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Don't find it odd at all .Surely a thawing of the relationship would be beneficial to both clubs . A lot of mistakes have been made and a lot of silly nonsense spoken , it would be nice for both clubs to have a cordial relationship without losing that competitive edge when we clash on the track .

Well considering I do the Panthers Fixtures yes

And the reason many people will laugh their socks off if they fail to live up to expectations

Had it been the East of England showground threatening the Panthers , or Berwick Rangers putting the Bandits future in doubt , and we voiced public support , nobody would bat an eyelid . But because it's us showing solidarity with a potential problem Edinburgh might face , we must have an agenda . Pretty sad that , but no doubt it would raise the same suspicions if the steelshoe was on the other foot . That's just life in the Scottish speedway goldfish bowl .

There are many clubs who can't host the 4's, or don't want to, sometimes due to lack of parking and pits not big enough. Whether people like it or not, but Peterborough is the real home for the 4's due to a great track, the racing, facilities, parking, viewing, as long as the venue is available for the right period. In it's absence, I applaud Redcar for taking up the challenge and will be there to support them and the event.

Just wanted to send my best to Somerset press officer Ian Belcher who has decided to hang up his clipboard after 15 years service to the club. Best of British in your retirement mate. Hope to still see you stood on the second bend........”so wide he nearly ended up in Wiltshire”.

Sundstrom had a relatively poor season in Poland last year so I'm not sure he will be better than Worrall. Steve is still improving and I agree with others that there won't be much between them. It is ridiculous that riders can be signed on averages 4 or 5 years old. As I have said before it would be easy to have an open, transparent and fair system by creating mathematical formula to convert all foreign league averages to UK averages, just as we do to convert PL to CL averages and vice versa.

