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Hardly a joke, I cant find anything to laugh at. More of a reality check. The damage has not been done this year, but was created by decisions made in the past. There was always going to be a reality check when promoters would have to cut the costs to survive. and this is the result of it. Agree about the strength of the two leagues being similar and can see no sense in the two league scenario with fixed race nights. With one division, raced on a night that suited each club, we would have had more local rivalry where fans could travel to and connect with... I think it will get harder before it gets better....

And yet a reassessment of his 4.65 average is not justified in your eyes.....

I can recommend the 'Memories of Coventry Speedway' DVD if anyone is thinking of getting it. Great value at £16 for 3 DVD's. I have sort of watched part one, with difficulty, and will be watching two and three when Lucy isn't around. What a strange dog she is as she always goes to sleep at meetings yet on TV suddenly finds it really interesting and blocks my view.

That is downright offensive. Perhaps if instead of your ignorant ageism we have someone post some equally obnoxious homophobia and see how you like it. Comments like that destroy any respect for the rest of your occasionally intelligent comments. Just because you post in detail and some are taken in by it all doesn't mean you're in the right. I've worked damn hard for speedway in my time and it would be good to think that I could still go to speedway without facing obnoxious comments from yourself about people in my age group. Anyway, hopefully I'll be dead soon, eh? Uteerly disgusting. We should cater for all not just overgrown children like you.

No there not. They weren't in 2017 (with the multiplier ) and won't be in 2018 with some being reassessed and others not. Rules on averages seem to change every season, yet bizarrely they are allowing some riders who didn't ride here in 2017 to keep their existing averages yet regrade some at the same time. Bizarre in the extreme. The hopes of eliminating clubs being able to sign a 'ringer' sadly still exist. Just when you thought the governing body was going to make the rules fair for every team.

To be honest I've got no issue with Woryna or the other Pole's name who I can't spell keeping their previous averages. It makes things a lot easier if everyone keeps their previous averages. The problem then comes when they have re-asssessed riders like Tai Woffinden and co. They either had to re-assess all of them or none of them... not some of them!

It would be a travesty if Charles was not signed !!! He is committed to Somerset and implies so. Not happy with J Holder signing, he is immature and obviously lacks loyalty by his behaviour last season. He needs to take a step back and grow up !!!

Wheres his mum live? In the garage?

Why's he a moron, because of a differing opinion to the norm?!?!? The only morons are ones that can't understand differing opinions and put themselves above all others. GWR and I have rarely agreed on much but not found it necessary for stupid name calling Argue all day long if you don't agree but moron GWR isn't

I agree with all of your comments here Rob but the last paragraph does you little credit. Basically, what you are saying is that you won't go because of one person's attitude towards the older fan - a person that very rarely even attends meetings. Bluntly, that's a childish reaction because, as someone who does go, I can assure you that no older fans are 'despised and sneered at'. Quite the opposite, in fact. The view that older fans are all chair bound with woolly hats and flasks and hate any change or innovation is complete stereotypical nonsense and the overwhelming majority are absolutely nothing like that at all.

They weren't harsh, they were grossly insulting - and yes, they are untrue. They are also typical of someone who rarely actually attends speedway because you don't seem to realise just how much the sport needs its older clientele. As someone who does go and goes regularly across the country, without them speedway would be finished. For right or wrong, they represent a substantial part of speedway's attendances and alienating them without ensuring that new supporters are being attracted in their thousands is, unquestionably, more than stupid. Take my friend Kirky Lane. Belle Vue season ticket holder, attended at least 70 matches across Britain last season. Pensioner. I also don't believe that to attract new, younger fans you need necessarily get rid of the older ones. From experience, the older ones are just interested in the speedway. They don't care what music you play or what happens in the interval. They also wouldn't care if you billed it as an extreme sport. Indeed, many of them would embrace change because they know only too well that the sport needs new blood on the terraces. Once again, I will point to Isle of Wight. One of their main priorities is attracting youngsters and they put in an awful lot of time and effort in doing so. In the process, they do everything they can to retain their existing fan base and one of the reasons for their success is that they view speedway as a family sport. In other words, it is for all ages.

