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Steve Park's a good poster, doesn't lie, doesn't BS, direct your ire elsewhere

There's a lot of truth in what you say. Unfortunately you'll never get the idiots running the show to agree. I remember 10 years or so ago when the so called Wage Cap was agreed at Championship level. all promoters agreed to a agreed maximum of £55 a point for the good of the sport. Then the exact same people who agreed to it broke it within hours of it coming in. You can't have them regulating their own rules, and they will never agree to someone else regulating them, so they will get exactly what they deserve. They will destroy the sport inside the next decade, probably sooner. As for Birmingham, I'm told their rent is now £2.5k a meeting, so they need at least 150 a meeting just to pay the rent. If your home meetings also have to cover the cost of your away meeting points money, so every home meeting has to generate income for eg 90 points at £50 a point which is £4500, that's another 250 people. Those two costs may well be your biggest, but the other expenses add up massively. Birmingham is a money pit of epic proportions. Tolley is going to lose his shirt, but the honourable man will pay the bills and take the hit. Fair play to him, but it's just not sustainable. Chances are we'll lose 5 clubs at the end of the season. Newcastle, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Poole and Peterborough form the 2023 calender. Speedway in the UK operates INSPITE of the people in charge, not because of. This is not aimed at Birmingham, this is aimed at the sports owners and operators. You couldn't pick a more backward thinking, clueless bunch of numpties if you tried.

I don't think he was the pilot

Why do hundreds if not thousands ride moto x at weekends for fun yet speedway riders want a fortune to ride? Everyone who puts a leg over a bike deserves as much as possible yes ,but income has to be more than outgoings.go back to basics then maybe bikes will cost less,u dont need a van full,standard carbs and clutch a bit of dirt on the track and lets see racing .

The days of the professional rider in British speedway is over, I warned a few years back this was happening offering various ideas at the time to address some of the issues we face on both sides of the fence but I was crucified by certain riders and their fan boys in the sport, until we accept the dire situation we are in the sport is doomed, I don’t claim to have the answers but you don’t need to be a fortune teller to see the dark days ahead, speedway is under pressure from external forces too but it’s main danger comes from within our sport

It's been very difficult on track these past few weeks, wind and sun are our biggest nightmare. The problem is , riders do not want a lot of dirt going into the bends, that makes it so they can go in hard and fast with a degree of safety. That in its self causes us a problem with watering, as you need material to hold water, also the first few races most riders are on the inside line so it gets a battering. The tractors spin the dirt back down, not to hide anything, but to try and protect the base of the track and also bring the dirt back down so there is not a big build up mid to outside. We are not the only track having problems at the moment, I have spoken to a number of track curators it's a similar story. Hope that explains a few things?

Likewise for Robert Lambert, i think they've both been impressive this year, but as others have said its just developing that final cutting edge to their style. Its a pleasure watching both Robert and Dan this year.

