stevebrum

And I’ve provided the facts based on this years 2 league structure. There isn’t enough unless you use riders from the NL, and as evidenced this year alone some are already out their depth and have asked to be dropped. If you could provide me with facts that there are enough riders from this year to fill all teams next season then go ahead. There isn’t an abundance of riders wanting to ride here and those that do (eg Tobias Thomsen at Birmingham) some are out of their depth. Plus you have to factor in those riders who can’t make one league pay (the excuse that’s often pedalled out for reason why the double up) to retirement I ask you again - where are all these riders please?

Under the current format it wouldn’t work with the current amount of teams as there aren’t enough riders to fill all teams. would need a radical rethink, 6 man teams would still be a push. Sadly the days of a strong top flight league look to be numbered. However can see more clubs closing and riders retiring because they can’t make the new structure work or pay.

Think it’s fair to say that Hancock and Woffy are guaranteed 2 picks. Don’t think Lambert will get in yet, a season too soon I reckon but Fricke maybe so. Although it could depend who misses out from the top 8 too.

It was hardly stronger 2 seasons ago.

I was referring to the Wolves riders and crew who were all booked in. I had a tip off so booked as well!

Stopped at the Premier Inn across the road from the track the night we won the league there in 2009. What a noisey and wild night that was. Great memories.

Wright or rong?

Still applies. Glasgow last week refused Victor Palovaara to sign for another club on loan stating it must be a sale.

That already makes the Aces stronger. Tho I can’t think of a signing that wouldn’t have!

Good news then. I guess if any track can make an event work it’s the NSS. Long may that continue.

Haven’t watched the meeting yet but the NSS provides great racing so I’m delighted to hear it delivered. And the field was a pretty level playing field with Robert and Tai not riding. My point remains that without our top 2 riding it’s hardly going to get the public turning out in big numbers for what should be a showcase event. Thankfully if any track can boost the status of an event it’s the NSS so it’s great news that the racing was fitting.

1. Top flights of all European leagues are the pinnacle of competition. As they should be. 2nd division racing (which is what we are talking about here) is never meant to be given equal billing. Decisions are made during every close season that the lower tiers have influence over and I’m sure exert their own power. 2. I fall to see how sensible decisions made to ensure the next generation of kids get the right pathway by starting in the CL and not the PL is protecting the PL. 3. I work at Brum so I don’t share those views. I hope they survive and if any club deserves it they do. They aren’t cast adrift at the bottom of the table and have been top 6 during a purple spell. 4. We at least agree on the last thing! Making British speedway survive is the only important thing the promoters should be concerned about right now. If it was only one big league it will be targeted as the top flight because that’s good marketing and totally sensible. As it should be. Like I’ve said only radical changes will see a change in the status quo, and I hope those running the sport make the right decision even if it’s a difficult one and ALL parties involved agree.

Sorry but that’s honest STR. Where have I said I don’t respect him? I’ve never been able to achieve a fraction of what any of the guys have achieved in any of the 3 leagues so have huge respect for any rider who is able to make a go of it. It was a glib swipe at a rider replacing the best British rider in our league that maybe has underachieved in his career but has done little in the top flight. That is pretty much true however.

Obviously.

Speedy recovery Robert. What a farcical line up it is now with his replacement top flight flop Josh Auty coming in. That should get them pouring through the turnstiles.

Sorry but your attitude of we are ok so leave us alone is part of what’s wrong with the sport today. No one league is ok at all. The CL doesn’t play out to crowds of people (ask Workington and probably at least half of the current teams who have been mentioning poor crowd numbers for many a season now), CL tracks aren’t any better prepared or undoctored either, CL don’t prepare tracks to suit the home riders??? Of course they do. The only valid point you make is regards to the amount of double fixtures and triple with the season opener competition. It doesn’t happen in the European leagues who function fine with 8-10 teams. As I previously pointed out only a radical address of the current situation of ALL leagues will potentially address the decline and if it means one big league then so be it. Also to add I’m a fan of the top flight and wish to see it made stronger not weaker. Only a stronger league would bring the fans back to the top flight however that’s about as remote as it gets and hence why my attendance has waned also. On a separate note where do you get Birmingham being a team that might not be back in 2020? You must be the only person I know that has seen that as a possibility. Birmingham, like the Isle of Wight have a very customer friendly fans first approach that’s working well for the club and whilst it was a huge gamble for the club to move up I’ve not seen any news that this might be a one off season. Sheffield I get because it’s been put up for sale. Never before have all leagues and promotions needed to work together to save the sport than now. They must all do the right thing to save the sport. This my league is ok nonsense has caused some of the issues we are now faced with.

I think Janet Jackson singing Control.

If it’s prepped for the away side we may as well call it off now. Hopefully the racing will be good enough now that Doc has been advising on track prep. It’s not been the same since he left however. Huge loss.

On those 2 occasions doesn’t mean every occasion.

He doesn’t get on with the NSS so would be low on his list to join again.

Nicholls I’m sure loved his time with Wolves because he knows the track well and knows it’s usually well prepared for racing.

You must live in another world if you believe that the CL is all rosey and healthy. What happened to last years champions?? All ‘fine’ there is it? The amount of clubs running must be at an all time low in this modern era as clubs from ALL divisions are closing because of speedway not being profitable. There are litters of clubs no longer running from all tiers. This is a British Speedway problem not a one league issue. I thought it was the top flight that had a snobbery to all other leagues but you have proven that is not the case. ALL leagues and clubs need to work together to find a workable way forward and it needs to be radical and not just silly little tinkering here and there. What we don’t need is this snobbish attitude that we are fine thanks in the slightest because it’s this attitude that will see more clubs struggling to survive. Although I guess no clubs in the CL struggle because everything is fine. Cough cough Workington.

I believe it’s end of August?

Exactly. Cook is unlikely to reach that status.

I didn’t think it was possible but it’s looking that way.