barncooseboy 237 Posted September 5, 2014 A factor not mentioned is that these days riders in both 'Professional leagues expect that their racing wull provide them with enough money that they dont need to have a job outside speedway. In the 60s and 70s most riders had jobs that put the food on the table and earnings from racing was a nice extra bonus . Now even NL riders seem to expect to take home enough race winnings to live on, until we return to the mindset of earlier times the cost of running a team will continue to rise until such time as the only teams left are those with rich benefactors.' Riders flying in from Europe have addeed costs that they expect to have paid for them, how many UK workers have employers that pay their travel to work expenses, precious few I suspect, its a case of this is where you work it is up to you to get here to do your job. The Aussies are here on visa/work permits and therefore are in the main based in the UK if the powers that be dont get their thumbs out of their fundamental orifices and reply to the Visa and Immigration service request made in March 2014 forget any Aussies/Yanks/nonEU ridersbeing in British speedway in 2015 unless they already have multi year permits. Picking up on another thread THAT is why Alex Harkess should resign and why the entire office staff should be replaced. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
moxey63 1,785 Posted September 6, 2014 Cheeky blighters... riders wanting an income from speedway! That's where we are going wrong. They want an income from speedway, but turn up noses at Elite League, when it suits, saying they have too much on. The sport would be a whole lot better, attract men who actually wish to race for the love of it, if the flitters were cut right back and they were allowed to concentrate on what they most care about - themselves. If Sweden and Poland suddenly cut back on employing overseas men, the same men that constantly turn up their noses at the mere whiff of British racing, a country that helped make many of them, they would come creeping back, tail between the legs. Time for Britain to grab things by the scruff of the neck, and begin to get radical. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
weatherwatcher 664 Posted September 6, 2014 The big difference between speedway now and speedway in the 50's, 60's and early 70's was that riders then saw speedway as a cheap hobby and they partacted in a sport they loved. Any money the earned from the sport was a bonus to them a bit like the Grasstrack riders do nowadays. Speedway as become a money earner for the top riders and to expect clubs over here to fork out for thier air fairs is just no on. If they want to ride over here they pay thier wack and get the same money as the rest of the riders. None of these silly fortunes they expect the promoters to pay for the privalage of having them ride for thier team. It is only the few well off clubs that can even think of paying wages out top 3 or 4 of these riders per team. Lets get back to how the sport used to be then just maybe less teams will be strugling to stay afloat. If they had to have a North South split and just use British, Australian and American riders, then so be it. Even if it did dilute the sport for a couple of years. After that time I am sure we would then see a far better standard of young British riders coming along. Because now they are not even getting a chance other than in the FTR scheme or riding in the PL and then getting no further. Very few young British lads are getting a place in the EL, so unless things change the Team GB, will soon be running very short of riders that could compete at major level speedway. There are some very good young riders out there now, if they where used in the main places of the EL team they could come along much faster, but what is it that is stopping the promoters from bringing them in to the teams. Not sure if I know the anser to that one. Other than the fact that a few teams are there only to win the league at the end of the season and then win the play offs, never mind the cost. So until there is a level playing field and all the teams follow suit, with no breaking the rules, then things are not likely to change. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mikebv 10,285 Posted September 6, 2014 (edited) Chris Holder i think it was who a couple of years ago was quoted as saying he earned TEN times the money in Poland that he did over here and I think FOUR times the money in Sweden... Now being an aussie and based over here, you could never accuse him (or any of the aussies) of not supporting british speedway. however if the same deals apply across the rest of the riders (or even if it is just say FIVE/TWO times the difference respectively) you cannot be surprised if 'overseas' riders protect their number one income, it is perfectly natural that they would do it.. Therefore keep employing these people, keep having a laughing stock of a competition.... Big radical decisions are needed.... But, does anybody on here really believe those who 'run' the sport have the vision, capability, innovation and inspiration needed to make them? Edited September 6, 2014 by mikebv 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
barncooseboy 237 Posted September 6, 2014 surprised nobody has commented on the visa situation if the bspa dont do something soon there wont be any non-eu riders in 2015 apart from those who already have multi year visas Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SCB 0 Posted September 6, 2014 surprised nobody has commented on the visa situation if the bspa dont do something soon there wont be any non-eu riders in 2015 apart from those who already have multi year visas What is the issue? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
weatherwatcher 664 Posted September 6, 2014 Fpr point one. I don't think the BPSA has any vision at all. All they are doing is bummble along from year to year. Point two as for the Visa's for the riders from australia, they have been riding for British clubs bow for a number of years and I can't say that once that they have had any problems from them imigration wise, the season ends and they all go back to Aus. Come the new season and they have the same idiot, Victorian rules and regulatkions thrown at then, but that said in Victorian times they would have had no problems getting into the British Isles as they where Comonwealth citizens. It is time the powers that be sat at looked at the issue and realized that they come here year in year out to do a job and then go home. Can't really see them all doing a bunk down to Newquay to be sufing instructoers after thier visa's have run out. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