First of all for myself, I was one who gave Rob more slack than most, the way I seen it was that he put his hand in his pocket (twice over if things are to be totally believed) when others were not prepared to and essentially gave Newcastle the stay of execution that would have been 3 years ago or whatever it was - and to be honest for that fair play to him he was prepared to give it ago when it seemed that others would not, so to keep an argument somewhat balanced and constructive I think he needs credit for doing that. And in business / life it is always far easier to spend someone else's money than it is your own... ***HOWEVER*** (before I get my head detached before people read to the end of this post ) 1) I cannot stomach what essentially feels like totally lies now in an attempt to essentially liquidate the assets whilst under the guise of "doing it now to give Newcastle the best chance later" this is utter rubbish - as what is well documented now and proven with the sale of track equipment and such like, seems to me like he said one thing to keep the heat off him whilst doing something totally at odds with his statement in the other all underhand and devoid of transparency and integrity. 2) What boils by proverbial urine to be honest and probably leaves a bitter taste in the mouth of fans (which I suspect Rob probably does not understand) is the air fence debacle. And this cannot be sorely put onto Robs toes and the previous ownership need to bare some responsibility, however (and please correct me if I am wrong but this is / was my understanding) the air fence was afforded through a just giving page and whip round at the time the regulations came in (or this is how my memory serves me anyway) meaning all clubs had to have one to operate. That and I believe a few large singular donations from individual fans allowed the air fence or a vast majority of it to be bought. Therefore to sell it off to try and recoup monies lost just seems unethical and wrong to be honest and this is a point I will further explain further down in looking to any future we may have. But for the ownership that Rob bought from to use the gesture of the fans and such like to inevitably increase the sale price as its another asset with value to purchase that is integral to running a meeting is kind of wrong in my opinion - however seems like Rob also sees it as fair game. 3) Given the very publicised sponsorships the club received from various generous business, families and individuals - I am sure this would have been done on the understanding that essentially sponsors and people putting their money in, heat sponsors, race day programme advertisements etc etc that they were doing so expecting to get March to Septembers worth of advertisement (race day banners, pictures, website advertisement etc etc) in return for their hard earned money... Surely given the debacle they should be looking for some sort of pro-rata refund on what they did not get against what they initially put in? 4) What are the ramifications on the other co-owners / an or promoters who put money in? Do they get anything back? Surely this cannot be just Robs decision to make, they must have some course of action they could take? 5) All the actions talked about in this thread seem to me to be the actions of a person who has no intention of speedway running again at Newcastle, selling the assets to run a meeting removes any / all value, the only thing it seems he could sell would be the name? Not to hard to get around in the future I'm sure..."Newcastle Pheonix's" (for one year only as its a crap name but would be great before reverting to something more akin to the Diamonds or Diamunds ") The Future Going back to further explain point 2 and why I think it is extremely important is I think we all feel totally short changed by the various cash injections and donation fans have put into the club over the years for promoters and owners to essentially use it somewhat. However I do think we can learn an important lesson from it. Given that the club (if anything is left of it) will or will be near as dammit asset less I think now more than ever the idea of a supporters trust is vital to any possibility of speedway running again in any capacity at Newcastle. Anyone who went to the last meeting at Gosforth and listened to the excellent explanation to the complexities of running a fund and giving the club money by @TotallyHonestJohn will understand it is far to complex, and legally a nightmare to attempt / do. However I do think this shower of rubbish scenario we find ourselves in shows giving the club money and continual whip-rounds does nobody nor the supporter any favour in the long term. However I do believe that this gives us an opportunity to re-think the idea of a supporters fund where by the supporters fund can purchase such things like tractors and track equipment and effectively loan / lease these items to a club/ owner/ promoter for a basic / minimal fee. If this were the case for the air-fence for example it would give the club stability through changes of promoters and owners etc where the assets needed to run a speedway meeting essentially transcend any ownership change. Maybe @TotallyHonestJohn this would remove some of the complexities you so brilliantly talked about and explained in running a supporters club giving / purchasing stuff on the clubs behalf. I do beleive if there is any chance of someone wishing to put speedway on again in Newcastle this would make it hugely more do-able as it is going to be a from scratch start therefore it would surely make it more achievable to a new venture if such items were covered by a supporters club given that any ground up startup costs will be immense! Whilst we have no speedway this could be the time to try and set something up - £10 per month when we are not going to be spending £20-£30 per week as we have no speedway to go to. Such an amount would sharp build up and allow the purchasing of vital assets when / if a new venture were to happen. If nothing happens in the next 5 years all monies to be returned plus any interest generated. Whilst it is ambitious I do think the above issue of supporters money and gifts / cash injections / and fund raises we've had over the years are clearly not handled with the respect and integrity they should have. WE have essentially purchased assets for the club for them to be used to get a outgoing promotion an increased sale price or in this case asset liquidation when in reality there investment in the asset was minimal / non existent yet the promoters / owners are then the beneficiary of the value of the asset. Therefore I think we can think smarter in the future and in the same time provide the club with assets that stay with the club thus increasing long term stability and remove this utter debacle we now find ourselves in. Whilst I fully understand Rob will have lost a shed load of cash in this venture stripping the assets to try and recoup some of his cash / investment just seems totally short sighted and on the above points quite immoral given the statement put out by the owner, and the fact that the main asset was purchased by the fans (albeit under a different promotion and many years ago) it still feels like a sucker punch and such a nail in the coffin to any chance of speedway starting again as to buy a new one is such a large sum of money. I apologise if this is wordy it is my second attempt at typing this - I am sure the first one was better written however I managed to delete my first attempt prior to submitting and this is a hastily wrote and heavily streamlined version. Lastly whilst I am full of ideas and I would love to try and get such an offering of the ground sadly my career would not allow me to hold such a financial position and I simply do not have the time to do it either. But hopefully someone reads this and think it makes sense and could be a go-er and runs with it. Cheers

