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Fancy not being able to write something about such a tragic event without prefixing it by "I wasn't a fan..etc" Nobody cares either pay your respects or just scroll past

Who was that masked man you say? well it certainly wasn't the Lone Ranger Take a bow Steve Lawson who has been ably assisted by the main man himself with the brains (and brawn and finance) behind it all Andrew Bain; also Neil "Boozer" Bewley (yes his Dad) Stuart Jenkinson; Paul and Brad Haughin; Old Ted? David Payne one or two others whose names I have forgot (sincere apologies) and of course the legend that is Alan (Unlucky for Some #13) Windbush... The effort these guys are putting in on weekends at this track is nothing short of heroic... kudos chaps and keep up the good work... Think Steve Lawson is preparing a GP track never mind a Championship one or dare I say it a one fit to host Premiership meetings on... Ooh a cant say that on here can I... oops to late... Regards THJ

Another Friday night to drool over greatness as the Tigers bring total speedway to their adoring fans . This week's support act are Berwick Bandits , who themselves look a decent outfit this year . But how will they cope against the Championship's Galacticos ? Well they have 4 ex Tigers in their ranks . 2011 title winner Theo Pijper , 2007 GP winner Chris Harris , last year's Tiger Ricky Wells and Kyle Bickley . Add to that Jye Etheridge , Leon Flint and Ty Proctor . Can they raise their game a few levels to stem the flow of home 5-1's , that's the task facing the Bandits to try and stay in the meeting as long as they can . So its along to the Stadium of Speed for another couple of hours of pure entertainment on Friday

Reflecting on this now having absorbed all the tributes and comments, it's clear that speedway, in the modern age, has lost its greatest ever promoter. I can't recall such an outpouring of grief and admiration for someone involved in speedway who wasn't a rider. Nigel spent years promoting nothing but positivity in so many aspects of speedway that his contributions were quite extraordinary and surely without precedent. Crikey, he even ghost wrote Kelvin's recent book(s)! This really is a case of you don't know what you've got until its gone. A truly tragic loss.

Those who criticise his style of commentary need to wait and see what the alternative might be. God save us from Sudden Sam. Be careful for what you wish for.

Not saying it because he's no longer with us, always loved his commentary. Sky Sports in general had that tendancy to be over the top in their presentation and Nige certainly was of that ilk. As previously said on here, speedway commentary where there are long gaps to fill, followed by quick bursts of action, is a thankless task and he did it with absolute aplomb. Due to my friendship with Phil Rising I had the pleasure of a night on the Guiness with he, Nigel, kelv and a few others. Nige was as enthusiatic in the boozer as he was in the commentry booth. But more importantly , super polite, respectful and just a lovely guy. Speedway has lost a very hard working ally, but the world has lost a bloody decent bloke. Rest east Nige, enjoy having the best seat in the house for all futre GPs.

Awww man Ruff am getting the hang of this now... Northside coming on a treat; and getting wider by the visit... Regards THJ

The poor chap has died before his time , sod his type of commentary, let your hearts go out to wife and family. Everything other is obseen

40 ??????? Seriously ? We cant allow that I'm afraid . We take our foot of the gas and let you get 40 , well it only encourages everyone else to think they have a chance at the Stadium of Speed when we all know that's just wishful thinking . No you might be better than the dodgy Diamonds , but 34 is a more realistic outcome .

Yeah what from afar says, say it wasn't cost effective using QTV again n don't think could get the people or infrastructure in place to do it in house. Quite disappointed myself, seems backwards step when more and more clubs offering it

Here we go; latest shot from Northside and I done my first white line ever on Saturday Like them Politicians I have finally had to admit to it... Took some painting in but total satisfaction for me and Brad Haughin... A can see how them Politicians and Footballers like doing them white lines its very calming for the soul... Regards THJ

Lublin v Czestochowa Sunday April 17th https://vk.com/video/@shestakovspeedway?z=video-81427162_456239161%2Fclub81427162%2Fpl_-81427162_-2 Fantastic racing- do not miss !!

I never like him as a broadcaster but that does not mean its not tragic or i cant show respect for someone who put a lot of his life into speedway or for his family who have lost there Dad -Husband etc So nothing to do with hypocracy at all .

