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No not guilty Rob has done this all himself... I got a call on Thursday to say hang fire with what we were doing with the fans as something was happening behind the scenes that had sparked Robs interest and he said he needed a couple of days to think about where he was going with the whole thing and this has been the end product... We will find out who the new promoter is and what is happening in due course no doubt but in the mean time its nice to know we have a team to support going forward... By the way can I add my thanks to all the fans and businesses who were prepared to stand up and be counted and offered their financial support and backing and if Rob hadn't changed his mind I think we had it covered Bit early for a Christmas present I know but it's still good news going into next year... Regards John Courtney

PRESS RELEASE (Taken Off Facebook): The Inspiration and determination of the late Dave Tattum breathes vital life into Diamonds' future Newcastle Speedway owner and promoter, Rob Grant, was shedding more than a few tears on Sunday, along with hundreds of other Diamonds' fans who were attending the final farewell of the club, but in honour of the memory of his former co-promoter, Dave Tattum, who tragically passed away at the weekend following an arduous and lengthy battle with illness, the Geordie former racer feels it would be grossly disrespectful to walk away and allow the club to close right now. An emotional Grant said last night: "Since Sunday's amazing meeting, which was charged heavy with emotion, I've done nothing but sit back and think, and talk with my family about the past and the future, and it seems totally disloyal to Dave's memory that I walk away at this stage and potentially shut the Diamonds forever under our promotion's name. "Dave Tattum spent most of his last months teaching me in depth, with all the information and skills I'd need for running a speedway club, and all that while he was fighting for his health under very difficult circumstances, but as my great friend, he dedicated his time to me and Newcastle Speedway, and that is why I cannot walk away from this great club. I cannot do that with Dave, his efforts and, his belief uppermost in my mind. "No concrete offer has come forward, but we've been looking at my other two businesses and looked hard and deep into things, and I will not walk away, and I will keep Newcastle running in 2022 for the memory and influence of Dave Tattum. We do have new backing and I've learned a lot in the last 18 months which will only benefit the future of the club. Also, I have sent in an application for a new co-promoter to join me, and he's a businessman, who will be a very familiar face to the Brough Park faithful, and obviously knows this club inside out. "The loyalty shown to us proves people of this City and beyond, love this club and desperately want it to continue, and the love poured out over the weekend has been an important factor in this decision and we have to repay that huge level of loyalty. "This time, however, will be starting preparation for 2022 on a level playing field with the rest of the teams, and won't be playing catch-up in the team building stakes, which will, at least mean, we'll have a decent chance of challenging for much better league place that this 2021 season, which is now well behind us." The Newcastle Speedway press office will be keeping a close eye on this story, and will report all developments as it happens, but above all else, the important news today is the Diamonds will come to the tapes in 2022 and powered by the memory of the late Dave Tattum.

Hats off to Rob Grant, what an amazing sign of loyalty to Dave Tatum. It would be brilliant now if the fans help financially, to help Rob break even, or make a profit. If anyone deserves a bit of luck, it's Rob.

He was entertaining,which why he was so popular,and a nice guy.

Keep saying it but the blank weeks in the warm summer months and now cramming meetings in is an annual mystery.

Well done Rob for saving the diamonds and whoever else are concerned.Great News and onwards and upwards. Let us all put the past behind us and move forward and everyone pulling in the right direction would be a big help.

Absolutely delighted with this news, what a way to start the weekend!! I'd also like to offer my help with the social media side of things, if it's needed going forward. I don't proclaim to be an expert but I know my way around and I think there's a lot of potential here which could benefit the club. If it's needed then I'd be more than happy to volunteer my services.

Julie was a lovely much appreciated Lady (with a capital L) who ran the speedway office when I first worked at Cleveland Park giving out rain-off tickets after people had come through the turnstiles in the mid 70's and she used to give me my 50p earnings in a small brown envelope at the end of the evening. She was there (with brother Jimmy who used to run the pit gate) through all the years I worked at Cleveland Park unfailingly until it closed. It was a great pleasure to find Julie back in charge of the office when the STMP/MPA reopened in 2006. She suffered no fools but was admired by all who knew her at Teesside/Middlesbrough/Redcar. I think she would be very pleased firstly that she was remembered so fondly and secondly that the meeting normally involves a junior aspect.

Fantastic news Rob as had a very hard start to promoting with many things going against him which were out of his control and then having to cope with the sad loss of Dave. I was at Newcastle for the Poole/Plymouth double header and just hope that the Newcastle fans come out and SUPPORT Rob and the team. Fans, new and old, appear when there's a rally call so I hope they have been encouraged enough to turn out on a regular basis. Diamonds are Forever! (unlike speedway star headline a couple of weeks ago Diamonds NOT Forever.....idiots! )

Delighted. As stated before I would sponsor a heat in 2022 and would also be interested in contributing to a fans trust run along the lines of Edinburgh. I also have a couple of slightly left field promotional ideas that I would like to discuss. Maybe if THJ organises that meeting I could meet up with the appropriate folks from the club.