I watched Lindgren get passed by Luke Ruddick fair and square, it’s laughable

Ok now most riders are in place I thought I would give my opinion of the teams and season ending positions. 8th. KING'S LYNN 1. Niels Iversen 9.04 2. Robert Lambert 7.38 3. Ty Proctor 5.5 4. Lewis Kerr 5.06 5. Thomas Jorgensen 5.93 6. Lewis Rose 5.25 7. Kasper Andersen 4.0 A lack of serious thought going on here. A management going through the motions and who haven’t got their finger on the pulse of what is going on in the big wide world of speedway. A serious lack of strength in depth with no third heat leader and a couple of journeymen means that Kings Lynn will be propping up the table in 2018. The signing of Proctor is frankly mystifying. And with Robert Lambert mouthing off in the Star about how he doesn’t want to be there, it doesn’t bode well for the stars. Decent reserves though. 7th. SOMERSET 1. Jason Doyle 9.69 2. Jack Holder 5.82 3. Richard Lawson 6.43 4. Charles Wright 6.69 5. Bradley Wilson Dean 4.67 6. Jake Allen 5.07 7. Jonas Jeppersen 4.00 The Rebels look to improve their first season in the top flight but I don’t think it will happen for them in 2018. Doyle is a great signing, but after that backup is a bit low on the ground and away from the Oaktree they could take some poundings. Doyle apart, the Rebels have solid looking reserves but the middle of the team looks very lacking. Lawson and Wright don’t really have any improvement in them, and it leaves Jack Holder to kick on from a poor 2017 season and show his potential. 6th. RYE HOUSE 1. KK? 2. Ben Barker 6.00 3. Eddie Kennett 6.39 4. Scott Nicholls 7.48 5. Chris Harris. 7.63 6. Stuart Robson 5.72 7. Max Clegg 2.00 I listened to the podcast from Steve Jensen, which was full of enthusiasm. Then he goes out and puts together a team like this. Who do you think you are kidding Mr Jensen? Dads Army or what? The team is full of Brits which is great. But they are all passed their prime. Sure, they will turn over teams at home and lose a couple but away they will struggle to get much and like others have said, will end up in the Lakeside trap. A step backwards from 2017. 5th. WOLVERHAMPTON 1. Jacob Thorssell 8.64 2. Sam Masters 7.92 3. Rory Schlein 7.72 4. Kyle Howarth 6.64 5. Cameron Heeps 5.25 6. Ashley Morris 3.75 7. Nathan Greaves 2.54 The loss of Lindgren is big. And he hasn’t really been replaced. Thorsell steps up to fill Freddie’s boots but Lindgren he is not, especially away from Monmore. At home Thorsell is dialled in and will do his job. Masters and Schlein are good riders but can go awol at times. Howarth still has improvement. But Heeps, Morris and Greaves leave a big wagging tail and they will get turned over at home a couple of times. Away from Monmore they might pickup points at a couple of places. Will miss out on the playoffs this time around IMO. 4th. SWINDON 1. Nick Morris 8.87 2. Troy Batchelor 7.63 3. David Bellego 7.37 4. Tobiasz Musielak 7.37 5. Adam Ellis 5.56 6. Zach Wajtknecht 3.21 7. Mitchel Davey 2.00 Swindon won the league last year due to bringing in Musielak. They had a tremendous run mid season before running out of steam but it was enough to finish top. They had riders who all improved and upped their averages and although they got very lucky in the final, they did finish top of the league. It has to be asked though. In 2018 where is the big improvement going to come from? Morris is now riding at number one with no Doyle for support. Musielak, Bellego and Batchelor are all topped out. I can only really see Adam Ellis upping his average, perhaps by a point or more. At reserve they are extremely weak and this could really hit them. Playoffs? Yes I think they will get into the playoffs but I don’t see them retaining the title. 3rd. BELLE VUE 1. Craig Cook 8.45 2. Steve Worrall 6.77 3. Rohan Tungate 6.18 4. Damian Drodz 5.00 5. Max Fricke. 6. Dan Bewley 4.71 7. Jye Etheridge 3.89 Belle Vue keep 5 of last years 7 and look very good. Led by Cook who steps up to number one they should go though the card at home and pick up quite a few points on their travels. Tungate will score highly at home so the loss of Bjerre won’t be felt. Drodz will soon settle in at home but may find it tough on the road. Fricke really needs to show his full potential if BV are in with a shout of the title. In Bewley they have a great young rider who will more than likely move up into the team at the first set of GS, with Drodz going the other way. 2nd. LEICESTER 1. Martin Vaculik 8.00 2. Krystian Pieszczek 6.5 3. Danny King 6.66 4. Josh Bates 5.52 5. Hans Andersen 7.75 6. Kyle Newman 4.86 7. James Sarjeant 2.56 Since Leicester have returned to the top flight they have been something of a Mickey Mouse outfit, with chucked together teams worthy of a wooden spoon. However, in 2018 under new management, the team looks very good. In fact good enough to challenge for the title. Martin Vaculik is a proven top rider on the continent and Pieszczek is an impressive and very fast young Pole. Backed up with Danny King and Hans Andersen it is an impressive top four. Leicester will also have a scoring reserve at all times with Kyle Newman and Josh Bates swapping and reswapping all season. A very good looking team. 1st. POOLE 1. Brady Kurtz 8.08 2. Josh Grajczonek 7.34 3. Kacper Woryna 4.65 4. Linus Sundstrom 7.22 5. Chris Holder 7.16 6. Mateusz Szczepaniak 4.54 7. James Shanes 2.38 After the disappointment of 2017 Matt Ford has spent a lot of time and effort assembling what looks to be one of the best looking Poole teams in several years. A team built with the word improvement written across all seven riders. Led by one of the lowest averaged number one in the league in Kurtz, who should stick a point on his starting average. The return of Chris Holder on 7.16 is an absolute steal. But the whole team from one to seven have improvement in them, perhaps with the exception of Josh G who is capable of maintaining. Poole will also have strength at reserve all season with Szczepaniak at 6, to be replaced by any of the top 5 should he do well. Young James Shanes has the ability to improve as well with such good riders around him. So that is my opinion. Not many will agree with it. Of course this is not taking into account any injuries which might come along to decimate a teams chances.

Yeah he sure looked unbeatable in the 4s final with a 1 0 R

Of course Wolves and Swindon look weaker because they had the highest averaged teams at the end of last season and were forced to lose one of their top 2 - as have BV.

Who,,, Ludde ?

It was 21years actually. You mean like the team in 1997 that was a scratch team, but came third in our first season. Followed by signing 3 times World Champ Nicki, the rise of second string Jesper, PL title in 2001 and runners up in 2002, the signings of World Cup star Bjarne P, Compton, World Cup star KB, Kenni and Rene, the 3 times winners 2010 team, the emergence of the Worrals from juniors, the UK U21 star Lambert,the rise of the Gems in 2002 to 2004 and re-emergence of the new Gems three years ago, who have now two of the top youngster in the NJL, and the only FREE training school in the country financed exclusively and ran by ME. Shocking performance, very mediocre Eh.

Their arrogance knows no bounds ,

I agree. I'd go as far as saying equally as strong. No doubt Poole fans would disagree. Bewley at reserve is going to kick on big time this year and I reckon will top averaged starting reserve by end of season. Yes, you heard it here first.

