25yearfan 476 Posted April 4, 2022 (edited) Yes there is certainly a shortage of riders but hopefully Polish rules maybe relaxed and more Scandinavians can be found? Losing the Shay was a massive blow not only to speedway but in the long run landlords Halifax FC also suffered. I'm convinced that had ways been worked out to keep speedway going at the Shay in the mid 80's then it would likely still be running there now cause that place was always well supported! Edited April 4, 2022 by 25yearfan 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
*JJ 512 Posted April 5, 2022 As for riders, wasn't there talk last year of removing visa rules for Commonwealth citizens? If they did that, there would be a source of, at least, more Australian riders. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
arnieg 3,651 Posted April 5, 2022 52 minutes ago, *JJ said: As for riders, wasn't there talk last year of removing visa rules for Commonwealth citizens? If they did that, there would be a source of, at least, more Australian riders. No - a complete fantasy. Anyone that imagines the UK government would give unrestricted access to Commonwealth citizens (including 1.4 billion Indian citizens) is deluded. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Humphrey Appleby 13,961 Posted April 5, 2022 13 minutes ago, arnieg said: No - a complete fantasy. Anyone that imagines the UK government would give unrestricted access to Commonwealth citizens (including 1.4 billion Indian citizens) is deluded. No more than Australia wanted to allow 65 million Britons to go to Australia ;-) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
*JJ 512 Posted April 6, 2022 22 hours ago, arnieg said: No - a complete fantasy. Anyone that imagines the UK government would give unrestricted access to Commonwealth citizens (including 1.4 billion Indian citizens) is deluded. We've already got 5 million Indians ... but the news refered to Australia, Canada and New Zealand, for work visas. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
arnieg 3,651 Posted April 6, 2022 55 minutes ago, *JJ said: We've already got 5 million Indians ... but the news refered to Australia, Canada and New Zealand, for work visas. But why would it not apply to India also, it is part of the Commonwealth. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Humphrey Appleby 13,961 Posted April 7, 2022 (edited) 18 hours ago, *JJ said: We've already got 5 million Indians ... but the news refered to Australia, Canada and New Zealand, for work visas. That's a subset of the Commonwealth and still represents 60 million people. If "30 million Romanians and Bulgarians coming to Britain" were a Brexit issue, then how is 60 million (plus an additional 5 million from Hong Kong of course) not going to be? And the fact remains there would have to be reciprocity, and those countries only want the 'brightest and best' from the UK... Sadly, when it's all said and done, speedway makes no significant economic, social or cultural contribution to the UK and doesn't warrant any special treatment. Edited April 7, 2022 by Humphrey Appleby 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Diamonds85 702 Posted April 7, 2022 On 4/5/2022 at 10:06 AM, *JJ said: As for riders, wasn't there talk last year of removing visa rules for Commonwealth citizens? If they did that, there would be a source of, at least, more Australian riders. Even if that were true... Which other Australians that aren't currently either in or allowed to ride in this country would even be worth signing... Jacob Hook and James Pearson are probably the lowest quality but worthwhile Aussies, anyone lower is not ready... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
arnieg 3,651 Posted April 8, 2022 9 hours ago, Diamonds85 said: Even if that were true... Which other Australians that aren't currently either in or allowed to ride in this country would even be worth signing... Jacob Hook and James Pearson are probably the lowest quality but worthwhile Aussies, anyone lower is not ready... Furthermore an increasing number of Australians are launching their European careers in Denmark and Poland - Kenyan Rew, Mathew Gilmore, Fraser Bowes Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Derrickn 56 Posted April 8, 2022 On 4/4/2022 at 7:09 PM, 25yearfan said: Yes there is certainly a shortage of riders but hopefully Polish rules maybe relaxed and more Scandinavians can be found? Losing the Shay was a massive blow not only to speedway but in the long run landlords Halifax FC also suffered. I'm convinced that had ways been worked out to keep speedway going at the Shay in the mid 80's then it would likely still be running there now cause that place was always well supported! The shay was unique in that as well as being a super racetrack,it was five minutes walk from Halifax town centre,and a Saturday race night as well,so a complete night out for many.It also helped that in the early years,most of the team lived within 10 miles of the track,so a real sense of them being 'our ' team. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Humphrey Appleby 13,961 Posted April 8, 2022 6 hours ago, arnieg said: Furthermore an increasing number of Australians are launching their European careers in Denmark and Poland - Kenyan Rew, Mathew Gilmore, Fraser Bowes In fact this is a curious thing. Australia and some EU countries have much more relaxed visa conditions for 'working holidays' than the UK and Australia have. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
iris123 20,997 Posted April 8, 2022 (edited) 23 minutes ago, Humphrey Appleby said: In fact this is a curious thing. Australia and some EU countries have much more relaxed visa conditions for 'working holidays' than the UK and Australia have. Shurely shome mistake there Edited April 8, 2022 by iris123 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Diamonds85 702 Posted April 8, 2022 8 hours ago, arnieg said: Furthermore an increasing number of Australians are launching their European careers in Denmark and Poland - Kenyan Rew, Mathew Gilmore, Fraser Bowes Only other I can really think of is Jaimon Lidsey, most other 'older' Australians have already had stints over here... The likes of McGuinness are not good enough imo, unless the NL starts allowing Aussies etc Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HenryW 1,178 Posted April 8, 2022 (edited) 2 hours ago, Diamonds85 said: Only other I can really think of is Jaimon Lidsey, most other 'older' Australians have already had stints over here... The likes of McGuinness are not good enough imo, unless the NL starts allowing Aussies etc Lidsey has had a season here already. That was maybe enough for him Edited April 8, 2022 by HenryW Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
arnieg 3,651 Posted April 8, 2022 1 hour ago, HenryW said: Lidsey has had a season here already. That was maybe enough for him Think you'll find he only appeared in the UK after making his Danish league debut Share this post Link to post Share on other sites