Maybe they can do another round of just giving for the club, in memory of dave Tatum The money raised could go directly to the club in the form of sponsorship and to honour his memory in 2022 the team run under the banner of "Newcastle 'Dave Tatum' Diamonds Just an idea would be a good tribute and a good cause/reason for supporters across speedway to dig deep in memory of Dave

Most complaints are first submitted about 30 minutes prior to the first race. Which as we all know is when the bikes are warmed up in the pits, This is the only time when more than four machines will be running at one time on the downside it is the most prolonged time span. When someone is that annoyed they are prepared to make a complaint then the following 15 races could tip them over the edge. with the start positioned on the other side the exausts will be away from the housing so the noise levels will be lowered in the residential areas. If I were the promotion I'd go around to those houses in February & give them a season ticket. It's much harder to complain if you have taken a gift beforehand

Think he means if we lose to Leicester on Sunday we will finish 3rd and Scunthorpe will be 6th and would rather face Glasgow in the quarters. Well I think that’s what he meant.

Know what you mean though, was disappointing to see the crowd numbers get smaller and smaller each week... Had the feeling the club was dying, but fortunately, that is NOT the case I have a lot of respect for Plymouth and they're one of my favourite clubs... Loved the few visits I've had down there, brilliant little set up

Possibly worded wrong the faithful as you state remained faithful, but quite a fewsoon started moaning and not supporting as your results were not what they were hoping for, my team Plymouth didn't do aswell as we hoped but our crowds increased as the season went on.

Start is being held in Krosno until Eurosport go live- start at 7.20pm

Friday night tracks are much more consistent than afternoon tracks at the EWR.

And of course as a long time supporter of the Pirates you will have an excellent understanding of how beneficial this can be to some clubs.

Let's hope all the riders vans have got full tanks of fuel...

Firstly I am delighted for all concerned about this news especially the fans , I know a few Diamonds fans and have a lot of time for them. Moving forward thinking about things generally should they be looking at what worked previously, I know times have changed social platforms etc but the young fans are as important probably more so than us older generation. At Glasgow they involve the Kids in a lot off activities and the number of children attending has visibly grown , what I would like to see is the return of some of the events that did work. the regional 4tt which was always a great way to start the season , Gold and Silver Helmet match races which you always looked forward to seeing it might be that taking a step back to move forward could initiate more interest Promoting is not an easy task in this era but it is the ones who have vision and promote that stand the best chance. I would like too see the running of the sport outsourced independently you just have to see what Barry Hearn done to revitalise Darts and Snooker with some vision and expertise in promoting it must be a consideration to go down this route. But that is for other people to decide but great news for the Diamonds.

Jade openly admits Glasgow wasn't a good time for him. He got signed on the back of his performance for Berwick but the track had been altered. Jades peak he was a 5+ average rider, far from rubbish

THJ, still think it's worth having a meeting to see if some sort of fan funding would help and in what form would be best.

Lol Birmingham fan complaining about track conditions. Very definition of irony

Tbh, don't know what there is to complain about. Free speedway from your bedroom window, sounds good to me!!

I am fortunate enough to have attended many meetings in Poland, and across the globe really, but I can say in Poland their greatest asset is their fan base. People go because other people go, win, lose or draw, and of course it creates atmosphere, drama and a belonging. It would feel odd not to go on whatever race day it is and attend. And speedway takes place on most days of the week if you include the lower leagues. It's how we felt as kids and young adults at our local speedway tracks across the UK. Large crowds generate large revenue, large interest and every meeting is an event. From the bars and eateries outside the stadium with music and stalls, walking up the road with hundreds of other fans, every bar is full, queues at every food stall or souvenir stall, every fan in their club or national colours. This just doesn’t happen here really - we have lost momentum; we MUST build from the start again. It is the only way, in my view. No one will put a lot of money into speedway to take over the league. It is so different to darts and snooker when effectively the owner of the championship owns the "club" as all the players are individuals.... and nowhere is the business model of darts and snooker a big success in speedway except for the GP - just look at Cardiff, where individuals race under an ownership of the GP... same for F1, stocks, pretty much all other motorsport. So, my view remains steadfast... if we want team speedway we build from the base up, gaining maximum riders interaction to rebuild the sport in the UK. It's interesting to read the odd overly vocal person who says our speedway on the island is a joke, circus, funfair....mainly it comes from those who have no club or who are not satisfied with their own clubs, but oddly no one who attends our meetings thinks its a joke, and yet I see time and time again criticism at all levels for league speedway (which by the way breaks my heart as we want speedway to thrive in the UK and also because we actively "big it up" to tourists who visit us). Most complaint boils down to getting the basics right. And when you get the basics right, peoples opinions changes, people enjoy the show, circus, funfair and bring their mates, people write positive feedback and then privately send feedback of areas they believe promoters can improve, the crowds grow organically, they give feedback on the show... and the cycle is self-perpetuating and as in Poland a 30,000 crowd has a fan base return of 1% their crowd is 30,300, then 30,630 the week after... for a track with lets say 300... its 303, followed by 306 and so on... so we must start from scratch, a blank piece of paper... a new dawn. We should not believe this is a five-minute job either. It isn’t. But my view again is, done correctly it will be the building blocks of speedway for tomorrow's fans. Enjoy your speedway, remember its always easy to put someone down, a club down, a rider down, but takes a stronger person to stand up and shout positivity publicly and not just for hearts, likes or a reaction. All the best and see you trackside, Barry

I would personally write-off last/this/2021 season,,, up against it and battling current worldwide affairs.

