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Very emotional night here in Bordeaux, I may have Indulged in a glass or two. to say I’m proud is an understatement, thank you all for the lovely messages. Jon xx

It's a tough one, there will be some supporters like me who just won't be attracted by NDL level Speedway. I'm fortunate in that I live centrally so have the pick of quite a few tracks to attend, but I've never been to a Leicester Cubs match, it has absolutely no appeal to me what so ever, much like when I used to follow the Bees, the Storm had no appeal. If Leicester were to run just NDL only I would not attend. If I lived in a different part of the country I would be looking to attend my nearest "professional" club but probably on a less frequent basis. When the Storm tried to continue at Leicester it was pretty much a disaster

With such little respect for the BSPL, its secretive decision making and aversion to transparency, who would scrutinise the scrutineers. Giving wage responsibility to them is the equivalent of asking the Communist Party to manage the Bank of England.

Riders such as Aaron Summers, Edward Kennett, Matthew Wethers, Simon Lambert, Ashley Morris and others manage by riding in just one league. Riders need to realise that unless you are at the top, then speedway is not a full time living. Back in the 1960's and 1970's when crowds were much higher, only the top riders were full time.

Very fair point. When Eastbourne won NDL/KOC a few years I was just as happy as if we'd won the top league. It really doesn't matter what league you're in as such, as there is no promotion/relegation, you just try and win that league. The moral of the story is stay in the league that won't bankrupt you!

time for Britain to get more involved in staging SEC and GP qualifying rounds in addition to age group championships

Agreed 100%. But I think Kyle Howarth deserves a mention too. He also represented (quite well I thought) your good selves and my temporary team in Leicester

Its quite clear that Eastbourne buiness model is not working .

They'll have to get a job, like riders used to do, in the good old days.

I think it's clear that for many teams the "old NDL" level was perfect . Clubs who only get crowds of around 400 to 800 as an average, would be far better running at that old NDL level.. Paying some "old heads" a few quid extra, and the same to any lads who decide "I am quite happy at this level" even if the "powers that be" are not happy that they dont move up into the top two leagues... A top two leagues that are dont forget 90% the same, so as contrived, as contrived could be.. The NDL always seemed to the best ran, as well as offered the best value for money, as whenever I watched it the racing was very good due to the majority of all riders being not a million miles away from each other in ability.. And you could often audibly hear the young lads under their helmets celebrating as they got off the bike after winning a race, or cursing as they finished last, which showed how much it cared to them.. I could watch the Colts at the NSS for £10 for me and my lad pre Covid or pay £33 to us to watch the Aces.. Needless to say my "live Speedway fix" invariably meant a Colts visit, rather than an Aces one.. The fundamental problem that exists is that, "Moving up a league" means absolutely nothing in Speedway given you can pick and choose what leagues to race in, therefore I fail to see why some promoters see this as some kind of advancement or aspiration and risk their comfortably working business model... The fans dont see "moving up" as anything "exciting" as they know that the top two leagues carry no "Wow Factor" in winning, and, no disrespect, but there are hardly any 'superstars' going to visit your circuit that will bring those extra fans so needed to be sustainable in.. And you put your prices up to pay for the added costs, which is never a good idea when customers dont see any tangible difference in what you offer... I would suggest that whether those in charge like it or not, the sustainable level for the majority of clubs in the UK nowadays is the "old NDL level" or, maybe, at a push, "Championship Lite"...

most of the racing was better than than the gp this year

I wonder what the reaction would be if we went with Ellis and Bewley in the SON. They might not win it, but they'd have a damn good go. Normally, I would go with Woffinden and Lambert but, in Adam and Dan, there are now a couple of riders who would benefit a great deal from riding in it and I'm sure they'd be competitive.

Must admit, for my moaning about Lambert being in there I thought he gave a fantastic account of himself. Great win for Ellis, was fantastic on the night! Such. A shame we don’t have the proper world team cup still in place he’d be a shoe in alongside Bewley for the final 2 places. The only downside as always was the coverage, Pearson too busy telling us all that Ellis had rolled and talking about his mates to bother noticing what was happening. Rowe nearly had King 2/3 times in one heat and all that was mentioned was about how king needed points! Yawn.

