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Yet he starts on a higher average than both Poole's Poles.Makes you realise that there is something not quite right about our beloved sport does it not.

Surely that's the visa process, working out correctly isn't it?? i) he doesn't qualify ii) there are several British riders who could fill his position so unlikely to be issued for that reason.

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.

Criteria not met - simple as.

Well that made very interesting reading on the Rugby Borough Council Website re the application for Planning at Brandon, Previously I thought that Mr Horton had taken a “Bung” Now I’m 100% sure he has, In the application the owners have made great play in the Speedway Team have moved to a more suitable venue just down the road at Leicester, Disgraceful act

How about Josh or Archie then.

His loss of form, albeit through carrying an injury, meant you benefitted quite nicely with r/r

Nothing to do with what clubs can and cannot afford.Its the fact that you yourself and most other fans think that Poole's 2 Poles are better than Drozdz yet the powers that be have given Drozdz a higher average than Poole's 2 Poles.If both Poole riders are better riders then in all fairness Drozdz should have been assessed lower that's what is wrong with the sport no matter what clubs the riders sign for.

My involvement started really in 1994 when the consortium of George, Havvy, Bunter didn't have enough to buy out Richard Bailey, and I was asked to join them so the deal could be completed. This I did, but Kevin Wilde the owner didn't want us back in 1995 so at the end of the season all the assets were sold, and I got more back than I put in . So I made the pledge to supporters that I would put that money to one side, and promised to bring the Diamonds back at some stage. Brough's new owner, who was Wildes accountant, heard we were looking for a new track and invited us back in, and my capital was put back into the new business NEWSPEED LTD in time for the 1997 season.

My only (sad) experience of this sort of problem was in the early 2000's. I was in my late 40's and decided, before it was too late, I'd better start training to be the next speedway world champion. Don't laugh, this is serious. As a result, I used to go up to Owlerton, Sheffield, most Saturdays and practice on their training track. I even had a half share in a bike for a while. I'd been to Owlerton many times over the years to regular speedway matches and never knew they even had a training track, which was situated behind the main track, out of sight. Well I never made WC (despite what my profile picture seems to indicate!). I did go on to have an 8 year "career" as a sidecar passenger and raced on grass as well as half the speedways in England and Wales (nowt against Scotland, but the nearest I got was Berwick). Anyway the point of the story was that a few years after I stopped going to the Sheffield training track, the SCB closed it down on safety grounds. And this was before bouncy castles were the thing. So what was a great facility, for new riders (Ben Wilson was starting out when I was there) and professionals who needed a place to shake down equipment etc. (Simon Stead used to ride there) was lost forever. A great shame and not in the spirit of getting new amateurs on track for not a lot of money. We have to consider carefully where our sport is heading. The strength of the amateur scene is set to become even more important in the future. There is a move in the lower end of the sport towards semi professionalism and as we move away from the heady days of a few years ago, training tracks will start to emerge. Think on SCB, embrace this side of the sport or risk killing the whole concept of a new breed of riders for whatever future the sport has to look forward to.

Instead of wanting special treatment and a bend of the set rules...how about signing someone that fits within the rules. Do promoters think they are special.

More good work to look to improve racing and entertainment

Can’t you all predict Swindon for the wooden spoon ? It worked last year.

The rules and quality changes too much to recycle averages. If a rider rode in the league in the previous season they should retain their average. If they rode in the league below in the previous season they should have that average converted (1.3 currently seems ok). If they didn't ride in the UK in the previous season they should be re-assessed based on a clearly defined criteria to a round number (3.00,4.00,5.00,6.00,7.00,8.00 (Min for GP riders). It really shouldn't be that difficult.

A necessary course of action I would think . West Lothian council have always come across as very happy to have a successful sporting team in their midst , now is their chance to not just bask in the glory of the team's exploits since basing themselves at Armadale , but to use their power to block any advances which would bring all that to an end .

It has been suggested that any Speedway Supporters resident in West Lothian should try and lobby their local councilors now, before the planning application is voted on. It is unlikely that the Planning Officials, who are recommending approval, will have made the councilors fully aware of the opposition viewpoint.

