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Starry had an op to remove a non-cancerous brain tumour. It all went successfully at Southampton General and he is now in the recuperation/recovery stages.

SCB's thin veneer of intelligence is once more stripped away by his rancid and repugnant ageism. It's a familiar argument - "I know a pensioner who's well-off so every one of them must be." It's as intellectually and morally bankrupt as "All these foreigners are taking our jobs". I do wonder if he's got a problem with his parents or other elderly relatives, given the sick bitterness and prejudice he continually shows to the elderly. In another recent thread he came up with what were superficially intelligent comments about the way forward but which were invalidated by his comment "Stop pandering to the old, they'll be dead soon", or words to that effect. I'll leave you to consider for a moment just how repugnant that is. Don't be taken in by someone who is obsessed withe speedway rule book and averages. It doesn't make them intelligent, merely fixated. I had to correct him ages ago when he was spouting this regulation and that to point out that he was completely ignoring the key part of the rule book, the supplementary regulations which are issued during a season and regularly amend those rules., I remember SCB complaining about the car park at a certain track on the basis that it was damaging his very expensive car. Lovely chap. I'd park mine outside ;-) If people were singled out for such abuse on the grounds of race, gender or sexuality they would be rightly condemned by most reasonable people in society and in many cases prosecuted. So why is ageism allowed? Speedway may have an age profile that could do with reducing. The SCB's of this world would achieve that by making the sport hostile to the elderly and forcing them out on the basis that the young and 'cool' (i.e. his own perception of himself) are put off by the sight of geriatrics viciously sitting down because they can't stand up for two hours and callously drinking hot drinks from a flask because they know that the stuff on sale at the track is awful quality and overpriced. Shame on them! It's not the elderly that are the problem, it's the shallow, ignorant outlook of certain people at the other end of the age spectrum. Still, there's one consolation, given the modern trend to despise the old by the time he gets to be in that age group life's going to be pretty appalling for him. Yes I have attacked the poster, and I have not one iota of apology for doing this. I've posted some strong views on here over the years but they have all been based on a deep love of and concern for the sport, and not my ego. I had my brief spell in the spotlight and I can tell you I am much, much happier sitting quietly in the shadows now. When I see SCB's posts I see raw ego. I worked with a few TV technicians like him in the past and you would sometimes get those who developed appalling arrogance through working in the industry. I thought I'd seen the worst.......until now. I remember years back Sittingbourne getting their only away Conference League win at Newport. Almost everyone on the BSF were congratulating the then Crusaders on finally getting a win. One kid wasn't though. He went through every decision made in the match, every pass and incident, desperately trying to prove that the Kent side hadn't deserved their win. Ever since then I've been waiting for SCB to grow up. Seems like I've got a longer to go. Still, I'll probably be dead first, eh? Rob McCaffery - aged 60 and expecting the basic state pension only, if that when I can finally afford to retire. You see, instead of building up a career I spent too much time with speedway. I'm now partially disabled so have to have a seat at a track even if it's a folding one which SCB so despises. After 46 years of course I don't deserve a small concession on the admission in my advancing old age.....It would be nice to be able to enjoy the sport in my final years without having to put up with prejudice from this shallow clown.

I agree with SCB on some points but to turn his argument on it's head why should children get in free or at a reduced rate. Presumably their parents chose to have them with all associated costs so why should working childless people subsidise them. Dont say they are the future because without the present OAPs on their reduced admission there will be no future

Try living on £154 a week like I have to after working for 48 years.Without concessions no speedway for me.

Jesus christ this thread is something else. Sundstrom was a near 8 pointer when riding in this league a few years ago, hes got better as a rider and the league has been watered down hugely. i am no fan of Poole and to be honest most of their fans annoy the hell out of me but if they round this team off with Sundstrom and Shanes, it really does look head and shoulders above any of the rest. Kurtz is a young improving star of the future, Holder at worst will hold his average, Josh G averaged 7 riding at number one last season and starts as a third heatleader, Sundstrom is a quality rider who can ride all tracks big or small, Woryna is a hot prospect who will surely make a mockery of his average, the other Pole is the stand out reserve in the league and Shanes is improving and has a year under his belt plus has secured more meetings for 2018. sorry but if any other team announced this line up nearly every fan on here would be saying how good it looks. given the rules and averages etc, it is the stand out side. Thats assuming Shanes and Sundstrom sign but it looks so good that even if they dont, they will still take some stopping.

