Leaderboard

Anyone defending 3 home 3 away with the play offs is part of the problem. It's a shambles and I shall not spend a penny on it.

Disagree I’m afraid Jason. Why couldn’t he reassure the supporters that there will be Speedway next year? The fact is, his latest interview a week or two ago, he couldn’t guarantee that when pushed. Why couldn’t he say that he wanted to sell the club (no problem, his choice), but if no buyer came forward in time, he’d continue to run it whilst a buyer could be found for the longer term? Just like the Bates’ have done at Sheffield?? Instead, he’s gone on local radio and caused unnecessary stress to a lot of loyal supporters, by not confirming there would be speedway next year, all whilst jetting off to sunny Australia for a nice sunny Holiday with family. Just before Christmas too, nice! Anyone who has been a regular at Foxhall over the years, will know Margaret and her Daughter, Heather Lay. Two huge servants to Ipswich Speedway over decades. Working tirelessly selling draw tickets and helping running the supporters club over many many years. I caught up with Heather towards the end of the season and we had a chat. She was quite openly telling us that Margaret wasn’t in the best health these days and was struggling to get about. But she STILL makes a huge effort to attend Foxhall every meeting. She said if it wasn’t for her beloved Witches, she’s not sure she’d “still be here”. I wonder how they’re feeling right now and looking forward to Christmas? They won’t be alone either. For a lot of people, it’s not just something to do on a Thursday evening, it’s become a massive part of their lives going back decades. They’ll all be feeling worried sick that their Speedway is about to be taken away, just as Christmas is approaching. Look at the reception they got at the Town hall a few weeks ago. It’s was pi$$ing down, it was a lunch time, and was announced at short notice. And the people of Ipswich turned out in great numbers to celebrate, along with the Mayor. There’s great people who work at the club, most voluntarily, loyal sponsors who have backed him to the hilt financially, and of course, a core of loyal supporters. All been left totally in the dark and wondering what on earth is going on. I can only imagine how annoyed fans of Wolves, Arena/Lakeside , Peterborough, Swindon, amongst many others must feel, who have seen their speedway taken away from them due to track unavailability, see another club potentially not running despite a viable club and available track just sitting there. Ok, it may well break in the next days/weeks that he’s successfully sold the club on, OR, he’s staying and will continue to run it, but that won’t change the fact that he’s handled this very poorly. In my opinion! Obviously.

We as loyal fans (1981 was my 1st visit) all have opinions on what's gone on or going on at Ipswich, i enter my 44th season, give or take a couple i took a break from, and i totally back @Aries in everything he has said. We can all say about what if we were in a position on losing money, that situation i can't argue with, you would consider selling it, that's obvious, but the Radio Silence for all of us fans for me is simply poor, irrelevant at what he has done for the club as a rider and a promoter through the years, just be honest with the loyal supporters who has backed him and his family for years. His silence is painful for so many. As a very loyal Ipswich fan, i now can see all the frustrations that Wolves,Peterborough,Swindon,Lakeside and many more, to many to name, supporters feel at all the uncertainty surrounding their clubs. Now it's our turn, and i hold my hand up it's painful. There maybe 2 bidders on the table, there maybe more, but until Louis lowers his asking price, it's simply not going to sell. Yes its controversial, and yes there are Witches fans rolling their eyes at my post, but I've spent many evenings travelling the country Home and Away supporting Ipswich for years, and in my own honest opinion, my loyalty towards Chris and the situation is wearing thin. Not saying loads agree with me, just giving an honest opinion. Clubs already naming riders (That's the 4 teams that remain), but as we sit here this evening, there is NO guarantee Ipswich come to tapes, irrelevant of the Fine @PhilTheAce is talking about, that simply won't happen, as we all know rules and regulations in this sport are not worth the paper they are written on. I would say we are closer to NOT running than people think, unless as i read on here earlier today Chris is calling people's bluff and he remains in charge, but for me if he does that, he will have a lot of rebuilding to do with the Supporters. I hope i'm 100% wrong, and we race, but im nowhere near as confident as some. Many Apologies for the long post. Tomorrow is another day???

Sadly you could say that about British Speedway for the past several years .... "always going to be fixed next season". Maybe this AGM in January 2026 really is "THE MOST IMPORTANT IN THE HISTORY OF THE SPORT" to quote the regular old chestnut trotted out in the Speedway satr to try and sell a few more copies. Dont think it is unfair to say the "one big league" has been suggested for a few seasons now - but what did the clever boys in charge do .... they started "doubling up" "doubling down" under some misguided belief that it would help riders progression. It has just developed into a money earning stunt for the mediocre riders and separated the 2 leagues further apart , making it nigh on impossible for teams to move up or down ... with so many doubling up riders. Sooperstars carried on regardless, and rabbits enjoyed the "rising star" charade. This also makes amalgamation nigh on impossible with the loss of sooperstars plus the loss of many doubling up riders who might just retire with only one teams income (albeit more meetings per season.) None of which solves the minor issue of getting MORE people through the turnstiles, something that has been continually overlooked !!