Just got back from the track, watched couple of heats, along with the cock up with the heat lineups, why every time the riders go down home straight do they switch to 2 stationary cameras on start line, must have missed so many overtakes down straight into first bend, just use the main camera and follow them round!

That statements just fluff tbh, tells nobody nowt

Try telling that to Max Clegg who rode outside Wright in every ride and did it with speed and NOT going backwards. It was one of the best close meetings we have had, given the away side that was built to be strong, and we ride without a heat leader and have done all season. It was a classic case of David and Goliath, but Goliath got twitchy as the pressure was more on them, given their expectations and expense. Oniy one rider, a guest, from the Diamonds was guilty of a tapes infringement, whilst just about every race a Tiger was guilty including other heats like Heat 1 when a Tiger jumped, but was not punished. Make meetings like that every week, and we could be packed every week and I readily acknowledge the tremendous effort Tigers put into their racing.

If any Eastbourne riders leave and head to Glasgow I would put money on that being Tom Brennan heading up the M6

maybe, just maybe, one day the penny will drop. Funny how Glasgow are the rich guys now when for years they clung to life. All tracks need each other and all will have their ups and downs, even Poole went ** up once. Needs to be pitched at the poorest track or the whole thing will collapse. Tim Swales said that donkeys years ago

Age old story in British Speedway, couple of teams paying silly points money and others follow suit without sustainable revenue to match. Hopefully Eastbourne can find a short term fix, but like Newcastle & Birmingham longer term prospects sound bleak!

The model of paying out more than you're bringing in never works in any walk of life

Heat 3 was a cracking race when Steve Worrall went off 15 and for the following reason... not one pass in the whole race yet you could have thrown a blanket over the four of them going over the line... the two diamonds were knocking on the door pushing Jensen all the way from both inside and out but neither Clegg nor Wright could switch off either with Worrall keeping both of those two on their toes and honest... good to watch and not a pass made... Plus that Ludvig outside line is coming back and a few of the guys are having the confidence to go out wide as they are now getting something out of the track and that also builds on the excitement and the quality of racing and I can remember numerous passes in that meeting... all of the Newcastle team came to the party even the guest eventually and it was a thoroughly enjoyable meeting... to which Glasgow and the referee played their parts in contributing to the entertainment... Regards THJ

But if the wages at Eastie are double of those at other clubs then the Math still wont add up will it... not that I know what Eastie are paying just to say that if the income doesn't exceed the expenditure than you end up in the Red.... Regards THJ

Ian has just confirmed that he has not left and there will be a factual statement released tonight. He has also stated that whilst there are known cash flow issues, everybody will be paid their money. Lets wait for the statement, as he has also said that lots of the rumours are inaccurate.

Honestly What you need are promoters who can mange a budget; build your team to suit your income its not hard; Eastie have 3 very good heat leaders who don't come cheap and the rest of the team will be at a premium too... If you get on average 800 fans through the door its no good building a team that needs 1000 fans to pay for it (unless you promote and encourage the extra crowd through the doors)… Barcelona may get away with having 103% cost against income and get away with it but unless you get a benefactor/promoter who is prepared to inject the cash difference in the 800/1000 ratio in the required numbers the figures are not sustainable... Its the nutters who are running the sport who are ruining it... Maybe the Isle of White have the right idea and kick the BSPL into touch to save costs and all it will need are a few teams to pull out of the BSPL to start a league built more on Armature guidelines... the BSPL will tinker round the edges push this ridiculous "Curry Star" "Rising Star" rating system next season to try and force more young (Cheaper) kids in at the bottom end to try and save money and its becoming an absolute joke... First off do away with that "Top" league as there is nothing Premier about it; make Mondays and Thursdays the main race nights; and if any clubs cant or wont do those days and want to be in a lesser league stop the top 30 or so averaged riders from "Doubling Down" stop the bottom 30 riders with averages of less than 4 in the upper league or 6 in the second tier from doubling up and only allow the riders who are in the middle of those averages the opportunity to double up/down. This will ensure the strength and quality in the upper tier with clubs who can afford it and it will restrict the damage of high wage riders being utilised in the lower tier which will ensure evenly matched sides and stop promoters in this lower tier trying to chase the glory and bringing in riders that the crowds just will not sustain financially and "blowing their brains out"... Cut a rider and go to six man teams possibly to save money? but at least make sure that the kids in the NDL or any rider for that matter has as a minimum an average of 6 that will convert to a 2 in the middle tier. Currently there is no disparity between the leagues and the teams in both leagues are becoming discernible from each other the championship is just a pseudo Premiership (or vice versa)… it is an absolute joke really and there is nothing else to describe what is going on... it needs to be as level a playing field as possible between teams if you want to see competitive racing and to be fair with the riders that are left in the UK that is becoming difficult as there aren't enough to go round to get a difference in/between the current leagues... Regards THJ

