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He's clearly disappointed but daft to put out a damning release against the Plymouth promotion as it all but knackers any chance he will get with another UK club. The facts are that he wasn't scoring enough points or even getting accolades of being competitive so he got longer with the Gladiators than he would have at many other teams. News flash Steven there are plenty of other riders who wash and prepare their own bikes, do the hard miles and still don't get the opportunities that have been afforded to you. You made the choice to head to another country and pursue your Speedway future and it didn't work out (only down side is that a Brit didn't get the place first time around and still hasn't). But so long, farewell, au revoir and don't let the door hit you on the ar$e on the way out.

Agreed , but the so called top league is a bit of a nonsense

As I raised on the thread it’s bloody ridiculous that a rider who wasn’t selected as a RS by Ipswich ( I accept he is on the list) was then allowed to guest for a rising star (who in all probability shouldn’t have been) when he had an official MA which was above both the RS he was replacing and another rider in the teams 1-5. Its this skewed rule bending where one rule says he can do it and another says he cannot that infuriates me and our authorities allow it to happen. The SCB official should have said no and that’s the end of it. As has been said not only that but it further shafts his own team Ipswich who are now struggling to catch Sheffield to make the play offs. Some could argue that it’s swings and roundabouts especially after the last episode which allowed Cook & Starke to sign for Ipswich in the recent declaration as Cooks July GSA was ignored in favour of his June figure. But personally I like to see things done properly and without the underhand tactics this sport of ours is continually blighted by. Rowe’s guest bookings going forward are surely going to be busy now as he undoubtedly will replace Bates, Brennan and Mountain as regularly as his other team commitments allow, with the aforementioned trio likely to be unluckily smitten with various injuries and illnesses as and when the situation arises. I dare say the BSPL PR manager will surely come on to say it’s perfectly within the rules as they are written but when the rule book throws up anomalies like this it should be sorted and quickly by the SCB. I think going forward it would be a good idea if the BSP suggests rule changes to the SCB that they want, but these are then written by an SCB official not connected with any club.

Absolutely Plymouth invested alot of time and money bringing steven over with visas and work permits,accommodation,workshop etc it was in their own interest for him to succeed, unfortunately the promotion couldn't ride his bikes for him aswell

I’m putting it down to the Haribo shortage…

A big thank you to our Speedway Multi-national liasion and support Officer for this thoughtful update!

Do you actually bother to read scorecards? Lawson and Jorgensen have been excellent all season.

Having sat at home in France and watched online as he was taken out in some foreign country, frantically texting his girlfriend at the scene, waiting for what seemed like an eternity to find out if he could move his legs… it’s hard. It’s really hard. I despair at the organisation in the UK who really take for granted the talent they have at their resources. The lack of foresight and any semblance of a cohesive plan to forward the sport has been obvious for years. Britain could win world cups and world titles if only the powers that be could realise it’s no longer 1974. The world’s moved on. British speedway hasn’t.

Because you did! Rowe scored more points in this meeting than Bates got in his last 3 matches combined and you won by 2 points What difference does whether someone attended make? It doesn't change the scenario or the points scored or the fact that the whole situation is a basket case Your reaction sums up the fingers in the ears and shout la la la attitude to any constructive debate that suggests the sport should attempt to drag itself back up to some level of credibility With too many so long as their team benefits then it's a case of let's sweep it under the carpet and there's nothing to see here let's move on

There is 3 months left of this season plus a 6 month close season. In that time there will be a number of BSPL meetings and an official agm Time for at least 3 sets of rules and regs to be devised,manipulated and dropped before implementing plan z for 2022 which almost certainly will mean stage 2 of this seasons 5 year plan being shelved in favour of the latest scheme that favours certain quarters

we have already done more miles this season than him and nobody has even mentioned paying us for points travel and giving us facilities to clean our stuff

SR 12.3.1 governs a rider’s position in a declared 1-7. Reg 12.4.D.1 dictates their eligibility to guest.

Good meeting Gappmeire surprised everyone with his score ; but I think the turning point was heat 12 I think the Berwick team manager should have put Leon Flint in instead of Kyle Bickley. As a Scunny fan that was the turning point solid everywhere but Jordan came to the table and a good 3 pts in the end , McDonald’s form is worrying but he was injured last week so hope he comes good. What we need to remember the Scorpions were favourites for the wooden spoon. . Enjoy the journey

Only thing he lost was his dummy

I'm guessing they believe that Alfie would average more than Luke (not sure tbh). The rising star's average doesn't count towards team building average where the 1-6 does... So if Alfie's average is higher than Luke's then they'll have less to build with later in the season if they decide to make another change and Alfie was in the 1-6 with a higher average than Luke, who would have a smaller average and therefore more points to play with... If that explanation makes any sense Could backfire if Luke scores more than Alfie...

