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Glasgow owners may have helped out last season but that was to get them out the situation we were in then. They are there on a consulting role more than anything. This isn't a "workington" issue. Speedway is in a sorry state in general and most clubs will be running at a loss. Just look at Edinburgh who are heavily reliant on supporters charitable donations to stay alive. The more supported clubs will obviously run at a profit but that will mean nothing when they have no other teams to play. Something needs to change and we've all knew that for years. Will it change? Absolutely not. Shame, Ive really fallen back in love with Speedway since comets came to tapes

Massive Shame if this happens , not been to Northside yet but always bump into Worky fans at the GP at Belle Vue and they are great , let’s hope a benefactor comes in.

Can’t really take any chances with that diagnosis,hopefully he has a good recovery he has been great signing for the Bandits and will be missed ,he is definitely worth more his average recently.

With this “Wroclaw partnership” I do wonder if there will be one or two riders linked with both clubs for 2027 And if what I have heard is true… Ipswich may need to make sure those air fences are extra secure for next season…

Why the negativity on Lawson? He’s increased his average by over half a point for Ipswich and so what if, unlike too many of the younger prima donnas, knows speedway doesn’t owe him a living so has additional employment that not only augments his speedway earnings but will give him income beyond retirement?

We never departed the stadium until 9.45pm, give us a chance.

More personal than injury i think

Comets were reborn in this era by Andrew Bain who transformed the old Northside training track into the fantastic arena and racetrack it is now, in 2023 ran NDL was going to be a 2nd season of NDL until Godfrey and co disbanded the set up as was. Comets went into the main league in 2024 crowds were ok ish, think the problem this year was the very disjointed fixtures, weeks between meetings,

Don't know what to say about this. The timing seems strange to say the least and is coming from James Denham who states he is giving up the team manager role next season anyway ?. Will keep my thoughts to myself at this time until the situation becomes clearer.

Links for Ostrów v Rzeszów: https://vk.com/video-234681448_456239304 https://vksport.vkvideo.ru/video-53550004_456242773

Don't disagree with any of that Noaksey I personally think 8 and 8 way to go with top league once home and away in the perfect world top league standard 30% better than currently so every team has a proper number 1. Second division twice home and away made up of the bottom 4-5 riders in division one plus youngsters from UK and any unpolished under 24 gems we could get from abroad. Two issues straight off the bat is more money would be needed to fund an 8 team better quality top league and doubling up would have to stay for a while so it could pay for the bottom 60-70% of riders in league 1 being able to top up earnings in league 2. I would restrict top league to once home and away if nothing else this alone would stem losses as fewer meetings and if you only saw Kurtz, Bewley etc once a season you might get more inclined to turn out. The caveat would be home meetings at least every fortnight not months between one home meeting and the next.

Indeed. One thing I will say, is if we now have far better contacts and ability to entice new top riders over, then that’s exactly what we should do instead of taking the easier route and throwing a few extra quid at one or two of the small pool of top riders we’ve already got here. There isn’t that many that you’d call world class riders over here at present, so if we can bring our own in and add to that number rather than pinch someone else’s, then that’s better for the league as a whole. More clubs would get a good number 1, and more world class riders over here to add to what we already have would make the league more attractive and increase the chances of securing a new TV deal.

Alternatively the sport as a whole looks at resolutions that would stop clubs losing serious money every season, perhaps this is what Coleman was getting at as in an 8 team premiership with everyone else in a watered down championship with reduced costs Something needs to change regardless

The kind of rider that the sport's success and development relied on during the 60's, 70's and 80's... Then from circa the 90's onwards, so many more riders became "Full time Professionals".. In a sport that couldn't afford them to be... Which also meant many left the sport given they couldn't make it pay to the level they wanted.... Leaving what we have now, a lack of riders, particularly for the "engine room" of teams... A couple of "supestars" and five "Richard Lawson's" per team would be utopia I would suggest...

