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😂🥸 What a meeting. Absolutely heartbreaking, but f**king hell, what a speedway meeting. As I said in the Poole topic, a massive congratulations to the Pirates who did as they so often do and deliver when the chips are down. That was a captain’s performance from Zach Cook. The racing was remarkable; some of the best I’ve seen. Inside, outside, Glasgow, Poole, ding, dong, back and forth. If you could bottle Friday night, British speedway would be prime time on Sky Sports. 100%. It had everything and more. That Harris pass in heat 15, the one where Harris passed two at the same time, Kerr on Flint, Harris versus Lawson, Lawson throwing everything at Howarth, Howarth bullying Cook and Cook responding by taking the trophy back to Dorset. Honestly, wow. What a sport. Speedway won on Friday night, not just Poole. It was a pleasure as always, Pirates.

They probably wouldn't have done, which isn't ideal for him, but that's how it goes. Either accept the lottery of the RS scheme or accept the lottery of opting out. It would've been a shame for a young Brit to miss out obviously, but why bother with any sort of rules if you just don't apply them? I think we agree on the general point, the intention of the concept was a good idea, but it was bungled again by the people who created it. As you say, why bother announcing a rule that they don't bother following? I just wish they'd properly review the rules and regs and then stick to me, no budging. Too many times it's the tail wagging the dog or they've painted themselves into a corner like this.

Loftus is a good prospect, as is Jody Scott. I'd love to see both of them, but honestly, I hope they re-sign with their respective clubs. They gave them a chance and it would be nice to see the clubs reap the benefit next year.

Follow the leader 'roundabout racing' is one of the reasons the sport is dying in the UK...

That and everyone's been going well on the continent when in fact they're really struggling winds me up no end. It takes 2 minutes to have a read through the Polish results on a Monday morning before a TV meet to throw some colour and insight into things. Unless its Erik Riss and his long track achievements he hasn't a clue what's going on. I've never watched a football match where the commentators don't know anything about a player on the pitch.

😂🥸 Sorry mate; went along on Friday night, then had a busy weekend. Gutted, but what a meeting. All credit to both sets of riders who left nothing in the pits. That’s all I wanted on Wednesday night too, but felt the track didn’t allow for it. That’s done though. I’m gutted we lost in such heartbreaking circumstances, but give me a tie over two legs and a loss in the race-off every single season if we’re served that sort of racing. An absolute pleasure. I hope everyone enjoyed it. This fantastic sport might be struggling, but Glasgow and Poole, take a bow. Both sets of riders were like gladiators.

It isn't!🤣

The challenges of being in a major city rather than a small provincial town. The Bournemouth "echo" and the Poole "argus" or whatever the local papers are down there have little to report on in the sporting world apart from one football club in Bournemouth , and frankly most weeks will be slow news in the poole area. Anything Ford or Middlo says however trivial will be found a column inch just to fill the paper. Compare with Glasgow where the sporting world is dominated by Celtic and Rangers and no doubt all manner of stories affecting the major city of Glasgow. The only story likely to feature in the Glasgow "Herald" is some disaster at the track or similar bad publicity story.

Quite happy to lose the TNT coverage as I wasn't planning to pay £30.99 pcm to watch the speedway and the saturday lunchtime PL football by half price deal ends on 26th october whereuon I will cancel it. Premier Sport would be an interesting option - i used to subscribe to them a few years back wehn they covered Polish (reruns) and Swedish speedway matches.

I don’t have a problem with any of them although I’d admit kelvin does seem to be making more and more mistakes, I dislike a couple of BSNs presenters more but they don’t detract from the overall product, for me TNT just comes across like an amatuer film crew that have no idea how speedway ticks and they don’t actually want to be there, maybe it’s because BSN actually come from within the sport, most have been through a fence or two and understand how the sport ticks where Tatum and Louis have to put their speedway perspective through someone who has gone through media training and wouldn’t know a speedway bike from a biscuit tin, it happens in all walks of life sadly and in the case of TNT it shows

Massive congratulations to Poole. I’ve been vocal about Wimborne Road and will continue to be, but Friday night was a champions performance. It was heartbreaking as a Glasgow fan, but what a battle. It meant so much to both teams. The gradually developing Tigers versus Pirates rivalry is fantastic for British speedway. I thought although there was a lot of racing left, Cook and Kerr’s wins in heats 12 and 14 swung the momentum in your direction. The chips were down and those race wins over Thompson and Flint, sadly for us, were huge. Honestly, congratulations. Another stellar season for the Pirates which will likely end in a treble. Enjoy.