Here you go again SCB. You really must be a very bitter person. You are right when you say that a hell of a lot of Pensioners are well of, some of them very well off. However the obverse is also true. There are also a hell of a lot of Pensioners who are not very well off, are indeed very, very poor. Some can afford Speedway every week, but others will inevitably not be able to, and it seems that you want to make them even worse off. I doubt if there are many very well off Pensioners who attend Speedway that often so you are actually having a go at the poorer ones. Shame on you!!! You are either very bitter, very jealous or very selfish or maybe a combination of all three. Shame on you!!!

Times have changed. How many of the riders that Lambert was competing against in last year's World Under 21s have a full time job and ride speedway as their side-gig? The answer is almost certainly none. I don't see Lambert's comments as amateurish. I think he makes a very valid point about an outdated and almost certainly illegal asset system which is loaded in favour of clubs.

You don't pay a pound a minute do you .Most meetings are around two hours. Unless using your stupid theory you would only see around 6 minutes horse racing in 3 hours around 14 minutes in 3 hours at greyhound racing. Then about 4 minutes action in around 4 hours around 18 holes of golf There is only about 12 minutes played in one hour of tennis. Even football in around 62 minutes per match.Even in darts only about a fifth of the match are darts being thrown. Nobody makes comparisms about time in other sports so why do some speedway pundits keep doing so

SCB, even taking your view, don't forget that many pensioners paid into the system and paid the full admission price at speedway throughout their working lives and subsidised whatever benefits you think they now receive for those who were pensioners when they were younger. You can argue about statistics as to which group was relatively better off 10,15 or 20 years ago but the fact is that few, if any of those who are now pensioners begrudged the older generation a few "perks" when they were working. We thought they had worked hard all their lives and deserved a few benefits in their later years. However, put all that aside. The fact is that many commercial organisations offer discounts to many different sections of the community because they see it as sound commercial sense to do so. Teachers, civil servants, members of certain organisations. people who buy certain brands of products, are all offered discounts ranging from buying insurance, to holidays, to purchasing many different types of goods and for entertainment and leisure activities. There's nothing altruistic in offering pensioners these same discounts. It is done for exactly the same reasons as for any other group, because businesses think it commercially advantageous for them to do it. Much as it may grieve you I suspect that as a group we will be offered even more discounts because we shall be even more attractive to businesses as there will be more of us because we are living longer.

If you buy a day ticket for the main racing only, its £28 (or £34 on the gate). That's not quite so good. You're right, though - just because something isn't comparatively expensive doesn't mean it is value for money and, in many cases, speedway does fall down there. I went to the Belle Vue/Wolverhampton TV match last season and, basically, everything was just bang on. A reasonably close result, some fantastic racing, an Aces win - we even had Chase the Ace doing a 'Staying Alive' dance. I paid £10 but even at the usual £17 it would easily have been worth every penny. All too often, though, we have crap tracks, ridiculous, unnecessary delays, poor presentation and riders who can't be bothered. All that has to be addressed, and soon.

I work full time...and I would like 20k a year for working...let alone being retired.

Theatres , cinemas , trains , buses ,football games.... all give concessions amongst many others. there are plenty of pensioners who are very glad of a little financial help

...trouble is SCB has a fixation about ageism and raises the issue over and over again. Gets a bit tiresome after awhile.

Lindgren would survive a nuclear war!!!! Lets hope he finally pushes on.

Yes, but it’s a huge disincentive for NL riders to see the CL dumping young Brits. CL clubs should be proud to show off the talents of Nielsen, Jacobs & Perks, setting examples for NL riders to aspire to, rather than ending their careers. Thankfully Stefan, at least, has got back.

