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https://workingtoncomets.com/kids-go-free-for-2026/ Well done to the Comets management kids go free for 2026 these are the future supporters of speedway 😀 UTC 🏁🔵⚪

Going twos up on Agnetha does have a bit more appeal than with Charles Wright.

I'm not sure what stock car meetings you are referring to, but crowds are very variable depending on the formula and the event. Yes, the F1s get biggish crowds, especially for the more important meetings, but how many of them are locals? F1 stock cars is a 'travelling circus' with drivers and fans coming from all over the country. Many F1 fans will do most meetings in the season, irrespective of the location. Team sports such as speedway are very different and rely quite heavily on local support. How many speedway fans would travel from Lancashire or Yorkshire for a meeting at Kings Lynn ? Stock cars is my main hobby and I will generally watch 40ish meetings in a season from my Nottinghamshire base. My nearest track is an hour from home, and most are within 2 hours that I visit reguarly, but I will also visit Taunton once or twice a season at around 4 hours, and will usually do a St Day (Cornwall) or Cowdenbeath most years and these are around 6 hours away. Speedway fans won't travel like that generally, with the bulk of the crowd at most meetings being fans of the home team.

Northampton Norbolds

Back in the day when I used to go to the Banger racing, they had team of 4 or 5 drivers and they called themselves northampton nutters. This was back in the mid 70s (1970s).

I sincerely hope that something positive comes from this. Up the 'Robins'

The answer indeed appears an obvious one.... However, they simply don't have the money to improve the standard, nor market the sport... Although I should say they do have money (a quite considerable sum will be spent), but they choose to spend all of it on riders rather than promotion and marketing.... The sport is now down to how many attendees? 20,000 average (at most), at the 14 clubs across the country, collectively, last year? That is too far off the radar of the general public now to ever deliver an "Elite" offering, given the considersble costs involved of doing so... The sport is basically set up for a few World Class riders to live over here, and top up their Polish earnings with a circa high five figure/low six figure package, and then let "experienced average riders" earn two salaries, which, combined will be a very decent sum. And, at the lower end of teams, give young UK lads and overseas young lads an opportunity to see if fhey can go further up the ladder.. With the Promoters being happy to run at the level all are, as they know "speculating to accumulate" won't provide much "accumulation" given the (lack of), rewards on offer... It is really only the fans that would suggest the sport is "broken", and make suggestions to improve it.... I very much doubt the Promoters, (who are all obviously quite content with their lot, hence nothing changes), think there are any issues at all...

If they want to be The Saints I'd hope someone has spoken to the Rugby team and if they were in agreement Make the team colours the same and offer reduced price entry for the Rugby clubs ST/Membership holders all season in an attempt to get numbers through the doors.

I have never watched grass track racing or know much about it. Having said that, I do enjoy reading the adventures of those in 'conflict' with the governing body ACU. It's like the Perils of Pauline, with a cliffhanger every week, inviting you not to miss the next exciting episode!!!

First priority has to be the collective mindset of club owners and promoters. Unless they're ALL able to move beyond the silo mentality which has been the prevailing influence, then there isnt any point in talking about things like doubling-up and leagues structure. This includes, whether there are one, two or three leagues, to adopt a collective purpose and co-operation. Without that, there seems little point in carrying on. The current management and decision making arrangements need to be urgently consigned to the rubbish bin, enabled by the establishment of a small board of directors with no personal club interests. This needs to be pushed forward collectively by those owners and promoters who are forward thinking, with the first step being to bin off the progress-blockers including if necessary creating a new company which will render the current BSP Ltd obsolete. All of this is nothing new. But this time it has to actually happen. Then they can sort out issues like leagues, doubling up, rules, formats.

