jeff

Think this will make the team a bit 'top heavy'

Found this http://www.teambmr.com/news/Team-BMR-Challenge-2014 Maybe it's about the go kart track?

Dave Kitson The Secret Footballer in his book 'I Am The Secret Footballer' recounts a tale of when he was leaving Millwall's ground with a teammate and was approached by a 7 year old child who went up his teammate and said 'african american'. He then goes on to say "The point, though this is an extreme case, is that much of what a child learns comes directly from his or her parents. They are the closest influence and a guide to acceptable behaviour. This is why I struggle to accept the idea of footballers as role models. While I'm not condoning some of the things that players do, if your son or daughter is copying them, ask yourself why they're taking more notice of a Premier League footballer than they are of you.." When I read and thought about that in the context of Ched Evans it did make me wonder about the validity of barring him from returning to his previous employment/trade on the grounds that he should be 'made an example of' and because he is supposedly a 'role model'. Obviously an emotional response that rape is bad (as is war, murder etc ) is wholly understandable but unless I've missed it I'm not convinced that Charlie has made a well reasoned case for her resignation. was approached by a 7 year old child who went up his teammate and said 'african american'. Note The original post has been automatically changed to remove the offensive word, nonetheless I think you can work out what was said.

Think you might want to edit your post SCB - 'traditionalists' may not approve!

Thanks Screm. I read that on the BSPA website and assume that the teams finishing 5th and 6th go into different groups but then not sure whether 3rd and 4th are allocated or get to choose. Then 1st and 2nd get to choose. The wording in the BSPA note is a tad confusing because if the team finishing first gets to choose first before anything else is known then you aren't basing your choice on very much information. So I think it must be a bottom up thing (cue annoying Benny Hill music) i.e. 5th & 6th are in different groups, then 3rd chooses, then 4th, then 1st then 2nd.

But are there sufficient numbers of British lads to come through? When I started going to speedway in the late sixties, League 2 riders were plentiful. They included semi-veterans dropping down/coming out of retirement, grass track riders transferring across, many youngsters and even a policeman (John Hibben) having a go. I have read about the Collins brothers & Chris Morton developing their skills on farms, wasteland etc. But with the demise of grasstrack and much wider range of hobbies now on offer I wonder just why and how a 16 year old in 2014 is going to give it a go unless their speedway knowledgeable father or uncle etc sets them up.

Monday is the worst day of the week to schedule meetings for. First day back at work, kids back to school, bit tired and skint after the weekend. Even in the good old days few clubs elected to run on Mondays (Reading did though). Monday is only being suggested because it's the only remaining day available, no other country opted for Mondays and for good reason. It won't be viable. Guess what my favourite Boomtown Rats song is?

Rye House Rockets ‏@RyeHouseFans 13m The meeting between the Rockets & Newcastle, scheduled for next Saturday, has been POSTPONED, due to a clash with the World Cup Final

...now don't be sad

Modd Just to echo what others have said, I have always found Criss/Shadders posts to be fair, insightful, witty and erudite. Your post is none of those things and your final sentence could be construed as aggressive. Next meeting I would like to meet you and discuss a few issues with you personally. I think an apology is called for.

The rakes stopped working and the bulk order of dustpan & brush sets will be placed with Wilkinsons when the financial situation permits. http://www.wilko.com/sweeping-brushing+dusting/wilko-functional-dustpanbrush-set/invt/0189805

I read all the stuff about 'passing on experience' and 'geeing up the lads' but I struggle to see what the point of the team captain role currently actually is. Surely how 7 riders get on, communicate and support each other during a meeting will be down to what they are like as individuals and with so many riders riding for numerous teams in this country and abroad it's probably like ships passing in the night. It may well have been different years ago but it's a nonsense now isn't it?

... that informative and tidy answer appeared 5-posts above (or 9-hours before) your question !! Here's an idea ... when a thread's in as early a stage as this one, requiring just a few moments to be fully digested, how about reading it before showcasing your ignorance to the rest of the forum ? This may well have occurred because the poster has <10 posts in which case moderator approval is necessary before the post is displayed. Once approved the post is then inserted into the thread backdated to the time it was originally submitted. I am/have been in this situation. By the time my post was approved 48 hours later the discussion had moved on so I too looked like a muppet!

"I remember being with John Berry at one of the winter conferences at a time when he was having a lot of trouble trying to do a deal with Billy Sanders, who wanted a lot more money than Ipswich were offering him. So during one meeting of the general council, JB told them all exactly what was going on with Sanders and asked for everyones agreement not to approach his star rider or offer him more money under any circumstances. If they did, he warned them that he would never deal with them or do them any favours ever again. And they all stuck by that verbal agreement, it worked. No-one else came in for Billy and so he stayed with Ipswich on the same money as before. Promoters have got to stick together in this way." Surely this situation occurred at a time when promoters were making decent money - in which case this is about maximising promoter profit at the expense of Billy Sanders income. It was not a case of pay restraint necessary to enable the business to survive. I don't think John Berry's action was a gesture intended to save British speedway or even Ipswich speedway. It was to protect his own income and contribute to the building of a substantial early retirement nest egg.

I know that this may now be considered 'off topic' but I would like to reply here as my comments relate to recent posts on this thread. Dorothy: How do you talk if you don't have a brain? Scarecrow: Well, some people without brains do an awful lot of talking don't they? Contributors to this forum include: people who ramble on and on to no clear or constructive purpose (see above) or to a restate their own personal fixed agenda those Lamenting Past times ( etc) attention seekers (KKS anyone?) those who make perceptive and /or witty observations that actually add something new to a discussion e.g. a Shadwell resident providers of new information. It is the only the last two categories that are actually worth reading (in my opinion) however I understand why others might enjoy the banter involved for 1,2 and 3 So why am I writing this? Because I really appreciate the posts that Phil Rising takes the trouble to contribute and am horrified at the lack of respect and gratitude he sometimes receives as a 'thank you' for his efforts. It is a minority but if I were Phil I would wonder why I bother. So I like to offer my thanks to Phil, my apologies for some of the mindless replies he attracts and to say please continue to keep us informed as best as you are able.

“I can’t just let it go for nothing after all these years, I have put my heart and soul into Sheffield Speedway. I can’t be looking to build a team, I have told David Hoggart and Nigel Hinchliffe (team managers) not to do anything on that side of things because the club is on hold.” He added: “I will do everything I can to ensure the sport continues at Sheffield..." I like Neil but isn't there a bit of a contradiction there?