Shouldn’t be rerun. Dudek had that in the bag.

With Kent Kings in heeps of trouble after losing the bacon , Len seem in no hurry to spend a few nickels ......in stark contrast to Poole.

Garry May, master of the dark arts!

Scotty been one of the more consistent scorers so far, would clean up for a few weeks if that's that's case.

Was talking to Terry yesterday and he said that he will be looking to work at tracks again next year, if he can get the right deal that works for him. So hopefully not lost to the sport . Would be good to have him back as he said he been doing tracks for 37 plus years. .

Leave him alone. He's quite happy sticking the boot in.

I don’t expect the site is guilty of either of those things. I think it’s clear that you don’t wish to use the site, which is your decision, but your negative scaremongering isn’t helpful. All Clubs are relying heavily (if not exclusively) on on-line bookings for another few weeks - we should be encouraging people to book. Have you raised your concerns with the Birmingham promotion or the booking company - or simply posted repeatedly on here? I’m sure the Club would be happy to set your mind at rest given the opportunity.

WIGHTLINK WARRIORS NAME STEVE PIPER AS NEW TEAM MANAGER The Wightlink Warriors are delighted to announce Steve Piper as the new Team Manager for the 2021 season. Steve, who has been involved in speedway for many years, takes up the job from today and will formulate the team for the Three Team Tournament meetings against Cradley and Oxford in July and August. A clearly overjoyed Steve Piper said, “It was an honour to be asked to become team manager and it took me all of one second to say yes. After being part of the set up with my son George in 2016 I understand the ethos of this special club and what makes it work so well on the Island. I have always enjoyed a close relationship with Barry and Martin and I am truly humbled to be asked. Now to build a team with a great spirit, who will represent the Island in the best possible way and who will fully embrace all that is right about the Warrior Way. We race as one. Bring on the season; I can't wait to get started.” Wightlink Warriors co-owner Barry Bishop added, “It’s been a challenging time of late, however at long last we have reached a position where Martin and I feel we are good to go and so we are thrilled to bring Steve onboard for 2021. He brings a wealth of knowledge and ideas to the table for the betterment of our sport and we are delighted that finally we are able to get Steve more involved with the club. For sure he will add strength to the management team and I know he is elated. With Steve’s arrival it means sadly we have to say goodbye to Jackie Vatcher who has done a wonderful job over recent years and has been excellent and a first-class role model for women in the management of speedway. It is a shame that Jackie could not participate this year and she will be missed by us all for sure, but we understand why she cannot be involved with the Warriors, and we all sympathise with her situation. We should also mention Kev Shepherd, our Clerk of the Course at Smallbrook, who was also our Wizards team manager as well as managing the Warrior team at many away meetings. Our involvement with NORA means that his Clerk of the Course position carries much greater responsibility and this senior position within the club will now see Kev oversee all aspects of events on the Island. We will issue an update on the Wizards team manager post shortly. Back to 2021 and I can feel the excitement starting to build already and personally I cannot wait to unleash our Summer Spectacular series for you all.”

A little odd, it’s bloody ridiculous. Yet another example of what was basically a good idea (Rising Star) being ruined by rules which yet again work against each other and offer an advantage to one team and disadvantage others. It could all have been avoided by proper assessed averages for Rising Stars (for those without the appropriate MA) instead of grades and team building built accordingly which most people understand.

Peterborough certainly the in form side at the moment, I still cannot see how they were tipped for the wooden spoon this season when you look at some of the dross being served up elsewhere. And they will always have a strong reserve - passed their best they maybe but any of Harris, Nicholls or Andersen at reserve will be potent to say the least. Lynn look a right sorry mess and it is a shame to see them so poor when you look back ten years or so at how formidable they were in the old Premier League.

in the list of things that were better in the past (when crowds were decent) dumping riders left right and centre wasn't one of them.

I saw several Clubs doing excellent work along these lines in 2019. Brummies did and I also saw at Redcar; Somerset and Eastbourne on more than one occasion at those Tracks. The impact of Covid 19 will mean that such schemes have had to be mothballed no doubt but hopefully Clubs won't lose heart and will return to them when they can.

They'll never learn. They might work out one day (although somehow I doubt it) that the £20 (and more) that a paying customer shells out every week pays their wages and therefore to keep their stupid comments to themselves. The rules of speedway - and in particular averages - are important to every single person who supports a team and, in the case of Rowe's guest appearance, something that has been mentioned several times here and on social media. After all, we are well aware just how crooked speedway can be. Thanks to Neil Watson for his clarification, and whether the rule is contradictory or not it exists.

That's kind of you.But I shouldn't complain really.Semi retired now,only do delivery work part time with one of those being a Thursday.Still I suppose it doesn't change the fact I lose a days pay plus spending money on admission etc to watch such a poor team. The person who put the team together at the start of the season should put himself in the fans shoes and see how he would feel.