Plus they will need beefed up suspension for Wimborne Rd

Spoke to Mike earlier in the week and he was at home, think it's a little daunting for him. As I have a heavy cold not visited him , as soon as I make contact again I will post something.

He like all speedway riders is self employed, it is up to him to get the best contract he can subject to his ability, skill and scoring power. If he expects to be able to make a living out of the sport he needs to negotiate a better contract, get out and acquire a lot of sponsorship or ride for other teams. If he cannot demand the income he wants then he needs to improve and do something about it. If anyone in any job expects to earn a living they need to be in a position where their skills etc are worth want they want as an income. If they are young and learning they have to accept a lower income to start with.

Let's turn your question around. Why shouldn't Lambert expect to make a living out of speedway? He's expected to make himself available to King's Lynn, turn up fit and health, with machinery prepared and ready to race. Most people expect to make a living from their job, why shouldn't speedway riders?

One phrase in the Lambert article highlights some of the problems with speedway in the UK, and in particular the cost of attending meetings He refers to "making a living out of speedway in the UK" - he's 19 years old, should he really be trying to make a living out of riding for Kings Lynn at that age? Did Terry Betts and others expect to do that, at 19 or even older? Most certainly, no they didn't, and admission prices reflected that It's fine to be ambitious, but lads these days seem to expect far too much from a sport that is not F1 or Premier League, and far too soon

The above was Halifaxtiger quoting SCB. SCB, it does say "average", that means the figure evens everyone out. Someone on the National Minimum Rate of £7.50ph will earn £15,600pa. Even the new pension, only recently started to be paid, is approx £8,400pa and that depends on NI contributions. Pensioners before that get much less- and thats what my state pension is....much less. I contributed to a private pension for 23 years which helps me out, many pensioners today do not have private pensions. They will really be struggling. I think you need to learn what pensioners are actually on rather then rely on some "average" figure. If pensioners didnt get "senior citizen" rates I would imagine some businesses would struggle - speedway would probably have folded years ago.

Just shut the hell up you childish morons grow the fk up

I doubt that there are many rich pensioners that include speedway as an interest.. The OAP concession should remain

Bit of a generalisation SCB, there's plenty of pensioners on basic pension and maybe a small personal pension .....

Phil you have nothing that needs defending , like you state you need the extra revenue these days to exist every publication does really can’t see where Semion is coming from as like you say the 24 page ad is an extra that doesn’t cost the customer any more! I actually find the brochure quite good toilet material once I’ve read the actual magazine content lol Despite social media and the internet in general I still enjoy my fix of my speedway star as does my son...as you know! Keep it going more of us appreciate it than those that do not

How very amusing you are.

Another good thread Sid! Best memories? 1. My very first meeting at Cowley (1972 vs. Coventry) 2. White City winning at Wolves in 1977 thereby winning the league. 3. Oxford vs. Ipswich (KOC Final Second Leg). Best ever meeting at Cowley during my time in my opinion. 4. Hans Nielsen winning the World Championship in 1986 at Katowice...I was there! 5. Oxford hammering the enemy (Swindon 'Budgies') at 'The Abbey' in 1986. Worse memories? 1. Any deaths at speedway (thankfully I was never present at any meeting when a rider was killed) but they all left a profound effect on me. 2. Travelling a great distance to be met with a postponement announcement. 3. The demise of the second half...used to have some great second halves at Cowley during 'The Rebels' era. 4. The closure of White City and Oxford as speedway venues. 5. Seeing the sport decline in popularity and I can't see it being reversed.

A Bit Of A Tear Jerker

If think tanks actually thought they would not come out with the rubbish that they do.

Many organisations offered discounts to OAPs to use the facilities or spend their money during quiet times, ie the pub etc for meals before 7pm on weekdays, or clubs during the daytime. This then spread to other organisations who thought that by offering a discount they would get more people into their venue who would then spend more money. Many who are retired do have to watch what they spend and any help from organisations with discounts is probably greatly appreciated by them, but it is difficult to means test them for those that are hard up and those who have an adequate income and those that receive well above the average income.

