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List along with Gilmore are the two after Lidsey that have been noted as the best two young riders coming through in Australia.You also have Kew, Browne, Bowes progessing nicely and i thought Mcguinness might of had a bit of interest shown in him also.Keleher is a different proposition alot older than List but in European terms no more experienced.I believe List has alot of ability and i would be giving him the whole season and see him as a longterm project.Scunny there top four i believe is very good and also the reserves should be able to mix it with the likes of Ruddick,Chessell,Phillips, Clegg ( ect) injuries allowing?? Scunny will do ok.

I don't see a lot of improvement in this season's (anticipated) side and don't see us challenging at all, which is very disappointing after last season. Robert would have to go great guns to put a big increase on his average again. Went from 7.38 to 9.13. Sure he'll be between 9.00 to 9.50 but he won't have a lot of support this year. Despite Niels having a poor season by his standards, they still chalked up several match winning 5-1's. Ty put 1.17 on his average last season (5.50 to 6.67) and I can't see him doing that again, in fact would be surprised if he even matched his average with having to be 2nd heat leader. Thomas only added 0.12 (5.93 to 6.05). MPT's average actually dropped by 0.21 (5.57 to 5.36) despite some headline performances. Lewis added 0.44 (5.06 to 5.50) and will do well at reserve, especially at home. Kasper was nowhere near his 4.00 average despite there obviously being some talent there as shown with some of his performances for Sheffield. Erik came in on 6.10 and finished on 6.08. Became very good at the AFA but his away performances tailed off after a promising start. I could maybe see increases for Robert, Thomas, Erik and maybe MPT but that would be about it and certainly not by a point or so, more like the odd 0.10/0.20. I see Lewis probably being in around the same but think he'll struggle in the main body of team away from home. Be surprised if Kasper reaches over 4.00 and think Ty's will fall if no one else steps up into the second heat leader role. To me, the side looks like the cheap, easy option. Would love to be proved wrong but expecting a battle to avoid the wooden spoon. I actually like all the riders, I just don't like the balance of the team and think we'll really be lacking in heats 13 & 15. Might get away with it at home but see some right hammerings on the road. At £18 a meeting. I'll be picking and choosing my matches from now on rather than being the die hard I once considered myself.

It's not a case of ignoring 2018 at all. Yes PUK had a poor year average wise he still regularly delivered when it mattered in heats 13 and 15. From the start to the end of the season Iversen and Lambert pretty much swapped averages. The gains came from Proctor adding over a point. Realistically, could he do that again? Of course but unlikely. Jorgensen's average stood still in 2018 People are saying MPT is a must but his average was also stagnant from when he signed, this including time at reserve. Riss average stayed the same in his short period with the team but I do expect his average to rise being with us from the start of the 2019 season. Andersen can't be any worse than his less than 3 average but I can't see an improvement on his assessed 4. Kerr won't improve much but is consistently good to excellent at home which is most important, especially in a meeting over 2 legs. I think Kerr in both finals was missed more than Toft. -------------------------- Apart from Riss, I just don't see where the improvement is going to come from? With the predicted line-up there certainly isn't any back-up for Lambert in heat 13 & 15 compared to other 1-7's. The back end of meetings are hugely vital in securing results. Yes we did finish top of the table, but there was no hope of that happening until Andersen, Kerr, Garrity were all replaced. With the predicted 1-7, like the first half of 2018, we will flop again. It isn't a solid team throughout, to many weak spots. Kerr's fitness is in question. Andersen is an uncertainty. MPT only any real quality at reserve. Proctor, Riss and Jorgensen are no 2nd heatleader. Any way you try to look at the predicted team it does come out looking extremely poor to other 1-7's. We have to hope other teams injuries are worse than ours to get anywhere I'm afraid to say.

Yep, could be a lot worse, could be in the situations of lakeside/Workington/rye house fans and have no speedway at all - instead we’ve got speedway, a team that will be competitive at home at least and top flight speedway which suits me, should be much more competitive racing!