In case anyone hasn't got X or Instagram. Could watch this all day 😁 Love the way Lewi just runs in half way through the race lol.

If Ace is at 6, won't have such a strong top 4 obviously. Btw I wouldn't call a rider who can score 4 at home & 2 away a "sacrificial no 7" that sounds like a valuable member of the team.

I was gutted for Slot yesterday... He should have popped his head around the United dressing room door before the game and asked Ruben to play a high line and to keep playing out from the keeper with plenty of short one touch passes so his team could intecept the ball and score loads of goals.. Instead, he had to try and find a way of winning a game where the opponents decided to do something tactically he didn't want them to... Completely unfair...!! I have only watched Maguire's winner about twenty five times today to see if I am entertained... .. I can see United only getting just under 75000 for their next match now....

She loves the poles.

Weather looking okay for Tuesday and Weds on met office atm. Just maybe some light rain from 9pm Weds, so they need an efficient referee to just get on with it!!

The facts are that if we did not make it slick, Glasgow would have won. A lot of fans would want us to put more dirt down to encourage better racing but winning is everything in sport. I heard the Liverpool manager Slot moaning about Man Utd having a low block but they won so it was the right thing to do, fans like to see a great game if there team wins.

Ok but if we make the track like Redcar for example and means we lose more the crowd will go down. That's why they will prepare it to win. Also if Glasgow could ride it slick then it would have been as it normally is as they wouldn't have been an advantage. So it's Glasgow's fault really as they are too vocal about it.😉😄

Why is Ashfield only 1/2 full most of the season then.Where are all these missing fans rest of the season.Im sure it wasn’t Poole fans that filled up the Stadium on Friday. You and me could name a few reasons. The Faccenna’s could not do any more than they have done over the last few years.

Tigers get NO publicity on the Scottish TV Channels or local papers,even though they submit stories,Sports editors have no interest in promoting Speedway.

BCP really ought to be right behind proactively securing Wimborne Road for the future of the Pirates, one of the areas premier assets that puts Poole on the map. Looking forward to our last meeting of the season, hope it can go ahead on Wednesday.

Would think Poole would like him to stay.He was the go -to man when a big race was required last season (Lawson accepted).Still improving and stylish. His performance was the difference in Pirates winning the League IMO.

You got a pair of binoculars looking from the window opposite 🤣

Well she been to bed with a few of them 😉

Does Kelvin have a clue who some riders are? "I'll be honest, I don't know much about him" is a refrain heard far too often.... One of the key requirements of a commentator is to do research and inform the viewers of some background details about the competitors... His enthusiasm is first rate, but his lack of general speedway knowledge outside of the Premiership doesn't help...

Just seen heat 15, that was a fantastic ride from Harris, really amazing what he can do on a well prepared track. So the Poole promotion, realising they'll have their biggest crowd of the season, with one of the most exciting riders in British Speedway visiting, decide the best option is to make a super slick track with no option for passing! Which is what their fans want apparently? I really can't understand that. I'm not saying design it so Harris can have a blinder, but a track where you go backwards if you drift off the line, surely not? Don't really like either team, but I'd rather watch racing at Glasgow each week & finish 2nd, than watch Poole each week & win the league. Also makes me question why Howarth was used in heat 16, don't get that decision by Cami.

Seem to remember they did similar a few years back, it will help balance things a bit more, but trade off will be those third tier heat leaders on an attractive sub 8 point average will most likely want more money next year as they know their bargaining position is better. The bigger issue is though its a tiny effort against the wholesale restructuring that needs to happen obviously not helped by the fact there is currently by the sound of it no tv contract on offer, hopefully Flagrag's words of wisdom to the promoters will bear some form of fruit.

If it was up to me 100% British Premiership Speedway would be back on Sky Sports unfortunately it’s not my decision I am however having words in the correct ears . There may be some interest if the right deal was available and if a decent league sponsor could be found to support with the production costs as Speedway was not planned into 2026 plans . I am a great advocate of BSN however it’s very much a niche closed product so can foresee some potential issues with sponsorship for clubs

It isn’t harsh. Professional sports enforce their rules regardless of whether someone is inconvenienced or not.