People thinking it's no more than just 4 blokes going round a track one after the other and no more is why it won"t appeal to the masses. The masses will have no knowledge of me making a post on a forum and will have no knowledge of the rule book. Also, riders' families being condescending towards anyone who feels inclined to look at the rules on the bspa website and commenting on them by refering to them as an "anorak" won't help either. I've been a fan of speedway since 1974, and the intricacies of the rules and the averages were always a big part of its appeal to me. Sorry if you don't like them.

Took me a few seconds to figure out why I was listening to "Who do you think you are kidding Mr Hitler" during the parade on Monday... When do Dad's army invade Monmore, I might go for the first time since Soou-pah Troopah retired.

Well I have been to my first live meetings this year since 1993 after watching the Belle Vue v Sheffield match on TV and my son asking to go…..we went to Belle Vue …I didn’t think 20 quid was extortionate in the current sporting scene..tickets were bought online and sent to my phone within a second and scanned at the gate…really easy and convenient….no masks needed to be worn whilst watching the racing and I was impressed with the whole show….a COVID sellout and a good atmosphere …got tickets for the Belle Vue v Wolves match now and looking forward to it… been a fan from 1978 and then a follower of my brother in law racing upto 1993 so seen speedway from all angles but not been to a live meeting since 1993 but I have been impressed this year from what I’ve seen and hopefully after July 19 things can get better at all tracks as it definitely seems different local authorities are interpreting the rules for crowds in different ways

I'm just glad to see the racing back, given the awful 18 months we've been through and am prepared to cut them some slack as they're under some strain at present with restrictions and rider availability. Glass half full for me, not half empty.

No I wouldn't expect that of him individually - that would be plain stupid! The development of Anders has been a great highlight of the season btw The situation though belittles the sport and removes any credibility it may still have Speedway in Britain now is moving away from any true competition and bordering on the realms of WWE as 'sports entertainment ' The trouble is that much of the time the entertainment part is also missing......

So Andres thinks hang on I ll not pass the bloke in front of me and I’ll keep Ipswich in the run for 4 th place so keeping them in the hunt for the title Get real the kid should go out every race to win

It’s quite heavy read “The Book of Unwritten Rules in Speedway” it’s on par with” War and Peace”.

I think there are a couple of escapees from a kindergarten.

Cook going back to Lynn as a Witch , Heeps with a point to prove for being dropped by the Witches , Local derby match , every team deserves a share of being shown with sponsors in mind .

Couldn’t believe just as my partner & I waved when the announcer asked if anyone had traveled up from sunny! Devon the heavens opened! Did fill my Tennents up almost quicker than I could drink it! Talked to some very friendly people & had more drinks in the bar before getting train back to city centre. Gutted I didn’t see any speedway but will make the effort to go back once I’ve dried out!!

Don't clubs have to demonstrate a certain level of financial assets (including a bond and rider assets) before being accepted into the BSPL. I recall several years ago that Poole 'loaned' an asset to Somerset so that the Rebels met the BSPA criteria!

Bruv is on top form today…

Chris Harris did this regularly when at Coventry , what a talent to have at reserve!!

Anyone tempted with -10 & The Tie? ZG need Zagar to have a blinder to put more than 40 on the board imo. Tonder & The Juniors shouldn't do much if anything on the road to Lublin.

Well I was way out on that one with my Kennedy prediction. Been looking up his results on Speedway News.PL and he seems to have been doing ok to start with in Czech but has picked up well since season start in both Czech & more recently in a 2 meeting weekend in France. Not as good as Kvech (maybe) but at 25/26 hew is still young and his results are encouraging incl plenty of double figure scores. Looks like he could do a job in lower part of the team IF he takes to our more technical & smaller UK tracks. As always that's the big question. Has had plenty of meetings since April so hopefully can hit the ground running.

Haven't we got to have 2 rising stars in the team next season?

Exactly, championship is a much better league and always has been

It is a bit of a farce to be honest.

Yes... I am losing interest

Anyone know what sort of viewing figures Eurosport are generating? Sponsorship exposure is important, but if few are watching it amounts to nothing. Equal share of coverage has to be there, but I do wonder whether sometimes a promoter would rather it wasn't, it means a reduced crowd and the chances of someone watching who is A: an unconverted live fan and B: within reasonable travelling distance to that track, seems quite low. Where is the gain? the sport has had tv coverage for years, it all seems to do is bury the product rather than put it over as something people should go out of there way to experience.

A rider has to be an asset of somebody to be able to get the ride. They are no longer able to own their own contract like uptu the mid 90's. A rider may receive some sign on fee, or goods such as bikes, parts, kevlars, depending on their position and ability. By being attached to a club they have a contact to let them know any relevant news, and for them to act as a contact for availability for meetings and guest bookings.