Quite honestly, that is one of the most ridiculous posts I have seen! Okay, I know iris can be abrasive, and I know you are not a fan of his, but you need to look in the mirror sometimes instead of making comments like "why do you act like this?" This is HIS thread, and he has - as is not uncommon - some fascinating information for us. Like me, he is genuinely interested in the "years gone by". It's not like he is just coming on here to antagonize others - seriously. You can see by comments from others, including myself, that we are perplexed by some of the self-promoting (and often poorly produced) posts by a certain forum member. Even as strongly as we feel about John's posts at times, nobody is "advising" him to stay away from the forum, and there is absolutely no reason for you to make such ridiculous statements about another forum member who provides us with some great stuff. Steve

Yes,as always no depth of research.The other links are far more interesting imo As has been said often,a rather poor website and your articles fit perfectly

He was a joy to watch around Shawfield and was a big part of our phenomenal team's of the 93 - 94 seasons.

So let’s get this right. You start a thread asking a question you already know the answer to, and which nobody has the slightest interest in, and when challenged you try to tell us your reason for starting it was to see if Iris 123 would trail you . Of course you didn’t expect him to catch you out by pointing out that it was just another of your attention seeking scams. Take notice of what Chunky says and stop making a complete fool of yourself.

Funny thing is that over the years, I have had several private conversations (on here and on Facebook) with John about this very topic. With his knowledge and experience, John is - and should be - a valuable member of these forums, but he just doesn't help his cause with some of the things he posts. No John - we don't have a problem with YOU; we welcome your interesting historical posts. We just wish you wouldnt make some of the ridiculous and unnecessary posts you do, and I have said to you before that simply asking for answers to questions to which most of us already know the answers is not advisable. Steve

Great stuff, Doug; thanks for sharing! Steve

but if those "excellent replacements" are in the team this year, then they're poor .. not getting your logic, sorry

Can’t be bothered.I would be making 20 or so contacts per day,just like the mod said you was doing.You make the mistake in assuming others are obsessed as yourself

I know you will probably take this the wrong way as you don't really like my opinion if it differs to yours but,you say we were fortunate with our injuries/replacements and facing teams with terrible injuries which made our results look good.Really only Belle Vue spring to mind and Wolves with Schlein missing,but then the other teams had to face these in the league with the same riders missing.It normally balances itself out in that respect.So as you say we were fortunate because of that.Doesn't that then make us unfortunate to lose the final because of the same that happened to us,but you say we blew it.

I'm pretty sure that Laura has more than enough integrity to ensure all monies paid by fans will be returned in full.

Translated as - Have no opinion about what decisions we make " in the best interests of the sport". We offer no information as to how those decisions were reached and anyway it is nothing to do with you. Purely a business decision. We are handling the managed decline of UK speedway as we see fit ( as it belongs entirely to us ). What remains of the sport in the UK after crowd numbers and sponsors fall to an unviable level is equally of no concern of yours. How many clubs are owned by or under the control of any BSPA member is a private matter for themselves only. Yes, please pay by direct debit, whether you intend to go to matches or not - Oh, and bring a friend ( as our dependable marketing scheme has long directed ). You know it makes sense and offers you a stress-free way to enjoy speedway racing.

Considering the tragedy that was Lokeren, West Ham has to hold that sadly unwanted title. Any other team's perceived misfortune pales in comparison.