Twins and Rowe surely did what was expected tonight? Top 4 that let you down IMO

They never had to ask him why turn money down

Some really encouraging signs yesterday, apart from Lewis having an off day everybody contributed considerably. We will be weaker once Iversen leaves of course whether he's replaced by Kildemand or somebody else but the way the team rode and were up for it under Brady's influence was good to see.

Hoping for a Plymouth win

On another note, yesterday was the first time I watched Josh Pickering live. Lynn fans are in for a treat this year, what an entertainer!

Especially in the circumstances of the present rider shortage, this analysis is spot on. As regards Newcastle, there have been decent crowds so far but also healthy away followings from Redcar and Edinburgh within them. Given that it became all too plain last season that the hard core support (the "through thick and thin" brigade) is not enough to keep the club's head above water, as I see it if there is any doubt about BWD's long term fitness and/or commitment and that GC will start to at least beat opposing reserves at home, then - funds permitting - hard decisions should be considered, and sooner rather than later, to give the team a better chance of achieving the home wins that might attract the less committed among the supporter base.

Maybe could call it rider replacement, oh......

Was very impressed by Jack yesterday. Showed good composure when in front of Palin and had a nice style. Hope he has a successful season.

Looking forward to this, haven't seen a league match since we (Swindon) put our licence ''on hold', I have been to Poland, the British Final (Adam's win) & GB's SON Gold since so not entirely without a speedway fix'. I'm not interested who wins but am looking forward to the racing which by the looks of it was decent last week.

Aye qualifying for sgp2 is fast and loose. Made a mess of that one haven't you. Suppose Tom Brennan was playing fast and loose when was winning world cup too eh?

Even you thought something along the same lines and at least i did say IF Hokey Cokey , That was another trophy the Panthers won during the wilderness years of the Ipswich Witches isnt it

It is beyond comprehension that the track was prepared in a way that did not suit home riders or at the very least they did no know it was being prepared that way

Yep looking good and looks like Redcar a little bit.Be nice if they could get a team in the top league to watch as nothing as far as Manchester.Be nice to have a few trips over to Workington again.Keep up the good work.

Oh hokey cokey , oh hokey cokey cokey

Apart from having the worst team manager, can anyone explain why Fricke was in heat 15 ?

He wasn't that bad on a bike an he's proving to be a Wiz on a tractor... Regards THJ

Really starting to look the part Regards THJ

Horley can't see the tapes malfunction directly in front of her but can spot a tiny red light on a phone on bend 3.

All this discussion about the Leagues is mainly been brought up about because Newcastle made a mess of their Team building.We all know Speedway in UK is not in good shape ,but restructuring the League because Newcastle fans are not happy will never happen.

If they do go for R/R Lawson wouldn’t be able to take one of the rides since MPT is third in the averages. This is despite him being the current number one for the league champions in the ‘superior’ Premiership. Try and explain that one to someone who doesn’t follow the sport.

Leszno v Gorzow Sunday April 17th https://vk.com/video-81427162_456239160?list=b05a986140b90fa45f&fbclid=IwAR0iI-yQCRcL8ep1kcQ7UFEMCoKKjPdalOdqPZSjeic4X1Ky7KqurPmCozo Great meeting do not miss !!

He wasn't entirely my cup of tea for various reasons, but you could never doubt his commitment to speedway. I think commentary, and particularly speedway commentary where there are long gaps to fill, followed by quick bursts of action, is a thankless task and fair play to him for not only stepping up but anchoring the role for a long time. His passing at just 52 is of course also very sad for all those around him. RIP

I totally understand your comments but, as a Hammers fan who was present yesterday, it was an enjoyable day. Dont get me wrong, the meeting went on for a long time , longer than I had ever known previously. But, it was good to see The Hammers represented again and to be at a meeting, for the first time since we rode those few meetings at Rye House in 2018. In addition, seeing some of the guys I stood with for years for the first time since then was tremendous. I am not sure it was totally down to the referee for the duration of the meeting. Hammers operating R/R didn’t help , neither did the regular spills and I was told there was an issue with riders seeing the green light, how true that is I don’t know. And the air fence also deflating was again something that can’t be helped. As for Iwade as a venue, it is basic facilities wise but the racing was good and we were close to the action. Possibly too close judging by the amount of track that found its way onto me during the meeting! The upshot from yesterday was that I got the bug for Speedway back through being there and can see me going to more meetings , certainly at Iwade as I loved the venue despite its limitations and the fact I live well into Essex , and the welcome was friendly. I really wish the Kent promotion well in this venture - having lost so many tracks in recent times including my beloved Arena Essex, the fact that Iwade is staging competitive speedway again is a huge bonus.

