StevePark

Max and Roy back in 2022: Taken off Facebook: Max Clegg returns for 2022, as does local centre-green mic-man Roy Clarke photos: Steve Brock Photography The Newcastle Diamonds have added a second returnee from this 2021 season to their 2022 roster in the shape of 24-year-old, from Brighouse, West Yorkshire-born Max Clegg, a rider who originally joined the Brough Park club in 2019, instantly becoming a firm fans' favourite with a series of excellent rides on Byker shale. Club owner Rob Grant said: "Max was a pretty easy choice to ask back for another season with us, as he's a real tryer who will always give us his best on track to take every point he can, and you can see that effort every race. His last meeting for us back in September saw him tally a paid 15 points' total from his six rides proving he knows our track well and produce the goods. "Again, Max has been a pleasure to deal with and was equally as keen as we were to have him, to come back for us, and that's the sort of loyalty which should translate in to points once the new season gets going next Spring. "With Max joining James Wright for 2022, it gives us a great base to build a team upon which will be competitive in next season's competitions, and as always give the supporters some thrilling racing to watch. "One other person coming back to Newcastle in 2022 will be our centre green presenter, Roy Clarke who will be resuming his roving on the radio microphone after talks between myself and Roy were successful. He did an amazing job out our last meeting of the year and it will be good to have him back as he certainly helped create a much better atmosphere, which is all part of a great night out at the speedway!" Roy himself then added: "I'm really looking forward to coming back to the presentation at Newcastle next year, especially after the reception I got from the fans, and the promotion at the last meeting. Roll on 2022!" Max Clegg Career history: (b: 11 April 1997, Brighouse, West Yorkshire) started racing grass track at the age of seven before moving onto speedway when he was a teenager and was local club Sheffield’s mascot. He rode in the British U-15 500cc Championship in 2011 finishing second and made his National League début for Scunthorpe in 2012. In 2013 he made his Premier League début for the Sheffield Tigers in the last meeting of the season, and in 2014 he made his Elite League début aged just 16 vs. Wolverhampton, signing for Cradley for 2015 as their number One and captain. In 2016 he won the British U-19 Championship and the National League Riders Championship. He has consistently been a shining star in the Diamonds line up in 2019 and 2021, frequently in double figures.

Cheers John for the reply. My "is it a secret" wasn't really a dig at anyone, just I thought a bit more info on what was discussed/agreed, would have come out before now (like yesterday for example), but hey-ho, we know the situation now, so let's all "pull together" and make 2022 and beyond successful for the Diamonds.

Just spotted this: Taken off Facebook: Important Statement from Rob Grant: In regards to the fan-lead meeting that took place at South Gosforth Social Club last night, club promoter Rob Grant would like to release the following statement, "Thank you to everyone who attended the meeting at South Gosforth Club last night. I am sorry I couldn’t attend but I have been told there were a lot of positive suggestions from the meeting. One suggestion I must address though is that at this present time and in the future as long as I am the owner of Newcastle Diamonds Ltd, we will be racing from Brough Park. I have a very good relationship with the owners and staff of the stadium and see no reason to be looking for, or to build a new stadium. I hope this clears the situation regarding raising funds to build elsewhere. As always, I wish to thank everyone for their continued support of Newcastle Speedway and I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible at our end of season celebration on the 12th November. "

So, what was discussed/agreed last night? Or is it a secret?

He (or she) has to be vetted by the BSPL before anything official can be announced. Not sure how long the process is likely to last.

PRESS RELEASE (Taken Off Facebook): The Inspiration and determination of the late Dave Tattum breathes vital life into Diamonds' future Newcastle Speedway owner and promoter, Rob Grant, was shedding more than a few tears on Sunday, along with hundreds of other Diamonds' fans who were attending the final farewell of the club, but in honour of the memory of his former co-promoter, Dave Tattum, who tragically passed away at the weekend following an arduous and lengthy battle with illness, the Geordie former racer feels it would be grossly disrespectful to walk away and allow the club to close right now. An emotional Grant said last night: "Since Sunday's amazing meeting, which was charged heavy with emotion, I've done nothing but sit back and think, and talk with my family about the past and the future, and it seems totally disloyal to Dave's memory that I walk away at this stage and potentially shut the Diamonds forever under our promotion's name. "Dave Tattum spent most of his last months teaching me in depth, with all the information and skills I'd need for running a speedway club, and all that while he was fighting for his health under very difficult circumstances, but as my great friend, he dedicated his time to me and Newcastle Speedway, and that is why I cannot walk away from this great club. I cannot do that with Dave, his efforts and, his belief uppermost in my mind. "No concrete offer has come forward, but we've been looking at my other two businesses and looked hard and deep into things, and I will not walk away, and I will keep Newcastle running in 2022 for the memory and influence of Dave Tattum. We do have new backing and I've learned a lot in the last 18 months which will only benefit the future of the club. Also, I have sent in an application for a new co-promoter to join me, and he's a businessman, who will be a very familiar face to the Brough Park faithful, and obviously knows this club inside out. "The loyalty shown to us proves people of this City and beyond, love this club and desperately want it to continue, and the love poured out over the weekend has been an important factor in this decision and we have to repay that huge level of loyalty. "This time, however, will be starting preparation for 2022 on a level playing field with the rest of the teams, and won't be playing catch-up in the team building stakes, which will, at least mean, we'll have a decent chance of challenging for much better league place that this 2021 season, which is now well behind us." The Newcastle Speedway press office will be keeping a close eye on this story, and will report all developments as it happens, but above all else, the important news today is the Diamonds will come to the tapes in 2022 and powered by the memory of the late Dave Tattum.