100%, I agree. . Utopia... But a pipe dream.. Crowds of 1400 wouldn't support an "Elite" level as the riders to make it "Elite" would need to be paid enough NOT to DU... And the second tier "developers" simply wouldn't want to sell to their fans a "lesser product" with no DU riders in their Heat Leader positions anymore, and their fans simply wouldn't pay £20+ to watch a lesser standard than they have been used to.. The current operating model has gone on for far too long now to ever be unravelled, and, to be honest, I doubt there is any enthusiasm at all to do so, from any of the promoters... Why? Because all can pick and choose what they want to do, and, with the current model, all teams get subsidised by others through sharing rider costs, therefore, all are content with what they have and deliver... If Poland next season do insist on "one extra league only" then DU'ing could even become a real advantage in getting riders. As, instead of less than 20 meetings in Sweden and Denmark, "journeymen" foreign riders could have circa 40 over here.. It is only the fans, (mainly the tens of thousands of ex fans who still closely follow the sport), I would suggest, who want changes to be made, and see potential in the sport should it ever get ran with authenticity, jeapordy, consequence and reward for success.. With the many "wear the club shop die hards", who attend each week, happilly colluding with the Promoters that the sport is a bona fide team sport, with the other section of regulars, being quite content in just watching the racing with no particular emotional attachment to the outcome.. Promoters know that they will never be able to deliver "Utopia" without a huge influx of cash from a major sponsor or/and a massive TV deal, as attendances won't ever be high enough to deliver it.. Therefore they are quite content to carry on with what we have, as it ticks a lot of boxes for them to remain as Promoters...

Looks like all 8 of them have love hearted your comment 😊

I have nothing against Stephen Foster. He has done wonders with getting speedway on the radio & plugs the sport when he gets the chance. Also he is a great guys. Its just when it comes to presenting I’d rather listen to the sound of paint drying!!

Maybe their logo could be of a few disgarded canisters, or some teenagers laughing. Personally I think it's a terrible nickname for a speedway team

It is very interesting read.Its turned into a weekly saga.😂

This is my favourite 👍🏻

FFS,, that's me put off already. He is totally the opposite of what's needed at a speedway meeting. Awful decision As for 25 quid,, wow,, they really are pushing the limits of what people are prepared to pay surely. Good luck to Northampton trying to attract new fans to watch on an untested track at that price

Highly unlikely any marketing or promotional organisation would consider adopting “Cobblers given the slang phrase “load of cobblers” used to express strong disbelief, contempt, or to dismiss something as utter nonsense, rubbish, or a lie.

What pudding was it?

A compulsory purchase order (CPO) is not generally referred to as merely "attempted" in a legal sense, but rather it goes through a four stage process where it is made, objected to, confirmed, and then executed. It is considered a last resort, and the acquiring authority must prove they have attempted to acquire the land by negotiation beforehand. Only Brandon Estates are likely to make an objection which given the history of rejected planning and appeal only the price offered could be grounds for such an objection. The valuation is determined by a chartered surveyor, usually appointed by the acquiring authority based on the "market value" of the land as if it were sold by a willing seller on the open market, excluding any future changes in value caused by the intended future use.

1929 Sheffield opened.

Northampton Nuns Northampton Nappies Northampton No Fans Northampton No Shows Northampton Nukes Northampton Nasties Northampton Promoters United

If speedway manages to get even half the amount of supporters that the stock cars get there then the new club will have no concerns at all and will be a successful addition to the top flight.

Those losing money are obviously quite content to do so... An affordable hobby... Hence, they return each season, and keep doing the same things, as, for them, (and the riders), it all works well...

Just a quick search on Google, Northamptonshire was pretty prominent in WWII, I'd go with 'Bombers' or 'Raiders' as a historical reference. Also, with Silverstone & Santa Pod in the region, 'Racers' must be an option. I'd leave 'Cobblers' with the football club.

Nighthawks or Nitros.

I was told only two clubs made money and they are the two you mentioned. And I’m certain that Chris Louis was concerned for the future as no tv deal would leave him 60k adrift and with the added expense of a new air and wooden fence the sums just didn’t add up anymore.

What does the future hold though, which clubs are breaking even or making money, Ipswich and Poole ? Even the high profile clubs like Glasgow and belle vue to my knowledge are losing money and with an ever dwindling attendances the future of the sport at this level must have a limited future.