And he also said when talking about Cardiff that Tai was someone who "knows what it takes to win there"... Tai's GP victories at Cardiff? Nil..... What is Sam doing on Saturday nights..?

Don't forget about Emil. Taking away 2 of the top 3 in the World makes it a less relevant World Title this year, if you ask me.

Certainly will go down in the History of Newcastle Speedway.Not sure in what context though.

Shows what I know !!!! Only in speedway would you get sacked for putting two points on your average !!!

Undoubtedly, a natural at taking corners.

Take care Craig, having a bit of a tough time with injuries recently, get well soon lad

Poole are their for the taking,especially with 7 riders against them and hopefully a strong ref. Good luck

The relevance of World Titles has always been subjective. Hans Nielsen wasn't in the 1992 final, and nobody sane believed Havelock was a better rider than him. Ole Olsen wasn't in the 1976 final but I doubt Peter Collins is bothered. Sayfutdinov finished 3rd a couple of times without ever really looking like he was going to win a title. And Laguta put together an unbelievable 'Dave Norris' type season last year when he'd struggled for top 8 previously. Zmarzlik has 5 medals in 6 GP seasons which suggests he's worthy. It could be worse, we could go back to that ridiculous system that garnered Rickardsson a couple of titles where he only had to do 4 rides off gate 1 in every GP.

Definitely knocking on the door for gb no1, hope he can get top 8 it's definitely doable the form he's in

Next Wednesday (29 June) at 6:10 p.m. on Talking Pictures Channel: Look at Life Riding it Rough. 1961. "A look at the sport of speedway racing…"

Within 2 years he took a club and turned them into dust! More annoying how he ignored offers for help/advice

I just couldn’t believe what I was reading, all positive “you did your best” and all this garbage. I know some of negative ones got took away but over 200 positive comments about a bloke who has took our club away! Some people scared to say what they really think and some just clueless

Best speedway YouTube channel out there. Paul and the guys/girls leading the way.

Well, if you get offered a black and yellow stanley tape measure, it's probably mine and a want it back!!!

For those Berwick fans who have an hour or so to spare, could I point you in the direction of Youtube and an interview with Adrian Rymel, I can post it on here if you want. Great interview, well done to those involved

Think the burger chat was probably more worthwhile to everyone's time than Congreve being an asset.

Past his best but still good enough for 2nd in 93 and 94 world finals (robbed on both occasions) and a world title win in 1995

Here's my cynical view of the about to come speedway merry-go-round. Kyle Newman has a mystery illness to avoid difficult trips to Edinburgh and Glasgow for which could've reduced his July average to prevent Starkey coming in to replace him. The young lad Killeen will need to replace Josh McDonald in order to fit Starke in, thus freeing him up to take Rowe's place with Leicester in July as his average will apparently be over 4. Newman then probably go to Redcar, or in desperation at recent result Poole bring him in. I know not all specific to Leicester but the intrigue in whose replacing Rowe made me choose this thread

I think lewy is the Plymouth version of your own stirring spoon operative

Paying over the top Money too the riders is a major factor.I agree take it or leave is the way to level things out and see where the sport stands, because at this rate is slowly going down the tubes.