I think you have misunderstood my post. I was just wondering if there was any other team from 50 years ago or more , where the whole team were still alive today.

Never had anything against Poole Pirates from Pete Smith to Super Simmo , but this new breed of Pirates fan makes you realise why people don’t like them , on a BV thread , I’ve already learned how poor the Aces are and how superior the Pirates line up is , so much so that to actually state the Aces top 4 ( on paper ) looks as strong as any other team is deemed sacrilege ! Admittedly The Pirates do look favourites , but the Aces look strong also , and this is a Belle Vue page !

It's a "Shared Event," so, surely, it should be 'shared around' the tracks? It can get a bit boring going to the same place for the same event every year (PLRC etc), so a different place, for me, anyway, is good.

Halifaxtiger is one of the diehards of the sport, very fair in his assessments of speedway today, like all on this forum he is entitled to his opinion, sometimes right, sometimes wrong, but like all fans has his own preferences, if he says Peterborough fours will take some beating, let Redcar show him it can and will be done, but wasn't it Redcar Bears who made last years final so good.

In truth they weren't 'there for all teams to sign' tho. Woryna was made an asset at the tail end of last season and Mateusz is already a Poole asset. The theory that any team could have signed them is cancelled out by the reality of that likely to happen.

You are beginning to sound like a Poole fan! No one said it was anyone's fault and we all know these riders were available so other teams could have signed them. It is an astute piece of team building by Matt Ford - all within the rules. But on those averages, they are ringers and their averages can only go one way in this weakened league!

I'd say its pretty even. Cook fricke and tungate is equal to holder Kurtz Josh G. Sundstrom will likely outperform worrall but i dont see there being more than a point in it.

Exactly. A farcical main “stand” which clearly has been knocked up by someone in the kitchen department of B&Q. How is this acceptable for a sports stadium? Seriously ?

No I think it was just a case of the speedway family sticking together . Sorry if whatever reason some get upset by Glasgow giving public support for another club , there's nowt queer as folk .

Great decision from the powers that be - thoroughly deserved for the new promotion!

On that basis, do you think that all the major events should be at Belle Vue ?

I mean the gm engines Fred was using in the second half of the season not the gtr he started the season on.

well I get nothing out of it apart from maybe watching good speedway and meeting mates all told me and my partner spend thick end of 50 pound every sunday they run so we put into it do you still contribute mr high and mighty because 50 pound is a lot of money to watch some of the mediocre teams we had over the last 25 years

As you know I was never into speedway for profit, but to return the club in 1997 which I did. I retired in 2003 on my 60th birthday, as I had never wanted to run the club, but just to get it up and running again. Perhaps it's just as well that some are 'high and mighty' to give the sport and put something into it, whilst others just try get as much as they can out of it. Your point again is out of date as the number of hangers on has greatly been reduced in latter years, but obviously its still a concern of yours.

Damn,that's my irony meter overloaded!!!!

Less of a correction, more like a severe punishment

Its unusual for Shovlar and I to have similar ideas. but looking at each's predictions, it seem we may have something in common.. I could've said great minds think alike, buy didn't want to leave myself open to personal abuse.....

Top man Ian “Statto” Belcher, my first friend down at the OTA .

You may be riight about Brady but IF & its. A big If CH hits form there could be a 5 rider challenge for the No 1 spot, yes Woyrina may be one of them although the least least likey I admit!

Pinny is not a Poole fan.

Hmm. Foz or Wayne Bavin for presenter? It's like being asked if you would like to be poked in the left eye or the right... I'd like to see James Hazell from Radio Suffolk give it a go. Witty, funny and not at all dreary.

Only someone looking for something that is not there would find it odd , but the more reasoned speedway fan would find nothing odd about it. I am sure that most Edinburgh supporters will find the Glasgow input welcoming and it may well be that what Cyclone has said about Edinburgh having to tread carefully in what they say publically in order to not upset the apple cart with there landlord may well be nearer the mark. How this pans out who knows but given the timeframe Edinburgh will have options that I have no doubt.

On the subject of food, I have found the sausages, burgers and chicken with chips all nice but not tried the fish as I am not keen on fish. One thing not to relie on is the pub outside which informed me one evening that they were not selling food until after the speedway started as the speedway fans cluttered the place up! That was the last time I went in there! Due to my own circumstances I am very pleased that racing will be midweek as I am busy on Saturdays and would not be able to see any speedway if they ran on Saturdays!