So as predicted, Berwick pick 28 year old Jack Smith rather than the young man who showed him the way round Shielfield Max Perry

And this silly vendetta against all things NORA needs to STOP!

The top flight is finished, nothing is going to save it...

To all the critics of Christopher Louis. If you were presented with proposals that you believe would make your business unprofitable in 2026 ... and you were dependent on that business for your living , would you decide to (a) carry on with your business, and make a loss (b) sell the business and take a change of career

Would rather have had a 2pt junior who might actually improve or Dayle Wood retained.

IMO Smith has had enough chances should have went with Perry

Why are you making this up? As i understand it, Sheffield had several offers of interest. That is what led the Bates' into deciding that they didn't want to sell up at all, and are instead thinking of bringing others in with them. Ipswich had at least 2 firm offers for the club. All Louis needed to do was to take the better offer. No run off to Aussie. Saying neither club had any offers is straightforward lying. One man's dignified silence is another man's cowardly hiding away. If I were an Ipswich fan, I'd be very angry that my club could be lost.

Cheers, I am certainly confused, some responses were as if I said Joe Thompson would be a 9.5 rider, rather than Dan! Completely understand people disagreeing, but laughing - not so much. As for the SWC, he'll definitely be in the squad, can't be far away from the team?

They will manage to

I think it’s pretty evident that to a fair few Ipswich supporters, Chris Louis walks on water and can’t do a thing wrong. They’re going to back him no matter what. Which of course is their prerogative. As a neutral, he’s rightly being criticised by others because he’s treated his own supporters appallingly here.

It’s hard to be positive signing rider who has been riding for over 10 years( mainly at reserve in Championship)and has an average under 3.Wish him well though.

Like chalk and cheese though... One has jeopardy, consequence, relevance, resonance, credibilty, and delivers a reasonable level of publicity and financial reward... And the other, which delivers none of the above, is British Speedway... Fans stay away from the POQ's because, well, without being too harsh, the whole shebang isn't too far short of being meaningless... Other than to provide riders, and some promoters and managers, with another job, and other promoters an expensive hobby to spend a budgeted amount of money on...

It's all about just getting through this year. All clubs taking a year away from racing was not an option because it's never just one year away is it. Things would have been easier if championship would have accepted the prem teams but they didn't want us. For the first time they actually reached the cross roads and they now need to make that decision for 2027. Go left or go right.

Every time our sport takes a step back, that becomes the new normal from which to work backwards from. Rarely if ever does it step back, regroup and move forward. It just moves further back.

If they weren't we wouldn't have the current problems

How can he reassure the supporters? For whatever reason something radical changed between the end of October & mid November that meant that he didn’t that he could or wanted to run Ipswich anymore. The statement put out when he announced it was going up for sale was clear enough. He isn’t running Ipswich in 2026 if a buyer can be found then it will carry on. He can’t guarantee he’ll find a buyer & as Louis isn’t going to run it in 26 no chance of being able to provide guarantees. Unlike the other promoters Louis doesn’t have other businesses that he can offset loses against. Louis seems to have put his family & financial security above running Ipswich speedway in a climate that could see him sustain losses that he can’t afford. Because of that he has my support because no one else on here would take a major gamble like that with no other income stream.

The casual fans are happy and that’s all that matters to the promotion. Smith was a fan favourite with them and that is why he’s probably been retained. Would much rather have Perry or someone else who may improve over time. If they finish this with Paul Starke then I really don’t know what they are trying to achieve.

Smith must be very cheap or something. There are so many other options. I really hope he proves me wrong. He had very close to the full season to make an account of himself and ended up dropping over a point. I’d have much rather have taken a chance on a youngster. Smith has had his opportunities.

Oh yay.

Dan Thompson will be absolutely fine next season. I think he will maintain his average at worst.

Aries, you have hit the nail on the head. Speedway has been a big part of my life for over 50 years and when/if Ipswich don't come to the tapes next year that will be it for me I'm afraid. Next nearest track Oxford or Lynn, both well over two hours away. Not the Christmas present I was hoping for tbh ...

Don't often agree with you @Aries but this is spot on. This isn't Ipswich specific, just my opinion in general. For me, a sports club/organisation exists for the fans first and foremost. There may be an owner/figurehead but everything always has to circle back to those who support the club. Without them there would be nothing. They turn up week in, week out. If they didn't then the club could fold. Seems a bit off that the person who they've been supporting and entrusted with the custodianship of their team can then just decide to pull the rug on them.

He’s hardly retirement age is he? Look, he gave an interview on local radio post play off success, stating that the hard work was already underway in building “another title winning side”. He was in a jovial mood after winning the league. There wasn’t a sniff of this happening and we’re talking only a few weeks ago. Let’s have it right here, he’s gotten the hump over something recent, probably the meetings running up to the original date of the AGM where things haven’t gone the way he wanted. Have they gone the way the other clubs/promoters wanted? Of course not! I’d bet NONE of them particularly want to run a five team league!! But they’re all prepared to battle through what is, to keep a Premiership going. All except the owner of arguably the most well supported, stable club in the Country.