Taken off Facebook: Important Press Release regarding the future of Newcastle Speedway will be released later this evening.

https://www.edinburghmonarchs.co.uk/match-centre/fixture/1997-08-17/glasgow/edinburgh

Sean Courtney?

Unless Birmingham pull out of the KOC - then no.

Taken off Facebook: Newcastle Speedway for Sale. For all genuine enquiries please contact info@newcastle-speedway.co.uk. No information will be published on social media platforms. If a consortium is being considered then it is important that there is a figurehead to deal with the matters on behalf of everyone. The sale of Newcastle Speedway is subject to any new parties producing a business plan, having talks with stadium landlords and the BSPL for acceptance before any handover can take place. There is a time limit of 6 weeks before Newcastle Speedway will unfortunately have to close. For clarity current director and promoter Rob Grant will not be staying at the club in any position once his officials licence runs out meaning at least two promoters need to be put in place by any party or parties wanting to take up the challenge.

Said his head was not in the right place for racing after the news of Dave Tattum's death earlier in the day. It's been said that they were good friends.

Erik Riss (no 5) scored 15 (+1), which kind of helped as well.

I think that will be put to one side, following the sad news.

I agree (which is why I underlined "might" in my post), if, indeed, it is due to the sad passing of Dave Tattum, that Ben has withdrawn today.

Should be. But he might get a suspension for withdrawing through non-speedway injury.

There will be a two minutes of silence in memory of Dave Tattum before tonights meeting:

IT is with great sadness that British Speedway Promoters Ltd has been informed of the passing of Dave Tattum. Dave was a loyal and long serving promoter at Stoke Potters for many years and joined Newcastle for the planned 2020 season. A well known figure throughout the city of Stoke-on-Trent, Dave was a hard working individual who could be seen at Loomer Road working on the track and facilities around the clock. We have been informed he passed away in the early hours of this morning following an illness which he battled with immense courage. Our thoughts are with Dave’s family and friends at this most difficult time

Taken off Facebook: IMPORTANT INFORMATION IN REGARD TO TOMORROW'S MEETING..... We will be opening the gates/turnstiles tomorrow half an hour early to try and alleviate any undue pressure on the gates and give everyone as quick of an entry as possible. Gates will now be OPEN FROM 5PM. Car Park - there will be parking attendants in operation tomorrow to ensure we can fit as many cars as possible into the car park. Please do listen to the advice of these attendants when parking your vehicle and remain vigilant and courteous to other car park users around you. Mascots - we WILL be having a parade tomorrow evening and therefore we will be giving any youngsters the chance to partake in the running of the evening and offering mascot positions to any of our young fans. Please make sure to message us prior to attending in order to get your child's/children's name down on the list. TICKETS - There has been some confusion over admission prices this week. Can we just clarify that the £38 admission charge is for the VIP HOSPITALITY PACKAGE ONLY. This must be booked online in ADVANCE. Normal admission prices are as follows: Adults - £17 Concessions - £14 Child (5-16) - £3 Under 5s - FREE We recommend purchasing your tickets online now at https://www.trybooking.co.uk/BFQF for ease of entry at the gate. We are looking forward to seeing everyone trackside tomorrow.

Taken off Facebook: IMPORTANT INFORMATION IN REGARD TO TOMORROW'S MEETING..... We will be opening the gates/turnstiles tomorrow half an hour early to try and alleviate any undue pressure on the gates and give everyone as quick of an entry as possible. Gates will now be OPEN FROM 5PM. Car Park - there will be parking attendants in operation tomorrow to ensure we can fit as many cars as possible into the car park. Please do listen to the advice of these attendants when parking your vehicle and remain vigilant and courteous to other car park users around you. Mascots - we WILL be having a parade tomorrow evening and therefore we will be giving any youngsters the chance to partake in the running of the evening and offering mascot positions to any of our young fans. Please make sure to message us prior to attending in order to get your child's/children's name down on the list. TICKETS - There has been some confusion over admission prices this week. Can we just clarify that the £38 admission charge is for the VIP HOSPITALITY PACKAGE ONLY. This must be booked online in ADVANCE. Normal admission prices are as follows: Adults - £17 Concessions - £14 Child (5-16) - £3 Under 5s - FREE We recommend purchasing your tickets online now at https://www.trybooking.co.uk/BFQF for ease of entry at the gate. We are looking forward to seeing everyone trackside tomorrow.

He probably wouldn't get a license off the BSPL.

George Graham was Ian's co-promoter at the start of 1975 season. George had been promoter at Barrow, which is how we got Tom and Joe to ride at Brough.

2016!

OOPS!! Correct Link: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m000zqbn/look-north-north-east-and-cumbria-evening-news-14092021

About 20 minutes in: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m000zqbn/look-north-north-east-and-cumbria-evening-news-14092021