The majority of clubs can't afford to pay 'full time' riders anymore. Soon there won't be a shortage of riders, they'll be a shortage of tracks.

Soon we will need to test if the riders wouldn’t make it pay.Minimal doubling up has to be introduced to make the sport Credible as a Team Sport.

Interesting comments from Ben Barker in the Speedway Star re how the 2nd tier is "too strong" given so many top tier riders now double up and ride in it... Which is making the costs to compete far too high for some 2nd tier tracks.. A very fair point.. Several pages later Ben says how delighted he is to get a place at Kings Lynn...

It's not Lambert and Woffinden's fault that our league is such a poor product nowadays, they base themselves in Poland to ride in the best league and to make good money. Bewley and possibly Ellis will probably follow suit as their career trajectories go up and up, riders don't want all the travel backwards and forwards and prefer two race days as well as World Championshop commitments. World class riders will outgrow what we have over here because its been managed so badly over the last 20-30 years and I would never blame any British rider for cutting the UK out of their schedule.

So Jadon Sancho shouldn't have been picked for England during the time he played for Borussia Dortmund? Nonsense. If you're English you're English no matter where you ply your trade.

You pick your best riders... If that's Woffinden and Lambert then they ride... The sport in the UK needs as much publicity as it can get so a SON win, in the UK, will give it some of that much needed publicity.. If Bewley and Ellis both qualify for the GP's though then I would think the selectors have some thinking to do... But as it stands, given both Woffinden and Lambert more than hold their own at the very top of the sport in Poland, the GP's and the SEC, then they will be, quite rightly, in pole position.. As that experience of riding at the very top level week in week out will inevitably give them an edge.. Be good to see Ellis get a Polish top league position next year as I think he is as near as damn it ready, and a GP slot will make the top tier over there take notice without a doubt... Pity he doesn't ride in the SEC too, as that will give him exposure to those who make the big decisions in Poland.. Riders like Zagar, C. Holder, Bjerre, and Lidsey are all similar in standard to him... And,, as seen last night, so too is Dan Bewley.. (Although in a completely different environment from racing in Poland with all the pressures to perform granted).. Its just good to have four riders either already at world level, or getting very close to it...

It’s all about decisions isn’t it, they both decided not to ride in the U.K this year So I can understand the BSPL not including them in anything they organise, personally I wouldn’t include them in the SON or anything else for which the ACU/SCB get allocated places for, like the World and European Championships etc. British places should go to riders who race in the U.K.

Well done to Adam Ellis British Champion representing Sheffield tonight. Brilliant and well deserved

Too many camera changes during a race, in my opinion.

What idiot decided to show us the line up at the tapes from the rear?

What a race, didn’t know if Richard Lawson, Steve Worrall, Richie Worrall or Steve Lawson was going to win it lol

We can replace like for like Lawson for Cook as an example as Lawson has a lower average than Cook. We can replace Ully with a rider up to 7.95. To make multiple changes at once would need to revert back to the building average of 38. Just saw the reply above saying the same. Just to clarify I am not pushing for Lawson to replace Cook just using the scenario as an example.

Newcastle bring in Ricky Wells and Alfie Bowtell as guests for Matty Wethers and Archie Freeman respectively. Back to a 4pm start time this week. Gates open at 3pm. Tickets for this Sunday's meeting are available online at www.trybooking.co.uk/BFGG or you can pay at the turnstiles.

He is talking about Thursday night, my tweet was about tonight. I will update re Thursday when I know myself.