I was a bit disappointed he didn't do a "John Terry" and just turn up for the medal ceremony in full Leicester Kevlar's...😁

Congrats to Leicester - as the saying goes "you can only beat what is put in front of you" The fact than the aggregate difference was only 10 despite 2 hugely contrasting performances from what turned out to be the key man on each side is quite staggering Huge well done to Drew with 25 paid 26 from 12 rides who was superb. Undoubtedly his best performances of his career Conversely it was so very sad to see Tom limp to 7 paid 8 from 8 with those 7 third places coming from finishing ahead of 3 fallers, 2 team mates, a race retirement and a career retirement The manber of his performances was more worrying than the scores themselves It seems to me that Tom is suffering psychologically - he was leading or in a position to challenge in a good number of the heats and looked to dip out at the vital point Speedway just like most top level sport is small margins whether it be machinery or between the ears Perhaps almost a bigger disappointment for me was Lawson not on the truck and already changed This was the top leagues Cup Final. The presentations are as much as the racing the 'kodak moments' (showing my age 😁) the sport can use to promote itself and we have one the teams top riders missing the presentation and then belatedly pulling a t-shirt over his civvies for a picture Like it or not ultra professionalism on the media side is vital if we are to drag the sport back into the spotlight and secure sponsorship and coverage

Why should it be, and why ask in a public place rather than checking club webpages/facebook?

Any Team would take him with head in right place,but the fact he let him LocalTeam down badly suggests just forget him full stop.Just not reliable anymore.No denying he could do a job.

No more bizarre than yours.

i think the tell for tom b was in heat one, had the lead then give it away to easy.

The Ipswich promotion certainly sees this, the question is can they take the rest in the same direction. I really believe that if Coleman can’t make the changes required then the sport is doomed this is very much last chance saloon.

Every year there are the same comments about things have to take a drastic change next year for the sport to survive in the UK and it never happens. They just bury the heads in the sand and maintain that a two tier league set up is the only way to go. Look at the lengths they went to in order to get Northampton in this season. One league, reduce numbers of rider per team and come up with a new heat format. At least give a try. Two leagues with doubling up and the same teams in town all the time with riders missing isn't working and its clear as day to see.

It's an interesting interview with JD, he's always been an honest guy. So has basically just told it how it is. Might get missed but he said that the club is in no danger at this present time, but I can totally see why it wouldn't be sustainable long term to run next season and beyond. I heard an averaged figure that the club is losing per meeting and although not ideal is probably pitance compared to what loss Sheffield and some Premiership clubs are running at. IMO it is more a problem with certain factors out of our hands. The UK cost of living, rising costs of running a meeting and compounded by the British Speedway logic as a whole, when I look around the Arena the crowd levels don't strike me as that bad, the number of sponsorship boards is remarkable, crowd levels are probably what I would expect given what we are and where we are, and the fact we don't live in a pre-90's (pre-digital) age anymore, which is often forgotten on here. Big changes are needed, and promotors like Mark Lemon need to get their head out of their arses and stop believing that a Premiership model with GP riders is sustainable for the good of British Speedway, and think of the bigger picture for every speedway club to survive, that in itself does more damage than anything I believe, it is proven time and time again that the 2nd tier racing is the most competitive and exciting league IMO. 5 man teams would be a must for me for starters, and for the Comets it's amazing how much of a diference the crowd is when we face Glasgow, Redcar, Edinburgh etc. so more localised speedway would help. Fans still seem to travel in numbers to away meetings from what i've seen, and Comets fans certainely repay the favour, there was loads that travelled to Redcar recently for example.

Cluff highlights how poor our bottom three are when the track isn't slick. The Hausl signing really hasn't paid off. Hopefully for the return we have a signing with a bit about him, we can't cope with many more guests.

Snatched defeat from the jaws of victory there. VP started out well this season but he is unfortunately costing us now. If there’s any ambition beyond what has already been achieved I agree, time for a change. Biggest problem could be where do you magic up a third heat leader from? I will add Victor is brilliant with the fans. Especially the youngsters and he is a good rider, I don’t think the massive gap in the fixtures did him any favours though.

