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I can understand the need to ensure that these events are organised and run properly but the key point is that it is volunteer organised and there are limitations, as at higher levels of speedway, how much you can control and restrict volunteers. The point being missed is that these people are running the nomad teams out of love for their lost tracks. As a by-product they give opportunities for riders, and a bit of extra entertainment for the track's customers. Expecting them to instead run a junior team on behalf of, and in the name of the staging track needs a different motive. I know what it's like to lose my track, in my case 47 years ago so I know where these guys are coming from. Speedway has a dreadful record in quashing the enthusiasm of volunteers. Too often the attitude is "You did that? Well you can do much more - get on with it". It surely is possible for the sport to find room for this enthusiasm without applying the big stick?

I don’t go with rumours. I ask. It wasn’t Neil Vatcher’s decision. I don’t know any more

Sincere thanks to George and the whole English family past and present. Through thick and thin you have never shirked from the responsibility of keeping our Diamonds team going from one year to the next and for that I am so grateful to you all. Best of luck with "retirement"!!

Look I know my comments here are not going to make me any friends but here we go. The bottom line I think is that the BSPA has finally lost patience with "Ghost Teams" popping up year after year in the junior leagues and now that Cradley have folded, the thorn in the side of that argument has finally been removed. I've sat on the fence over the last few years and watched the MDL/MDSL with interest and In my honest opinion for what it's worth it has started to look a bit silly with all these old names being used. One or two like we had a few years ago is fine but when the league is made up of more defunct teams than actual junior teams of the promotion it starts to look a bit of a joke. Do the speedway star still run a fantasy league for people wanting to use such team names? I know the people running these teams are helping juniors get track time and that has to be applauded. But, I do believe that people running the likes of Reading, Weymouth, Crayford, New Cross, Wembley, etc, etc, have a very different agenda to those running the junior teams at Birmingham, I.O.W or Belle Vue. I could be very wrong of cause. I do sympathise with the people running the ghost teams. I know it takes a lot of hard work and enthusiasm, but if you are genuine about giving young lads track time and helping them develop then just swallow the bullet and call your teams Swindon juniors, Plymouth reserves, etc. After all if you are genuine then you will not care about team names, trophies and so on as long as the lads (and girls) are benefiting from a meaningful team competition. I know the objective of such enthusiast's it to find land and build a new track to revive them, but please, please, please wake up and smell the coffee. Unless you have endless pockets of cash, and are even lucky to get a patch of land when councils are after more land for homes, then you are just living in a romantic fantasy land. Cradley have failed and given up. Take lessons from that. The other thing you have to take into account is the 2 men now running the BSPA have no time what so ever for the junior leagues I will just finish on this. The language used in recent weeks on social media by the organisers of such teams to describe the powers that be has been very unsavoury when you are "promoting" yourselves as a family sport on the other side of the coin. It makes you look childish and like you are throwing your toys out of the pram. Sorry if my comments are a bit harsh but there's no point sugarcoating the truth.

Why can’t the made up team of “Crayford” run at Eastbourne or Kent, “Reading” at Swindon, “Exeter” at Somerset, “Weymouth” at Poole, and so on, all operating under the name of the track on which they are based? Do any of them contribute to rent costs, referee costs, medical costs, track prep costs, or do they expect to get these free of charge? And, even if they do bring “10 or 20” supporters, how many get in free as mechanics and helpers? I’ve seen the other side of these MDL (in particular) and SDL meetings where there haven’t been enough riders so there are long gaps between races (inconveniencing the referee, paramedics etc), where one rider rides for one team one week and another the next and where the “development” riders are guys in their 40s. SCB worked hard three or four years ago to tidy this up, and it seems to me that this process is continuing. I am all in favour of giving youngsters as much track time as possible and, to this end, I assume you know that the Premiership tracks are going to run their own 2nd half junior league. This is not a witch hunt or a conspiracy but part of a process to encourage young British riders in a proper, controlled, professional manner. I’m sure the offer of assistance from any of those involved with the former nomadic teams will be appreciated.

http://www.newcastlediamonds.co/news/article.asp?id=101087 Good luck and thank you for all you and your family have done for Newcastle speedway, without you Newcastle speedway would probably have never reopened all those years ago and continued upto present day

I certainly agree with that. Last season, he rode in the NICE 2v Challenge on the IOW. Was happy to chat almost anytime, apart from when fitting the engine. After winning the meeting, he stood and chatted for a good 15 minutes about the differences of how the engines compared. He was smiling all day too. I like him a lot.