Lambert is another over rated Brit with a huge ego and shocking attitude problem. Another Danny King standard wise, but at least King is a much more down to earth person compared to Lambert

Poole or their fans don't care at what cost..as long as it's them that win.

Well first winter meeting cancelled and opportunity for would be candidates to showcase there talents has gone . Still thinking someone like Halder Or Lawlor would be good no pressure to score or have a 7 for 6 meetings then change him giving plenty of opportunities to up and coming riders

That isn't how it works. Chris doesn't literally go and ask for permission from Buster. Didn't a situation happen like this a few years ago also with Batchelor for Peterborough and they literally waited until March to sign him when any form of deadline had passed where they would of had to buy him out right? The asset system is dated to say the least and nobody should be forced into buying anybody.

Many rules change 1 over 8, Doubling up elligibility, Draft system, 2 Brits etc etc Rules can change where it is decided they are no longer appropriate. Hiding behind 'those are the rules' is the soft option.

Clearly there is a lot of disappointment that it looks like Lambert won't be returning to the Stars team for 2018. For me it's a good thing, barely any improvement in 2017. Started to show signs of being way above his station and his behaviour on social media kissing Holder's butt wasn't great reading. The way I see it is he's looking to join the Pirates but Chapman is sticking firm on not allowing anyone to speak to his asset. This situation may be why Ford has said he's having a few problems with signing a particular rider. 2+2 and all that. Lambert may be local, may be loved by the locals but for me he's I'll be happy to see him leave. Superstar status without the Superstar delivery isn't doing him any favours, certainly won't be missed by me.

It is fascinating to note that offensive comments by scb can be considered part of an "excellent post". Whatever sense he might make in his other points is devalued by his ignorant use of ageism. People have a right to enjoy speedway irrespective of race, gender, sexual orientation or AGE. Yes the sport needs a younger age group following it but is that really to be achieved by sneering at the elderly who do attend meetings? Where do we stop in SCB's nasty little world, an age limit on attendance and proof required of being under what arbitrary age limit he considers 'old'? I have to admit though that he is in fact doing me a favour, along with other posters of his nature. For a few years it hasn't been possible for me to attend more than a handful of meetings. Thankfully my circumstances have changed and with it came the joy of being able to start going to meetings regularly again. Then I read things like "Don't worry about the old, they'll die soon" make me realise that I have other interests to spend my time and cash on. After 46 years I'll make that one less oldie to be despised and sneered at in future.

What a joke hardly any difference between.the strength of both leagues,due to the one 8 point rider per team rule.It also stops any more top riders being attracted back to Britain just keep the standard of riders down ,and watch the crowds go down again.

Oi! leave me out of it! I don't have deep pockets

I think my problem is that you don't go to meetings so don't have a clue what the music is like, what the interviews are like or what the presentation is like. How can you come to an informed opinion about what goes on at speedway meetings if you are never there ? I'd say your view is ignorant, out of date and mostly inaccurate. It is nonsense to suggest that speedway's target audience are those of pensionable age. A concessionary rate applies right across the leisure industry - from stately homes to bowling alleys, from cinemas to sport. I think there is a genuine case to suggest that that should be reviewed but to imply that speedway does those of pensionable age a special favour because that is its targeted audience is rubbish. I am unaware of a speedway track that does not offer a concessionary rate to children and many offer family tickets at discounted rate. Isle of Wight, for example, allow under 16's in free and deliberately have attractions in addition to the speedway for them. Their focus - and they are most certainly not alone - is on children and families. Craig Cook's night at NSS on Wednesday was attended by those of all ages. We had a top class compere in Natalie Quirk, excellent recordings and funny, personable and honest (occasionally brutally so) answers from Cookie. It was a sell out (albeit that it was free). Further, I can remember Arthur Browning bringing the house down at Scunny a couple of years ago when being interviewed by Rob Godfrey (no slouch in being drolly funny himself). Some of the presentation (Birmingham springs to mind, and in an awful coincidence when I was at Leicester they had Peter York) is awful. Some of the music equally so (Plymouth certainly used to be terrible). But to suggest that they are all - or even the majority - like that is simply untrue. Belle Vue, in particular, have hit high standards for entertainment and professionalism. My view is that speedway does need to attract a younger audience but, at the same time, it needs to keep its current fan base very much on board. In my experience, most of those I know who are of pensionable age share that view and embrace change, not violently resist it. .

