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I'm far too busy between races trying to find suitable stones to put under one side of the folding chair to stop it wobbling, rearranging the blanket so it doesn't keep sliding off my knee and trying to get the top back on my flask, never mind trying to remember where I put the sugar.

There's the answer to dwindling crowds and the lost generation of fans, a lending library at every track. Not only would the crowds soon be flooding back but they would have to come back for the following meeting to return their books. Genius.

Didn't think it would take you long to have another grumble.

Very pleased tonight. Deal done with MF. Only 4 meetings left available to sponsor and guess what I've got - last season's champions in August!!

You happy with the 5 currently selected then? A total crock of poop being put together and clearly built on the cheap

And the rider in second place, behind his partner, will be paid for the bonus point, but it will not be used for his official average making him a bigger bargain on the lower average.

Sam will be ok, says he could race in 2 weeks if necessary so 2 months is no problem

There is absolutely nothing that says Layne cannot be a good speedway rider and a music star however In My Opinion to succeed at something and to truly reach your full potential takes dedication and full commitment. Even at solely NL level riders need to find 1/2 days a week to work on bikes, plus hold down a job and include some level of fitness regime all of which prove very time consuming but are required if a rider wishes to achieve their potential. As for annoying you that's your concern. This is a forum for opinions, often peppered with rumours, insider information and gossip. It's certainly not to be taken too seriously or forming personal vendetta's.

I think it's agreed on here that one area which needs addressing is the "spectator experience" An observation from an old-timer who remembers better days, which on its own may sound trivial, but identifies a part of the reduction in the "spectator experience" - and it may not be correct at some tracks, I can only speak of the late, lamented Brandon In the "good old days", for each race, four well-turned out track staff members, dressed in a top and beret/cap of the four helmet colours, would each wheel out a bike onto the track - there would stand the four machines, ready for action Then the four riders, helmeted and ready to race, would walk from the pits onto the track - entry of the gladiators - and mount their bikes The clerk of the course would then indicate that the track staff would push the riders away for their journey to the start line All this would take a couple of minutes, perhaps longer, but was all taking place in the view of the spectators - they would see the bikes, the riders, the preparation - during this time, and be able to cheer their individual favourites (or the opposite!) The race if not stopped would last some few seconds over a minute, and it was usual for the riders - perhaps all four - to complete another lap, whether a lap of honour or just a "warm-down" So there was "spectator experience" of around five minutes for each heat throughout the meeting In more recent times - certainly after the introduction of greyhound racing caused a relocation of the pits gate - riders would appear on track on their bikes heading to the start, pushed off by their mechanics from inside the pits like the GPs (out of view of the crowd) So the "spectator experience" was diminished I said it sounded trivial, I know there was a reason at Brandon with pits gate moved, but it's the kind of minutiae which Charles Ochiltree as promoter would look upon as very important, and the riders too had a part to play by not disappearing off-track asap at race end I discount the trend for copious "gardening" by riders at the tapes - I don't see that as anything other than a pain in the backside of many spectators who see it as a delay, not a build up, to the racing Do today's promoters even consider such matters to be important?

Not rude at all. Don’t mind telling you how much it cost. Wasn’t aware sponsorship costs were a closely guarded secret.

In those days WK it was all about being entertained you are right now it bloody annoys me when people say you have to have riders who can only improve what about riders who give there all and entertain.Winning is not everything try to win but not at any cost winning is not everything there can only be one winner.What would you rather WK ? be entertained have a good night out with friends and win nothing or watch a team that wins every week but the entertainment value is non existent.

Only cos Baldyman started it up again and woke him and Stevebrum up!

Id call it common sense - thats why only a few manage it

Proctor should 5.5 (7.15÷1.3) from his Championship average as he didnt have a Premiership place TJ is different as he achieved a Premiership average and so his Championship figure is irrelevant

This team does not look inspiring up to now, hope Iversen is back.

I think someone isn't using their loaf!!

I just hope that they manage to schedule the meetings with less gaps than last year, and that clubs are forced to run cancelled meetings or comps like the KOC by certain dates so that there is not the usual last min panic in September with multiple meetings in one week.

But because we are leaving the eu the price of bread went up 60p in that week so you lost money as well as having no bread for a week

short on dough then

Aah you should have bought the loaf!! I could have sent you a box of matches.....!!

Crikey, you really don't want to be there do you................

10k well spent well done to Mason is this finally the year he kicks on.