Just had an email to renew my season ticket at The Aces for £22.50 a match... Hmmmm.. £22.50 to watch around 90 mins of Premiership speedway, which is exciting , has drama, has a your team feel, prizes worth winning (£500 50/50 draw), and a consistent operating model, or £59, to watch 3 or 4 mins (depending on how many goals) of interesting Premier League football with the only drama being when someone pretends to hurt his toe. Decisions, Decisions... Whilst the football league are happy to pay 18 million a year on blokes that can walk down a street (mine away) unnoticed whilst still being 1.8 billion in debt is crazy and it’s only the fans that continue to point this out whilst these rich hobbyists carry on a debt path that will ultimately collapse. Easy this isn’t it. I think I’ll buy myself a new keyboard, now where’s cut & paste for next time and the next and the next.

Any raffle tickets for sale

A top bloke and the number 1 DJ and all round music bod in this area by some distance. However, from a presenting perspective he sounds like he's at a village fete.

Just had an email to renew my season ticket at United for £35 a match... Hmmmm.. £35 to watch around 65 mins of Premier League football, which is authentic, has jeapordy, has consequence, prizes worth winning, and no Mickey Mouse operating model, or £30, (or "just" £25 in the pauper seats), to watch 15 mins of Premiership Speedway without any of the attributes a team sport requires... Decisions, Decisions...

Numpty's

Northampton Nimrods.

£30 is a premium ticket though, not sure what makes it premium... maybe you get a serving of Betty's Hotpot with each ticket 🤷‍♂️😁

That would be a balls up

Well I'm a Kings Lynn supporter and I've just donated. I hope they manage to get the damage sorted and maybe up their security as well?

Because they know that the attendance potential to afford, (and justify), any large increase in costs, simply isn't out there to make it viable... Riders are happy, (hence they don't stop and do something else), and Promoters are happy to share costs to pay these riders, and run their sport at the level each of them want to...

custard creams are back in stock at bspa hq possibly

Ford is spot on planning needs to start now , I know he's marmite but I personally think if he was made the big chief the sport would be in a way better place than it is now. Harry and co need to come up with something when did they come on board Nov 2025 ? from memory and all we have had so far is Linda L in what looked like a travel lodge room filming herself with a paper bag pulling out names for the ko cup which hasn't resulted in the ten's of thousands of lost fans heading back and Linda probably copped at least a grand for ten minutes work. I'm leaning towards keeping two leagues but unless a 500k plus sponsor is found, we know the current top league format isn't financially feasible personally think an eight team top league would need to be current championship standard, second division teams of seven a couple of old hands per team Rambo Lambo, Ben Barker etc, 3-4 English youngsters (under 24) and allow a couple of possible foreign rough diamonds in also ideally Aussie and USA who having no formal home league structure might stick around a while longer than the Danes and Swedes. If a second division team could be moulded to the type of 1-7 Lynn juniors had last year with say a couple of decent under 24 foreign youngsters per team might keep interest at current levels. I really hope its not all kicked until Nov plus this year with the old fingers crossed format that something might turn up.

Ever since Abba

Up to £30 at Belle Vue for those posh rich northerners 😉

Or frustration levels as in most cases

From anywhere I suppose. Temporarily based in Edinburgh for the last 78 years.

Obviously, there have been problems to overcome, and it's taken longer than hoped for to bring Northampton online. But yesterday we got the news that Northampton are running. Today we got their fixture list. And in the coming days we'll know the promoter, team manager and the riders. We have positive news coming out, and still people are moaning? Unbelievable.

Does it cause a problem at Kings Lynn and Scunthorpe ? What about in the past at Sheffield, Coventry, Mildenhall, Swindon, Long Eaton, and many others ? The 2 sports need to work together to keep stadiums open, not fall out with each other.

Ex Brummie promoter Tolley ? Or ex go rider and friend ?

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.

Abi Stephens has left the coverage