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Just making the numbers up is very important in the modern era given so few "numbers" now exist... You are never winning leagues on crowds of less than 500 or so, so it is simply not worth threatening the clubs' long term future by spending "daft money" doing so.. The sport has seen several "winners" close down due to the costs involved in "winning" being much too far a stretch for them.. The way Speedway has been poorly ran for several decades it is now very much down to its "die hards", so the feeling will be that they will turn up to watch anything put in front of them, (as they have become 'bomb proof' to anything but watching the racing), therefore any track with such a low following are 100% correct in cutting their cloth accordingly.. "Success" wont bring crowds up by 100% to around/over 1000, so putting a team together to win most weeks at home (or at least always in contention to make it entertaining), will be the right plan.. Good luck to them...

His book was a great read... You could certainly see that in those days it really "meant something"... The big sponsorship of Gulf, so many teams involved, admission costs more reflective of what disposable income people had, and stadiums full of punters, many of them there to see true "sporting superstars" not just "speedway superstars".. And riders like Wikie, happy to earn in a night what they could earn in a week in their other "real jobs", and could earn that money four or five times each week, and sometimes more... A much different landscape from today where so many riders of Wilkies level (and much, much lower), are now "fully professional" and septets and meetings get contrived just to provide them with that opportunity, (which obviously then destroys the credibility of the product being served up)... No major sponsor, no major mainstream coverage, no "household names" who resonate across the sporting spectrum, no league title winners getting good financial rewards and publicity for winning, no tracks struggling to fit everyone in... As the saying goes.. "We've never had it so good"...!! NB (Exactly like Poland has today, be interesting to see if they blow it like the UK did)... Wilkie...

I may be wrong here,, can only go by my own club,,, people who buy season tickets will buy them regardless of the team, or if they know the team,,, cos they are gonna go and watch it no matter what.

You are assuming I support birmingham. Like yourself, I didn't miss a meeting at monmore last season but I don't support Wolverhampton, I support speedway , not every team will be strong. Without those at the bottom you won't have anyone at the top.

Wilkie was a childhood hero of mine,but the real hero was his wife who gave her all in looking after alan after his accident ,and yes his book is a fantastic read get yourself a copy and cherish it .

Look at some of the replies on Carl Johnson's season ticket post on the Panthers Supports Club page on facebook. Patience is beginning to run out now.

I would be interested to know how many have been sold at this point last few years to now,, don't think there would be much in it. I don't buy a season ticket anymore because I know I won't watch all the meetings. I used to,, but now I find I've had enough half a season in. And I've already had enough of this season,, and it ain't even started yet

Same here. I've got my money ready for a season ticket but I'm waiting for the team to be announced first because I won't buy one if the team contains both Andersen & Worrall because we'll just be a punch bag for other clubs again.

I think most Peterborough supporters agree with you, it’s been far too long winded this winter.

I don’t know where you get Berwick will rely on Flint and Rory at home TJ and Etheridge will beat most round Shieldfield and Knudsen is a talent.

Does it make you feel big, pouring out this rubbish? No more than we expect from Wolverhampton, though.

I know what you’re saying, every 2 weeks would be just fine It’s just when you go 6 weeks without a meeting due to postponements and the fixture schedule being imbalanced etc. People can start to lose interest

Imo for a new beginning of the comets around 10 home meetings is ok, a meeting every couple of weeks at home away matches in-between, got to remember some of the riders in this league will be riding in the championship and will not be available every weekend, also sometimes less is more, and probably more affordable to people every couple of weeks especially in the current financial climate

It will work I think people will.be pleasantly surprised...

Would you say the team is stronger than it was last year? do you think Berwicks team are going to win the league with the team they have? do you think Edinburgh will win the league when pretty much they’ve swapped Masters for Cook and Serjent for Bickley? Were fortunate to have them come to the tapes again or otherwise our season would be even less meetings than it already is.

Panthers got to announce something in the morning for me. Spending two days straight promoting season tickets when we don't even have half a team announced gives out bad vibes imo. If the team is a title challenging team then surely you'd want to announce them in quick fire fashion to shift as many season tickets as possible so the fans know what they're buying. Delay after delay on team announcements just leaves a portion of the fan base to hold back on purchasing a season ticket. Only fans who would be jumping at the chance to buy a season ticket now with only 3 riders announced are the ones who'd be happy to have a 1-7 involving Ostergaard, Simon Lambert, Hans Andersen and Scott Nicholls.

I used to Baldy, then went a few seasons paying on the gate before getting one again last year. This time I’m 50/50 so the last couple of signing will swing it either way for me.

I personally think Birmingham have a decent side, 1st they have 6 soon to be 7 riders to watch for the 2023 season ( not all supporters have a club to support) You’ll be surprised with James Wright who did excellent for Newcastle and I think he’s in a false average. Every time I saw Nick Morris last season he was excellent giving 100% all the time , lastly I think Alfie Bowtell will increase his average and push for a heat leader as he’s been improving every season. A lot of positives for this team.

Should have left Jason Pipe in charge

The reason - you have to wait to see who the big boys let you have

I'm certainly glad the Prem kept the RS system!

