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PETER Oakes in Speedway Star this week has tried to unravel the farcical situation that the BSPA have put themselves in by preventing Scott Nicholls and Edward Kennett riding for a Championship team in 2018 because they did not do so this year and therefore failed to acquire an average. Although, of course, Nicholls appeared in various end of season Championship finales as a guest. We also now have a situation where Nick Morris and Craig Cook, both of whom have averages over eight, and Sam Masters (almost eight) could ride for the same Championship side but not together for a Premiership team. Do the BSPA ever look beyond their noses when making up rules, seemingly on the hoof.

Now wolves have signed Thorsell the writing must now be on the wall with regards to the TV deal as BT made it clear their offer was conditional on 7 GP riders being present in the league. My guess is reality has now set in at clubs and the delay in signing riders is down to an adjustment in value of what the riders believe they are worth compared to what the clubs are willing to pay them. The main thing for all of us is that every club survives so I for one will not criticise if Lynn or any other club come to the tapes with an understrength team in 2018. However i would hope this is the wake up call required to finally start working on a complete restructure of the sport for 2019 rather than the inept tinkering we get every year.

Up to this season neither could double down, the situation was lapsed for just this season. Chris (and others) took advantage and established themselves a Championship average, Scott didn't, even though it's rumoured that a club actually offered him a place. Personally I think British riders should be allowed to double up, whatever their average but I'd stop overseas riders being given that privilege.

Now I like workington..my second team...but that is an awful signing on that average..Sorry to say it cos I want worky to do well. Jenga...if you didn't like Sarjeant you will be suicidal after watching klindt.

No professional sport is a £10 sport and even sports at semi pro level is a bit more than that. I think that £15 would be fair price but promoters do need to look at improving pre meeting and in between heats entertainment.

I just don't see what the 2 Brit rule has to do with the one over 8 rule. Where is the relevance? People have clearly looked at their own team building plans and then proposed or voted accordingly. This really has to stop. Seriously. Get some bloody rules and stick to them.

Is there there a silent C TWK

The problem is too many higher quality riders have been allowed to double down for too long. It wouldn't be a big deal not having Kennet and Nichols in the top league if cook Harris Morris masters, Schlien, lambert, king, Lawson, grazionek, among others were also prevented from doing so. thats why it's a problem.

There are certain Poole fans that see Gavan name and they go straight on the defensive instead of actually reading what he's posted. He's more positive about the Poole signings than some others!

Having read this post I now expect the matter to be covered with the same degree of condemnation in this week's Speedway Star, rather than be buried on this website.

Would be very stupid to turn down a 1 year deal down, even if the money is poor. Except offer then immediately start making plans for 2019 and other options, an internal channel from BSPA or speak to other broadcasters. Get the rules sorted early and get out there and sell the product, don't get to next November and do nothing and be in the same boat which is the norm with people running UK speedway. Things don't just fall into your lap you have to go and work for it! Get all clubs to put on a real show come to agreement for both sides where stadiums are packed, make the product look good and then use that to sell to other broadcasters. Use BT and then somehow get a bidding war if you can get a second company interested in the product.

I'm beginning to feel my age. I haven't got a clue what either of those things are.

Yes, but that's because the current format allows for the possibility of the race-off to happen without the host nation. It would be very easy to solve that issue. I think most people would consider a best pairs competition to be a diminished SWC, but let's see...

If you think the higher standard premier league is worth £10 why do the championship clubs charge £15-17?

It will be interesting to see the final signings for Poole but looks like they could be a strong team if they get the last 3 right which I am sure Ford/Middleditch will! On the Poles, personally think Szczepaniak will be ok but wont set the world alight but he will be dependable and hold his ave at least. Woryna on the other hand is a very different proposition. Watched him many times at Coventry and saw many glimpses of brilliance. He has obviously improved immensely in the last 2 seasons and I would be amazed if he didn't translate that into some excellent performances for Poole. In fact I will be so bold as to predict a 7+ ave by the end of the season. But he brings much more as he is a lovely lad and had loads of time for the supporters especially the younger ones. Both astute signings IMO.

Just being selfish. I'd much rather have a league with 8 closely matched teams than one or two teams running away from the rest at the top of the league. Closely matched teams are also more likely to produce good racing and that's what it should be about.

I would call that comment a bit derogatory. I would also call posting something negative about him every single time he's mentioned an obsession. We all know you don't like him. We get it.

I must say that I can't see the logic here. If Chris Harris can ride Championship Speedway - why not Scott Nichols?

The only debates some of the poole fans have gavan , is mass debates at home in their bedrooms whilst looking at pictures of chris holder.

why don't you do one and go and concentrate on your beloved Ipswich

Cos you always seem to bring the thread down all the time.

Sorry Jacob. If we were going to go down the 'No Freddie' path then a strong team all round, including a super strong reserve at #6, would IMO, have been the way to go. Hope I'm wrong and I'll be happy to have this post quoted ad nauseam come october!

Whilst Nico rides on an Italian licence, he is still Argentinean

Me neither. I thought the 'March' music was great when the Track Staff walked out, followed by the Riders. Of course, those were the days when Speedway was run professionally.

If Coventry fans believe this, then all the more reason to prevent it happening by supporting the venture, proving there is support to warrant a new stadium.