Wondered how long it would be before someone said that.

It won't matter if it's Nicholls or Sedgmen we are screwed with this team

He should feel well at home at Poole then

You really think it will be Nicholls then ....weeks away from the season , he wasn't eligible when other teams were building so hopefully justice is done and he still isn't , a big risk leaving it this long for the Panthers considering who is on the BSPA panel

Cook vs kurtz - kurtz is improving at a fast rate, is only marginally behind Cooks average now and has expierienxe at number one in the top flight whereas Cook hasnt. Come October I would say Kurtz will higher average so I would probably go with him. Fricke vs Holder - Holder all day long , he wont be world champ again but if he has his head remotely screwed on there is plenty of room to add to his figure. Fricke didnt kick on as hoped last season. Tungate vs Sundstrom - Sundstrom all day long. Worrall vs Josh G - hard one but Josh G averaged more last season and that was from riding at 1 in a struggling side. Then you throw in the two Poles and this Poole side looks brilliant. If they avoid injuries I cannot see anyone touching them, and that is just with the Poles adding to their figures. The top three could all add a point if not more to their aves.

You have to remember that this picture was knocked up by some computer geek who has not the faintest idea what a speedway/greyhound stadium looks like!

You think? I don’t see them making the playoffs.

Is Sundstrom that good anymore? Can't say I've seen him ride well that often when I've seen him on tv. I think I'd prefer Worrall myself.

It's a very unappetising league and product this year...doesn't really make me want to make the effort to go every week I'm afraid

That World Games pairs at Wroclaw last year was Dreadful, absolutely astonishing they would want a repeat of that. And if they are changing the format to get a different winner, why on earth are they hosting it in Poland. Madness

75% of people say that but the other half struggle

1 , Poole Everything that is wrong with our average system is highlighted in this team. Ford’s astuteness to assemble his team using out of date figures has placed Poole on a pedestal few can match. Out of date figures have always been the wrath of team building but the BSPA do nothing to remedy it. This league victory will be a walk in the park … 2, Leicester One has to appreciate the strides the Lions have made in their quest to assembly a strong Team. Spear-headed by a GP rider, coupled with 3 more heat leader quality riders makes them a formidable team. Pleased that Bates changed his mind that will only add strength lower down. Getting Simon Stead as Team manager was an impressive coup… They should reach the PO without too much trouble. 3 Belle Vue I feel disappointed they haven’t won the league recently. They have been super strong all season only to lose out in the play-offs. Led by strong heat leaders they will score most over their rivals with their young class reserves. Losing KB will be a big loss but no doubt Tungate will step up. A dead cert PO position but I feel they will miss out again. 4, Swindon Losing Doyle could have been a bigger lost than it has been, but Morris is a readymade No1. Adding the selfish Batchelor to the solid team could be a master stroke or a mistake, but either way they will have too much strength not to reach the PO. 5. Wolves This 1 over 8 rule has cost Wolves more than most. Losing Freddie is a massive lost that other members will find hard to cover. When meetings were close it was always Freddie to the rescue. Thorsell, Masters and Rory should hold their own, but it is lower down I feel they will struggle. Although they have an able leader in Adams, I feel victory this year, the league will be too much, even for him. 6. Rye House They have 2 areas of confidence that will really helps them. The first is the massive home advantage gained from their tight track, and secondly the experience from their elder riders. Both these issues make them far stronger then would normally be seen and will provide enough strength to be very competitive. I think the PO will be a step too far. 7. Kings Lynn I rate Niels very highly, equally as important to Michael Lee back in his prime. Mr Reliable himself. To have him back on board is wonderful. I wish I could be more confident with the team we have assembled. For us to have a chance of the PO every rider has to up his game. Lambert and Jorgensen have to become solid heat leaders, and new boys Proctor and Andersen have to hit the ground running. It’s a big ask . I will be there supporting them whatever the outcome. If the track is in first class condition and the racing is good, I’ll be more than happy with that… 8. Summerset Such is the competition this year it will be no disgrace to come bottom. The bottom 4 are all of similar quality and could finish in any order. Doyle is the master when results are close and could be a deciding factor. But like Lynn, Somerset could suffer as most opposition like to come ride on a decent tracks, the home advantage disappears. Hope they do well but I feel the competition is too strong. Conclusions: I fear Poole are way too strong. They have no weak links and will win by a distant. The next 3 teams are all solid and competent enough to make the PO. The bottom 4 again a competitive group that could finish in any of those positions, but I will be very surprised if one manages to jump into another grouping.,.,