After several seasons of financial crisis and lower wages, good times are returning back to the Polish EkstraLiga – reports website sports.pl.In the recent article published in Poland's top sport newspaper, its author speculates on the EkstraLiga top earners in the 2018 season. The list looks like this. Tai Woffinden (Wrocław and England) 1.9 million PLN or around £404K ( at the current rate of exchange ) After six years spent in Wrocław, Woffinden became a symbol of this club. Promoters and supporters have become very attached to the British rider . In order to keep him at home, they have been ready to put down any money. The club and sponsors around it are spending a fortune not only for the contract, but also to fund his appearance in the Grand Prix series. In addition to Monster, all of Woffinden's biggest sponsors are the companies associated in one way or the other with the Wroclaw club . If Woffinden had changed the club, he would be left virtually with no funds for the Grand Prix. He cannot count on his compatriots with whom he has been in dispute with for a year. At the beginning of October, Woffinden had several talks with Toruń promoters. However, people in Wrocław have noticed it in time, and following their offer, talks with Toruń were completed. It is interesting to note that in Wrocław, they have quite a peculiar concept, because the earnings of the top two riders, Tai Woffinden and Maciej Janowski, are even three times higher than those of Andrzej Lebedev and Vaclav Milik. Thanks to this, their promoters are able to balance the budget. The emerging stars from other countries can only be satisfied with the prestige (i.e.riding for Wroclaw) and wait for the end of their first "incentive" contracts. When Vaclav Milik in 2014 signed a long-term contract with Wroclaw he was only an up and coming young rider in the Polish lower division. If he was now a free rider , he could even count on a two-time higher wage. That's what happened to Szymon Woźniak. In Wroclaw, even as the individual Polish champion he could count on just over half a million PLN (around £107K). When the Wroclaw promotion heard what offer he got from Gorzów, they quickly began looking for someone else. Jason Doyle (Toruń and Australia) 1.8 million PLN, or £383K It was by far THE transfer of the season. The world champion tried to deceive Zielona Gora promotion for a long time. He wanted them to spend nearly two million PLN for a year's contract. In the new club, Torun, he got a lot of money (650,000 PLN, or £138K) just for signing. An additional amount will go to his account once Torun ] wins the League or at least a place on the rostrum . For every point he will paid as much as Chris Holder was in the previous season, that is 5.5 thousand PLN, (or £1.7K). In Toruń, they argue that he is an extremely valuable rider whose presence will positively influence the whole team. The compatriot's help may be needed especially by Chris and Jack Holders. Doyle has good reason to be satisfied, because as yet he has not earned this kind of money in Poland. Last season he earned less than 1.2 million (or £255K) from Zielona Gora. This year they offered him a small increase, plus a much smaller amount for the signature. It seems that in the new season he will be even more effective, because in the past, his priority was to win the world championship. Jarosław Hampel (Leszno and Poland) 1.75 million PLN (£372K) As the president of Unia Leszno admitted, both sides agreed terms in 20 minutes. Negotiations took place before Zielona Gora's last league match . Hampel wanted to leave and return to his old ground (Leszno). Thanks to the huge amount for the signature (600,000 zlotys), Hampel after three years returns to the top earners. The last contract in Zielona Gora was one of the lowest in his career. All because the promotion, and he himself had doubts whether he would be able to get back in the top form after his nasty injury . Eventually, last season he managed to earn about 1.2 million PLN (£255K). This time there were no problems in the negotiations. The increase will be large enough so that the rider can confidently plan a return to the Grand Prix. Emil Sayfutdinov (Leszno & Russia) 1.7 million PLN (£361.7K) For the first time in some years, he signed a two-year contract, and that tells a lot about his relations with Leszno promotion. As it turned out, the Grand Prix did not affect his form in the Ekstraliga . For years, his contract has been for a similar amount, with the difference that until now it was enough to be the top-earning rider in Poland. This time he found the conquerors not only in other clubs, but also in his own team. The Russian will not have any problems with this, because he is considered to be a rider that cooperates with his colleagues. A strong Unia Leszno team, similarly as in the case of Hampel, may cause his average to decrease slightly. Before this season, he had offers from Toruń and Grudziądz. From the first city he does not have very good memories, and Grudziadz offer was not able to compete with the offer that was given to him by Leszno. Leon Madsen (Częstochowa and Denmark) 1.6 million PLN (£340K) If he maintains his form of a lifetime from the previous season, and Czestochowa are promoted to play-offs, it will be his record season. In Częstochowa, he was supposed to get a contract worth 400,000 PLN (£85K) for the signature and as much as 6,000 PLN (£1.28K) for each point scored. The club, however, deny that they spent that amount. However, it is still much less than the Dane himself wanted at the beginning of the negotiations. Every year he talks almost with all EkstraLiga clubs and puts on the tables proposals for a contract containing sums that are not real. In Zielona Góra this year, he wanted half a million PLN for the signature and six thousand PLN per point . He traveled to Tarnów with a similar offer. There, they were giving him a contract with 100,000 PLN less than the original one. The same amount he finally agreed with Czestochowa, where he can count on four additional appearances in case of the team promotion to the play-offs. Niels Kristian Iversen (Toruń and Denmark) 1.5 million PLN (£319K) Another rider who benefited greatly from the Toruń offers. In his new club, he agreed 500,000 PLN (£106K) for the signature and 5,000 PLN (£1.06K) for each point scored. This can be topped up with bonuses for the place in the top three teams in the League and the Polish team championship. For years, the Dane has been seen as the EkstraLiga solid scorer, and the next season should be similar. Compared to the previous season, he can earn about 250,000 PLN (£53,2K) more. Gorzow tried to keep him, but did not want to top the amount from previous seasons. Bartosz Zmarzlik (Gorzów and Poland) 1.4 millionPLN (297.8K) For the second year in a row he is the best EkstraLiga rider . And yet, he cannot count on large amounts for his signature. In spite of this, against the background of other Polish riders he has done very well. The Gorzow promotion must regard him as the apple in their eyes, because Zmarzlik is a guarantee of full terraces. After this coming season, his contract comes to an end ,and if he plays it right, he can become the best-paid rider in the EkstraLiga . For Gorzow he is worth even more than 2 million PLN (£425.5K). The only question is whether there will be a club that will afford him and whether he will want to put his own club against the wall. The increase in his wages is guaranteed anyway. 8. Janusz Kołodziej (Leszno and Poland) 1.4 million PLN (£297.8K) He lost financially moving from Tarnów to Leszno, because in his hometown club he could count on the generous support of the most powerful sponsors. For years, he has been one of the most valuable riders in the EkstraLiga . He does not ride in foreign leagues and he devotes all his attention for the league matches in Poland. He gets about 500,000 PLN (£106K) for the signature.