I honestly don't think the Birmingham team is THAT bad, it's just I don't see much improvement likely in the team, while Morris is almost certain to drop his average. As well as Pearson needing to put 1.5 on his 2022 average to reach his 4.00 mark. Hopefully Birmingham will have enough in the tank to win 46-44 at home to keep the fans happy.

I would have thought the budget would be based on sponsorship secured, and average season tickets sales from the last few years, rather than waiting to see how many they sell this year before telling a certain rider they are signed….. also, haven’t seen any confirmation of new owners yet…..

1 Alfie Bowtell 10.67 2 Ben Trigger 6.00 3 Lee Complin © 7.27 4 Josh Warren 5.79 5 George Congreve 4.50 6 Arran Butcher 4.36 7 It's a very strong team, and with 3.41 left who do people expect the final 3.00er to be? Personally hope it's Jamie Halder or Kai Ward... Or will it be Boughen's brother or someone else new to the sport? Shame to see the like of Jack Kingston, Alex Spooner, Sam Bebee, Luke Muff, Matt Marson, Ryan Kinsley etc miss out... But of course there's not enough riders about

Would be a very odd way to put a team together….

@Pauldoveyspeedway did you get a dodgy Pie at Perry Bar like 10 years ago and have held a grudge ever since

Mushroom management continues!! No doubt valid reasons for delay, but then then those that become frustrated are dubbed impatient , disloyal et al . Then telling fans nothing encourage them to buy season tickets which are not particularly good value especially bearing in mind hidden cost of photos etc. Inevitably there will be some who have had enough and will not go anymore. Management will of course not see that they have any responsibility whatsoever .

I can't wait to see when the lunch menu is going to be announced ? Or will we be kept hanging. I am going for sea bass.

Looks like we've found the sauce of the news

Apart from Bomber, Jye was our best home rider in 2022

Good to see Plymouth has got a new main sponsor for the season happy days.

I do like the idea of riders not being announced in one go but have got to say this has been become rather tedious

Has sponsored Poole and quite a few Poole riders ilast season, interesting that he's sponsoring the under dogs and not the favourites, surely he couldn't have fallen out with Lord Ford could he????

I can see where your coming from but u wont get people thorough the door with a poor team..

So u think this team will win the league ..u need to go to spec savers....lol

Guess we have to wait for the fixtures coming out, but would be happy to run may to end of August,every 2 weeks, then if qualified, play offs in September, before the weather turns unlike last year when still trying to run final at very end of October

Your not going to watch your team every week to loose .......weak team ...

I can see 8 clubs fighting for the 6 play-off spots, unfortunately for Brummies fans, your team is the only one I see as not being in contention!

You are misreading my post or I've worded it wrongly. Chris Holder said he will only ride for Poole if/when they are in the Premiership! Riding for anyone else in the meantime is fine. You never know if it is to be Poole in Premiership in 2024, - and that is by no means certain - he may use this year to lower his average??

But why are they not doing the same for every other rider then? Just these three? Is it about the war or isn’t it? If they’re continuing to pontificate about the war in the Ukraine then they shouldn’t be allowing them to ride in Poland either should they? This makes absolutely no sense whatsoever.

I agree....how can u put out a team like that and expect to win the league...very poor .....u wouldn't want to watch that weak in weak out ....As for N.Morris like u said No way will he keep his 10 ave .......Dont rate him ...

Don't think it's very good at all, but there may be at least some entertaining, close home meetings (maybe not against Glasgow, Poole or Redcar lol) there are some real triers in the team, Alfie Bowtell, James Wright and Stefan Nielsen. Having said all of that, I think the team looks awful overall and I really don't understand why there's so much hype behind James Pearson either, aye he's young and decent, but Darcy Ward comparisons are insulting to Darcy imo, he was SO much better Oh and no way will Nick keep his 10 point average lol

Whats your thorts on the Brum team ????

Remember when "Wilkie" strode across the centre green at Cowley and ripped the tapes with his bare hands from the starting gate! Great days and as you can imagine got the crowd going and adding to the atmosphere! For the life of me I can't recall what caused the outrage? Can only guess that the referee had excluded him for some misdemeanour? Great character and sadly missed. I never got a copy of his book but I can only guess it was full of anecdotes? Imagine an interview or a Q & A session with the great man?

Whats the chance of Brum winning the league ....No chance ....very weak side ...

Poor side......bottom i guess.....

Envious of what? Been stated on here many times that no one really cares who does or doesn't win the league as its all a bit of a farce anyway. so what exactly are people jealous of?

Speedway would be a 'duller' sport without Poole IMO.... Poole set the bar and 'we' (other clubs) have to try and aspire to it.... It's a beautiful part of the country too. I admire their winning mentality.... We all want to beat Poole ...it's healthy competition IMO!

Poole are disliked through envy. The big green eyed monster. Anyone but Poole. Heard it virtually every season for the last 20 years.

Tonight Premiering at 7pm, the Plymouth 'Centurions' take on the Mildenhall 'Fen Tigers' in their National League encounter held at the Coliseum back in July. Brought to you by Gladiators TV.