The trouble we have now is the result of the relaxing of the average conversion rate between the two leagues and doubling up becoming a free for all about 15 years ago. Before then there was a noticeable difference in standard between the leagues (all three leagues that is). Sounds like that one was driven by rider power, but the promoters also allowed it to happen. There’s now not enough riders of the standard of team spots available. I think this is half the problem, nobody wants the sport to be watered down. It feels like a necessary evil though, because those “good enough” riders just don’t exist in large enough quantities so we’re lumbered with the current incredibly flawed system.

Is this goodbye to Abi? There’s always a silver lining.

Thanks for the update. I've been keeping tabs on their Facebook page. In my opinion speedway could be boosted by having big names like Cradley and Coventry back at the top table.

Jeez where has the time gone, I remember Henka's debut possibly it was against Cradley his first three rides he looked pretty average but by the fourth ride he had weighed the track up and came from the back to win in style pretty much from then on he was a force at Saddlebow Road. Loram was a great rider to watch but Henka in full flow was a cut above even Mark.

I haven't been critical of anyone! 😁 I have a saying of what a family member used to say if I got frustrated during a meeting 'I'm sure they are trying their best...' Sticks in my head tbf.. Interesting it says Ipswich and Leicester are definites. But BV are doubts with other two! But seems to hint at one over 8 for Prem not Champ as talking about BK and Bewley being split up. Love the bit at the end about us having to sort things out quicker lol. Though I'll take it with a pinch of salt as the Polish media couldn't predict the right GP wildcards 😉

As already stated one meeting with the track specially prepared does not make the whole season. Local/regional media report on winners. They couldn't give a rat's backside if it was entertaining or not. If greater media coverage generates greater attendance, then those additional fans keep coming back, as Poole's attendances over the season have shown. Nobody has answered my earlier question of how much media coverage Glasgow Tigers got after Friday? I'm interested to know having spent almost all of my working life in regional media and large venue management.

😂😂😂 Hang on. So you’re telling me Poole don’t want to prepare a track for proper racing and entertainment because they’re worried it won’t generate enough publicity and sponsorship in comparison to not preparing a track for racing and entertainment!?😂 Get a grip, Steve. You can win the league and host entertaining racing; it isn’t either or.

But they wouldn’t have done. The only way Jenkins would have gotten in at Ipswich this year was at rising star. You say “that’s life” which of course is your prerogative and opinion, but I’m pretty sure nobody else would have picked him as a senior reserve at number six either so a young Brit would end up missing an opportunity if he’d “opted out” of the scheme. The whole idea to start with was to help these young Brits. The flip side to that I guess would be that someone else on the list would have gotten an opportunity instead. A staggered pick based on league positions from a totally different season was a really poor idea in the first place so lord above knows why they came out with it. Worth remembering also that all signings made including rising stars are “subject to ratification by the BSPL” so if indeed there wasn’t any priority picks and they were all content to let everyone choose who they wanted, then why bother announcing that rule to start with? 🤷🏼‍♂️

That just reinforces what a daft system it was allowed to become. It is really classic speedway that something as straightforward as a draft can end up in a mess. X clubs, X riders, everyone picks one each in the reverse order of last year's league - how can anyone possibly mess that up? It's amazing. If Jordan Jenkins didn't want to lose all of his local sponsorship - which is absolutely fair btw - then he had the choice to opt-out of the RS scheme and wait for Ipswich to sign him. If they didn't, that's life. How many other riders have to go elsewhere up and down the country to get a job?

Scott Nichols and Chris Louis do a grand job. Olly Allen passable, but Tatum and that giggly Abi Stephen’s are a joke.

The ad window is 7 minutes per hour at peak times. Speaking to a Commercial Manager of a Premiership club he said the issue is not only the raw numbers but the demographics. Fans are to old, and to poor to appeal to mainstream brands. The comparison he gave was a netball viewer was 28 years younger and earned £22,000 more per annum than a speedway viewer. This would make the sport a hard sell to free to air channels. BSPL could be faced with decision between a small amount of money per club from a broadcast partner that has the sport "hidden" behind some form of paywall and a free to air deal with no money and where BSPL pick up the production costs but gets the sport to a wider audience. This greater reach could then be used to gain more commercial partners for the clubs as it would appear more to selected national brands.

Who do you mean by they? Most comments and criticism about the lack of passing came from non Glasgow fans. Why would 'they' criticise or comment on a meeting where there was passing? Incidentally by posting twice you have used unnecessary bandwidth.

While I understand people's enthusiasm for young up and coming talent. But you have to remember that riders who excel at say 16yrs don't inevitably continue to excel in the same way as their careers go on. So when it comes to building a team, getting a balance of proven and potential talent right, is crucial. I'm thinking having two young riders is probably the maximum, any more is a gamble.

Something with response advice will be out this coming week apparently. The general public's reponse to the whole situation has been bizarre The Swindon Needs Speedway group had only a small turn-out when presenting their petition to Council last year (2,300 names but only about a dozen turned up at the Counci), a recent call for funding help saw only a few donate and now some are moaning about the line-up in the Oxford 4TT this week! Social media has over 2,000 followers, but it seems many want speedway back as long as they don't have to do anything themselves to make it happen!

You’re being harsh here. The whole idea is to give young British riders a helping hand to make their way up the speedway ladder. It’s not as black and white as you’re making out. Jenkins has been mentioned so let’s use him as an example. He had to be careful what he said, but he all but admitted Birmingham approached him but he wanted to stay with Ipswich in the main due to local sponsorship he’d acquired there. Ipswich were realistically never going to sign him in their 1-6, so rising star it had to be. So you’re saying, that he should have had no say in where he went, gave up the sponsorship he’d have got at Ipswich, and either accepted Birmingham’s offer or missed out completely? How is that helping the young British riders? Extremely harsh. All the rising star’s should have been left to negotiate with whoever they wanted. It wasn’t a bad idea in theory, but poorly executed and if the rising star system is kept then the priority “picks” part of it needs to be removed. Edit: Found the article in question https://ipswichwitches.co/2025-signing-jordan-jenkins/ “It’s probably been the most stressful two months of my career. I’ve always been in a fortunate position where I’ve had a club to go to no matter what but after riding for Ipswich last year I wanted to be back and made no secret of that. Before the season was finished, I was injured and was speaking to Chris (Louis) and Ritchie (Hawkins) about how much I wanted to be back, but it wasn’t confirmed that I would be eligible to be a Rising Star, so it was a bit up in the air. Chris and Ritchie will be glad to get it done as I have been hounding them every week for the past two months! It shows what a good club Ipswich are. “With the draft system and the way it is, it means Birmingham had first pick. When a club and a rider want to work together, and you have developed a fan base and sponsors in and around that club I don’t think it should be able to be dictated that way. But that’s all ifs and buts, I’m at Ipswich now and I couldn’t be happier.”

Disagree. The riders know what they’re signing up for. If you want a chance to ride in the top league then you enter the draft. If you’re drafted somewhere then you ride for the team who pick you. If you don’t like it, don’t enter the draft.

Impressive total from Kent at NDT level.

I thought Poole done well to keep the deficit to 2 points tonight when you consider the tension and excitement of last night. It's looking like consecutive trebles for the Pirates which is some achievement. The consistency of performance at the business end from their top 4 in particular has been very impressive.

The Pirates certainly can gate , but they can also go fast and the opposition can’t pass them.(especially when it matters🤔😜)

The best deal is the one that gets the sport to the largest number of non speedway fans. But how to achieve this? My opinion is that the sport is not suitable for live TV but ideal for a hour long, prepack, magazine type programme. You focus on the best races from a couple of meetings with additional races that are talking points from the previous week. In a 52 minute programme (plus 8 minutes of ad brakes which is the maximum allowed) as the spot ruling will not be applied to speedway due to viewing figures you should be able to cover this. I would get BSN to prepare it and offer it prepacked to Channel 4 or 5. Being on a FTA channel but as highlights will not impact on people attending a live meeting as much as the present deal does. And you stand a chance of attracting new fans as its not behind a paywall. The key is to get a broadcast (TV) partner as a streaming service only engages existing speedway fans.