Rye House

Glasgow win but much closer than last week. Berwick look a. Solid outfit.

tomorrow, 7.30, league i think?

As a warm up towards fulfilling our potential, it served it's purpose

Winning the Danish U.21 meeting yesterday he was certainly fast and loose!!!

Well Nicholls & Harris were able to take IRR rides for MPT in the Prem, but can't guest for him in the Champ as they have higher aves!

Doesn't that mean that, the Championship is doing ok but the Premier League needs to improve?

What the hell is hypocritical about not particularly liking his style of commentary whilst he was alive, and also being shocked, saddened and sending genuine condolences about the poor man’s death? So if at any time in the past, you’ve commented on here that you’re not a fan of his commentary, you shouldn’t then come on here and send your condolences for the man’s sudden passing because it’s “hypocritical”, or as Diamondboy was implying, some are shedding crocodile tears because obviously they don’t care the man is dead because they’ve been on here criticising his style of commentating in the past? What a pathetic and pretty crass point of view.

A good meeting in the end though King unfortunate to be exc when Worrall again looked the culprit. Was. 3-3 with lawson charging down Howarth to get a draw when coming together happened. 5-1 rerun made score look better for Lions than they deserved. If a playoff Pirates would be celebrating. Cooks struggled but Kemp a revelation. Ablitt as expected. Good crowd. Good racing tonight with some tough battles.

Some great tributes and kind words on this thread. There are real parallels in Nigel's passing and that of a successful cycling journalist I knew who also recently passed away far too early. 52 is certainly no age. But in that short time, he is someone who got his head above the parapet, crammed a lot into a short life, achieved a great deal and leaves behind a body of work to be proud of. That's something we can all draw inspiration from.

An incredible shock to hear this news Whatever your opinion of Nigel as a commentator it makes no odds - this primarily is about a man , a husband and a father gone too soon Less importantly but worth acknowledgement is that Speedway has also lost a passionate advocate and one that had connections in places that Speedway needs to regain influence and one who will be sadly missed RIP Nigel

I was genuinely shocked by the news when I heard it announced on TalkSport last night while travelling back from Scunny. While obviously tragic for his family and friends, it's a pretty dark day for Speedway also. Nigel Pearson had Speedway running through his veins, fan, announcer, presenter, journalist, promoter and most notably commentator and press officer/agent, he'd pretty much done it all on "our side of the fence". He never passed up an opportunity to promote our sport... I was listening to one of his latest projects the other day, the British Speedway podcast and it was coverage of him compering the British Speedway season launch at Belle Vue and he was so positive and I was thinking to myself why are you so bloody positive all the time! But of course that was his job, he knew not everything in the sport was rosy but never really dwelt on it too much. You only have to do a scroll through Twitter to see how highly thought of he was throughout sport in general with some pretty high profile people and organisations expressing their shock and sadness, not so many from the Speedway fraternity I notice, hopefully that'll change when people get to hear this tragic news. The Darts community seem to have been hit pretty hard by it. Obviously most of us on here will remember Nigel for his Speedway commentary, while not everybody's cup of tea, I absolutely loved his commentary style and the "double act" he built with Kelvin Tatum. He was able to inject some enthusiasm and entertainment into even the dullest of races and meetings and let's face it there were a lot of them. He was the modern day "voice of Speedway" with his modern day commentary style and the natural successor to Dave Lanning. For me he'd done the most to promote and elevate our sport in the last 20 years, is irreplaceable and will be deeply missed. RIP Nige https://talksport.com/football/1087140/nigel-pearson-talksport-passes-away/ https://twitter.com/adam_ellis299/status/1301242626230890496