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Not the full package? Only Jack Holder, Dan Bewley and Sam Masters managed the higher average last season. 50% of all his rides for Sheffield were either winning races or paid wins. He is British and qualifies for a reduction on his average. He is on record as wanting to comeback to the club next season He will do for me.

Yes, the latter part of October has been exceptionally wet. However, there is too much hysteria over the clogged-up Championship play-off schedule. In any normal season, Championship clubs would all have been running matches from around the fourth week in March. Because of Covid, the first Championship matches were not run (at Glasgow and Scunthorpe) until May 21st. This means these clubs lost around eight dates on which league matches could have been presented -- two-thirds of their home schedule! Worse, Plymouth, Kent, Birmingham, Poole and Newcastle did not stage a home league match until June -- losing another two or three race nights. All of this was down to Covid. Not the BSPL, not clubs being guilty of calling off matches too soon (although this may have happened) and not because of any poor scheduling. As most understand, the need for a play-off schedule remains a necessary part of speedway promotion, with profitable crowds the norm (look at the Premiership finals) and any efforts to return to the old, sadly-sometimes-boring "first past the post" system wouldn't be a good idea in a time the sport needs every big attendance it can attract. The Covid pandemic has been the worst, most-disruptive and world-changing influence of our lifetime. To blame any other factor for this unseemly struggle to run off the last few meetings, in this truly exceptional year, is a senseless knee-jerk reaction. IMO

I am sure many forumlanders have seen this. I just have. Both Bruce and Erik come across as great guys and very personable and articulate.. The last World Final I saw was the Los Angeles one in 1982 (flew down from Calgary)-for what its worth I think Carter's exclusion was correct. I have been so impressed by Erik's determination in overcoming his devastating injuries. Kudos to his wife Helle also. Bruce I think is a true gent-the way he looked out for Kelly Moran when he was very ill speaks volumes. Maybe he made a mistake when leaving speedway for his movie career-if he'd stayed in speedway I reckon he would have been good for a couple more World Championships-however to each his own . I enjoyed Eriks' sense of humour -my question is -do you reckon if Erik's career hadn't been cut short -how do you think he would have stacked up relative to Hans Nielsen. Hans to me was the ultimate professional, Erik more human and mercurial. As Bruce kindly pointed out to him , in the 1981 World Final he (Erik) broke the track record at Wembley in I think his first ride. I was also interested to see Dennis Sigalos drop in on the interview- he finished third I think in 1982, Les Collins of course rode great races to finish runner up. I feel Dennis was also a potential World Champion- glad that all these Americans are still in touch with each other. Couple of other points- thank you Lee Ashby for posting these great interviews-any thoughts of doing one on your uncle Martin Ashby-another gentleman of the tracks. The interview also reminded me what a great loss Cradley Heath was to the speedway world- I could murder one of those pork sandwiches now. CH was my all time favourite away track

The most sensible post on this forum for a long time . What is scary is people think they will get big crowds because fans from Swindon , Reading , Cov will go . that never happens in great numbers and never will . Every one who has try to run speedway at Oxford money since 2000 has lost money and broke 3 of them hence why it closed down . As arnieg said find a level that allows them to run for season after season . Talk of top league etc is insane

The best signing Glasgow could make would be a new team manager.

Well said. I thought this year was extremely encouraging. Like many others, I was worried by the effect that Covid could have on British speedway. But I've since some really encouraging crowds around this season - IMO the general trend has been up rather than down. And finishing the season in such an exceptional year on November 4th (looking at the forecast, both legs should be OK next week) is hardly the end of the world. I also find it strange that some are criticising the growing practice of calling off meetings earlier rather than later. It used to be extremely bad business to call off a meeting as the last possible minute, when everyone knew that the decision could have been made earlier in the day. While less susceptible to the weather, football has always chosen to postpone earlier rather than later when faced with forecasts of extreme weather. I don't think there's more postponements in speedway now, they're just done earlier and therefore save fans, riders and promotions wasted money. It's simply better business practice. Again, some just take it as another reason to moan, but the genuine supporters who go to meetings appreciate not having their time and money wasted in the way it once was.

I had no idea Leicester fans were still so bitter?! (Are you Stewart Dickson in disguise?)

