neil3065

It wont quite be the first visit of Mildenhall to Belle Vue for a match. Mildenhall, to my knowledge, have visited once before - in 1997, when the Colts last entered a team at this level. Think your prediction of the result might turn out to be fairly accurate - the Colts will probably have a little too much strength in depth for Mildenhall round their own track, with Garrity at reserve giving them a decisive edge.

You'd certainly hope so. The NL fixture list is of such a small size that, if he were to miss one or two more fixtures.....there wont be very many left for him to actually take part in!

Undoubtedly. Going by the reports of his ability he will (hopefully) add strength at reserve for the Fen Tigers. I havent seen much Speedway in the last couple of seasons, so I dont know too much about the four riders who will line-up at reserve, but I feel the reserve pairings are likely to be pretty evenly matched, which might not have been the case if Heeps had been available to make an impact on his debut. Heathens look to have a powerful top three in Evans, Roynon and Tom Perry and while its a shame not to see Jon back riding at West Row, Barrie is an excellent choice of guest, who will maintain the Heathens' top-end strength. Dudley have had some challenge match outings, which I feel is an important part of the prep for the start to a season, whereas Mildenhall, for what are no doubt a number of reasons, not least track availability and having only just finalised their signings, have not been able to have that prep opportunity. An entertaining match in prospect, hopefully on a track surface that will be conducive to good racing, with a result that could easily go either way.

PhilK, on 24 March 2011 - 02:17 PM, said: I agree with you Neil not an easy figure to work with. It was mentioned that the final rider may/would be chosen at P&P in the same way Stoke have done. That could leave us With three 3 pointers in the side? Personally I'd consider Aaron Baseby leaving Heeps and Blackbird in the reserve berths. He seems the best option to me. Have copied this across for fear of hijacking Stoke's thread by discussing Mildenhall! Could well be the case that Mildenhall start the season with three 3.00 riders - and equally Aaron Baseby may well be the type of rider on a slightly higher starting average who comes into the Mildenhall promotion's thinking to fill the final team spot. While the signing of Blackbird fills the gap in terms of the other reserve spot, it seems a great shame to see a promising youngster like Olly leave the club. TBH, I think we have got two very promising reserves, who could well both be challenging for a move into the main body of the team after the first month of the season, when the next set of averages take effect. I do like the idea of having some kind of 'trial' for the final place on P&P day.

The BSPA's list still has Olly Rayson in our line-up. Without him (having moved on to Kings Lynn) we have about 4.4 for a final rider. A tricky figure to work with as there arent that many riders available on that sort of figure.

Was a quality rider at National League level before his break from the sport. Little surprised he has been given an average in excess of 8.00 after two years out of the sport - but will be interesting to see how his comeback goes and if he can rediscover something like his best form from a few seasons ago, then he'll be a very good signing for the Fen Tigers.

Fantastic news!!! The club has an excellent management team that knows the sport inside out. Hopefully this will be the start of a period of much needed stability for the Fen Tigers.

Simple question to you, since you seem to know plenty about the complainant's reasons for taking the matter to FHDC. Why on earth move in to a property within the vicinity of not only a motor-sports stadium/Moto-X track, but also a USAF airbase?! For a single complainant to be seemingly able to throw the future of a venue which has staged motor-sports for the best part of 40 years is extremely unjust to say the absolute least.

Absolutely Phil - the similarity you mention was not lost on me either - except that the Masons look after their own, dont they?! I thought Mildenhall and all associated with the club were 'part of the Speedway family'. It seems Mildenhall dont exactly have too many friends within the sport right now. Why on earth the apparent need to shaft the club by way of secret ballot?! The way the sport is run has chipped away at my enthusiasm over the years and made me a much less frequent visitor to tracks than I was a few years back. However, this is the final straw for me - the way I feel right now, I have no enthusiasm to devote either time nor money to attend another Speedway meeting. I'm done with the sport and its silly 'secret society' attitudes.

Those were exactly my thoughts shortly after reading the statement, after I became aware of the decision. If the authorities arent willing to let Steve Ribbons promote, at least for the time being - then the decision seems to have been delivered at the 11th hour - with no time for Dave Coventry, or anyone else, to realistically attempt to put together an alternative in time to enter Mildenhall in the National League for 2011.

