I go to EL fixtures all over the country and went to the Play Offs at Wolves and Birmingham and well Poole v Birmingham at Perry Barr was bland to the say the very least.

 

The NL final second leg at Kings Lynn was only won by one point to the Heathens, ok that's an away meeting but come the end of the season we had some great tussles with IOW Kent Kings and the young Stars.

 

I expect us to do well but it won't be the same outcome as 2013 let me tell you that!

[June 203]

Seeing as I'm a big believer in our British youngsters getting into our sport, I read all these posts and yes I do join in. Ive been insulted took it on the chin. Don't expect it any other way or I wouldn't make posts. Whatever is said or done in N/L the basic facts are;