My grammar was everywhere too! So no worries!!!

There you go TWK.... it was 1972 July 22nd FOUR TEAM TOURNAMENT 1ST LEG (at BERWICK) SUNDERLAND 34: Graeme Smith 12(4), Jack Millen 11(4), Russ Dent 6(4), George Barclay 5(4). BERWICK 36, TEESSIDE 16, WORKINGTON 10. July 27th FOUR TEAM TOURNAMENT 2ND LEG (at TEESSIDE) SUNDERLAND 28: Jack Millen 9(4), Russ Dent 8(4), George Barclay 7(4), Dave Gatenby 4(4), Jim Wells 0(1). TEESSIDE 37, WORKINGTON 21, BERWICK 10. July 30th FOUR TEAM TOURNAMENT 3RD LEG (at WORKINGTON) SUNDERLAND 24: Jack Millen 10(4), Russ Dent 7(4), Dave Gatenby 3(3), Jim Wells 3(4), Darrell Stobbart 1(1). WORKINGTON 40, BERWICK 21, TEESSIDE 11. September 3rd FOUR TEAM TOURNAMENT 4TH LEG (at SUNDERLAND) SUNDERLAND 30: Graeme Smith 12(4), Dave Gatenby 10(4), Russ Dent 7(4), Jim Wells (res) 1(2), Peter Wrathall 0(2). TEESSIDE 27, WORKINGTON 26, BERWICK 12. AGGREGATE SCORES: SUNDERLAND 116, WORKINGTON 97, TEESSIDE 91, BERWICK 79.

In those days, the Promoters realised that the Supporters were there to be entertained - and that was all part of it. Like burning Johnnie Hoskins' Hat. All part of the fun. Apart from the actual racing, there is little else for Supporters to watch these days - apart from the Tractor.

He was, but as you say that was nine years ago. He has missed UK seasons in that time and isn't that number one rider that Redcar had back then, think he finished on the PLRC rostrum that year too. It needed to be somebody who could potentially up their average, somebody younger and new to the UK if need be.

It's not the best of the teams announced,but i am happy in the knowledge knowing we will have a very strong reserve,maybe 2 if Andersen works out ok.I'm also happy that Lambert and Rose are in the team.The only one i will worry about is Proctor.With the arrival of a very good number one we shouldn't be that awful as some think. If it's clearly done on the cheap as you think,pump some money in and sponsor a Dudek or someone to come over.