Couldn't agree more, Kev, I think you've summed things up accurately and succinctly. As you say, if Mr Bailey wants the same result as the Mildenhall fans, then he has a strange way of showing it. He clearly still has his own agenda for making such remarks. But Mr Bailey is a mere footnote in Mildenhall's past. Indeed, there are people who had been part of the staff at Mildenhall much, much longer than Mr Bailey, who have been wholly more positive in welcoming Mildenhall's potential re-opening in 2011 on this discussion thread. So we can draw our own conclusions from those contrasting remarks. Fortunately, it now looks more positive as to Mildenhall being active in 2011, and it is to that which most are now looking forward. Hopefully Mildenhall's team will consist of riders who have the potential and hunger to develop in the sport. That was something the 2010 Mildenhall management did deliver and it would be good to see a similar team building ethos for 2011.

Mr Bailey - I really thought we'd heard the last of you in relation to Mildenhall Speedway!! Do not concern yourself with the arrangements required to re-open the club - from what I underwithstand the prospective new promotion are experienced Speedway people and I'm sure they will attend to every last detail to ensure Mildenhall runs smoothly, with a team capable of challenging for the play-offs!

I believe there was some extent of a 'link' with Ipswich over the last couple of seasons, with the loans of Witches assets Olly Rayson, Joe Jacobs (I think) and then last season, Jerran Hart, too. I'd hope that if Ipswich have any other youngsters that need to kick-off their careers in the NL, in readiness for a future in the PL - then they'd consider loaing them to Mildenhall, if indeed the Fen Tigers do return in 2011, which now seems more likely. Considering we seem to have the break-through of a promoter willing to agree terms with Mr Coventry on rent, and now pursue a licence to operate - I'd have thought that must be good news for all those with an interest in the Fen Tigers. Cause for optimism at least, I'd have thought - let's hope that the arrangements are completed successfully and that the Fen Tigers have an enjoyable 2011 season with a competitive team!

Geoff Powell...!!! Legend!!!! The Mildenhall number one when I first got into Speedway - not many riders beat him round West Row in those days!

I think its fair to say that for a number of reasons, Mildenhall riding at Peterborough, or indeed anywhere else other than West Row would be a non-starter. Mildenhall finds it difficult enough to attract extra fans to West Row, without requiring the existing fan-base to travel elsewhere for home fixtures, rent elsewhere wouldnt necessarily be cheaper, plus as I understand it, available dates to stage Speedway at Peterborough are limited as it is, without two clubs potentially wanting to operate out of the Showground. I think as Phil has said, the Fen Tigers and West Row Stadium are inextricably linked, without any realistic possibliity of an alternative site for a track, or anyone with the will (or finances!) to commence such a project. Anyone willing to finance Mildenhall Speedway as promoter would undoubtedly want to do so at the existing stadium, rather than begin a likely fruitless search for a new venue. If prospective promoters arent willing to pay whatever rent Dave Coventry seeks, then it will be up to Mr Coventry to decide whether he wants Speedway at the stadium enough to promote it himself and/or with a manager coming in to run the club. To be fair to Dave Coventry - his previous comments indicate that he is keen for Speedway to continue at West Row, whether in 2011 or in the future. Whether we will see Speedway at the stadium in 2011, I'm not sure, but if the club re-opens next year or later, I get the feeling that Dave Coventry is the man most likely to be the club's next promoter. As Simon has said, he's experienced in promoting motorsport both at Mildenhall and Dover, and I know that Mildenhall stocks get good crowds, so it will be interesting if he were to become Speedway promoter, whether he might do anything different to try to promote the club in the local community.

They probably are, when it suits the BSPA, but aren't they still tagged as 'club chairmen', as opposed to 'promoter' as if to emphasise their junior relationship with the management committee?!

