Agreed... But those still within it will also be losing what is left of their much stretched, and taken for granted, patience...

I don't think it is.  The most recent MA is used, that's clear.  His most recent MA is from the Championship in 2025.  If the most recent MA is one from both leagues, so for example with Chris Harris for this year, his championship average applies in the championship and his premiership average applies in the premiership.  To me that's really clear.

Fortunately there is absolutely nobody looking, outside of the Speedway bubble

Maybe the delay is down to the quality of team that now can be put out? Have they had certain agreements in place to ensure they don't end up cannon fodder, like so many late arrivals have ended up being down the years? And that now isn't happening? Or, is their last rider also possibly in the Northampton conundrum, so they are awaiting an outcome there..? Whatever the reason, it is (yet another), poor look for UK  Speedway... 

Again, I was told middle of next week so if we get to the end of next week with no announcement then we can probably assume it’s all gone belly up.

I'm not saying that you're wrong. The point is though, it's open to interpretation. The first phrase, stating the most recent MA counts, is qualified where there are two from the same season - someone must have asked that question. This indicates that if there is a valid Established MA from a previous season, it should be used - and the 2025 Regs said that Established MAs could be used from 23 and 24, which implies that for the 2026 season, they can count Established MAs from 24 & 25. Therefore ... it can be argued that Nicholls' most recent Established MA for the Prem is from 2024. It demonstrates how poor the wording is in the Regs.  The new Regs could be different and, of course, could introduce even more debatably-worded gumph.