Some excellent points. Firstly regarding the air fence i was led to believe they only have a certain life span and then have to be replaced. I'm sure someone will correct me on this. Secondly it's a great idea about being supporter funded and there will be plenty of interest initially but when it comes to the crunch of people handing hard earned cash over no matter how big or small it becomes a different matter. Definitely worth giving it a go though. I know THJ looked into how Edinburgh ran theres but not sure he has any interest now. Although he did say in a recent threat how gutted he was now that we are no more longer again. It needs someone like a THJ to try and get us going again even if it's with advice.

Went to several meeting never once saw him in the pits trying to gee up the team,and at last meeting was cooking burgers total p take .

350 souls at Birmingham, the second city. If its not possible to get more people in, and double that crowd would still be pretty poor, then costs must be slashed. Its a double whammy, poor income, high outgoings. Is anyone winning in this situation?

Plus you get dizzy. It's better at larger tracks (Long Eaton 25+ years ago was my first), but I am inclined to agree.

No.

Anders Thomsen rode like a man who is desperate for a Panthers spot.

And tbf there's been passing even early on; just progressively better racing in each block of four. Have to say the racing has been very good - certainly better than any of the 80s world finals.

Well I have it on good authority that the FA are so impressed with speedway's golden heat that they plan to introduce something similar to the premier League next season. An unexpected result of this fact finding mission is they will also be introducing a guest player system as well.

They just didn't say which week!!!!!

Well I will be in attendance as will a good number going by local social media

It really is simple ,its not a full time job but a good hobby that pays ,cut the wages snd take or leave,only prople who make money are stadium owners and tuners back to basics sure would work .

Div 1: Belle Vue Ipswich Kings Lynn Peterborough Sheffield Wolverhampton Poole Leicester Glasgow Oxford Div 2: Berwick Birmingham Plymouth Scunthorpe Kent Mildenhall Redcar IOW ANY new team coming in/back 7,6,5 or 4 rider teams, what ever is needed to run without doubling up All clubs to run a 3/4 rider junior team as a 2nd half

This coming Wednesday the Pirates welcome the Berwick Bandits to wimborne Road. The Bandits have Poole track specialist Chis Harris who will most likely score double figures. The Bandits have two new signings at reserve in Jonas Anderson a promising young dane and Nathan Stoneman.

That's not a change i would do. I don't think it would us any stronger.

Spot on Death by a thousand self inflicted cuts...

I used to place comments in my programmes so when I went back to consult them they would evoke fond memories...better written down as one's memory diminishes with each passing year!

As far as I know you have to book online for Unipart I've heard of people the last 2 meetings paying by card on entry but haven't seen anyone doing it.

I too was absolutely gobsmacked at the amount of money put in, how or why you would invest that much for no return whatsoever is lunacy. The tail wags the dog in speedway. History tells you that successful business people like Mr Tolley, Rick Frost, Allen Trump and Mick Horton to name a few, have struggled with our sport over the years so their is a major flaw in the way speedway operates and it needs to change before we lose it altogether.

I appreciate you coming on here and explaining what the problems are!

I put so much money into the club with the promise of great things and ideas from Rob and NOTHING came of it... Just the sh!te we've had to watch and put up with the last 2 years... I don't care how much difficulties he had, with the previous promotions and covid, when he had the chance to make things right, do his promotors job, he just made a mockery of all of his fans, took the p!ss then ran off with all our hard earned money!!

I'd be happy to put in some money (one off payment) into some 'save the Diamonds' scheme... But I'm a bit sceptical now, after having put so much into Rob's reign and got nothing but woeful teams, boring meetings and many times short changed... I am not very rich as it is, so I am very personally annoyed the way Rob has ran the club the last 2 or 3 years... It's pathetic how he thinks he can just nick off with all this money from the supporters... How can he sell the air fence if the supporters trust purchased it??? It should be property of the supporter's club, sold by the supporter's club (or kept if the chances of us returning are there) and divided up equally between them... But no, Rob's just gonna take the money and run and everyone is gonna let him get away with it... I'm already banned from the Newcastle Diamonds Facebook page now for voicing my opinions there, so I guess we're not allowed opinions, the fans who have been going most our lives... What a joke F you Rob Grant

Premier League when we were in the Elite League