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Message from former Berwick rider Connor Coles posted on social media. The last few months have given me a lot of time to reflect. As I’ve been working through my recovery, I’ve seen the thousands of messages, comments and well wishes that were sent while I was in a coma and afterwards. There are too many to reply to individually, but I’ve read them, and I genuinely appreciate every bit of support. To everyone who took the time to send a message, say a prayer, donate, support my family, or simply think of me – thank you. That support carried me and meant a lot to me, Kirsty, Isabella, Poppie and everyone close to us during one of the toughest periods we’ve been through. I’ve been asked a lot about whether I’ll race again. After long discussions with my family and medical team, I’ve made the decision to retire from professional speedway. It’s not how I ever wanted things to end, but I have to be realistic about where I’m at. Like every rider, I always thought I’d choose the moment myself, but that choice has been taken out of my hands. Speedway has been a massive part of my life. It’s given me good times, tough times, friendships, and experiences I’ll never forget. I’m proud of what I achieved in the sport and proud to have been part of it. Right now, my focus is simple – keep working on my recovery and be there for my family. Thank you to every club I’ve ridden for, my teammates, sponsors, mechanics, volunteers and the fans who stood by me throughout my career. I’ve never taken any of it for granted. That’s the end of my racing career, and the start of a new chapter. Thank you.

He has said that he has not enjoyed his racing for a while and is stepping away with immediate effect to spend more time with his family. A sad loss to the sport in this country and I am sure many on this forum wish him well in whatever he decides to do.

And all promoters know they will need to use all the "ahhh but what if?', regulations put together, up to, and including, "in the interests of Speedway" at some stage of the season... There will be over 200 guests used this season in tiers one and two, with a large percentage down to fixture clashes, and "illness", and not injuries... A truly incredible way to run what is supposed to be considered (by themselves at least), a professional team sport... Edit. As an ironic footnote to this, I have just read a Speedway Star from a few weeks ago and in the "10 years ago" section if quotes Matt Ford as saying.. "Its only a matter of time when" (a squad system should be introduced), to avoid meetings packed with guests.. "The one absolute certainty I can give you is that it is going to happen, its just when people finally don't feel frightened by it, for want of a better word, and understand how it would work".. "We are limiting and strangling ourselves by sticking to the old format of using the same seven men, it can't continue".. "At no point has it ever been as bad as it is now, and at no point have people being talking so negatively about the sport, the biggest reason for that is the lack of fixtures and continuity"... Remember this was TEN YEARS AGO!... It could have been written today...

Is it a seven or a twenty eight day ban he gets...? It does show how fragile everything is when an experienced DU rider steps away from the sport given two teams now have the difficulty of finding replacements of a "decent" level... Best Wishes to the lad, one of those 100% "triers" who keep you watching the sport...

Craig Cook?

One of the riders who could be considered to be the bedrock of British Speedway. Not a good sign when a rider like Kyle decides he's had enough. Oh dear.

No thinks anybody really cares these days.Its just another 15 hts of speedway.No credibility in results.

Do you think this would have been better for their business? "Well, that's it! After this weekend we clearly have bugger all chance of making the play offs, so it is hardly worth even bothering coming to watch us now"... If so, the BSP could use you... Plymouth are one of the "good news" stories this season and have made loads of positive moves, not least moving from the "graveyard night" for the entertainment sector, (Tuesday), and moving to Saturday's, which is the biggest night for it... They are obviously trying to maintain that positive message, which, in this social media era is absolutely paramount to engage punters to attend... The "truth" is often largely irrelevant these days in communication to those watching, and putting a positive spin in everything you put out into the public domain, is 100% the way to go...

The problem is you didn't want us to win and make all the passes.

Oh dear so sorry we won at home again with a decent crowd, you should try it at Workington, you might get more people turn up!

Thought it was an entertaining meeting with lots of passing and fun races. Berwick were bloody awful but they did gate occasionally so we could pick them off.

Finally got round to listening to Mr Coleman on Chat SGP today, very impressive guy judging by that and not frightened to say it how it is about British speedway. Hopefully he keeps ruffling feathers and gets his ideas across.

I predict a rain off

I dont mean to take a wizz on anyone's parade but Howarths statement suggests he isn't returning anytime soon. Clubs have called it a "break", but Howarth has said hes "Stepping away from the sport with immediate effect". He won't be back anytime soon

The club working very closely with Poland and taking advice on how to improve the track. Reps from Poland due in Uk soon to evaluate what can and can’t be done to improve racing. Finance not an issue.

I don't consider Shielfield Park much better. It can be and had been on my many visits gate and go and all over by the second bend.