I didn't realise how unfortunate Wolverhampton were at the time. I just wanted my team, Belle Vue, to win the match - and in doing so, the title. I'm talking about the 1993 season. Remember, that final showdown between Wolves and Belle Vue that decided the league winners, long before the hyped-up and often manipulated Play-offs. Although I was a keen Aces' fan at the time and got caught up in winning the title, I still felt sorry for the Wolves. But, just going through some mags from the season, I didn't quite realise the extent of Wolves' misfortune. They had been odds on favourites to win the title, all season, having a double-figure points lead much of the time. However, at the same time Belle Vue began registering their first league points on their travels - it was as late as August - Wolves had a terrible dousing of misfortunate sprinkled over them. Within two weeks of late August-early September, they suffered three injuries that would have finished most other teams. Middle-order rider Graham Jones was injured on August 21. That was six points a match gone. Then, 10 days later Charlie Ermolenko picked up arm injuries at Poole that also wrote off his season. Another six points were gone. But worse was to come. Twenty-four hours after the younger Ermolenko was crocked, Ronnie Correy, the number two, broke his back while riding in Sweden for Bysarna. His year was over - indeed, the injury meant he didn't race in 1994 either. That was almost another 10 points a match gone. Wolves should have been on the canvas and counted out. But they battled on. Obviously, the loss of over 20 points from three riders took its toll. Wolves lost five in a row and their title chase hit quicksand. Young Mikael Karlsson, for his first taste of British racing, and veteran Gordon Kennett, out in the cold after starting the year at Exeter, were introduced. Wolves battled on as the Aces clawed back the gap on the Midland side in an interesting end to the season that, in all reality, would have been all but over had the Monmore side remained untouched. Personally, I feel history would have been different and Wolves would have managed to hold on - but in their penultimate fixture, the final, cruellest blow came when Sam Ermolenko was injured and his year was through. It was the first race of Wolves home match with Bradford. Ermolenko, of course, was the best rider in the world and in domestic racing. It was his finest season. They had lost their kingpin, the World Champion, and did well just to hang on for a 56-52 win over the Dukes. Wolves went into the decider with Belle Vue four riders missing from the side that had brought them to within touching distance of their second title in three years. They borrowed Gustafsson from King's Lynn, and his paid 16 from six starts just wasn't enough to claim the draw (they lost by just a point, 53-54 ) which would have won the title for Wolves and denied Aces the dramatic last heat clincher. History would have been changed. Ermolenko, I'd have bet, would have roared to a maximum. He had scored the full 21 at Bradford before his injury. His presence in the team alone would have encouraged lesser men to cajole an extra point or two, maybe. But he was out with a broken thigh. Not only had Wolves lost three integral members of their side - numbers two, for and five, which otherwise they'd have coasted to the league, I believe they would have dragged out a win versus the Aces - and therefore been league kings - with Sam against the Aces. As it was, they won just thrice from their final 10 matches without their full side, and for the first time since 1979, the title had gone down to the wire. As a fan of Belle Vue, I recall the jubilation on the terraces that night. But, at the same time, I also felt like we'd won through an own goal. The annals of history should have been written differently. Luck swings two ways - good and bad. Indeed, it reminds me of the previous Belle Vue title win of '82, again fortuitous after Cradley lost Penhall. Wolves 1993 have to be the most unfortunate team... least in my memory.

Please stop getting so butthurt, John. As I said on another thread, I have had conversations with you and explained why some people have a problem with some of the stuff you post. It is not always WHAT you post, but the WAY you post it. You aren't stupid - yes, I believe that - but you often act like you are. Worse than that, you act like everybody else is. Talk about Byrd McKinney, that's fine, but don't make out that we will be clamouring to answer you when we already know what the answers are. Directing people to your own articles is fine - sometimes - but you really don't need to do it as an automatic response to a topic. Just some friendly advice... Steve

Surely that will depend on getting some fans back and the racing being good enough to keep them coming back.

I would expect there will be at least an initial upturn Very few of those that could be tempted back will read the mixed verdicts on here - they will get the mainstream news - and I think the top flight return will be viewed positively A good start at home and some entertaining meetings will be needed to capitalise and maintain that advantage Fingers crossed

If you have nothing to contribute,and you & Gustix rarely do,jog on

That’s the best post I’ve read in ages just saying it as it is - and I agree 100%

Will we feck !! We would be delighted if you’d just naff off

Max was your captain that year.

Also the price for away trips will be published well in advance.. & watchout for special offers NOT TO BE MISSED

Is that a threat or a promise ?

5th September Sheffield 36 (T Forward 11, J Young 9, M Hepworth 8, D Boocock 8) Cradley Heath 23 (J Bostin 8, P Taylor 8, P Fry 5, N Leaver 2) Halifax 21 (D Clay 10, G Whittaker 8, I Sutcliffe 3, S Quick 0) Wolverhampton 16 (C Cobby 8, A Butt 4, F Killeen 3, A Phillips 1)

You don't help yourself with stuff like this John. If you're posting a genuine question, fair enough, but a simple googling of the blokes name taking us to an article written by you is frankly just weird. And i doubt the other member has a collection of your writings... as i said.. google gives answers in less than a second.

OMG!!! That is brilliant! When I saw "Sandy Powell", I thought, "I only know one Sandy Powell?" I love old British comedy and music-hall stuff, so that is right up my alley! Steve

I’d gladly give back any perceived good luck that has gone The Aces way as long as we give back the misfortune that has hit us over the decades. We’d have have far more trophies in the cabinet that our, admittedly impressive number.

The logic is they were excellent (i.e. an improvement) on what we had before in 2018. Now these rider's will be alongside those they replaced in 2018 thus making the whole makeup of the side very very poor. Makes perfect sense.

Surely posting something you know the answer to is called being a troll?Just what is the point of this attention seeking?