Straight to final Pawelczak and Bailey SF 1 Andersen, Bednar, McDiarmid, Cairns SF 2 Heiselberg, Nagel, Lightcap, Drejer

Sad day for comets fans but to be honest not surprising, as I think only 1 meeting reached a break even crowd, others were a bit away from the level required. Thanks to Andrew Bain and back room people for getting us this far, thanks to the many sponsors big and small, as without them we would not have got this far.🔵⚪🏁. Gonna put a lottery ticket on to try and help the comets out

Crowd was noticeably up on the Kings Lynn fixture ,plenty of kids in for free and a few 'old faces' around me that have been missing, were back.

🏁 UPRIGHT SPEEDWAY WEEKEND... - Workington Comets Speedway | Facebook

Looking at averages only guests if available that could guest on Sunday are Hagon, Wood, Lambert, Loftis, Cluff or Ablitt

Don't rush things Jordan, think about your health,don't worry about speedway teams

Is the future for Workington (and a few others) in the National League with associated practice and open days?

To come in to cover as a heat leader for oxford after being away for so long was asking a bit much so no surprise his average dropped to 5 so quickly. Eddie is a decent 2nd string/ reserve as he his proving.

I read the World Final Programme a few years back (my dad attended) for 1953 (maybe 4) and in that the chairman of I think Wembley speedway was calling for unity and commitment to taking tough decisions over the winter to secure our great sport! Plus ca Change, plus c'est la meme chose!

Glad someone caught this before he had another off. That could have ended very differently. Wishing Jordan a speedy recovery. Could be doing with some guests for the away matches. Might be difficult with short notice and a lot of meetings on this weekend. R/R could work ok at home on Saturday.

JJs out of both meetings review of Sundays x ray reveals 2 possible fractures in his back

Glasgow's Kevin stands in both meetings

Hi Lisa, it's not misread, I could show you the Whatsapp with a (C) by Kyle's name and nothing next to Zach. It makes no difference really, but it will be interesting to see who is the Poole captain tonight.

Hmm. Poole website has Zach as captain though, so maybe Oxford misheard or misread?

Please explain, this is absolute gibberish, your like an old woman 😂😂💦💦

Thats interesting as all the young riders who have ridden for both Lynn teams over the past couple of seasons aren't like that at all, they work hard to succeed at speedway and some have 'normal' jobs too. They are approachable and make an effort with their fans both at the track and on social media, and are grateful for the opportunities they have while knowing they have plenty to learn and being humble.

I think there would be many that say Kyle deserves a medal.

The old “ we didn’t know Latvia is 2 hours ahead of GB has struck again “ Every year the TV companies get in a tis-was !! Friday’s 2nd Semi in Riga is indeed on HBO Max. The meeting starts at 5 pm UK time(7pm in Riga) and HBO are coming on air at 5.40pm !!! Instead of 4.40pm. Hopefully they will realise before next Friday !!

Hard to call, were it with Cairns/MacDiarmid I'd go for Poole, what with Cairns becoming a consistent performer for the Pirates, but with rr results will be more down to who actually gets dialed in on the night. Cheetahs may have been pants this year but all their league success has come at home where they have only been beaten once ......let's make it twice!

Apparently Anders Rowe set a new track record at Sheffield tonight of 56.79. On a very dusty track I'm very dubious of this being legit. Not doubting Anders' ability at all, but something isn't adding up to me.

No one ever laughs though, your jokes are older than you. No benefits scrounger here split personality man 💦💦

Always the victim but never the truth. Never have I once called you obscene names, used duplicate accounts or put up bullying photos . Now kindly get in your mobility scooter & do one 💦💦

So a club representative told you somethiing but you don't know whether to believe it.

Once again thats a very good interview and I’m more impressed every time I hear him speak. I know there’s fans of other clubs who wont be as enthused about him coming in because they’ll see it as a competitor being in rude health and potentially having strong teams in the near future which will harm their own clubs chances of success and I totally understand that. It’s natural as a fan to think that way. BUT, what they need to understand is the bloke seems genuinely more interested in pulling British Speedway up off the floor and getting it back on its feet than prioritising Ipswich’ individual success. As he says “Ipswich will need somebody to race against” and he clearly wants a thriving British league so everybody should be behind him because its in everyones interest not just Ipswich. The little smirk when he was talking about some just wanting to keep “The status quo” and some not being receptive to his ideas was probably an indication that he's fully aware he’s up against it. Every single one of us know exactly who he’s talking about without him even having to name them! Until these absolute dinosaurs who want to continue limping along each year, reducing the points limit each year and doing the bare minimum each year, become extinct, then I fear he’ll be fighting a losing battle. You can bet your last Rolo that they’ll absolutely despise Richard Coleman.