I'm an oldie but cannot fault your argument above.

Of course they are false! ! If some riders who didn't ride here in 2017 are deemed to have 'outdated averages' then that simply can't apply to some others as then having true averages! Either ALL that didn't ride here in 2017 are outdated or none are. It's pretty simple I'd say! I can't believe anyone will actually argue that it's completely fair to grade some and not others. Well one I can understand will and already has. If you don't want clarity in the rules then fair enough. But bringing in ringers will continue and help to lose yet more fans from the sport. It's a joke to grade some and not others, it's as simple as that. And the rules allow it!! Beyond crazy.

Could be a good deterrent that.. "Commit a crime young man and you will spend the next 6 months going to Speedway"

Yes they are 'false ' averages. they are out of date and are rendered useless in the purpose of their existence , There will always be Promoters queuing to take advantage of these inept and out dated rules.. but it doesn't make them right. If the truth be known, Ringers on ridiculous averages must be the biggest turnoff in our sport.......... They probably give an advantage to a winning team , but at what cost????.......

Not even on Community Service.

They are not 'false' averages though for the likes of Woryna and others - they are just averages that some people don't like!!!

They are, and every year they seem to suit some clubs and not others. Rules should be fair and transparent. So sadly every year some promoters will sign a ringer that will alienate a lot of speedway promoters. Wolves got a lot of flak signing a ringer 'Tai' in 2016 that a lot of people, and promoters no doubt, were unhappy about. Low and behold they have closed the door on that one by reassessing Tai and riders of a similar standard. Sadly the BSPA have yet again left the door wide open to allow ringers in on false averages given how much they have improved massively since last time they were here. It's like they never learn. Rules are there for everyone, sadly some benefit and others don't. Yet again the rulings stink and yet again teams will be accused of signing ringers that give the sport less and less credibility everytime. Any teams that sign a ringer will get flak, it could have been avoided.

So if they talk funny, like with a Brummie or Geordie accent they're telling lies?

I know exactly who he is thanks. His other half is my child's godmother. With the team manager putting on Luke's post on our Facebook page "I hope you get what you're looking for" Would suggest he wants a change of scenery

So you are saying that riders like, Georgie Wood, Ben Hopwood, Mark Baseby, Jake Knight, Matt Williamson, Ben Morley, Jon Armstrong, Kelsey Dugard and Danny Ayres should be banned from riding National League because they are clearly not going to make it to the top now because if they were good enough they would have done it by now (best of luck telling Danny Ayres he can't ride). Also riders like Danyon Hume, Connor Mountain, JPB, Tom Brennan and Jordan Jenkins should only ride CL next season if they want to improve ? First of all where are all these 3 point riders coming from to replace the riders who shouldn't ride National League ? Secondly who is going to pay on average £12 per meeting to watch I'm sorry to say youngsters who don't have the experience to compete at that level yet and end up getting seriously injured? It's all well and good saying how things are in Poland but over there Clubs own there own tracks youngsters can go practice when they want Day or Night over here how many clubs here own there own tracks ? Also the sponsorship over there is far greater for young riders than it is here youngsters over here you have to remember have to stay in education until they are 18 meaning a Saturday job is not going to go very far when it comes to buying equipment etc and not every rider has rich parents to back them. The National League needs a mixture of ages and abilities to run Thats just my opinion

Conner Coles told us pretty early on that he would have loved to return to the island but his work committment in the midlands was a struggle for him to continue. He kind of asked permission to look elsewhere, which of course he received with our absolute blessing. Connor is a great guy, with a great family and we will miss him.

It's unbelievable how they can c#ck it up more EVERY Winter.

I can't understand why people keep mentioning that T H Jonasson as a possible team member for next season. He is an overated , overweight, has been , who's best years are gone.

Is it true that the picture originally included the dogs owner sat in a folding chair , who was " done away with" by SCB because it blocked his view of the screen?