Regarding it being a £10 sport, I agree it is IF there is no added entertainment. What clubs need to realise is they can provide added extra entertainment at little or no extra cost. It might involve some effort and use of brain cells (assuming they are available ) but fans would be more willing to attend if they weren't expected to stand on terraces for what seems like hours between 15 races of one minute duration. there have been numerous suggestions for extra entertainment muted on this forum, some of them very good. Such a shame few promoters read them

Yes but would anyone take the risk if they were more than five, possibly Woryna.

Probably in the past, the riders assumed there was plenty of money to be earnt from the sport, and rightly or wrongly asked for the world, when signing contracts to race . But it has become obvious to us all that this behaviour couldn't continue. There was always going to a day of reckoning, and now we at seeing effects of that. I have worried for some time that the sport cannot survive on its present course., and that massive restraints have to be in place just for survival alone. If that means the end of the top riders, then so be it. I just hope that the majority of riders realise the dire situation the sport is in, and doctor their costs accordingly. They must realise the acute balancing of the books is crucial if the sport is to survive. I hope riders like Lambert don't price himself out of reach, in their belief of what they think their worth. That would be a shame......

Really ? PL average for Scunthorpe 2016 5.42 I'm not a fan. At Scunny he was brilliant if he gated, not interested if he didn't.

He also rode for Crewe if my memory serves me correctly ,he would only be in his early 60's I would have thought nice enough and friendly chap to talk to .

Although I would like to see KK sign for the Aces on his current average I hope, in a way, that he signs for you because you signed him last year when he was dropped and because I think he will improve his average and help you build a very competitive team.

Hardly signings that will set the world alight but with the potential to improve. Its alright saying that their form in Poland is strong but very often that form doesnt translate across. Love seeing the usual Poole suspects going on and on about how wonderful their team looks. 12 months ago.........................KK was back at his spiritual home there wasnt going to be a better number one in the league..glad Chris Holder was gone as KK was far better. Nicolai Klindt was going to be the best reserve in the league, someone on a false average who was only going to score bucket loads of points. Kurtz and Jack Holder would be the new turbo twins smashing in points all over the place..........Kyle Newman 'Mr Poole' lovead and adored by everyone at the club was going to kick on and realise his potential................you ended up with Lahti, Starke and Kennett Now we are being told how amazing these 2 young Poles will be...........................hope it doesnt go the same as last year

You may have the right numbers but not necessarily in the right order!

Are you familiar with a man named Magic Janowski. He was quite a good rider for Poole and did 3 pretty good years. Maybe Kacper could do the same. A year with one club then move onto Poole and improve year upon year.

2003, 2004, 2008, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015 Always?

Right so ive come on the thread and made comments on the Poole team 1. Woryna is a good signing 2. Not sure on the other Pole 3. Always a danger Polish form doesnt translate over here 4. Some Poole fans were cocky this time last year 5. Pooles team LOOKS GOOD If you have issues with any of those points try having a debate!!!

Very poor signing, who puts these teams together at workington? An they wonder why they can't attract a crowd. Also the promotion state klint is a racer? That certainly isn't the klint iv seen, 7.51 wasted. An to think I was worried we might get Aaron summer's, who looks attractive on 8 after seeing what we have just signed on 7.51

http://wwosbackup.proboards.com/

That works out that 1 team out of 50 made a profit, & we never had 50 teams last year, so I am confused ?

Something wrong with your eyesight? Please tell me which post of mine is the one that says Poole are rubbish please? Ive said that Woryna is a very good signing but the other Pole is an ok signing. Not once have i said the team is rubbish. All ive said is that you have 2 Poles who havent ridden here for a while and may need time to settle and come with risks attached because of that. Ive also said that at this time last year all we had was post after post of how good Poole were going to be with KK , Klindt and Newman how poor other sides were like Swindon and that ended up being a complete reversal of fortunes. The Poole team does look good, but so did last years and i would have thought some Poole fans would have learnt not be so big headed going into a new season If you want to have a moan at me then at least get your facts straight

You must be very unlucky with the speedway meetings you go to, then again you're a Lakeside fan of course you are.

I just think Woryna is a different rider now,as long as his aquipment is decent i expect a big year from him.Also with his granddad's tie to the club he will be highly motiavated.

7.51

Big backward step for me (both the 1 over 8 and Brit rules)

While I agree you normally needed a strong reserve to swap in to the top 5, last year the top 3 teams had the lowest averaging reserve pairings. Adam and Bradley swapped places but I think both Belle Vue and Wolves reserves stayed there. The 5 riders signed this year all had their best season last year so are improving. No reason as of yet to assume that will stop. Quite happy for people to write us off again.

Henka Gustafsson. Average reassessed up after we signed him. Jason Lyons. Average increased due to rule change after we signed him. Tai Woffinden. Quoted 8 when we mentioned he’d been in touch looking for a UK return. Signed on 7.03 elsewhere. Matej Zagar. Rules changed during contract negotiations. To to name a few quickly off the top of my head.

Really pleased with Richard returning. Turned our season around last year and was always awesome to watch around the OTA. Jason Doyle 9.69 Jake Allen 5.07 Richard Lawson 6.43 Charles Wright 6.69 Robert Lambert 7.38 Bradley Wilson-Dean 4.67 Simon Lambert 2.32 Total: 42.25

Trust me.....I am as dumb as they come.

Coventry released him on the same average and is given that average on the final issue of the 2013 green sheets