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Well, that'll have probably gone down like a turd in a swimming pool at BSPL towers. A few home truths delivered which historically haven't been listened to, most notably from the previous Ippo promoter and various other here today gone tomorrow promoters. The majority of the current crop just ain't up to the job, most notably the guy at the top. Coleman will have his work cut out to make any change but let's hope he can succeed where so many others in the past have failed. At the moment we'll have to take him at face value 🤞

New presenter, and new press officer too. BOTH current incumbents will be sorely missed.

Surely that's the way it should be? Despite the frustrations and worry over delays there is one thing that has been in my view a positive and unusual for speedway The transaction has been conducted in a professional and rightful way No one speaking out of turn, blaming another party or getting one up by making comment for selfish gain Hopefully in time Chris will make a further statement to clarify his position and answer some of the questions many people still have Some things may however be better left unsaid

The six everyone knows and Bartek Zmarzlik on a 4.50 point average... This average is based on his one match for Birmingham in 2014, and the ensuing 11 years worth of reduction for not riding over here during that time.. An extremely new rule which only six times World Champions qualify for.. (And all done in the interests of Speedway obviously)..

Bartosz would still win.

Interesting reading that old Reading press release. Reading the “Eleventh” club to come to tapes in the old Elite League. Now down to Five. How sad and demoralising.

I was pondering this just this AM - at some point CL would have ‘retired’ anyway and was there a natural successor in the family to take over - the answer is probably no! I wonder if this is perhaps the start of a more professional era for the league and perhaps the sport in the U.K. - I won’t hold my breath but let’s hope so for all our sakes! Of course in 20 years we might be moaning it’s all gone too far and the elite league has gone the same way at the PL in football! for now the witches come to the tapes in 2026 which I was always confident they would! wont lie going to miss Doyley and Emil!!

https://ipswichwitches.co/new-ipswich-co-promoter-richard-coleman-writes-to-witches-fans/

Can't disagree with what's been said by the new owner. At least hes acknowledged how bad it's been for the fans this winter. Best of luck to all involved.

One for the Aces fans BELLE VUE HYDE ROAD STADIUM MANCHESTER ... THE FINAL DAY

Well if their wasn’t their probably is now after the latest statement.

The open letter to the fans from Rich Coleman was very honest and I can respect that.

As a home rider in 2027

Agreed this isn’t his moment - why do people not understand a few basics here

Saying all the right things, and as I’ve said before, they shouldn’t be judged on this years team because as they rightly say, they came in very late when all the others had built their teams. It’s next winter they can be judged. People also need to respect the process and stop demanding to know exactly what’s going on on a regular basis. As Coleman says, they wanted to speak earlier, but simply couldn’t for various reasons. Anyway, all sorted and time to crack on. I always said I’d make a decision on whether I was going to attend based on the team put out, but I’ve changed my mind. I’ll be there regardless as they deserve to be backed. They’ve seemingly done the best they can with what’s left available.

Mr Coleman will definitely deliver. I’ve heard he is mustard….

We can clearly see the team will be weak but at least we have a team and a club Maybe even Belle Vue will scrape a win at Foxhall this season lol

If you look at some of the pictures it shows the straights are curved, makes for great racing and they have done the same at the NSS

Good on him. He’ll soon realise though that he’ll be pi$$ing in the wind with this lot.

Sad to hear this. Les rode for Wolves in 1981 and both him and Bruce Cribb were great with the younger riders. RIP Les.

They should definitely try and put on a big meeting. If they could get permission maybe over two days at a weekend. Bags of space could have a weekend festival of speedway with food stalls live music etc

Ipswich Swatches - not the brand name, just small bits of material backing.

Ipswich Watches ? With new sponsorship from Omologato?

No idea. Only going by what I've read, and reaching my own conclusions. If I'm wrong, it doesn't make any difference to me - the Prem is still in a mess, and there's no evidence they are planning for anything other than getting through another season.

Almost irreplaceable I’d say. We know that from when someone else has tried valiantly to fill his shoes when he’s been missing for the odd meeting here and there. Henry too is an excellent press officer.

Good luck with that. Normal protocol with forward-thinking new promoters is for the existing, small-minded ones to close ranks until they tire of talking to a brick wall and walk away. "It's our ball. You can't play with it".

If ever there was a season where you’re not the least bit bothered whether your team wins the title or not, it’s this one. Time to just go and watch some racing with little expectation, and hopefully there’s something actually worth winning in 2027.