I must beg to differ with gmarsbar2. I was at the meeting, as I have been regularly for the last 45 years. Even if it is from the gate team riding comes into the excitement as would have been seen from heat 5. Clegg and Wright made the gate from Craig Cooks missed jump and blocked his every move for 4 laps. Connor Mountains heat 10 race. Ben Barkers outside moves in races. Please don't blame Newcastle for the starts, it makes a change to have a neutral referee. Professional riders and team manager should be able to sort out starts. If all Glasgow meetings are better than this I am pleased for you as you getting the best entertainment going. I and many others were expecting a good hiding from Glasgow especially as Craig Cook would get a 15 point max.On the day Newcastle wanted it and fought for it end of !

This is bizarre we've all congregated on the Eastbourne thread having exactly the same discussions we've had on many other threads... It's like we're all in the hospital waiting room awaiting news on the patient!

Agreed but did these promoters actually think they would get more fans in through the doors than pre-Covid... they had a good idea of crowd numbers before Covid hit and they know there average cost/return per supporter yet still they offer ridiculous guarantees and points money to riders that not as long as they have a hole in there backside would they be able to cover their costs furthermore there will have been an impact on sponsorship as companies took stock on how Covid had impacted their businesses... the whole thing is a recipe for disaster... IMHO I think the BSPL have missed a chance to reset the whole sport or at least the opportunity to make some radical changes and what did we get "Rising Stars" Regards THJ

Hey… after Saturday evening, even I can’t moan Lets see how we do at Kent and Brum though

As much as I dislike him - Speedway needs somebody like Eddie Hearn to promote it. The sport's demographic is dying so needs to attract they younger fan. 15 minutes of racing in 1min bursts should appeal to their attention span. However most stadia is knackered and dated + few promoters will invest in stadia or PA systems to any degree. The sport is a short sharp entertainment so should be easy to package on social media feeds.

Well done Swindon legend Adam Ellis on becoming British Champion.

Well done to Adam, Dan, and indeed Charles Wright who really stepped up on the night. Very unfortunate for Kyle Howarth not to make the final after coming so close and looking hungry enough in the heats to be a potential winner. Scott and Bomber are obviously over the hill now but they both showed they have a special quality that the younger ones can only aspire to. I enjoyed watching them and speedway will be poorer when they eventually hang up their Kevlars for good. Nothing can take away from Adams win though.I’ve known him since his early days practicing at Lakeside, a thoroughly nice guy as indeed Dan seems to be. Such a shame those running the sport don’t match the talent of those riding in it.

Whoops I burped!

Should imagine the Poole promotion will organise a lap of honour for Adam Ellis on Wednesday and the Poole fans will certainly give him a very good reception after becoming British Champion tonight.

I know it's a bit rich quoting my own post, but well done Adam superb all night. I just had a gut feeling it could be your night after watching you a few times this season. Keep the progress going, onwards and upwards. Bet Johnny is chuffed to bits as well.

Few decent races lol there was only couple that were from the gate nearly every race had overtakes with changing of positions.

And there is the issue.. It tries to be the second option but fails by a long way.. And all down to its very own operating model, that they seem to want to protect come what may. Regardless of all evidence that it simply doesnt cut it.. Several countries over the years have been successful from a world class rider perspective without a "league system" eg's. USA, Australia, and New Zealand.. With their operating model in those countries being very much a full evenings entertainment, allied to serious racing, as well as showcasing other types of motorsport and covering all age groups... The riders that become "too good" within this system then moved to Europe (ironically the UK at that time given it was the "Elite" of all leagues).. But those days are gone, hence some now go direct to Poland and Sweden to seek their improvement to the next level.. Whatever UK Speedway currently is, it simply "isn't working", if you take so many "cries for help" as a barometer, so whatever it decides to do, "doing nothing" can't be an option on the table surely? It missed a golden opportunity during the Covid lockdowns to reinvent itself, be innovative, and set out a brand new operating model fit for a 2021 audience.. Instead it came back with the "same old, same old" that has been around for 90 years or so... Apart from dismantling the NDL model which appeared to work for a fair few clubs... Got to give them that, they did action some change there...