DJC 252 Posted October 23, 2023 7 minutes ago, Dickie Head said: I’ve seen Edinburgh and Berwick mentioned. Berwick may be a problem if he wants to continue in Poland as that would be a dash to an airport for an early flight. As a former Edinburgh rider, that may have more appeal. Wasn't that one of Pickering's reasons for leaving Edinburgh though? Pickering and the Cook's as 1,3&5 for Poole? I say it every year but how Douglas hasn't gone down there with the Ward connection I'll never know. His average is way too high now but it always seemed the right fit. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Skidder1 7,658 Posted October 23, 2023 10 minutes ago, Dickie Head said: I’ve seen Edinburgh and Berwick mentioned. Berwick may be a problem if he wants to continue in Poland as that would be a dash to an airport for an early flight. As a former Edinburgh rider, that may have more appeal. 10 minutes ago, Dickie Head said: I’ve seen Edinburgh and Berwick mentioned. Berwick may be a problem if he wants to continue in Poland as that would be a dash to an airport for an early flight. As a former Edinburgh rider, that may have more appeal. for one season at least Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lisa-colette 6,050 Posted October 23, 2023 (edited) 1 hour ago, DJC said: Wasn't that one of Pickering's reasons for leaving Edinburgh though? Pickering and the Cook's as 1,3&5 for Poole? I say it every year but how Douglas hasn't gone down there with the Ward connection I'll never know. His average is way too high now but it always seemed the right fit. Be Lawson. Can't see Pickering at Poole imo. A lot of travelling from Yorkshire and back. If I remember correctly Dougie nearly came to Poole when he left Leicester and was looking for midweek team but then Lawson made himself available. Well that is what the rumour was anyway. Edited October 23, 2023 by lisa-colette Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
IronScorpion 1,408 Posted October 23, 2023 Pickering & Douglas have already said that they are not doing the Championship but want to, personally, try to progress in the higher leagues in Europe against better riders. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mikebv 10,355 Posted October 23, 2023 3 hours ago, RogerM22 said: I've said this many times too. There are riders now who would've struggled to crack the old EL, yet are somehow heat leaders in both leagues. There were some excellent PL #1s back in the day and they couldn't hack it in the top league, unless they were really special. It's a shame though, because the PL for a long time was probably the most equal and competitive league. It was, and it was in a large part, down to lots of Commonwealth riders coming over to the UK to take places in Div 2.. And also lots of European potential superstars, or simply just journeymen, being given Div 2 places... With the European lads in particular getting replaced often with much of the same standard of rider, coming in and out through the revolving door.. Nowadays, with Brexit, it is far more difficult to just "open the doors" to those lads and fill your teams with them... Therefore, we find ourselves short of riders of the standard both leagues want to race at, hence doubling up/down is now part and parcel of the sport.. With that shortage of riders, in a major part, being down to UK lads not getting opportunities when journey men European and Commonwealth riders were constantly being brought over... A vicious circle excellently led and delivered by those in charge, who had no plan for any future growth and development of both riders and sport, bringing us to where we are today... To You. To Me, To Me, To You. etc etc etc Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
crescent girl 1,908 Posted October 23, 2023 14 minutes ago, mikebv said: It was, and it was in a large part, down to lots of Commonwealth riders coming over to the UK to take places in Div 2.. And also lots of European potential superstars, or simply just journeymen, being given Div 2 places... With the European lads in particular getting replaced often with much of the same standard of rider, coming in and out through the revolving door.. Nowadays, with Brexit, it is far more difficult to just "open the doors" to those lads and fill your teams with them... Therefore, we find ourselves short of riders of the standard both leagues want to race at, hence doubling up/down is now part and parcel of the sport.. With that shortage of riders, in a major part, being down to UK lads not getting opportunities when journey men European and Commonwealth riders were constantly being brought over... A vicious circle excellently led and delivered by those in charge, who had no plan for any future growth and development of both riders and sport, bringing us to where we are today... To You. To Me, To Me, To You. etc etc etc Well, who all voted for Brxit? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mikebv 10,355 Posted October 23, 2023 (edited) 12 minutes ago, crescent girl said: Well, who all voted for Brxit? More than who didn't, unfortunately, for so many things... It does though give the UK Speedway Promoters a huge opportunity to become "self sufficient" and no longer rely on "journeymen, after journeymen" coming over to take team places... Just think, loads of UK lads riding in Div 2, and maybe higher, and all down to a clear development path using team places previously given to the Speedway equivalent of dozens of "Carlos Kickabouts"...... Maybe even growing the UK sports profile with the GB Team being consistently successful at international level due to plenty of strength in depth... Who just said we need a five year plan? Edited October 23, 2023 by mikebv Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fromafar 10,414 Posted October 23, 2023 10 minutes ago, crescent girl said: Well, who all voted for Brxit? The majority unfortunately,but blaming brexit for the demise of GB Speedway is pretty shallow. IMO 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ragdoll64 648 Posted October 23, 2023 45 minutes ago, IronScorpion said: Pickering & Douglas have already said that they are not doing the Championship but want to, personally, try to progress in the higher leagues in Europe against better riders. But Pickering has since made a statement intimating a possible turnaround. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ONTWOMINUTES 130 Posted October 23, 2023 I'd like to see Kyle Newman back next season, he's settled into being a reliable points scorer. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
scunny1 436 Posted October 23, 2023 13 hours ago, lisa-colette said: Oh, so that is why you were stalking my profile. Getting as sad as trackprat tbf. So in other words I haven't done what you made out. Thanks for confirming If you say hello to someone and they say hello back do you have a go at them for repeating you? Lmao Oh and why are you repeating what is on my profile. People really hate repetition you know That's it keep up your daily average!!!! Definitely OCD on this forum. If you don't like people to see how many posts you have, then edit your profile 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bringbackHalifax 238 Posted October 23, 2023 I think some riders genuinely connect with the fans and Steve seems to be one of them. Saying good bye and Thank You to the fans came from the heart and I can see why Steve would rather say that aloud than let people read it in a crafted cold statement. Danny last yr, Lewis Kerr this yr would have loved the opportunity to say good bye in person. With so many riders leaving the championship, not cutting the points limit would have left 5 teams with 3 ht leaders and 4 teams about 5 points under the limit. As for the points limit and team building, I would say 80% of the riders know where they will be next season and at least 10% will be pretty sure, leaving around 9 riders sweating. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
phillipsr 2,057 Posted October 23, 2023 3 hours ago, lisa-colette said: Be Lawson. Can't see Pickering at Poole imo. A lot of travelling from Yorkshire and back. If I remember correctly Dougie nearly came to Poole when he left Leicester and was looking for midweek team but then Lawson made himself available. Well that is what the rumour was anyway. Made a massive mistake there then, Douglas far superior 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DJC 252 Posted October 23, 2023 29 minutes ago, phillipsr said: Made a massive mistake there then, Douglas far superior Doesn't seem to end the season like he's making plans for the next either Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lisa-colette 6,050 Posted October 23, 2023 4 hours ago, scunny1 said: That's it keep up your daily average!!!! Definitely OCD on this forum. If you don't like people to see how many posts you have, then edit your profile Not bothered. Just amused by why you are fascinated by the numbers. Is it because you still can't back up your original point? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