Like you, I also bought my PCMT ticket on the same day. My recollection is that the ticket price said something like 'inclusive of fees' but I didn't take much notice I confess. Personally, I think all ticket prices should be inclusive of any fees charged so it is clear from the start, but that is s general ticket buying issue not just a BV speedway issue

Or running off into the sunset after realising you can’t change the status quo as many an out the box thinking people have done in the past

"Great to have you on board Richard, and we appreicate your thoughts on how the sport has been promoted in the UK, however, for most of us here within UK Speedway, it is nothing more than an affordable hobby that we enjoy running. Hence, to ensure ir remains affordable, we run the sport in a way where we can just pretty much make things up as we go along, and don't really go in for too much authenticity when compared to properly ran professional sports"... "I am sure we all look forward to listening to what great ideas you have, before obviously just cracking on and doing the same things as always"...

Unless they have changed the rules a current or previous promoter has to shadow the new promotion for a season, maybe Louis is doing it ? Anyway crack out the fixtures now and plod on with the season

Ah well, all is forgiven Chris. The Ippo fans will all return to watch whatever is served up in 2026 in a 5 team “premier” league. Slowly British Speedway continues its slide downwards…… another “exciting “ season lies ahead with a cobbled together 3 league structure until the next hiatus in 2027 when the Polish Leagues impose their restrictions on riders .

Everyone can relax now. Confirmation the Witches are running. A year of consolidation in ‘26 with ‘27 the real acid test (much like the Premiership). I’m sure Mayfield will do a great job. Exciting times at Foxhall Stadium.

I liked that. Almost apologetic and understands the frustration. Sometimes as much as you want to talk, you just can’t.

I'm waiting for the first " but which Monday" comment Hallelujah it's done@

In the statement it says they look forward to sharing the full 1-7 on Monday.

It’s says full 1-7 to announced monday

CL didn't worry too much about change when he put together, clearly, the best septet by far last year did he? Nor did he worry too much about Birmingham when he made them weaker by signing Tom Brennan as a third heat leader did he?... The time for change was a long, long time ago... CL, and others, have had plenty of time to make those changes... However, they chose, season after season, to not make any...

Defended him but Chris Louis has to take the brunt of the blame now imo. Basically a spur of the moment Club sale that's caused this clown show to drag on and on to a point where it's had an impact on the entire League. He should've put together a 1-7 and remained the owner for 2026 and allowed proper time for a sale to go through. Instead it's all been a very messy job in a race against time, Every statement just results in continuous delays and it has caused Mayfield to be a rabbit in the leadlights whilst leaving Ipswich as a Club on the backfoot. It has also had a knock on effect for the entire League where nothing has been confirmed in regards to League Structure and Fixtures to a point where nobody can get some much needed early season funds in by shifting some season tickets because nobody knows how many bloody fixtures they'll have at Home.

I look at streaming as an opportunity to see away meetings. I’m self employed so taking a whole day plus fuel to attend an away meeting is quite costly. Streaming has its place, I don’t think I can justify travelling away but I’m happy to pay to watch it on my tv.

They have all been in it together... All are just as culpable as each other, for the situation the sport finds itself in... Making up some Mickey Mouse rules as they go along, all knowing that, one day, they may need to use any particular one of them, themselves..... In the interest of Speedway, obviously..... Adrian Smith, like a fair few before, got out bewildered by, and with, so many who are still within the sport... It will be very much rinse and repeat until the inevitable happens...

RIP Les, good rider

Would absolutely love to see the continental thottle jockeys racing round Foxhall in anger!

Could Ipswich host a GP in the future with Mayfield being the promoter of both the club and series?

Nope I’m sorry but we’ll agree to disagree here. I think it’s unusual. As an outgoing owner, and club legend, just a few words thanking a few people and introducing the new owners, get behind them etc. That may well still come at some point but then again, maybe he’s that pi$$ed off that he’s not interested in even doing that now he’s washed his hands of it all! I was expecting something from him in the press release, that’s all I’m saying.

Seems they’re gonna be selling season tickets too. Wonder if we’ll manage to top Sheffield’s buy 10 get none free? 😁

My point was though, you cannot write a whole statement about basically ‘make speedway great again and we want to bring new fans into the sport’ and then take a dig at another sport, if I were a darts fan (which I’m not) I would read that statement and think F U and make sure to stay clear of speedway, as someone in a position of his, you need to be more media versed to writing segments online. Chris L has not left the witches in good hands as he promised if the new owners class it as a “rescue mission”. If these people fail, they have no loyalty to Ipswich and will just fold the club, whereas John and Chris has attachments to Ipswich and you would like to think wouldn’t have folded it(although by the sounds of it Chris almost did). I don’t know the future obviously but I’m just saying let’s keep it honest and not get too excited. One poor financial season and all the comments about supporters being in their mind will be forgotten when their business comes first.

Sounds familiar: https://www.sportcal.com/pressreleases/bsi-announce-acquisition-of-reading-speedway/

My gripe is charging £5 per ticket for booking fee….. roughly £40,000😳. im glad sales have gone well and hope it continues.