torpointfanatic22

Mon the Fish!! Barker and Fisher in the same side well something tells me HalifaxTiger could be down for a few more meetings this season Superb coup for the club although in the press release there was no need for the slating of Ashworth, that's uncalled for!

Yes, it's not the first time he's done it either!

I'm told exactly the same!

So Ashworth will no doubt line up for Berwick now and fair play to him, if what I hear is true the old Bowden magic worked again, agreed a deal verbally but something very different was in black and white! If my calculations are correct 10.24 is available to replace Ricky. Totally shambolic the BSPA need to do everyone a favour and remove his licence. Oh but for the record...Mon the Fish

I think the initial post about Mr Bowden asking for volunteers (which I cant find now) wasn't so much about a promoter asking for help, to which most clubs do, but more about the fact that one minute Mr Bowden is in the press slating supporters for their criticism and giving them the one finger salute at home matches but then has the cheek to ask those people for help. I don't think there was any knocking of the actual idea of volunteers. As for Glanz, someone asked about what they expect him to average, well given he's invested quite a bit in his machinery and in his last PL spell he averaged 4.8 for Reading (albeit 3 years ago) the omens are good. However what we have to look at is that if he hits the ground running he's very likely to be in the main body at the expense of Holder or Werner and that alone will probably restrict his increase. I think 5 - 5.5 is realistic but 4.5 by the end of the season would prove a decent year for him in my opinion. As for Ashworth possibly not signing after all, nothing would surprise me when the words Bowden, Plymouth and speedway are in the same paragraph!

Mr Bowden doesn't pay signing on fees for a start!

Whilst we all know the likes of Barker will be on more than £40 a point, I think your breakdown is pretty close. Add to that he has a couple sponsors on board also and I know his rent isn't that expensive. This is why Devils fans like myself have been infuriated with the various press releases and comments from Mr Bowden. He thinks we are all stupid yet it isn't rocket science to see that he makes a decent profit each year!

Your quite right he did say that, he was also talking a load of balony!

In summary we have 7 riders named according to local press releases however they are yet to appear on the BSPA site, I'll let you suggest why that might be but the general consensus from the Plymouth fans is that Mr Bowden is either on holiday or simply can't be bothered to send the paperwork in. Anyway the 7 named are...Barker, Holder, Boxall, Werner, Ashworth, Cockle, Glanz. Oh and along with that we've had enough drama to fill a year's worth of Corrie!

The best tongue in cheek post ever!? As has already been said Mr Bowden is apparently valuing the club at £100k yet in the figures published and in Mr Bowden's words it's making a loss. So either Mr Bowden is lying or the figures are. Having found some information on a few things the only way the club can seriously be making a loss is if Mr Bowden is taking a six figure salary (or at least declaring it).

Even if the venue isn't owned by the promoter?

Cheers mate

He won't go, it's all a smoke screen, it's his living and a bloody good one too, he wants sympathy hence why yet again for the millionth time we are reminded that Mr Bowden "single-handedly" started the club. When all is said and done if he ran the club in the right way and treated the people that put the money in his back pocket with an ounce of respect and not contempt I doubt many would moan! Can I ask a question here...Does anyone know what a promoters licence is worth? I mean how much do they cost from the BSPA in the first place? Can it actually be sold by promoter to promoter or does any new promoter have to go to the BSPA first?

After the signing of James Holder was announced this was the sort of team that many on the Devils forum were hoping for. A McGowan / Cook style 3rd heat leader would at least make Plymouth competitive. However Mr Bowden doesn't seem interested in providing his fans with a winning team that costs more money than a poor one. He would rather have a team that makes him an extra few quid each week it's sad but true.

That's harsh, I see myself as more of a Bluto Call me a cynic but I try to look at things realistically. This proposed move is nothing to do with letting the fans in to have more say in the way the club is run. You only have to look at the Plymouth Speedway Supporters Club that was closed down by Mr Bowden as he wasn't happy with it (probably because he wasn't in control of it). He re-opened it as the man in charge and promptly closed it again within a few weeks! My best guess is that Mr Bowden has probably put himself down to have a rather large salary which is why the company shows as having a negative net worth. After all the fewer people that know what he is bringing in the better from his point of view. There are a couple of other things here Cornwall are looking to get up and running in the next year or two and it wouldn't surprise me if Mr Bowden were behind that. Freeing up some funds in Plymouth would help. On top of this there is the very realistic chance that Plymouth will lose support if and when Cornwall gets up and running so reducing the risk by selling shares reduces the risk for him should the club start to struggle. I am also aware of a couple of other issues which could see Mr Bowden getting a kick in his pocket so reducing what he actually has means less to pay out!

Good question although it was only a couple of weeks ago in the local rag that the contracts had been sent out so that could be the delay. In a couple of different local papers over the past few days confirmation of the team has been announced although obviously the BSPA haven't been notified. Sigh!

I believe his average is going to be 5.57 not that it makes a difference as he will be lucky to get 3. I wouldn't be surprised if your scenario panned out to be honest, although the optimist in me hopes we have got him until he drops his average so we can bring in another big hitter. Can't see it but got to hope!

Cockle confirmed in local rag and speedway star today. Star claims Glanz has yet to sign his contract and given all the usual crap from Bowden he may not sign at all, so it's 6 down 1 to go.

Can't explain Werner on ability it's probably because he's cheap and I have no doubt he'll be at reserve after the first set of green sheets which is even more worrying! It's probably the strangest signing in the PL for a few years now, oh hang on we did sign Seemond last year! As for Hart no thanks! If we had binned the Werner idea and gone with a heatleader instead of up to about 7.2 which was possible with the other six named we'd at least have a decent top end. As it is we have the weakest second strings in the league and two reserves who will have an incredible amount of unfair pressure on them.

Of course this is based purely on the starting 1-7's Champions: Ipswich Fours : Somerset Pairs : Plymouth Top Rider : Gjedde/Barker Newcomer : Tungate Ave Improver : Lindgren/Roynon/Garrity Wooden Spoon : Plymouth

The in question would not print it without hearing it from the horses mouth, yet more unprofessionalism!

Forgot to mention in the local rag this weekend Brent Werner is confirmed as signing 'to complete the top 5' and James Cockle is almost certain to get the other reserve slot which leaves us over 1.5 short of the 42.5 limit. So don't worry Tigers fans, we will keep you lot off the bottom Plymouth 2012 will almost certainly be... 1. Barker 2. Holder 3. Boxall 4. Werner 5. Ashworth 6. Cockle 7. Glanz After the first set of green sheets I can see Glanz in the main body which is deeply concerning!

No of course its not about satisfying all the whinging fans who without them, the club would not exist!

Yep wholeheartedly agree, the old saying 'If you can't stand the heat get out of the kitchen' springs to mind. As for the team; yes there are plenty of if's, but's and maybe's when it comes to Mr Bowden and his inability to sort things out and send paperwork in. But Barker, Ashworth, Boxall, Holder and Glanz are definite's. Two spots remaining with 11.11 to fill them. I expect one of the unsigned riders competing in the NYC to fill one spot and the other will probably be James Cockle. I don't think it needs to be regurgitated any more about Mr Bowden and his unprofessionalism in more ways than one, most who attend the SBA regularly and most on here know full well what he is like. Plymouth have an excellent fan base and a great race track (even if it is on the small side) and one day that will hopefully be rewarded with a team and promotion that does it justice.

Holder is a poor signing despite the Ashworth coup and retaining Barker, the team yet again lets very underwhelming!