Petecc 352 Posted May 14, 2023 On 5/13/2023 at 11:39 AM, Deano said: Additionally there’s an engineering college (Make U.K.), just across the road up Holford Drive. The place is full of well paid young apprentices from big local companies (Jag, Land Rover, Sertec), check out their website. BMW and West Midlands trains apprentices are based at James Watt campus Great Barr again well paid. Worth investigating surely as these kids have no commitments like adults with families. I think that all suggestions are being looked into and this is one I know is. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pumpy 17 Posted May 14, 2023 Have to say that Oxford are great at social media and it’s showing in the crowds . Also kids under 16 free has encouraged lots of new young faces . as an aside as well I wonder if a more powerful team name might help in reinventing Birmingham … maybe the Bulls or similar . Always felt the Brummies was a bit weak. Just a thought …! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Toady 231 Posted May 14, 2023 1 hour ago, Pumpy said: Have to say that Oxford are great at social media and it’s showing in the crowds . Also kids under 16 free has encouraged lots of new young faces . as an aside as well I wonder if a more powerful team name might help in reinventing Birmingham … maybe the Bulls or similar . Always felt the Brummies was a bit weak. Just a thought …! Agreed,Oxford certainly drawing in the crowds I don’t think the name matters as Swindon did ok as the robins for many a year( contrary to what Mr Russell and co say)hardly a powerful name. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
uk_martin 1,606 Posted May 14, 2023 1 hour ago, Pumpy said: ...Also kids under 16 free has encouraged lots of new young faces . Birmingham has had "Kids for a Quid" offers off and on since 2007. If cheap admission for youngsters worked, there'd be terraces full of young people now. Admission for 12-16yo's is currently £3. That's less than a Big Mac at McDonalds. For Students (17-22) admission is £5. Hardly deal breaking. And yet the terraces are still not flooded out with youngsters. The problem isn't price, it's value for money. You're trying to sell a product that looks 20 years older than Windows 95, to the Windows 11 generation. The product/experience needs to be brought into the modern age. 1 hour ago, Pumpy said: as an aside as well I wonder if a more powerful team name might help in reinventing Birmingham … maybe the Bulls or similar . Always felt the Brummies was a bit weak. Just a thought …! There speaks someone not from Birmingham, I suspect, someone with no attachment to the city, its nickname, and its heritage. And what good did a name change do at Reading? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GiveusaB 1,145 Posted May 15, 2023 I think so far as a newbie attending ? what a speedway meeting seriously lacks...is presentation! With so few in attendance, the atmosphere is already dull compared to most sports! I always look at how the darts has changed with time and how successful that is now! (mind you, take away 'the alcohol' and I think darts would fall on its head!) 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GiveusaB 1,145 Posted May 15, 2023 16 hours ago, Pumpy said: Have to say that Oxford are great at social media and it’s showing in the crowds . Also kids under 16 free has encouraged lots of new young faces . as an aside as well I wonder if a more powerful team name might help in reinventing Birmingham … maybe the Bulls or similar . Always felt the Brummies was a bit weak. Just a thought …! We're weaker than ever this season! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
geoff100 1,426 Posted May 15, 2023 My 7 yr old grandson went to openier on sat at workington he was bored between the races just wanted to go home for the computer,thats what the sport is up against! 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lisa-colette 6,034 Posted May 15, 2023 5 minutes ago, geoff100 said: My 7 yr old grandson went to openier on sat at workington he was bored between the races just wanted to go home for the computer,thats what the sport is up against! That's interesting as my 11yo says they take too long between races and she likes gaming too. Where is Frank Ebdon when you need him? Or we could all try 'no gaming til you watch some Speedway' !! 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GiveusaB 1,145 Posted May 15, 2023 I think the meetings these days are 'rushed' through....there's obviously good/not so good points about that? Not sure whether this affects our manager's inability to make beneficial tactical changes? (not enough time to 'consider' a change etc...) But my general opinion, is that there's little, or no atmosphere in between races! It needs a complete over-haul....announcers with charisma....etc etc etc.... From a personal perspective, I'm happy with 'rushed' through meetings simply because I'm only there for the 'racing'...but I can easily see why youngsters/new fans would be bored 'sh#tless'! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GiveusaB 1,145 Posted May 15, 2023 The only way I can see B'ham speedway continuing/surviving, is if we amalgamated with Cov/Cradley and formed a Midlands Team! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FishersGate 522 Posted May 15, 2023 5 hours ago, lisa-colette said: That's interesting as my 11yo says they take too long between races and she likes gaming too. Where is Frank Ebdon when you need him? Or we could all try 'no gaming til you watch some Speedway' !! Maybe a proper playstation or Xbox speedway game is in order. Like I've said before every other sport do it and it constantly engages the fans. I used to play FIFA every day in my teens and it kept me hooked during the off season. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Trackrat 444 Posted May 15, 2023 8 hours ago, GiveusaB said: The only way I can see B'ham speedway continuing/surviving, is if we amalgamated with Cov/Cradley and formed a Midlands Team! Don’t agree, if it’s at Birmingham, then call it what you want, the team is still Birmingham, this kind of approach never works. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Deano 1,318 Posted May 15, 2023 (edited) 8 hours ago, GiveusaB said: The only way I can see B'ham speedway continuing/surviving, is if we amalgamated with Cov/Cradley and formed a Midlands Team! This has never worked. Cradley and Stoke for example. Eastbourne Dons, Scottish whatever, London lions, I’m sure there’s more. Edited May 15, 2023 by Deano 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
geoff100 1,426 Posted May 15, 2023 1 hour ago, Deano said: This has never worked. Cradley and Stoke for example. Eastbourne Dons, Scottish whatever, London lions, I’m sure there’s more. Workington tigers !! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
*JJ 512 Posted May 16, 2023 19 hours ago, GiveusaB said: It needs a complete over-haul....announcers with charisma....etc etc etc.... For once you are right here ... the presenter at Perry Barr stands on the wrong side of the tapes with his nose in his programme. I once suggested that he should be sent to Wolves to see how Porky works the crowd, generating atmosphere. Or get Porky himself over here! I know a lot of people don't like him, but he is very effective; we need someone like that. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites