Leaderboard

Moving with the times, well done.

These championship team fans need to be careful what they wish for, saying their league is better than the prem yet if the prem didn’t pay the likes of Z.Cook, Lawson, Wright, King etc big money, thus helping them ride in the second tier, they wouldn’t have many good riders at all. Take out their riders who ride in the prem and it’s a pretty poor standard. Everyone can say Prem is better or Champ is better but the fact is Speedway needs to be better.

It is really a perfect sport for some half decent marketing company to promote... Given how few of the country even are aware of it, let alone attend, it is almost like launching a brand new sport to the wider sporting viewers.. You are pretty much starting from a blank canvas.. However.... A five team top league will be a hard sell for TV given the same teams will be on far too regularly.. And so many meetings that currently get run without jeopardy does the sport little favours, as it doesn't create interest in getting people to the track or watching on TV., and a five team top league will mean just one team missing out, and, usually, there is one team that gets put well adrift far too early in the season.. The lack of a big money prize also holds it back hugely, as the public get engaged by sports with the huge prizes on offer, so finding a way to get some "big money" into it is fundamentally key for me... There are though huge opportunities, given its current starting position for the sport to develop, and rapidly if the correct marketing and hype can get brought in.. Just 400 or so regulars at every track would mean a massive percentage increase at even those tracks who currently get four figures.. Such a tiny number, but bringing such a large positive impact, shows the size of the opportunity...

Plymouth have launched a speedway app , with direct links to all the clubs websites , live scoring from the home matches , news feed etc …links to the live stream , rider profiles …. FUEL THE FUTURE … App Store / Google play Plymouth Gladiators

Nobody cares what you're doing on Saturday night just say you can't make it would suffice.

It is a moment all Panthers and Speedway supporters should take great pride in. We’re not there yet, but a foot is in the door.

When was the last time he completed four laps and finished last? This can be costly if another rider then pulls up when the score is tight. As I have said before, I’m surprised Dickson tolerates this. Out of respect for the paying public, riders should be completing four laps unless there is a genuine mechanical failure.

Local Essex boy would have been great at Arena but we cannot beat Google at the moment! Poole will offer him the most dosh so he will go there.

Don't worry, I will be there with me Mr 'Barry' Sheen ! 😀

So... you are not anti Antti, then?? LOL

Au Contraire Lisa, he would rather Poole lose than Ipswich win and slags off our track at every opportunity. He said recently he didn't care who won in the final!! He cares passionately that we lose. Really strange individual.

Not really that difficult to understand, is it? Almost guaranteed trophies, a stable club, doubtless a good financial/sponsorship package. I assume it's also one of the closest Championship tracks to him, too, which helps being a 16yo. I know Glasgow fans are still unhappy about the track in the PO final, but if you're in Rushen's position and Poole are interested then it's very easy to see why he'd go there.

If money isn't an issue at Kings Lynn does that mean Buster won't be there.

I'd like to see someone like Pollestad, Bedna, Drejer give a go

I wanted Ipswich to win it this year because I’ve felt they’ve deserved to for building consistently one of the best teams, and arguably the best in recent years and been so unlucky for one reason or another. Now they’ve won it, I’m aboard the Leicester train for 2026. Runner up twice in a row, I’d like to see them go one better next time. Make sure to retain Fricke as priority, and work down from there.

Don't worry, I'll cover for you. Friday works for me, I work on Wednesday nights so this will be my first meeting of the season. I'm up for a bit of glory hunting 😁 The wife is away for the weekend so Speedway on Friday, Hamworthy-Utd on Saturday & AFCB on Sunday... Sorted 👍

Chris Louis to received an award earlier next month for Ipswich’s contribution.

It won't be 36, that's just a stupid rumour started on here. Silly season has begun...

Poole. He agreed to go there for 2026 quite a while back. As under 16 I don't think he has actually signed yet. Never seen him race, but if he's as good a racer as he's said to be then it's a shame for the sport that he's chosen a gate and go track

If the 36 limit is true, even Doyle and Brennan as a top two would be pushing it, let alone adding Bewley.

Not got professional attitude

Top three of Harris, Howarth and Flint (I’d add Morris to that four but pretty sure he’s back at Berwick on what is a steal of an average) should grab a decent amount of points one and away, a less top heavy team will allow to have one slightly stronger reserve at 6 and hope there’s a 0.5 point increase each in the engine room and reserves in case some mid season tinkering needed 1 Harris 8.90 2 Jake Mulford 4.26 3 Leon Flint 6.95 4 Tate Zischke 5.43 5 Kyle Howarth 7.92 6 Sam Hagon 3.48 7 Freddie Holder 2.63 Averages = 39.57

Fantastic prospect loves to race and pass, so hopefully that rules him out going to Poole !! Seems a lot more grounded than the last great hope who no longer rides speedway. From what I read the family hasn't got lots of money like other people, all the success seems to be on pure talent, and this boy has it no doubt, I've been watching speedway since 1970, and you know when someone special comes along. Good look cooper where ever you ride, hopefully not Poole 🤪

Think all speedway fans would love the sport to have a sustained massive injection of cash but it doesn't. The fact remains that currently only 5 teams (35riders) are possible participants in the Premiership in 2026. Currently there is no tv deal and with most of the likely candidates having been there and done that then I have my doubts whether a tv deal from a financial big player is at all likely . This obviously has financial implications for the budgets of the premiership clubs and the BSPL. Another question to be answered is with no tv money and only a possible 5 teams do all these teams even want this ? . No excitement and not much variability in 5 teams from where I'm sitting. The truth is the Premiership is not the promised land and most Championship supporters believe that is the better product. Also let's not forget Leicester only joined the Premiership in 2023 and Sheffield in 2021 neither of which have enjoyed financial happy times if rumours of the size of losses are to be believed.

Nothing wrong with hyping them up, as long as they don't get carried away and start believing the hype - as happened with Boughen. He tried to walk before he could run. And to answer your question, it's not Poole. No way he will ride in the same team as William Cairns. Didn't they have a falling out? I've heard Glasgow.

Surprised tassels are allowed in speedway they could pull an arm into a wheel. And to answer your question, it’s Poole.

If he's 'very pricey' he won't be southbound!!

These look like the sort of tassels Jack Sparrow would wear

You are probably right. Can't understand why he appears to be Poole bound. Surely he would learn more - how to overtake experienced riders , how to use different lines, how to ride grippy tracks etc - by choosing a track other than Poole.

Adam Ellis?

Flip side they aren't risking losing six figures per season trying to compete in the top league

Got to be more teams coming in then if its that low surely ? a 5 team top league with watering down would be a disaster otherwise.

Yes I am hopeful I can make it with the help of a very understanding wife!!

Wonder what the crowd will be like on a Friday? Even for a final meeting with a cup at stake, will be a useful indicator to the promotion of whether “ off night” racing is a viable business in Poole.

Good listen that. Tom Brennan absolutely nailed on for next year listening to that, and they do really like the boy Rushen don’t they? “No issue” with getting him kitted out with a tassle clad team suit in Tru7 colours.. Louis slipped that one in. That'll get a few tongues wagging.

The Polish league have got it right. Promotion and relegation from all 3 divisions. Ambition shown by all teams year in year out. None of this deciding what league they will only race in bollox.. The only team sport in this country that puts up with that crap . It’s only a matter of time before it all goes to the wall . On the plus side United beat the scousers 👍

Conversations regarding 2026 should of started early this year but it just sounds like heads have been buried in the sand as per normal.

Would love to see Nicholls back for the Gladiators for 2026. Seemed to really enjoy his time in Devon where the pressure was off for him and he was able to just enjoy being back on his bike. Feel like Joe T is likely to return along with the hugely exciting Klima. Think Barker did enough in the Poole fixture alone to earn himself a spot back in the team. Would be open to seeing Tobias race for the Gladiators next season, he was excellent when guesting for the club. I think what we will see is plenty of people have had their opinions on Plymouth changed within the sport over the last 6 months with how things have played out for the club. This is very much a club who are trying to beat the curve and sail forward with the wind behind them. Crowds through the roof, atmosphere at home fixtures unlike any other, fantastic racing on the track too. Plenty of riders spoke very highly of appearing for/at Plymouth last year and I think Garry will be very happy with the options he'll have available to him when building the team.

The interview with Matt Ford in the SS details the thought process for Poole.. And it is hard not to agree with him... The considerable cost increases for the top league won't get covered by extra admission numbers, or extra sponsors, for a business that is "stand alone" and not some "plaything" for some who can afford an expensive hobby.. The bottom line is hardly anyone who doesn't follow the sport could tell you who the fop tier champions are this year, or last, or, indeed, any particular year for decades.. And Poole, in Div 2, will have plenty of finals to generate big crowds, and will gain as much publicity winning 2nd tier trophies as they would top tier ones.. The top tier need the second tier to try and then justify why they are "different" and the "highest level" and more expensive to watch... The second tier need the top tier as those who double up can then afford to ride for them for 2nd tier money... The likes of Poole and Glasgow could be seen as being happy to be "big fishes in a small pond".. However. The whole of UK Speedway is more of a "big puddle" when compared to pretty much every other professional team sport in the UK.. When there is such very little financial reward, nor national publicity, for any success at any level, and crowds get hit by so many meetings running with zero jeopardy and consequence as to who qualifies for the play offs, you can understand why running your own business, at the level you can make it profitable, has to be the best idea..

Firstly congratulations to the Poole riders for winning the Championship. I've been intrigued over the season with many on here saying speedway's dying, there's no overtaking, only old folk go and every year there's less of them, promoters don't promote, etc, etc. Perhaps Poole fans can advise if their fan base is generally 40+ years old with few youngsters, or not. If it is could this be because kids find it boring for whatever reason which then doesn't bode well for the longer term future. On the other hand Glasgow has hundred of kids most weeks, normally when operating on a Friday night - see link Facebook Also with the kids wanting to go we have more fans in the 20-40 age group, so a potential longer term fan base who like to be entertained.

Well it does look like Gavan got the desired reaction, he can't help himself slag off Poole at every opportunity.

Anybody!

Well thats a load of crap. Why don't Ipswich get the same crowd at every home meeting that they did for the playoff final then?

Absolute bullrubbish! from the mid-eighties to 1999 Poole had one of the sports wealthiest owners in the late Mervyn Stewkesbury, together with an experienced back-up team including the old National League Administrators. The Fords took over in 1999 and spent 20years in the Premiership (Elite) winning it several times over, much to the chagrin of some of the more established owners/promoters. Of course crowds dropped a little when the team wasn't doing well - as is the case with ALL teams. PS> There's nothing wrong with being at the top of any sport - as long as the club remains profitable.

Are we still going on about the track? After 15 races at pooles track. And 16 races at Glasgows track, can we not agree that the team that won deserved to win? Poole prepared their track to help them win. Glasgow prepared their track to try and help them win.

Steve was never banned. His twin brother, Richie, was and still hasn't returned. Steve is rumoured to be retiring at the end of this season.

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.

So what the Premiership needs, much like football, is a massive injection of money so riders don’t have to double up and ride in the championship. Then championship teams would be desperate to ride in the prem for money, but you then add promotion and relegation so you have jeopardy . That would be the catalyst for some good racing and more risk, bringing fans in as they would see some meaning to the meetings. Not this joke of any team choosing what league they want to ride in. A lot of championship fans on here comment “let the premiership run how it wants and we will do our own thing” so let that be the case. No doubling up, all top riders ride in Prem only due to money being bigger, and championship and NDL can do their own thing, see how many then want to make the jump up to the top league. The Prem should be the ‘promise land’ and all champ teams want to be in it, dilute their teams and league but limiting the top riders only in the prem and see how many comments change then, as all they want to do is dilute the prem to be their level of riders.

All the lads who rode at Ipswich last night should be riding in the championship full time and not used as fodder for a declining Premiership. Perhaps the loss of TV money will radically change how U.K. speedway is set up.