No - they usually do them over

'Document Unavailable'!! I really can't understand how people can complain about the 'image' whether created by a computer geek or not?! Its being commissioned and paid for by the Stadium 'owners' who are primarily Greyhound operators and who will build a facility primarily for the Greyhound fraternity. Speedway rents the stadium and will have to accept whatever facilities - new or old - that are going to be there. The only way a covered grandstand with seating and possibly some terracing is gonna happen is if Speedway cough up some dosh or have sufficient negotiating skills to 'force' the Council to put pressure on the Stadium owners to build something suitable!! That applies to any stadium - not just Swindon - where Speedway merely rents the facilities. To be fair the creation of any additional structures can only help 'deaden' any potential noise issues from outside.

I think this is called making a story for the sake of it.

They should do there's two of them!

Dave, no one can dispute your fine efforts regarding Tne Diamonds but the paying customers still expect to receive some indication of what is going on. we are fully aware that finance is vital to enable the club to continue and I'm not asking for any state secrets, but I cannot see how we can survive financially without a sponsor so is it beyond the clubs wherewithall to actually announce that we do in fact have one? Not too much to ask surely?

One clear confirmation of the continued BT deal is clubs have the BT sport logo on race suits and team wear. For example when Poole posted picture of Sundstrum wearing a 2018 Pirates replica race shirt which is big BT Logo on it and having seen the Leicester ones again featuring BT sport. its just a case of they go public with the deal I have a feeling it will be around start of February

You really do need to take a little water with it.....and perhaps seek some anger management therapy!!! For those who REALLY DO ENJOY THE SPORT, I repeat you can watch the movie whenever you choose on Terrarium TV. No egos required for that!!!!

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

Can Brandon Estates go on record and confirm no money has been sent to Mick Horton to help fund Coventry Bees’ National League speedway venture at Leicester this season? Responding to our question, Brandon Estates said: “Brandon Estates will not be commenting on any historic speculation regarding the site. “Our focus now is on moving forward with the future of the site and the proposed development, on which the public can continue to provide feedback.” .. No suprises here then. not lining slippery micks pockets ,of course not . and the moons a balloon then.

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

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 .

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”.

COVENTRY’S line-up for their return to the sport in the National League this season is now complete. The Bees can confirm the signings of Luke Ruddick, Jamie Halder and Ryan MacDonald to finalise the septet which will take to the track at their temporary Beaumont Park home in Leicester. 19-year-old Ruddick has been associated with Mildenhall in previous seasons, spending the last two years racing alongside new Bees captain Jon Armstrong at West Row. Despite a mid-season injury absence, he proved to be one of the league’s most improved riders as he raised his starting average of 3.10 to a final figure of 5.31. Halder (18) is already a familiar face with Coventry supporters as he rode for the Storm in 2015-16, initially in what was effectively a job-share with Callum Walker and then as a full team member two years ago. Last season he did not appear in the league in the early part of the campaign, before various guest bookings and a July/August stint with Buxton saw him achieve a 3.49 figure. MacDonald, 23, is looking to take his chance with the Bees after a spell with Stoke in 2016 and, briefly, a team place with Lakeside last season before the Hammers changed their plans on the eve of the official campaign. The former Northern Junior League Riders’ Champion starts on an assessed 3.00 average and will join Halder in the reserve berths. Armstrong said: “I’ve ridden with Luke for the last couple of years, and he’s been quite unfortunate with injuries. But if he gets out in front he’s so fast, he’s unbelievable. “Last year he looked a lot comfier on the bike and it was all coming together for him before he had another bang, but he was such an improved rider and how he didn’t get snapped up I don’t know. I said straightway that out of the riders around that average, he was the one to go for. “I know Jamie had a tough time last year but when the pressure got taken off him he was able to add a bit to his average, and he should be able to step up at reserve this season. “When I rode with Ryan at Stoke to be fair I don’t think he was really ready then, and that was down to a lack of confidence more than anything. “He’s matured now, had a lot more time on the bike, and I think he’s gone a bit un-noticed, only normally coming down as far as Redcar. You can’t fault his machinery or commitment, and he’s prepared to travel anywhere in the country for a job. “In all honesty I think we’ve got quite a potent little side, and as captain I’ll pass on as much advice as I can.” Bees start their season with a Challenge match against Birmingham at Beaumont Park on Sunday March 25 (4pm) with the full National League fixture list expected to be released shortly. ENDS

Would have been a great signing.If the rules are top 3 what is the point of appealing though it just opens the usual can of worms in the BSPA cupboard.The sport is a sad joke these days.Becker is a talent though IMO .