Some very nasty rumours starting to circulate that the nomad clubs have been denied entry into the MSDL this year effectively leaving Birmingham & IOW and therefore no league at all? Does anybody know who is responsible for the petty decisions to remove one of the most important breeding grounds for future UK talent as i am amongst a list who are waiting to here genuine reasoning behind it..... .....it currently stinks like its being pushed out the way for the new diluted NL next season. There are a lot of dedicated supporters and volunteers who have given up thousands of pounds and hours to assist riders and this feels like a brutal kick to everyone involved.

Good night everyone - dont Tai yourselves up in knots fretting over which Dude will fill the last spot. Dont be grumpy if its Crumpy and dont smile too much if its the Grin And Geoff you know what they Za gar forth and multiply Once a Witch always a Witch - bring it on whomever it may be

Welcome to the Witches..... Steve Johnston Think all the possibilities have been mentioned now....

My view, for what it’s worth, is the Reading SDL volunteers are the ones who deserve to find a way to resuscitate the Racers. Exeter were on borrowed time (for a long while) and there is still a possibility of them finding somewhere, but the Reading supporters were made promises that weren’t kept. It is also my view that those calling themselves Crayford or New Cross or Milton Keynes know they are using an historic name that is unlikely ever to stage Speedway again. And perhaps they then tarnish the name of teams that might have a chance of resuscitation? I’m I do think that, no matter how well intentioned, one team running out of another team’s stadium, and this applies in other sports too, should only ever be a temporary measure. The original supporters will soon fade away. MK Dons, anyone?

Looks like the borrowers have struck again

Just to respectfully clarify a few things that people have questioned... Firstly the BSPA Management Committee are in charge of the Development Leagues, not the SCB. Yes the rules about proving that you are actively looking for a track have always been there and we at Reading are and we feel we have backed that up. We obviously have to omit certain details if asked by landowners but we sent copies of emails that we feel proved what we are doing. We certainly dont feel that we abused any privileges. I havent seen what any other team sent to the BSPA. If someone else appeared and said they had the capacity to run a team in Reading we would happily step aside and we wouldn't ever think we could stop them using the Reading Racers name. But the truth is nobody else is looking. As far as calling ourselves Swindon we feel certain this would completely detach the remaining Reading fans and they would quickly lose interest. We came into this to get Speedway back in Reading, it is important to this aim to keep the name alive otherwise racing in the league doesnt help our cause. Most of the nomadic teams pay their hosts to run at their stadiums and those that dont, know they are fortunate and are very grateful. Reading have never got any fans in the back gate under the guise of a mechanic or anything else, I dont know about any other team. Swindon want us to run there, as Reading so we cant be causing them too many problems. Yes some teams have used riders in their 40s, I cant deny that. If riders lining up for different teams each week, long gaps between races and not enough riders to complete a team is making Speedway look bad, maybe the PL, CL & NDL should eliminate these things happening first? Thats where most people are looking, not at us. I find it very interesting that the PL are going to run their own junior league this year, just when they decide we cant run. Mr Pairman you know more about the inner workings of Speedway than I ever will and you are always willing to educate the rest of us so thank you for taking an interest in this thread, but at the end of the day if they wanted to stop us because they dont think we are doing it properly I would rather they said so instead of saying it's to do with the name we use.

Welcome to the Witches Bartosz....

I agree entirely. He clearly states that he considers himself an Aussie and that he only rode for GB to satisfy a generous sponsor. I had hoped for insight into matters that Tai had been involved with. All I got was to see the spark of ruthlessness that makes many champions. I prefer the ones that aren't quite so cynical and ruthless. There were some who were a joy to know. I have long defended Tai as British. Scunthorpe is definitely British and his father Rob most definitely was. I'd hoped to finish the book on Tai's side. Sadly my reaction is the opposite. He is a modern man. I prefer the past..... On a production note, it was pretty clear which bits were inserted by Peter Oakes wholesale - the historical back-up to a point being made, for example. It was an interesting read but left me greatly saddened. It'll be hard to support the guy in the SGP, knowing his only interest in racing for GB is professional. He's not one of us. I wish he was. I'd rather have a determined, sincere British failure than an Aussie success pretending to be a Brit. Before reading this book there is no way I would have said that, so it was a worthwhile, if misguided read. With someone as authoritative as Peter Oakes behind the project it's pretty clear that Tai got his way. I bought my copy on Kindle for £5.03. It was just about value for money, mainly as an exercise in Peter Oakes' knowledge and superb writing ability on our sport.