After this season Danny Ford clearly prefers to continue in the Championship in 2022 in order to defend all the 2021 silverware!!!! Poole have got some excellent sponsors - plus some others in the pipeline for 2022 - so even without a 'Main' sponsor but with some good consistent attendances from July onwards, another season at Championship level is very much the preferred option - at the moment - with 2 rider deals agreed already at Championship rates!

As far as I can remember all play offs finals have been run in October so with the weather in this country, rain offs and the season running in to November should be expected now and again. I think with all the issues with covid and brexit we should be happy that Speedway is happening at all and I think clubs have done a great job in general. Going forward it is fair to say more could be done to get the season finished earlier but for now happy that we are seeing two teams going all out in hopefully dry weather to win the playoffs even if it is in November and there will be fireworks one way or another.

Methinks that Bordeaux-based Jonny the Spud might have more than a passing interest in the welfare of Marmande's most famous speedway son.

Forgot to switch accounts?

Na, he’s not the type for YMCA

Edinburgh asset

It took me a day but I just realised what you are on about!

Maybe BUT Ian Jordan said everything owed would be sorted by end of September and all we have had is excuse after excuse, there is nothing stopping him making a further statement on the situation, the silence coming from his quarter is doing him no favours. If and I say if, there are genuine reasons for riders and fans still not receiving money they are owed and were promised why doesn't he say so?

I saw a few Edinburgh fans in the car park after the meeting.

Today there is no news. Tomorrow never comes and that's when I will be buying a round.

It isn't the first time a promoter has "done a runner" and left a financial mess. But when a track has been viable before the carpetbagger came to town, it can be so again under better, more-prudent stewardship. Hopefully, a responsible promoter can step up, forge a deal with the stadium ownership and BSPL, and allow speedway to continue -- perhaps at a less-ambitious level -- at Charlie Dugard's lovely little stadium in Sussex for many years........

Hopefully the club can be built back bigger and stronger.

The situation with regards the old management is very disappointing and has caused a lot of damage to the club, it will take time to re build it..

This is what happened to the last camper van that the Possil boys came across

Downside is that he may well put 2 points on his average next season which is feasible why should another club benefit from that, I get your point but Sam has to be back.

Yes Lisa, Zaine did better than expected but couldn't do the play off and Zach is better at Poole usually and has been saved for the final. Still have no idea why he isn't doing away leg, they obviously think Jack Thomas is better at Glasgow. Personally I would think Zach is more reliable but Jack Thomas rode well there for Birmingham.

Keep Sam ,Tom and Connor and build round them definite no to Riss.

17 years today Hull Vikings completed a treble at championship level by winning Knockout Cup, Young Shield and the League in 2004 , sadly out of the 7 riders Emil Kramer died 12 yrs ago in his homeland in a car crash and Garry Stead is now in a wheelchair following a speedway accident . The other 5 riders were Paul Thorp,Ross Brady ,Emiliano Sanchez, Joel Parsons and Magnus Karlson who brought silverware to Craven Park ,. Great days and great racing back then in the 2nd tier that had 15 teams competing at that level with no riders that doubled up in the league higher back then. The really sad thing is out of the 15 teams competing in that season 9 of them are now defunct teams Hull Vikings ,Workington Comets, Stoke Potters, Isle of Wight Islanders, Rye House Rockets, Exeter Falcons, Somerset Rebels ,Reading Racers & Newport Wasps so the moral of the story is support your local side and speedway or we won’t have speedway to watch in years to come

I'm in my b&b polishing the Trophy! Oh I say matron I Knocked that one Out!

Singalong after heat 14.

Did just fine at Peterborough

You jest. Big crowd here. Fantastic atmosphere.

Quicker telling you what has gone right…

Think Redcar, Leicester, even Birmingham were even stronger fancied than the stripes. Kelleher for basso obviously been huge for pirates, as nowak for sedgy did for us... Well at home anyway!!

no

I attended some meetings this season- but what’s that got to do with anything I really don’t - the question you miss over and over again is why I don’t attend each meeting and many more people that have stopped attending that doesn’t see to interest the promotion in the slightest- I have opinions on a lot of things in life doesn’t mean I support theses things one way or the other - Kings Lynn speedway is no different you seem to think if I’m not there every meeting I’m not entitled to an opinion. I think the amount of time and hard earn cash I’ve spent at Kings Lynn speedway over the last 45 years I’m entitled to an opinion.