That's how online adverts work. Your interest is Speedway so you will see those adverts when advertised on line. To any general bod out there who's never clicked anything to do with Speedway will never see those adverts. It's just advertiser's preaching to the already converted.

Newcastle is a track that does require more learning than most. For me the entrance to the first turn is too tight which appears to result in many more spills than any other Championship track that I can think of. There is room to alter the shape but obviously this would erode home advantage. The most accomplished away riders who are also slick gaters do alright on it but I've always felt that the excitement struggles to get past a certain level. I've been on many occasion when poor throttle control has been given as the reason for the frequency of falls but this has rarely been entirely true in my experience . The inconsistency of track prep has played its part and has created problems even for the likes of Lambert and Cook.

Son ,and also has a younger son also involved in the sport.

We looked the weakest last year sid, and that prediction included Puk averaging 9 or so and he fell way short of that. That means everyone else stood up to cover him and more besides, we were a team way stronger than the sum of its parts and but for injuries we almost certainly would have won the title. I appreciate that people give honest opinions on the strength of all seven teams but when people look at Lynn it’s almost as if they are ignoring what was achieved in 2018. We finished top with a bit of daylight with a misfiring second heat leader and a fairly limited number seven. Replacing those two with Kasper and Lewis certainly makes us weaker but the whole league is weaker and I just can’t see the nucleus of last years side dropping from top to bottom. More likely to be somewhere in the middle.

Not sure how it will be more competitive... 80% of the riders will be Championship riders so it will be as similarly competitive as it would be in the Championship surely? And a rider like Doyle, who is head and shoulders better than all but a few Championship riders, could make it even less competitive..

I think the biggest positive is its another season of speedway at Foxhall for those that want to go and watch it.

Nike is full throttle hang on type of guy so I would get a large amount of spare bags Dave. Be great to watch with anticipation every time he goes in to the corner never knowing if he’s coming out the other end .

It's just a shame that the, and I use the term very loosely, music is utter toilet

its heartbreaking reading that from the local paper . everything that could have been done to save the club , has been done , you can now see just why every young gun thats decent on a bike wants to ride speedway . free vans and stuff are making this glorious sport extinct . the sport cant and will not survive much longer and thats not just in workington .. so who is to blame ? the fans that dont come anymore , the entrance fee too high , or has boredom really set into our great sport . the new ish thumb brigade get their excitement from moving buttons about now and sucking fizzy drink that gives you wings ! i , like many others will lose our Saturday speedway fix and if the costs keep going up and up . we will never see speedway at workington again . but if its not to be , then so be it . but we said goodbye in the best way . . anyone that has promoted or had dealings with running a speedway circus deserves more than . a pat on the back . it shows how the sport is being run by the goonies when they lose the shield trophy and cant/wont even pay for a few medals for the riders competing in the finals . remember , just support your team till the bitter end, because one day it might be . (i have not spell checked or read this , so there will be mistakes )

Agree totally but it’s easy to invite calls when all teams are full and another 7 riders still looking for a team after the demise of Workington. I will be happy if we have 7 men standing at the end of April early season is usually carnage. Personally think most teams have a fairly long tail this year due to the points limit.

I think we already know Speedtiger by other names on this forum.

You're not surprised what recorded figures are true??? You have no access to any recorded figures for crowds or for "average rider costs" do you? First you misread a balance sheet as a Profit & Loss account, now you're claiming to have recorded crowd and rider cost figures that you simply don't have. Basically you're just making stuff up based on your own opinions and guesses which are anything but accurate

Last season Rye House Lakeside and Eastbourne regularly had 150 and 250 pre meeting racing. With 2 of those clubs gone who will continue this vital experience for these young boys.

The under 19 meeting was a great meeting. More BSPA meetings should be at Foxhall. Plenty enough room for the visiting fans and even half full wpuld generate a good atmosphere

I understand Susans sentiment. I agree that we need to give the team the chance - I dont think it is as adrift of the others as many are predicting and cant understand the level of negativity I do however think Blu is right in that you shouldnt expect people to not post their genuine thoughts. I dont think those posting negatively are doing so just for the sake of it (even Baldy ) - they are honest opinions which should always be welcome

Some of us don't do censorship, especially on a public forum

Very sad indeed !! If there is any chance that Comets can come to the tapes in 2020 we need to do everything we can to help Laura bring it back....