What does it matter what a team in second half junior racing is called as long as the riders get their opportunities? Also, giving old fans a chance to see a team in their name and in their colours race at such a low level cannot be harmful to the sport. But then, that would please customers........

Reading between the lines of various comment over past 12 months I think the NDL and lower Development leagues are the victim of a plan to have top 2 Leagues more clearly defined. That seems to be Godfreys mission! A PL of 10 Clubs with less doubling down and a CL of the rest with more of a CL second string / CL reserve / NDL heat leader / second string level ;and therefore lower costs in points pay. To have enough riders you have to remove a tier and that's the 3rd tier Thats a good concept but the better financed CL Clubs like Glasgow and Leicester and now Poole probably can't make PL pay on Monday and Thursday. They would probably jump up if they could use Friday; Saturday and Wednesday respectively. The Monday + Thursday fixation is the upper blocker and the lower blocker is the future of the 3 standalone Clubs (or imminent death as seems likely). I'd be happy to see Brummies in the 2nd CL tier on this basis but can't see 10 Clubs in PL as things currently stand.

in fairness most of the lads coming in are coming through the youth system so most journeys are brutal . I believe that there is an exceptance within the young lads that's what they have to do

The bigger danger being "if rumours are true" that the only level clubs will be able to enter at is CL with a NL/MDL level junior side as a compulsory second team. That is a big outlay for any club looking to join the leagues and lets face it how many tracks have opened vs closed in the past 10 years. With established sides struggling to balance the books and the NL becoming a more financial viable option for many sides it has been torpedoed by the mafia to sustain their own product. The MSDL has fallen foul to the same treatment.

Its truely heartbreaking especially when so many have put so much time and effort for little reward but to now be removed of any chance to compete at all is disgusting. The BSPA should be looking at ways to assist these teams not punish them. I suspect the master plan is to set up a new league that they can control which will be wonderful when there are no riders left, no clubs willing to fund it themselves and no spectators willing to support another price hike. A few people who are trying to create a legacy for themselves are doing a good job, they will be know as the people who destroyed UK speedway.

That's not a reason though to spitefully stop Clubs who are trying to maintain a supporter base and an interest level and at the same time bring along a new generation of riders with some meaningful competitive racing and in an environment where they can learn from and be around more established riders. The other thing that will affect the established "landlord" clubs is that some of these nomad sides would bring in 10-20-30 supporters or more through the turnstiles, most to see their Clubs active and less to see riders develop. If they are lost you also impact on finances of the landlord club like Birmingham. No vision, no explanation from the BSPA Management Committee at all! (yet anyway)

The Halifax element must be a red herring. I know Reading have not been allowed to run and Crayford were also denied entry. It seems likely that statements form Weymouth, Exeter and MK Knights (the longest running dev league team) are likely to follow. I feel for the clubs who were all set and had made preparations, i really feel for the riders who have laid out thousands over the winter in readiness to start the season and find there isn't one to start. I cannot wait for the Godfather to stand up and state his reasons and how the destruction of a development league could ever be in the best interests of the sport .......

I've read a detailed reply from Reading who it seems are worst affected as they were passionate supporters of MDL/SDL and also seems closer than any dormant Club to getting a track back. Facebook indicates Weymouth will make a statement after the meeting tomorrow. One rumour though which really would throw everything in to complete confusion is that Mr Godfrey wants to run a "Halifax" Team at Scunthorpe. I can only speak for what I see at Birmingham. We do get some old MK fans there to watch and some young talent that looks like it could make it. Will be a shame if its lost. If they want every / some PL / CL to run second half development racing in 2021 that's fine but what about the fans of dormant Clubs, where do they go to see their favourite team and won't they be forever lost to the Sport? Also what about IOW especially, Mildenhall and Plymouth - what happens to them? if no NDL (3rd tier)??. Can't afford to lose the likes of Barry Bishop and IOW.

That sounds like a top rider is on his way to us

Crump and Johnno

Dudek and Kemp

Its Dudek He feels a season in the UK will help him achieve better GP results I.e improve his skillset Interesting signing

I hope it’s not the ginger whinger. Can’t stand him as a rider or a person

Dont get anywhere in life without a gamble or 2.

Simpson?

