LisaColette

From Matt Ford, look at the article above!!

Bournemouth Echo OWNER Matt Ford revealed how Pirates’ SGB Premiership future could be in doubt – and wanted fans to have their say. The club promoter on Saturday took to the Pirates’ website to ask supporters their feelings on the future direction of the club. A key issue from those questions was the importance of which level fans would be happy to see the Wimborne Road outfit perform at next season. Having been crowned champions in 2018, Poole topped the regular Premiership standings this campaign, in which only seven sides competed to reach the four-team play-offs. The SGB Championship – British Speedway’s second tier – had 11 clubs competing during 2019. The Daily Echo understands Pirates must make a decision as to their league future by the British Speedway Promoters’ Association AGM, which begins on November 13. Quizzed on the future of Pirates, the most successful British speedway club of the modern era, Ford told the Daily Echo: “We have to question if us staying in the Premiership, with a lack of opposition, is the way forward long term for the club. “Not just for one or two years, because whichever decision we make I feel is for the longevity. “But it must be made with the thoughts of the public I feel, rather than just being made in the Poole Speedway office. “One or two people have already mentioned to me that they would like to see more opposition and different clubs. “I am really now trying to get an overall picture rather than just one or two people perhaps I know personally.” The Daily Echo last week revealed Pirates had taken a significant financial hit, after 2019 main sponsor No1 Carpet Cleaning Limited went into liquidation. Asked how much a drop to the Championship would save Poole financially, Ford replied: “I would say it’s about 75 per cent of the costs that we experience. “That would have a pretty big impact on the club.” Championship fixtures this season had also been run on Wednesday, Pirates’ historic regular race night until Thursdays were introduced for the Premiership this year. “I would certainly look at the change of race day also having an impact on crowd levels,” added Ford. “Crowds are down around 20 per cent. “After many years of the club riding on a Wednesday, of course it was always going to be a situation where we would see how we went during the course of the year. “But it’s not been a good move. I do feel the club and the fans do prefer Wednesday speedway. It’s something we have all got used to over a number of years.” A full list of questions for supporters can be found at poole-speedway.com. Responses can be emailed to info@poole-speedway.com. Pirates are accepting replies to the questions until 8pm on Monday – further talks with league chiefs set to take place in the coming week.

Interestingly in the Echo of says if we drop down the cost saving is 75%!!

No I in team though! I think the reserves will be the key to it.

Regarding the track, there is a rider who doesn't agree with you! Hans Andersen! He says a rider who has issues with it is just speaking 'hot air.' Wasn't surprised by his comments tbh as when he was a Poole rider he did say the 'bumps' and 'ruts' were just home advantage! Also said if they made it smoother they would make it easier for other teams to win there! Edit - he only said this last week btw!

1. I am kind of on the fence with this one. If the league has 9+ teams I would say def stay but I like the variety of the Champ. Plus the gap between the two leagues isn't that big anymore. Both leagues have a lot of pros and cons. 2. For me during term time Friday is the only good day for me! Lol. But i know most Poole fans will say go back to Weds. Interestingly if we dropped down, Weds would be a realistic option. 3. This one is a little ridiculous to me, they say what changes to the stadium and then say they can't do much cos it's rented! They also say about redevelopment to the track within the grounds but that hasn't worked great for Swindon with all the uncertainty so I would be a little cautious of that, esp when Stadia UK is involved in both situations.

No, 12 was mentioned but posts get edited! If I quoted Gavan wrong he'd soon tell me about it! Lol.

Yes we know! Bloomin heck, if I had a pound every time you said this I'd be a millionaire!! No wonder these threads are so long when you duplicate your posts.

These are like essay questions!! I feel like I am back at school Edit - interesting that the third question is about the stadium and not track prep!!

Fair enough, but we were 10 up not 12 Ipswich were the ones with a 12 point lead half way through the first leg

So many digs you might need a new spade for Christmas!

I just want them to have a decent lead to make the second leg interesting!

A lot of pressure on Jensen though being one of the top 2. They need to try and have him as third HL if they can imo.

12 point lead please Ipswich. Thanks

He brought Klindt off Wolves last year? Pretty sure he did anyway! He used quite a few assets this year, the only ones on loan were Covatti, Wells/Richie.

I'm not sure anyone said he's a Poole asset? Just that he rode for Poole...? At the time people thought Poole were going to buy him off Lakeside and loan him to Swindon but that didn't materialise.

Josh rides in Poland so prob wouldn't be in the team if we dropped down. Hasn't done Champ for a couple of seasons.

I don't recall Perks ever riding for Poole (unless I blinked and missed it!) was just signed as an asset.

I think you lasted longer than most!

Oh hi Starman.

Well they did draw at Swindon before, but then so did we! Lol. Seems Swindon just step up another level when needed!

Well done Swindon. Did well above what I would expect them to do over the two legs esp last night, with two riders that aren't known for liking the wet!

Oh I wonder if Steve has been advised to start a debate about what Poole fans think about what league they want. To have such a extreme viewpoint has certainly got people talking! Seeing as they didn't get their questionnaires out!

More variety of teams in the Champ too! As long as the racing is good, does it matter who is under the helmet?

This argument/debate is totally pointless, realistically we won't drop down. Even if Matt wanted to, the Champ promoters have to accept you, do they not? Remember when Eastbourne wanted to drop down but weren't accepted and had to ride NL before being able to move up to Champ level. I don't see it happening. More likely to try and go back to Weds nights tbh.