You are wrong... the Newcastle faithful turn out week in week out... it's the hangers on and weathered fans who let us down last season... but here for next year being successful for all clubs

There’s several, or at least half the field, who are clearly not up to this level of racing

Francis Gusts well ridden. First good race.

Danny King, Craig Cook or Nicki Pedersen (to bring the old guard back) please Only joking... I'd be happy with a strength in depth 1-7... just glad we back to the tapes for 2022

The gulf in quality between some of the riders is insane

Whatever points you are on midnight tomorrow is what you finish on. Meeting will still need to be completed after the cut off but by then it’s a meaningless fixture.

If they can't afford to run a Cubs team they shouldn't run one. The senior match was originally cancelled due to a Football match being on the TV, then couldn't be re-arranged because their Captain was on TV! They've had all season to run the cubs match and numerous opportunities to run the senior match

Could they make it 5 rider teams but every match has 3/4 teams? Potentially more away fans at every match? Think we have to admit no longer a major speedway nation and follow what I believe they do in Germany and Czech Republic

Always believe.

Last thing we want is a slick track. We have racers who like to ride the fence.

Congratulations you have 2 more meetings that’s all you have mind but if your honest right until the last heat I bet the old underpants were flapping,no in all seriousness your there because you deserve it and now it’s anyone’s to win and if your the best team at the end good luck to you,

Absolute cobblers…

Great news. Hopefully 2021 will be a learning curve for next season Sincerely hope your co promoter is a strong minded business man who can help Newcastle move onward

Me too I would love to be able to support Rob moving forward

Totally agree. If I was Rob Grant or any other promoter, I'd want written assurance from the BSPL that they will look to make changes this winter with view to making the sport more affordable to run and to make it fairer to allow everyone a good chance to compete. If I didn't get that, I'd walk away so as not to waste anyone's time. That said, as an "honoury Geordie" through family ties, I'd delighted that Newcastle will run again in 2022. I wish them all the best

6 adults out too. the promotion needs to rethink its pricing model. Additional cost to run a NDL fixture as a double header would be recouped by £3.00 on the normal price. promoters clearly attempting to profiteer from regular supporters - very disappointing indeed.

That's good to hear, I actually suggested this after listening to him on the Tatum & Pearson podcast around a year ago and he still sounded as enthusiastic about Speedway as he ever has. The guy is a living legend and has not been used to promote the sport at all

Yes, I think Archie is nailed on to be one of our rising stars... Think he will do alright after the experience of this year, each week he got that little bit closer... Will be nice to have a local lad around too... Assuming it's 2 rising stars this would be a decent start to the building I think 1. 2. Connor Mountain/Adam Roynon 3. Matty Wethers 4. Max Clegg 5. 6. 7. Archie Freeman Add a big number 1, a solid number 5 and another talent at reserve, think we'll be in for a cracking season... Really can't wait

This is going to be such a close tie. They are a much younger and fresher side. It's been a long season and the old Panthers team are going to be very tired.

Agree totally with this, Rob has shown his commitment, think any fans who are financially able to help get the chance too, maybe take on board Edinburgh fans trust setup

Come on…. be totally honest John

Live on Eurosport player 6pm Uk time- coverage on Eurosport Poland not scheduled to start until 6.15pm Uk time so we will have to see what happens. Links http://kergel.ucoz.lv/ will probably be on Eurosport Sweden to start then might change to Eurosport Poland http://www.maniak.tv/mk9 http://www.drhtv.com.pl/drhtv-10.html http://assia.org/live/mix-sport13/?lang=pl https://daddylive.me/embed/stream-58.php

There is some bad blood between Stewart and Cami Brown so we have heard.

As a chap who spent far too much of his life from the age of 10 to his early 30s traveling all over supporting not only his team but speedway in general I find myself in despair! Throughout most my time as an active supporter the sport was slowly losing its way & losing customers. Towards the end of my time as a regular 2009/10 it had become noticeable worse. Now on the odd occasion I've been in the last 10 years every time I attended you can see that it's gotten worse. It really is now at a critical point. The reason for my despair is I'm now in my mid 40s with disposable income the type of ex fan who the powers that be should be trying to win back. However when I go I am severed up a product that is poorer than the last time I attended & if I'm lucky only a couple of missing riders. It still appears that even though there are thousands of unhappy customers on here those in power do nothing about it or worse still come across as having no interest in trying to! So looking at it 2022 will be another year of the same old same old with possibly 4 tracks having closed down. No doubt more will follow after 2022 it really is a race to the bottom!