salty

Thanks for confirming.

Think you could be right, must have been a guest. This Aces team pic seems to confirm it is Dave Hemus. http://www.retro-speedway.com/extras/autogallery/autogallery.php?show=1.British%20Club%20Teams%20and%20Riders%2FBelle%20Vue%2F1973_Belle_Vue_Aces.jpg But I thought he'd packed in by 1974

Can tell I'm working at home today - but the feature on the 1974 Tigers in this weeks Star has got me stumped. Two team pics. The one on page 45 with the Speedway Star Cup I know all the riders, but I can't fathom the pic on the previous page in colour. The picture features Bengt Larsson (I think) in the front row on the left which I find strange because I didn't think he rode for the Tigers in 1974. The guy in the back row between Reg Wilson and Doug Wyer has got me stnookered, so put me out of my misery please!

Some people have mentioned other sports such as Ice Hockey, Rugby and how they deal with employing non-EU workers. http://www.belfastgiants.com/recruitment/eligibity.php The link explains the eligibility - and once in the UK some of the issues that appear to have caused problems in Speedway - such as, guesting, second halves, doubling up/down - do not apply in Ice Hockey. Click on the Players & Families at the top of the link and there is a comprehensive outline of the support the player will receive whilst playing in the UK. Seems a very different level of professionalism compared to Speedway.

But without the sponsorship certificate, he can't be employed. That is the issue, but hopefully following the workshops they will be granted.

There isn't a league 3.

Yet again you go out of your way to denigrate the quality of the posts on this forum. For someone who currently has just under 4,000 posts (under your Gustix name not to mention those under your other aliases in the past) I find it strange that you would spend so much time sharing forum space with people whose posts you constantly claim are "dross". I have been a member of this forum for over 10 years and whilst there is a level of debate which sometimes degenerates to that of the playground, the vast majority of posts and posters on here I find to be sensible and thoughtful (especially compared to other sporting forums). The biggest dross on this thread I would suggest belongs to a certain poster who has made many unsubstantiated claims that people want to see Darcy "hung" because he claims they think he was "drunk". Maybe if the BSF doesn't reach your lofty standards then you should confine yourself to your beloved social media?

Not one of the 24 posts on this thread have said anything of the sort - , more concerned with the "Sidney incident" on the first page and another, un-related case, on this page.

They were comps, but my eldest boy (who has no interest in going to any other sporting event) loved it so much we bought tickets for last night's match against Sheffield. 15 quid for adult, 8 for the kids. Was another great night - crowd was 5 1/2 thousand, which isn't too shabby. My point of cost cutting was directed more to the costs of machinery and the kit. Because they have spiralled over the years then the sport (in the UK) has had to cut costs elsewhere.

I agree a lot with what Falcace says a couple of posts above. The decline begain in the early 80's long before the innovations TWK talks about were introduced. Quite simply the product provided in the UK is not attractive enough to persuade enough people to part with their money to attend it. Last time I attended a British meeting the racing was average at best, the length of time it took to run the meeting was ridiculous, the presentation was poor, the facilities were squalid and the food and drink was awful and over priced. Two weeks ago I watched an elite league Ice Hockey match. The action was good with a great climax to the match, the facilities were first class with a good choice of food and drink (albeit pricey), the presentation was superb with loads of extra activities to keep the crowd entertained and generated a superb atmosphere. A brilliant night and we will definitely be back. In short, Speedway lost out on every level. If Speedway is to have a long term future I firmly believe it needs drastic surgery and must cut its costs to make it viable.

28th September 1968, Cradley v Newport

Snap. Still got all my programmes, except a few from the 1976 season. Got loads of Speedway Stars, but have a cull every now and then. Usually only keep the close season ones.

Great to see a Perks back in a Heathens race-jacket. I can remember his Uncle Dave making his debut.

But you are wrong. Phillpsr posts number 2112, Sidney responds in post 2113 by asking him a question. He didn't ask Blazeaway a question - as you allege. Wrong again Starry.

Just to clarify these were consecutive posts, so very clear that Sidney was asking the question of Phillipsr. Starry gets wrong end of stick as usual.

This week's issue and the Larry Ross one a couple of weeks ago have both been excellent reads. Jimmy Mac was one of my favourite "other" riders when I grew up following the Heathens and we didn't miss "our Bernie" quite so much if Jimmy was guesting. Can remember feeling quite upset when he committed the ultimate sin of signing for the dreaded Wolves.

Didn't Chris Manchester have a bad injury and lose his nerve a wee bit? Maube someone else can confirm. As for Mike Bast, we 'll never know how good he would have been in Europe. Guess he was lucky that he rode in the States when there was enough money to make a comfortable living.

Sorry I got these in the wrong order, I'm replying to quote 3 and using 1,2 and 4 to show that you are accusing people of "hanging him out to dry" and "pulling the lad to pieces" and that it is a "Poole thing". So I am right.

I have read your posts. The issue I have is that you are banging on about people wanting to "hang Darcy out to dry" (ironic turn of phrase) and there being an anti-poole agenda. As usual you're wrong.

So as usual when challenged you fold. All anyone has asked for is the case to be dealt with fairly and a ban in line with the disciplinary process. It really isn't a Poole thing, it may well be a Darcy Ward thing, but that is something quite different.

Would love you to point us in the direction of all those posters asking for him to be "hanged". All I've read is people expecting an appropriate punishment. Two years is the maximum, haven't seen many asking for that let alone anything more. Only person making it a Poole thing is you.

Given his historic links to both clubs, what about starting the season with a Brummies v Heathens clash for the Dan McCormick Trophy?

Brilliant news for both sets of supporters. Lets hope 2015 is a big success for both teams.

Can't argue with that.

Sad to hear this news. RIP Dan