Who told you that? The local MP? There's a well know saying, how do you know when a politician is lying ?You can see their lips move. As I said, the council should have been smarter and put better checks in place, but even the limitation of no more than 200 houses being populated before contracts were signed was easily side stepped. However, SBC are not 100% at fault. Gaming International are ultimately at fault as they had no intention of ever building the new stadium. I don't know, how much did the council spend on feasibility studies, planning etc.? Development companies don't have £80m sat in the bank ready to invest. Once they get planning permission they go out to their investors and raise the capital requires to complete a project. If you look on Seven Capital's web site you will see they have a proven track record in retail, commercial and leisure developments. As I said, the council deserve criticism for many things, but I don't know how anyone can point the finger at them for the lack of progress. Good Lord no.

Thank you George. No matter what standard of team we have had over the last few seasons you have kept the sport going when it would have been easier to say goodbye. We all know the sport is dying and love him or hate him, he kept us afloat. The Diamonds are now in a similar situation to that lot down the road when Havelock left the Bears and we know they have turned their fortunes around Now we have the new broom and hopefully a brighter future.

I think Mr.Pairman has hit the nail on the head. Simply a case of rules being enforced, either by the SCB or the BSPA. Whilst it appears to some to be a witch hunt , it isn't. If the people involved still want to run a team, they can! The NJL are all ' amateur ' teams run by volunteers not the club's themselves, the idea is to give youngsters a chance of rides so the name should make no difference.

Appreciate the reply, I don’t have Facebook these days so haven’t seen any of the information which may be available to see there. If there is a passion then there’s always a point. It’s worth noting that not everyone who has a difference of opinion is doing so to put the hard work of others down, we all have our own ideas about things and Speedway in particular is a business/sport that has always been shrouded in mystery as to what is going on to those who don’t have a direct involvement. Be it this year or next I hope to see Speedway return to Rye, the sport just isn’t the same for me without having my own team to support.

Having done some research, I gather it’s only the teams with nomad names that are involved. The rules on this have been clear for a very long time - only people actively looking for new premises, and with a realistic chance of success could use the name of a defunct team. I’ve never looked into this but would guess that it’s something to do with protecting the intellectual property behind the name so if someone is able to open a track at the named places, they would have the right to use the name. The rules were loosened for SDL/MDL but maybe some people were abusing the privilege? Anyway, what is there to stop the so called nomad teams coming to an arrangement with whatever track they are using to run under their name? It’s been done plenty of times before.

The marketing is impressive. I disagree with you that he is both British and Australian in his mind. It's pretty clear in the book that Australia is number 1 to him and there is no number 2. Riding for GB is just a business deal like riding for Sparta Wroclaw. I would have liked to hear more of his speedway past but he really only seemed to want to justify himself and his actions.

Hopefully those who made the decision will make themselves known soon enough. Non of the the committee, the board etc but those who have been appointed to be the guardians of British speedway and do what is in its best interests at all levels and who will offer a genuine justifiable reason why teams using nomad names cannot participate in a development league and why they are willing to destroy a development league in the process.

Looking at other number sevens Ostergaard would have a field day on decent kit. That said I can understand people wanting somebody ‘fresh’.

Jason crump I reckon and Peterbough will get Tony Rickardsson !

It’s a lot lot harder for us up here as its really 2 days for the iow trip and pretty much the same for Plymouth and it could be even worse if you get there and it’s called off and if the rider has a full time job , it’s hard to fit all meetings around work holidays it’s a hard journey back when you know you have got to start work at 7.30 the next day and you only got in at 4

Great weekend for Tim Dixon, debut meeting, and after his Bollnäs meeting a gold medal for being part of the ÖMK League winning side. Many congratulations Tim. He will now stay in Sweden to train, before travelling down to Berlin to ride in the German Championship

They could have watered the track !

178 have signed the petition to date ...

Good things come to those that wait............................. & you thought Nicki Pedersen was a big deal.............

Glasgow thread also very quiet maybe dusting cobwebs off trophy cabinet

It just goes to show that non-Poole fans just can't stop themselves!!

Don't talk such absolute BS. Are you suggesting people are incapable of doing two things? A very sad post from a Hancock hater. His retirement had absolutely zero impact on any celebration of Danny Ayres life or any respects paid to him. And no, I'm far from a Hancock fan boy given he is, was and always will be a Spoon

Can only echo everyone else, happy retirement He was my least favourite rider of all time tbh but hes a 4x world champ. Cant fault that. But could he have not waited one more day to announce it. Yesterday was a day to celebrate danny ayres life but ended up everyone talking about hancock. Made it all about himself. Pretty selfish

HIS record would suggest otherwise...

Yes ,Woffinden is a self promoting arrogant little know it all , and his book will be full of his I'm better than everybody else .I know everything better than everybody else ., If you want to waste £8.99 of your pension on that .get yourself down WH.Smiths this morning .