Surely there’s more improvement in JPB than Bacon?!

Don't underestimate her, she'll go to sleep when she spots Peter York or kick off if she sees Sandhu or Horton !!!!!!!!!!!

The fact remains you can only compare them by what they have done head to head.....if Woryna was that much better he would have finished way ahead of Lambert in the World U21 standings. He didn't. Woryna is Polish therefore gets opportunities in the Extraliga, and of course gets rocketship bikes the best of their U21's do. Despite that he only finished six points ahead of Lambert in the world championships. It shows there isn't a lot between them at the moment.

Depends how you define good? We were basically a 6 man team at home. Probably he did what he should have at this level? I'm no statto or that interested in them in this case. The fact is that at the EoES he was passed for fun and more often than not out with the washing at the back. Yes he had a few good rides with the emphasis being few. Whether he kicks on now is open to question but he's more chance away from the showground IMO.

Easy to say that Woryna is a 'considerable' margin ahead of Lambert but the only measure you can really use is the world under 21 standings which put Woryna slightly ahead with a six point margin. Until they both compete in the same league across a whole season that's the only barometer really which equates to two points per round.

No chance. I know you hate Poole so love a sly dig at them but our reserves will get murdered by them and if their top 5 includes Holder and another that is rumoured then its better than ours. That's not to say a mid season change won't change that but right now there is no way we are favourites over Poole.

The precedent was shown in the Miedzinski deal where he was wanted by his parent club but Poole signed him on loan when Swindon wanted a transfer. If anything different happens then Chris is getting stitched up.

So when Kings Lynn ejected two BBC Radio WM jounalists from the No Folk Arena a few years back, that shows how few lessons were learned from that earlier experience. The guy in charge of the expulsions is now chairman of the BSPA, so if the BBC guys ever climb their ladders of seniority, you can guess at how many burnt bridges you'll be able to count.

There are many reason like admission is too expensive, a collection of stupid rules like doubling up but for me the 2 biggest factors are ,1 we don’t know what we are anymore , speedway has always been a working mans sport a bit like stockcars but it’s trying to be a poor mans F1 and we are stuck somewhere in the middle and don’t know who our fans are anymore .2 there has always been a bond between the fans and riders and for whatever reason it has been eroded away to the point now that it barely exsist , have a read of the Preben Erickson bit in the speedway star this week , it hits the nail on the head , the sport has become a individual rider sport that is focussed and directed at the riders and the fans seem like an after thought but are expected to pay for the privilege ,

Treating a speedway fan not as a speedway fan but as a valued paying customer. The difference is that with the former you can get away with a sub standard product, with the latter you can't. With the massive amount of competition in the leisure industry and the difficulty of attracting and retaining support it has to be the case that a paying customer is looked upon as the life blood that he actually is, not a mug to be taken for granted. We are not in the 1950's or 1970's any more. We have all been there. Rubbish tracks prepared without care or for the wants of riders. Filthy, uncared for facilities. Overpriced, dreadful food and a bar on taking your own in. Appalling customer care - aggressive, contemptuous and even abusive responses to legitimate criticism or questions from promoters, team managers and club press officers. Shambolic organisation, leading to ridiculous delays. A total lack of imagination regarding the entire meeting, because its not just about speedway. I believe all of that can be addressed at little cost - in fact I know it can, because Isle of Wight have done it.

Apologies, I thought he had dropped down. It's more other's over the years that have hyped him and I've never really seen anything to justify that hype. But you have a fair point that he SHOULD be more than capable of achieving that standard.

I believe he could average 5.5 - 6 if he starts at reserve and has an injury free season. Never going to be a heat leader or world beater any more but it's certainly not beyond him to be a half decent second string. We saw enough glimpses of that last year in between the many poor rides.

Clegg was on his -2.5% brit reduction taking him to 4.23 I think, Davey was a 3 & Riss was the big hitting reserve at the start of the season.

Doesnt matter what Poole want they cannot insist on a full transfer They can hold out and be difficult but ultimately Holder will do where he wants whether poole like it or not

It seems that Lucy loves Christmas ghost stories in particular, all these hordes of ghostly fans from the past filling up the terraces.