Jeppesen would be my choice.of replacement. Hopefully Kyle can make a return in the future.

Yeah Jonas fits, I think he would be a good signing for Leicester.

Wish him well ,always gives100% but obviously not feeling great.

I thought this was a Brandon Update

Rushen is not KLs rising star, so can't benefit from a 25% discount for ceasing to be one.

If a rider is injured (which Gilkes is) I believe you can make changes after the deadline

I heard tonight Zach is not there on Saturday, Jason Edwards guesting, Lewi will be happy 😂

Well i dont buy the Berwick one so that evens that out lol. Funny how Poole gets the most fans through the gate though. 👀 Tbf first half the meeting was a bit of close racing esp between Morris and Masters. Jenkins also had few close battles. Most overtaking was done by Kennett and Newman, so i would say more passing then usual. Although watching Kennett is like watching a young rider going full throttle. 150% every race, fair play to him. Backs off when he has to though!

For the days of Siggy, Cowboy Cook and T Rick those lads could pull some moves.

Link to the interview Bagpuss was referring to. Really good listen.

It’s the only Berwick meeting of the season I don’t buy the stream for every year. Most boring track in the country by a long way in my opinion.

Nighty night sleep well. Shame Berwick Did not turn up.

Guests.

Bit of an odd one to see Howarth step away. I wish him well. The original hard charger who always gives his best. Hopefully it’s a temporary personal issue rather than being disillusioned with the sport which would be a worry. all the best Kyle.

He was helping Freddie but stated on interview he would love to come back

I can't help thinking that Matt's vision was for every team to run a squad system... Rather than UK Speedway itself running a huge one!!! Just think, this was TEN years ago, therefore, given Matt's thoughts wouldn't have been a knee jerk one to a sudden issue, you can only presume it was several years of issues leading up to his thoughts... Which shows, there was obviously an acknowledgment by (at least some), promoters, that the sport needed a better strategy and operating model... Instead, Doubling Up became the game changer that allowed tier two teams to keep riders they had developed, as the riders remained affordable as they got subsidised by tier one teams.. What started out as a laudable development tool, (and had been used for decades successfully in developing UK talent), then became the "go to" strategy for the sport... One rider, two teams, both sharing his salary... Resulting in. Two places for some riders, meaning no places for others.. The even bigger result? Even more Double Up riders being needed, one, due to the lack of riders caused by the lack of development opportunities, particularly in the second tier, and two, an even greater need to share costs due to the ever dwindling fanbase their strategies created... A quite brilliant plan and one that is now fully being felt in all its glory!!

Obviously nothing been taken on board by them in charge over the last 10 years. But we do have a squad system these days, guest / A N Other is in all teams 😜

Don’t want to see Kilndt anywhere near a Tigers race suit again.

Just shows how much riders care about the cups when a rider stands down with immediate effect and will miss the 2nd leg. Howarth will be missed for sure.

If Jonas fits he would be a good replacement. I’m still surprised he hasn’t had a permanent premiership place this season. He is fast and knows how to overtake. I really enjoyed watching him at Berwick last year. And he has been doing very well as a comet this year.

No doubt BSN will be on the investigative hunt this evening?!🤣

Only this season though.

He will be if still using Joe's engine!

It does say in Glasgow s statement that he won't be back in 2026

I'm assuming Rushen gets the -25% discount like Flint did this year.

Doyle 8.14 ? 4.17 Musielak 6.79 Brennan 6.37 Woryna 8.00 KJP 3.53 Total: 37.00 There's no reason average wise why that kind of team couldn't happen

Just wait, it will come!

He regularly turns up late, ill prepared, has to borrow equipment and even a race suit. Often fails to participate in team talks and victory parades. Very unprofessional. Having said all of that more often than not he's our best rider and out performs his average and expectation.

Ok, we will have to go along with that. I feel like it may have been on FB (will take 10 years to trawl back over Poole fans group on there to check!) or possibly in Bournemouth Echo but wont let me go back that far in articles to the winter. I definitely read it somewhere but not sure i would put that much stock into what Clive says unless it was the answer i wanted i guess 😂

Calling yourself an idiot 😂😂 Beyond belief 💦💦

That’s why there should be no guests in these situations.Clubs do not give a jot regarding fans.Expected to turn up and watch anybody ride for the Team.Thats not credible .IMO crowd levels won’t increase with that attitude.

Im sorry but no. If you dont want any clashes then dont sign for 2 leagues that ride on the same night. He wasnt forced into it!

Another one who can’t understand a response to a previous Post.

Unfair to criticise the Qualified riders.Its the system Thats flawed.