Don’t worry, Poole fans are counting their over-hyped chickens as usual while Rosco counts his horses

Yawn! You just can’t help yourself :rolleyes:

Add in the corruption of some riders getting reassessed and others not. Either all riders who didn't ride here in 2017 get reassessed or none do. Total corruption indeed.

if joe agrees to the wages on offer.

Good Memories: Started going speedway in 1982 to Rye House and then loved going to Ipswich in around 1984 and seeing the 'big names' After my uncle sponsored a 14 year old at Hackney , then seeing that 14 year old progress into the 2000 World Champion and travelling with Marks family to go to big meetings. My first British Final in 1990 (Marks first one) Commenwealth Final 1994 and Semi Final at Bradford 1994 great atmospheres World Final the only 1 day one i went to in 1994 at Vojens. Bad Memories: Being at Hackney the night Paul Muchene had his accident.just a simple slide off abut into the path of the incoming Nick Floyd who had nowhere to go. Then David Steen who we were good friends with coming over to us to tell us he looked like he wouldnt make it, horrible night. Watching Mick Poole at Peterborough and Lee Richardson at Coventry fence Mark Loram. And a weird one was being at Coventry for the British Final and hearing about the death of Senna Being at a grasstrack meeting and hearing about Erik Gundersens bad accident

I dont suppose the irony is lost on anyone that a Poole fan has said that speedway is corrupt

im forgetting the old prem and ellitte were different

I think we have forgotten just how good a motorcyclist Zdenek was he reached the 1979 World Final and was third twice in World ice championship's.

...unfortunately the same thing is happening at Cowley and when I once put the question to the then owners was told that it wasn't true. Last time I looked in at the stadium it was in a terrible state and despite all the good efforts I can't see the facility remaining for much longer.

Eric Boocock once told me a similar story, but was asking the referee if he had had a good holiday.

A very sad and touching film that many of us ex fans of defunct clubs can relate to.

" delusions of grandeur" sums him up nicely.

Or run a junior meeting like the Northern Junior League, and the MDL meeting, after the main meeting in meaningful matches with 4 junior riders in 6 extra heats.

I can go to watch a British superbike round Friday Saturday and Sunday...all the practice, qualifying races and all the support races from 8 am to 6 pm all 3 days for 37 quid. Speedway isn't expensive..but value for money it's poor.

Yes Sid, it was Kermit because of his green leathers. An exciting little rider to watch, always gave 100%. I recall him being thrown out of the 4TT finals at Monmore in 1980 due to successive first bend "incidents". At the final meeting of the Brummies' 1980 season, there was a demonstration of MX bikes in the interval. Zdenek promptly slung his leg over one and proceeded to wheelie it round the track, taking the corners speedway style, firstly the right way around and then the opposite way, still broadsiding it perfectly. A proper character and sadly missed. RIP ZK.

Not sure I agree with that bit about sparse crowds because Coventry had pretty good attendances compared to all the other tracks ~ perhaps only Poole getting more (if they were on a winning streak) and combined with the Stock Cars it was quite viable. From 2010 onwards though when Sandhu took over with the intention of building houses on the land it was on borrowed time so I suppose I've got to agree it has done well to last this long. Very sad.

STILL BT not SKY ...

Not watching the live stream organised by MA? Wednesday's viewers were up 50% on Saturday. Friday starts around 8.15am, from Mildura...

We jokingly call the back straight terrace , where we watch from , the Charlie Monk stand . I cant think of a more fitting tribute than Glasgow to name the grandstand to honour the memory of Jimmy Beaton . Officially naming it the Jimmy Beaton stand would serve as a lasting thanks for all he did for the club .

So it seems that the rumoured re-assessment of certain assessed riders has indeed been re-assessed. The original 'independent' assessment has been assessed as being wrongly assessed so has been re-assessed for the coming season. I expect to see an announcement about the re-assessed assessments fairly soon. In fact I would assess that it will happen sometime before March - although I may well have to re-assess my assessment.