Well I for one will be quoting this scandalous piece of propaganda in my objection to this planning application.

You only need number one badge...he doesn't qualify...end of story.

Haha you think you do ! I would rather sponsor a young up and coming English rider then someone who is going no where fast like lindgren!

Never mind the riders what about the tracks, Belle Vue one , Poole nil.....................unless they have ripped it up during the winter!!

Nothing at all - trust is 100%. When I referred to him as the Arsene Wenger of British speedway I was being serious- he is. (A signing equivalent to Aubameyang at no.1 would be good! :-) )

I use to love the smell back in the late 70's & 80's.That was part of speedway then.Now i very rarely get the whiff of that magical smell sadly.

Yep welcome to speedway. Interested in having a ride around on your own while you learn how to actually ride a bike? You may be lucky to live near one of the few existing training tracks (most of which the governing body disapprove of) Progressed with your learning and want to test your abilities with some racing? There are a few (amazing) amateur events running but they are very limited (most of which the governing body disapprove of) Got good at the amateur meetings and want to showcase your talents? Here you are extremely unlikely to get any laps after a meeting unless your face fits despite only asking for 5-10 minutes additional time unless you can get one of a few precious places in the (amazing) development leagues. Got a development league place? Now you can drive up and down the country for the "chance" to get 3 very rapid rides after the main meeting providing the main event hasn't dragged out due to prima donna antics, excessive interviews weather watching etc in which case it will be cancelled and you will be sent home with nothing but loads of expense incurred. Like i said welcome to Speedway you are our future, still want to stick around? I must add that all those who run practice days, amateur meetings, development teams along with the band of volunteers are truly amazing beyond words and are the reason the sport continues in this country. Without you it would be finished already so i salute you all.

Overall quality is weaker but I think it will be more competitive this season with less gaps between the top and bottom teams.

Not wishing to insult the posters or person who opened this thread, but looking at averages to equate a team's strength is not compelling enough to access its strength. Individually averages goes up and down and are dependant on the competition of which he races. So to answer the thread title, asking is this the league stronger the answer is a definite NO. To evaluate the strength we need to look at the quality of the riders, and like the years before, this year we have seen a decline of the very top stars that grace our sport. In a sport, governed by personal gain rather than common sense, our league will continue to weaken until the people in charge, starts puts the sport first...

with all the blank thursdays we need to bring back the Top Gun !

All the best to you Ian enjoy your free time. Top Man

The fact that the 'rule' has only just been deleted would indicate that Jon didn't get it wrong!

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.

Our new co-promoter has been announced, but no mention of a new main sponsor. I cannot see the team surviving even with financial consraints without one but once again, the silence is deafening. Surely the club can confirm that we have one even if they can't be named just yet for a good reason.

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 ?

two teams to manage , job outside speedway , easy . not too sure of running a marriage tho . thats hard even without anything else going on .lol.

Neil Vatcher has form on this kind of thing. He is a law unto himself. You should be grateful you've got two months to sort something out. Last year it was agreed in JANUARY that as Belle Vue hadn't declared to be running at the time Steve Worrall signed for Newcastle, then the diamonds would have priority over his services. Roll on FOUR months to May and less than 48hrs before Newcastle are due to visit Edinburgh, HE decides that Belle Vue have priority. What's more... He didn't even have the decency to tell Newcastle that this was the case.

Much of a muchness. The team strengths as a whole are more even throughout than last season. A couple of big boys have gone but at the same time NL standard riders have also gone from the reserves. Edit: Scrap all that, it's a load of dogs dangling ball sacks

Stronger? Really? That's the best laugh I've had in a while Poole on the other hand - with their 3 ringers.... That's a different story.