A big fine could be better than losing a fortune in a very watered down and repetitive premiership !!

Passion is controllable, that is just brattish behaviour.

It's called passion, and speedway would be all the poorer if we didn't have characters who possess a bit.

i thought we needed characters like this, cant fault him for speaking his mind..

League standard must be terrible if King's Lynn are favourites imo.

or (c) Threaten to sell the business, but actually p1ss off to Australia and leave your loyal customers high and dry, and wondering what is going on. I'd have gone for option (b). Chris Louis seems to have gone for option (c). So what's your point?

Smith does seem incredibly popular on fb. In previous seasons whenever a rider is injured, someone will say "what about Jack Smith, he could do a job" even when it's a heat leader missing. Heck someone just said he could do a job in the Prem. I find it hard to put a positive spin on the signing - maybe he can get his average back above 3?

And, you would have to think, put the P+L account looking quite healthy... However, no guarantee of the same this season, or any season, going forwards, so any potential purchaser would not be including those numbers in their bid.. And. No Emil and Doyle? Maybe sponsors money will drop too without the star names?... And with the stars missing, and the same teams on repeat, maybe the average attendance could also be hit? Any buyer would probably need to be a fan with an outside business, and be happy to spend what is needed...

More notice period for teams moving up/down. Early knowledge of league structures to negate riders looking elsewhere for their income. Teams and meeting formats to suit the rider pool available. Competitions outside of the current league set up. There’s many operational knock ons associated with above and that’s just stuff off the top of my head right now.

And it was all looking so positive, but having Etheridge and now Smith in the same team means its yet another what might have been season for Berwick.

Exactly and who would not like to see what the best young Brit of his age can do? Hopefully he'll get towards Brennan's level this year, I know I'd rather see a rider on the up, than one just hanging on to be a No1, just got to stay injury free as usual.

Not making anything up. Sheffield had interest but no offers were forthcoming. They have now decided to seek other investment which appears to have been forthcoming. In Ipswich’s case it’s not about investment, Louis had all that he needed. For whatever reason he has decided speedway is no longer for him & therefore isn’t going to risk his future on it anymore.

That big?

I think Dan T will be exactly what Edinburgh are looking for in a rider. Someone who can compete in Heats 13 & 15. It's something they lacked last season, a season which saw them come narrowly close to a place in the Championship final.

Jack Smith back

I feel for Pinegen. Royal Mail are slowly destroying their business. Our postman openly admits that they prioritise parcels in the area we live in, a mere 18 miles from where the Star is printed, and that mail stacks up because the bosses won’t allow letters to be delivered with overtime as delivering letters is loss making and parcels aren’t. Fortunately our postman is a bit of a Speedway fan, and grabs my mail from the sorting office when he can as a bit of a favour to me, but sometimes his round gets changed and my delivery of mail returns to crap. There seems little point in buying first class stamps these days.

Nothing to report at the moment

I'm glad you edited that to make it easier to understand 🤣

You do have to consider the logistics for these top riders... Having to have machines and mechanics over here, and also just to get here themselves, when they could live in Poland and ride at the weekend there, Sweden on Tuesday, and go into Denmark on Wednesday, and back across the sea into Poland ready for the weekend.. And, over here, all to ride against much lesser opponents than they would find in Sweden and Poland, (and looking at Denmark's level of signings for next year, Denmark too)... They will want to go head to head against the best as often as possible as it keeps themselves sharp.. And, without the TV money coming in, it would be quite conceivable that their pay rates over here will also be "different" next season, from the recent seasons just gone...

I've never said Hume was gonna jump up a level, my original point was disagreeing with this comment "he will not improve, I don't get why people can't grasp that" - to me that's a very strong statement. There's no evidence he won't improve, it's not like he's gone downhill year after year. I looked at slightly different averages, counting a full season not just the rolling aves, as the 2022 season only had a 10 match rolling ave so doesn't show his form for the whole season, plus his 2025 average carried half of 2024 matches. So in 2025 he had his best average in the Champ, that doesn't suggest to me, he'll never improve. 2021 - 4.98 2022 - 5.54 2023 - 4.90 2024 - 4.99 2025 - 5.68 my Hume comments have been: "but why were you so sure he wouldn't improve?" "He may not get any better, but I wouldn't say he can't" Edit: just noticed since he left Glasgow, he's never dropped back down to reserve.

Perry on his fb page saying not got a championship place yet but has been talking to 2 clubs

I’d say a decent amount of fans (I say decent) will turn up, as they’ve been turning up for similar garbage as it is… thus helping this garbage being served again and again.

Riders need to guest as well as double up too, don't forget. The only reason two leagues exist is because they need it to, remember.. Heaven forbid they have to get a job outside speedway, like so many did for the majority of the decades when the sport was popular...