Interesting post. Of course, ideally, no promotion would wait until January before confirming plans for running a club etc. Ideally, you would have plans to promote and some riders, if not a complete team, signed before Christmas. However, in the context of the court case relating to the future of the stadium - in this instance I dont think anyone interested in running Mildenhall in 2011 would have any choice in the matter. Until the case is resolved, I dont see how anyone can make any firm plans with regards running Speedway at West Row in 2011. Any businessman with any interest in running the club could not do so without knowing what the future of the venue was. In terms of the outcome of the case - until it comes to court, and a ruling is made, it would be very unwise to pre-empt that in any way and I'm sure all involved are very well aware of that. Whether any prospective future promoter should have previous business or Speedway experience is an interesting question. I would certainly say that anyone taking over would be wise to ensure that they or their management team encompasses previous experience in both areas. If the case regarding the future of the stadium has a positive outcome and is able to continue, then in terms of the Speedway, its worth remembering, for 2011 at least, that any Speedway at West Row, even in less than ideal circumstances regarding timescales, would be infinitely better than no Speedway at all. If the club's longer term future beyond 2011 can be assured, then obviously, there would be scope for expecting arrangements to be sorted earlier in the winter.

I think Phil was just thinking aloud about one eventuality, which isnt to say whether or not it is particularly likely. Personally, I'd like to see Peterborough continue at the Showground (even if that is in the NL for 2011). Peterborough is one of the best race tracks around and were a Peterborough team not able to find a place in any league for 2011, then the racing that can be produced there would be a big loss to the sport. I'm sure that those associated with Peterborough will be looking to ensure that the club does run at the Showground in 2011 at whichever level possible. Mildenhall, of course, would appear to have the opposite problem to Peterborough - in that there is a place in its chosen league (NL) for the club if it is able to run, but the future of the stadium is the biggest question mark hanging over it - before any deal with any prospective promoter can even be considered. Hopefully, positive outcomes will be reached in terms of both club's futures and they will be able to take to the track in 2011.

An interesting point, mate. It wouldnt be the biggest surprise were that to happen. Stranger things (like Peterborough and Cov apparently being without a league to ride in) have certainly happened. However - I can't help thinking that the very fact that Mildenhall Stadium's future wont be resolved until January at the earliest would make the most likely option, were Mildenhall to run in 2011, be with Dave Coventry as promoter, possibly installing a manager to oversee club matters.

I'd love to see Mildenhall back on track at West Row in 2011, but with the court case over the future of the stadium obviously key to any hopes of this happening and it not even commencing until January - I cannot help thinking the Fen Tigers will continue to be moth-balled for at least another 12 months. It really does defy belief how the very future of a stadium that has been in use for well over 30 years can be brought in question in the manner that it is, at the apparent whim of a very small minority.

Both Joe Jacobs and Olly Rayson have come on leaps and bounds this season - just a shame they werent afforded the opportiunity to see the full season out at West Row!! The lists of names mentioned on this thread just goes to show that the NL is doing its job in producing talented youngsters - up to some of the PL promoters to give them a chance to continue that progression!

That's a good point, actually. I stand corrected but I believe the promoter's licence was revoked when Hull ceased running a few years back.

Good to see that Barrie has got himself fixed up with a new club, following the unfortunate events which meant he was in the position where he needed to look for another club. He's been very loyal to the Fen Tigers since he returned to the club and done a fantastic job both at the end of the PL era and back into the NL. Hopefully, he'll return to Mildenhall in the near future and have his loyalty suitably repaid by a future promotion. All the best, Barrie.

While its disappointing that the confirmation has been receieved that what was a promising 2010 season has come to a premature end, and the team has been broken up - let's hope that the club can re-group over the winter and come back stronger for 2011. Mildenhall has always had a loyal fan-base, even in the third tier, with what's been a disjointed fixture list format in recent seasons. The club has a loyal band of volunteers who have worked hard in assisting successive promtions to run the club. The gates have been disappointing this season, but that seems to have been down to a lack of organisation in early meetings. The key thing that any prospective promotion needs to bring is leadership - organisation and co-ordination from the top, to get everyone working together for the good of the club, to harness that willingness of the volunteers in staging consistently well promoted Speedway. If that can be achieved, then I've no doubt that gates will rise from this season's average to higher figures that have been seen in previous years.

Negotiations over things such as this cannot always be completed as swifly as people would want for a variety of reasons, and that includes those people directly involved in the negotiations. All who have a genuine interest in Mildenhall Speedway must simply hope that progress can be made as soon as is practicable with negotations, to allow the team, hopefully complete with current riders, to continue what was shaping up to be a very promising season.