Al Stewart

I can certainly say that the 1975 and 1976 British Finals were two of the greatest meetings I have ever seen, with four qualifiers and names like Collins, Louis, Simmons, Kennett, Wilson, Ashby, Jessup, Pusey, Wyer, McMillan, Morton... Fantastic. But I'm old and it was a long time ago. I enjoyed this year's meeting as well. I don't blame anyone really for the sport's decline, it's just what has happened. Several vastly inferior sports get more press and TV coverage, speedway with noise and dust, no female and no ethnic minority participation is very unfashionable.

I understand all the problems highlighted by Mikebv. Re Buxton and IOW I just want to see the sport’s authorities trying to find some way to stage speedway, even if it is the kind of event staged on the Island (not that that would appeal to me much). There are problems of funding at all tracks in the UK I think.

I’ve never given all that much consideration to all this stuff, but I certainly think that the BSPL first and foremost should be trying to keep as many tracks as possible operational. I was never particularly sympathetic to the IOW’s reasons for pulling out of the NDL but I don’t like them being ostracised. Every effort should also be made to get Buxton staging some kind of racing. It’s all a big problem to which I don’t have answers. I always thought it was wrong to let Birmingham and Eastbourne drop into the third tier of British Speedway but we can see what’s happened to them by trying to race in the second tier. One problem is that too many highly paid riders are allowed to ride in the second tier which should be set at a lower standard. But try telling that to fans at that level. Meanwhile, Connor Coles of all people suffers.

I started investigating and found rather to my amazement that of the 301 riders Edinburgh have used, a remarkable 63 have failed to score on their debut. This merry band includes the following: George Hunter Bert Harkins Dave Trownson Rory Schlein Max Fricke Dan Bewley Here are the longest running initial non-scorers prior to this season: Jye Etheridge 9, Sean Courtney 8, Paul Gould 8, Lee Dicken 8, Aaron Fox 8, Dan Bewley 7, Bert Harkins 7, Gary Phelps 7, John Paul 6, Dudley McKean 6, Michael Lowrie 6, Marcel Helfer 6, Tommy Fenwick 6. But there is one other – with more than 10. I’ll tell you who it is once Luke gets his first point, hopefully tomorrow. One thing the investigation shows is that it is often some of the best riders who make a slow start – but are persevered with.

Management and fans as well though.

This is far too negative a view. I’m not saying it’s easy but it is definitely something which should be worked on by every club. Even with the risk of keeping a few folk at home who might otherwise have attended, Edinburgh have certainly made a good few thousand pounds profit from Live Streaming this season.

As ever this match can be Live Streamed via the Edinburgh website. With Harris, Riss, Shanes, Morris and a strong rider replacement it will be a hard one for the Monarchs who in spite of away match heroics are not a solid side. I see Grobauer really is riding this week.

He tested positive in both the first week and the second, so should that not be ten days from his second test? Or is it just when he eventually gets a negative test? Who knows? He'd certainly have to get a negative test.

This is a little misleading, he hasn’t just been in contact with someone who has the virus, he has tested positive for it. That will have to change.

I've never tried. Theoretically yes.

Harthill is in the World, even though maybe at the end of it. As far as I understand it is always raining in Harthill.

Might look predictable on paper with Edinburgh having scored 58 at Berwick last Saturday, but Newcastle got 43 at Armadale just over a month ago, and that was with a poor guest performance. Now Barker's back! WHAT THE FORK MONARCHS: Sam Masters (capt.), Nathan Greaves, William Lawson, Josh Pickering, Richie Worrall, Joe Lawlor, Kye Thomson. GEC DIAMONDS: Ben Barker, rider replacement for Adam Roynon, Connor Mountain, Max Clegg, Matthew Wethers (capt.), James Wright, Ryan Terry-Daley (guest). Anyone in the World can watch this match! As with all Armadale meetings this week’s match will be Live Streamed, details in the EMTV section of the club website.

The rule is that you can use the grade that was available to you with your initial lineup. That changes when you re-declare. Don't blame us, it's the rules.

Yes we certainly are. It is intended to stream every match this season, Monarchs and Devils. Plenty of links on the Monarchs website to get you there, cost for Monarchs' matches is £11.95.

In case there is any confusion it is £7.99 for the stream of the NDL matches.

Leicester Cubs look like a very attractive visiting side - average age 18, 3 Championship riders - coming to Armadale this Friday. Archie Freeman's first match for the Devils. STELLAR DEVILS: Nathan Greaves (capt.), Gregor Millar, Danny Phillips, George Rothery, Tom Woolley, Archie Freeman, Lewis Millar. LEICESTER CUBS: Dan Thompson, Ben Trigger, Joe Lawlor (capt.), Tom Spencer, Joe Thompson, Kai Ward, Mickie Simpson. As with all meetings at Armadale this match will be Live Streamed via the Monarchs website.

It's almost impossible to believe that no Premiership team has given Josh P a run. I know there's a work permit needed, but when you look at some of the mediocre riders who are in Premiership teams it is just incredible how a true thrillmaker can be ignored.

That's true but in fact his no-bonus average after 3 home and 2 away is also exactly 4. He'll get his first average by 17th July assuming the meetings go ahead.

Ah right under 19s. Connor an ex Monarch, he was well liked at Armadale though unpredictable.

Debut for Adam Ellis makes this an interesting fixture with plenty of solid backup including of course Theo. WHAT THE FORK MONARCHS: Sam Masters (capt.), Nathan Greaves, Kye Thomson, Josh Pickering, Richie Worrall, Joe Lawlor, William Lawson. ATISS SCORPIONS: Adam Ellis, Simon Lambert (capt.), Tero Aarnio, Theo Pijper, Thomas Jorgensen, Josh MacDonald, Connor Coles (guest) As for all Monarchs and Devils meetings, Live Streaming available, details in EMTV on the Monarchs website.

The problem with it is the rates of pay. In general the Premiership teams pay much higher points money, so the riders are bound to want to ride for these teams unless the championship teams (with one obvious exception) raise their rates. And that would kill them.

That's never been the rule. The rule is that if you leave out a rider from your previous year's 1-7 at the start of the year, then try to bring that rider back in later, you need management committee approval. It could be called the "Peter Waite" rule because he made it public that he had left riders out and intended bringing them back. That's when the rule was written.

STELLAR DEVILS: Nathan Greaves (capt.), Sheldon Davies, Danny Phillips, George Rothery, Tom Woolley, Lewis Millar, Gregor Millar. BELLE VUE COLTS: Jack Parkinson-Blackburn, Ben Woodhull (capt.), Benji Compton, Paul Bowen, Connor Coles, Sam Woolley, Harry McGurk Match available on Live Stream for just £7.99. Details on the Edinburgh or Armadale websites.

Belle Vue Colts fans can watch their team at Armadale on Saturday afternoon by Live Stream for just £7.99. Details on the Edinburgh or Armadale websites.

How does Steve Pate fit into that?