barncooseboy 237 Posted September 16, 2014 the Visa and Immigration people take advice on who should be given visas from each sports governing body, the FA have to rubber stamp approval for footballers, the cricket authorities approve cricketers. The BSPA are asked their opinion on applications from speedway riders however first they have to be recognised by the Visa service as being the expert body. The BSPA were sent the paperwork in March, to be returned before April 1 confirming that they were the body that was responsible for the running speedway in the UK. The paperwork up to a couple of weeks ago had not been lodged with the visa agency and NO VISAS HAVE BEEN APPROVED FOR SPEEDWAY RIDERS SINCE MID MARCH and none will be until the paperwork is returned and approved. Riders will soon find their visas coming to an end and will have to leave the country, renewals have to be completed before they leave currently that is not possible Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
springdale 45 Posted September 17, 2014 the Visa and Immigration people take advice on who should be given visas from each sports governing body, the FA have to rubber stamp approval for footballers, the cricket authorities approve cricketers. The BSPA are asked their opinion on applications from speedway riders however first they have to be recognised by the Visa service as being the expert body. The BSPA were sent the paperwork in March, to be returned before April 1 confirming that they were the body that was responsible for the running speedway in the UK. The paperwork up to a couple of weeks ago had not been lodged with the visa agency and NO VISAS HAVE BEEN APPROVED FOR SPEEDWAY RIDERS SINCE MID MARCH and none will be until the paperwork is returned and approved. Riders will soon find their visas coming to an end and will have to leave the country, renewals have to be completed before they leave currently that is not possible If this is true why then has the BSPA not returned the paperwork, does not make sense, Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
customhouseregular 1,651 Posted September 17, 2014 Fair point - it may mean the dilution of British Speedway for a year or two - but - as British lads come through and develop we just might, eventually, be able to field a Great Britain Team in the World Cup that is worthy of the name. I have been calling for this for years. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
weatherwatcher 664 Posted September 17, 2014 It seems to me that anything that the BPSA does except for sitting drinking tea or a odd glass or to of scotch is to much trouble for them to do. How can they just sit back and watch these Australian riders loose any chance of racing over here in 2015. They are some of the most dedicated riders in all the British leagues and they don't give a damm about them. So all we will end up with are a bunch of EU riders and out of that bunch over half of them couldn't give two hoots if they put in an effort as long as they get thier air fares paid and they get the money off of the promoters. That is until they decide that after a few weeks here when thier own leagues abroad start, that they can't be bothered to ride over here any more, or if they stay, they give more prioity to thier overseas clubs than they do for racing over here. The BPSA needs to get it's act in gear and FAST. if we are to see riders that really care about our sport and who wish to really race over here. It is well nigh time that we had people who sit on the BPSA who really care about doing something to help the sport of speedway in this country pull it's self out from the doldrums. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Whisperer 276 Posted September 17, 2014 It seems to me that anything that the BPSA does except for sitting drinking tea or a odd glass or to of scotch is to much trouble for them to do. How can they just sit back and watch these Australian riders loose any chance of racing over here in 2015. They are some of the most dedicated riders in all the British leagues and they don't give a damm about them. So all we will end up with are a bunch of EU riders and out of that bunch over half of them couldn't give two hoots if they put in an effort as long as they get thier air fares paid and they get the money off of the promoters. That is until they decide that after a few weeks here when thier own leagues abroad start, that they can't be bothered to ride over here any more, or if they stay, they give more prioity to thier overseas clubs than they do for racin The BPSA needs to get it's act in gear and FAST. if we are to see riders that really care about our sport and who wish to really race over here. It is well nigh time that we had people who sit on the BPSA who really care about doing something to help the sport of speedway in this country pull it's self out from the doldrums. You obviously believe everything you read on this forum them? the Visa and Immigration people take advice on who should be given visas from each sports governing body, the FA have to rubber stamp approval for footballers, the cricket authorities approve cricketers. The BSPA are asked their opinion on applications from speedway riders however first they have to be recognised by the Visa service as being the expert body. The BSPA were sent the paperwork in March, to be returned before April 1 confirming that they were the body that was responsible for the running speedway in the UK. The paperwork up to a couple of weeks ago had not been lodged with the visa agency and NO VISAS HAVE BEEN APPROVED FOR SPEEDWAY RIDERS SINCE MID MARCH and none will be until the paperwork is returned and approved. Riders will soon find their visas coming to an end and will have to leave the country, renewals have to be completed before they leave currently that is not possible And you have learned this from the Policy Unit at UKVI? ...... Thought not! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tsunami 10,219 Posted September 17, 2014 You obviously believe everything you read on this forum them? And you have learned this from the Policy Unit at UKVI? ...... Thought not! Afraid weatherwatcher, as with the usual suspects, only comments and 'like's, anything with a negative spin. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
barncooseboy 237 Posted September 19, 2014 Whisperer, if you doubt me over the visa position do the obvious thing contact the renamed Visa and Immigration service and ask them if they will approve an application from a non EU citizen to come to the UK to be employed as a speedway rider today and come back on here with the answer they give. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Whisperer 276 Posted September 20, 2014 This is what was said "the BSPA are able to issue endorsements under Tier 2 Sportspersons to those migrants who meet the agreed criteria" Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