Thats true, but unfortunately only at 'standard' rates!!

Fans are important, hence the reason the meeting was moved to next week. First of all, the biggest 2 meetings of the season just 48 hours apart is ludicrous and would hit attendances as fans would have to fork out twice in a week. And secondly, Poole finished top. Why take the first leg of the final, and if we win it, celebrate in front of 8 supporters in Glasgow when the club can celebrate, should we be successful, in front of thousands? The reason for the allowance to ride in November is simply because the season started late because of covid, and also because a couple of clubs, (not Poole who haven’t had a single rainoff this season) decided to postpone important meetings because of THE THREAT of rain. This delayed meetings and put playoff clubs back a week or two. Poole have every right to demand the second leg as they finished top. Otherwise what is the point of the league part of the season if the team finishing top of the pile has no reward? As for not racing next Wednesday, as has already been pointed out, AFC Bournemouth are at home. Many fans support both clubs and it would affect the size of the crowd by a few hundred. Also, with Glasgow being 478 miles from Poole, to expect riders to leave Glasgow at 10pm, get home, sleep, clean bikes, get to Poole and race in the most important meeting of the season is pushing it. Give them a days grace and everyone will be raring to go. Fingers crossed for better weather next week and an exciting end to the season. Let the best team win.

Love haggis. Have it regularly. Not very healthy though.

the reason we are not running next wednesday is because afc bournemouth are home on the same evening and a lot of the stewards work at the vitality as well .plus i am sure it would hit our gate at poole

The situation is a lot more complicated at Eastbourne. Surely some of their debts will have to be cleared, before any new promoters take over. Time might be against them for next season.

Well me and Rob have decided to come up for this one. Got oxygen tanks in the van as the air is a bit more rarified up there, and bringing an air rifle incase we get attacked by an angry herd of haggises. Tomorrow I am going to attempt to learn some of the lingo. Gonnae no' dae that really. We have to drive straight back as hotels are up to £1000 a night! Not Mad wae it, see how far we can get back before finding a travel lodge. If you see us in our Poole jackets, cone and say hello. We don’t bite!

Was a good meeting racing wise I thought, glad that Ben Cook seems to be okay. Wonder what @foreverblue has to say about Zaine? He was doing better than Basso first half of the meeting! Also had a little chuckle that even though we knocked Leicester out, he still gets a winners medal!

Like Cook then?

I would be happy to see Adam and Ben at Plymouth, think that track suits both of them perfectly and Plymouth have a brilliant little set up down there... One of my favourite clubs. Adam is one of my favourite riders also, loved watching him this year, been a pleasure.

Of course it is. It’s Rob McCaffrey with his usual anti Poole diatribes. He despises us and his past rants in the Premier section were quite amusing but for the fact he meant every word. No one on this thread or any other Poole thread has been boasting, being intolerable, or anything else for that matter. A bit of banter, well it is a sport, but little else. Heading down shortly. Will Chuck up some clips of track/pits/parade etc. later on my Twitter. @steveshovlar

Certainly not Pickering. And for the moment not worth getting excited over unsubstantiated predictions or rumours.

I doubt he has met anyone who falls into that category. Never been to Glasgow but I doubt if all the inhabitants from the area are like some of the posters on here.

What so hundreds of supporters can watch the match but only pay for one stream Sure the Glasgow promotion would veto any such plan

Haven’t owed a DVD player since about 2010.

It’s not just one bad season though is it, i can’t see where Dale has done anything good for the club on track since joining

The start marshal's need to be stronger & in a lot of cases less biased. Riders must be no more than 4 inchs away from the tapes. The tapes should be the same hight as the centre of the front wheel so that if a rider moves he will touch the tape instead of going under them before they move. A two minute clock needs to be in place & used correctly. If the rider is not ready at zero then out he go's & the Refs must not turn it off when it gets to 10 seconds to give riders more time to garden.

Wonder if Heeps will be Glasgow bound.