I hope you are because if they have left less than four for the final rider that makes Proctor an even worse signing. Surely TJ's Prem average is an attained one rather than a calculation?

Would rather MPT

She can read a chapter between each race

Maybe the main thing is you get priority on your own assets, which is why Swindon ensured they had 5 in their side?

Thought Middlo would be the kids entertainer, he knows what kids do these days.

How can you fine someone for not complying with an illegal rule

No but it was about 40 years between Swindon winning one.

I'd like this to happen again, it was just another little thing that was part of the show imo, there is no reason not to either. It's all part of the build up to a race tbh.

Shelby has said he wont be fit for the start of the season

Shouldn't that be the fiddle? :-)

Good: 1983 England v USA, Test Decider, Sheffield - glorious weather, glorious racing 1989 Exeter v Berwick KO Cup two legged epic that had to be replayed 1994 Edinburgh v Glasgow, KO Cup Final - Les Collins last bend win kicked off a great night's racing 2007 British GP, Chris Harris's unforgettable win 2011 Torun GP, just a brilliant meeting and a rare reminder that at its best, no other sport can match it Bad: around 2010 onwards, any league meeting I have been to has left me pretty underwhelmed 1982 - Cradley win KO Cup at Hyde Road, when you are 8, these things really, really matter Kenny Carter death...a huge, tragic shock Closure of Hyde Road Per Jonsson career-ending injury - I thought he was a huge talent and his best years were still to come

That must be Ipswich and Redcar then as I believe all was set for Leicester and Sheffield to swap despite the result of the promotiin/relegation play off had Thursday been agreed for the Premiership. Shouldve called their bluff and stuck to what was agreed as the best way forward.....

Where are you getting the fine dining bit from Steve? So far they've not told us a thing. For all we know it could be fish and chips with James Shanes!

You could have a £10 price for OAPs but with additional extras such as; Fold up chair £5 Flask £1 Sandwiches - will be inspected for quality at entrance and given a rating. National League standard £1, Championship £2, Premiership £3 Cap with badges on £5 Wulfsport coat - £50

Don't know what will happen,but Championship clubs should not be affected by Premiership deciding to let Swindon do as they please.

Its cheaper to fly out of the country than attend this dinner, wise choice chap

Jesus f'ing Christ. Kurtz has big potential on the world stage IMO. Morris improved shed loads last season, held the team together when no Doyley and pretty much won us the league at Wolves. Both sets of fans like their number 1s and they will be in the top 5 of the averages next season. Who gives a F about the rest!!

It is very sad to see it like this, although even it is all still fixable while there is still hope. The saddest thing and what really is hard to take if this is the end of Brandon Stadium is that we should have never finished like this, it deserved a huge send off, we deserved to be able to enjoy the last meeting and sad as it sounds but say goodbye. I walked out after the last stock car meeting and thought how devistated I'd be if the deal hadn't been thrashed out a few months earlier, little did I know that the stock car meeting was possibly the final laps to be completed. So very sad for all of us Coventry fans and all fans of speedway.

The bottom line for a lot of fans is that they would like to see their team win silverware. I don’t think it really matters to them where the riders come from. The promoters look at the points limit and what they can afford after the conference. Edinburgh’s promotion has always tried to build a team around riders who will progress and increase their average. Guys like Perks and Jacobs are unlikely to increase their averages and some positively struggle around Armadale. Why should the Edinburgh promotion give a place to a British rider who struggles at the track and may or may not be asking them to break their budget just to sign them because they are British. Edinburgh are a track who usually stick by their riders for the season and give them a chance, unlike others who when things are going wrong after a few meetings make changes. For that they should be commended instead of fans of other clubs coming on here and having a pop at their team building. Why did Ipswich or Lakeside for example not sign the riders mentioned. it appears that some folk just want to come on here and have a go at Edinburgh.

In one sentence you claim that you don't call people names, & then you call Rob an idiot. Priceless !!!

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

People in general want to see the best and there team to win ..you could have the greatest meeting in the world but if your team get's beat each week fans will not come ...so great racing bringing in fans is a myth and down the list in what is in important ...the best riders get the best equipment as they are better in the first place hence they get the bigger clubs and better sponsors so they can buy the equipment ...Why do think Woffy got the chance to get better equipment than say Josh Auty ? the reason he was better in the first place . Lewis Hamilton Drives get to drive the fastest cars in F1 as they know he's the best driver ,Ryan Moore in Horse Racing rides the best horses as they reckon he's the best jockey. yet again it's not by luck that they get to position in the first place