TonyE

Agreed - I was expressing my own feelings.

I believe KT is being a tad optimistic.

The video clip from the Eastbourne meeting cannot be used to gauge overall crowd levels given the camera position on the home straight next to the referee's box. A lot of people stand on that side (it is the main covered area) and, thus, have no hope of being captured on video. As ever at Arena, the 'crowd' is well spread out unlike Wolves etc.

Fairly comfortable win and could have been bigger but for David Mason's EF when leading (easily) his fourth outing in Heat 12. For the Colts, Bickley did well and they were well served by Ben Hopwood guesting. Meagre attendance on a cold evening.

​Video of Heat 9 from Hammers' website http://www.lakesidehammers.co/hammers-action-heat-9-v-kent-kings/

There have been 'old hands' at this level for as long as I can remember.

It is just a challenge meeting and gives the less than thoroughly familiar with the track more competitive racing experience there.

Why no George Hunter today?

That pretty much meets my recollection of what was said. Apparently, Jon told Stuart what he was on (money) at Eastbourne and that was used as a basis for JC's employment at Purfleet. As to other comments re 'screwing over etc' isn't that what all promoters do (in the nicest possible way of course)!

I would imagine finding the land would be the major issue. No one in their right mind would 'build' a stadium where houses were viable - so a plot with the correct zoning is essential (just how much, if any, of that is available), who knows? Location and neighbours (or more precisely, a lack of them) will also be a key feature. It is a hard ask in the London commuter belt.

Doom-mongering appears to be a full time job for some!

He has Facebook posts with photographs of work he is in progress of doing at Rye House (where he will be doing the same job that he did at Lakeside). Gerald will remain a 'track consultant' at Lakeside and I can only assume that one of his protégés there will be doing the track prep.

Many thanks for your exemplary service to The Hammers - enjoy your 'retirement'.

To put it simply, Lakeside were not in a position to commit to either Premier or Championship as available meeting dates were yet to be finalised (with their landlords) at the time of the AGM. Plus the impact of GPs and international meetings was very restrictive. The impression I got was that JC was not keen on the Championship anyway as it is basically a 'northern' league with only Ipswich being close! Also, if a new home was obtained, speedway at a higher level would be run and the NL side too. The new home is still work in progress. If there was one big league (split North and South), in the future, then Lakeside would almost certainly be in it. There was a lot of positivity on the night and, apparently, many, many riders were keen to ride for the club.

The 'original' website article on admission prices mistakenly showed 'concessions' as £10 when it should have been £11. Jon Cook did say yesterday evening that concessions are not that common at NL level anyway. Birmingham and Kent do not offer concessions and there may be others. There was a lot of positivity evident at the forum and a very good turnout.

So advise them of an intended publication date and see what happens.

It is keeping speedway alive at Lakeside - that has to be a plus point. Who knows what the future holds - maybe we will learn more later in the week.

The threat of legal action is often evident where one side perceives that their opponent ( SS in this case) does not have as deep a pocket as they (MCC) do. Truth and facts often do not come into it - I know, I have been there.

Perhaps you should read it as 'bosses' being those involved in the day to day running and Stuart Douglas being the (distant) 'owner'.

Should be an interesting forum.

Looking at the final greensheet averages for 2016 the most likely scenario is a 3 pointer.

Maybe Kelvin will work his magic on Laurence as he must have seen something in him given that 3 pointers aren't exactly thin on the ground.

I believe the Eastbourne team total is wrong - overstated by 1.00 - should be 33.79

I just cannot see how Leigh Lanham and National Development League can fit in the same sentence. Surely, the purpose of this level is to bring young riders on. Leigh provided me with great pleasure during his 'golden years' at the Raceway but this league is no place for him.

Surely it will be Ben Morley.