Whilst I agree with some of the comments highlighting the financial implications of screening these meetings and the fact that clearly Mayfield Sports can't afford, or don't want to spend the necessary sums to show them, there are in my opinion some anomalies in all of this, and indeed in the way the whole series has been promoted over the past few years. Firstly let's examine WBD, who proclaimed endlessly we were entering a "new era" of speedway. This crowd then gave control of the whole thing to a bunch of people who had very little, if any, knowledge of the sport. Incredibly they created a rolling package whereby considerably more than 100 people (honestly!) were transported around Europe for each SGP. The costs of this must have been enormous! Not only that, but they then tried to "Formula 1ise" the world championship by creating the most ridiculous system of running in front of empty stadiums for what was essentially practice, and made it even more ridiculous by then dishing out world championship points to the riders who got to the final 4 man race of the practice, again in front of empty stadiums. You couldn't make this utter nonsense up!! As if that wasn't enough they introduced drones and steadfastly refused to change this introduction when many fans complained bitterly that it interfered with their TV viewing. TV viewing that was proving to be costly and expensive. Their 10 year master plan quickly fell apart and they panicked and pressed the eject button to escape at the half way stage through their get-out clause. But before we leave them, let's not forget that they also made the whole series harder than ever to access, with difficult to find channels and live events hidden away in expensive pay per view places. It was an unknown-to-speedway fans company that out of the blue stepped in. Mayfield Sports. Most of us had no idea who they actually were. Now, we are only two SGPs in, so let's give them the benefit of the doubt as to what we are going to experience as we go forward. But the early signs as we have seen are slightly alarming. I was pleased to see the drones had gone. Firstly I imagined that was a decision based on customer feedback but now I suspect it's financially based and is a cost cutter. The fact that many SGP events are now 2 day events with meetings the day before suggests another attempt to close down the costs . Nothing actually wrong with that and actually it's sensible when you think about it. But, here's where it begins to unravel. This ditching of the screening of SoN2, SGP2 and SGP3 came out of nowhere and has, understandably, left lots of people unhappy. And it seems clear that Mayfield had no intention of telling folk beforehand. Until they were forced to. That's not good business sense. There's also been the reduction in prize money for the riders, which did come out pre season. So it seems we are now looking at a shoestring production, at least compared to previously. Richard Coleman claims he needs to get the SGP series itself right first, which is commendable, but let's put our hands on our hearts and ask ourselves seriously if you believe he will later extend things to what they were previously? And here's where I want to ask the question. Why didn't the FIM think about giving the whole series to Poland to promote? I'm pretty sure OneSport, organisers of the SEC series, have previously wanted to take it on, but were rejected. I have to ask the question, why? Poland leads everything in speedway. It's professional in every way at a level that no other country can match. Its weekly televised productions from Canal Sport and previously Eleven Sports are beautifully put together events that run to time, are superbly slick and professional and clearly there is a large pot of money to do things the way they should be done. Now, I completely understand that perhaps no Polish company came forward to promote, but I have to ask, were they actually asked? And if not, why not? To hell with FIM prejudices against the Poles, which clearly exist as Poland has long complained bitterly that they have to fork out more than other nations to stage SGP rounds. The FIM should, in my opinion, be begging OneSport or any other Polish TV company that will, to take this series by the scruff of the neck and promote it PROPERLY. Speedway is in a mess. Everyone knows that. Even Polish promoters and owners of clubs I've spoken with over the past couple of years are worried that their product is attracting less young people than previously. But, if we want to see our beloved sport, the sport where racing can be utterly spectacular and beautiful, be able to succeed, we have to market and promote it properly. And that includes promoting and televising the youngest and younger racers at world level too. If Mayfield Sports don't have the will, or the money to do that properly they should either change their business plan, or get out quick and be replaced by a company from Poland that can do it properly. It's the only way I see our world championship events remaining a serious TV proposition.