SCOTLAND1314

Although I'm sure Franc would be a solid guy to have in the team.

I hear you. Although some of your most recent seasons that provided lots of interest and a bit of success have involved watching young Nick and Josh make their way in the sport. Personally I feel introducing the prospects into the team provide an added interest and also help with potential transfer fee when they are sold on. Of course it is all about picking the right ones and there are no guarantees in life on that front although the BSPA did raise concerns at the previous close season signings, so alarm bells should have been ringing imo. There are lots of very promising youngsters out there all around the world and I'm sure many are keen to get a team place and may not be as costly as you think.

That would be a decent start and as long as you are solid enough to win most of your home matches that has to be a starting point, unless of course lots of cash can be thrown at it or one or two cats are retrieved out the bag. Throw in someone like Doolan and it might be quite interesting.

Given the riders that are about what team would you settle for?

Yes wasn't too sure who was left and still riding. I'm pretty sure Mitchell is no longer a Glasgow asset. I guess Ringwood and Horwood are as well. Will be very interesting to see how Glasgow go about things this season. Surely the way forward is to get a few young upwardly mobile sorts on the books...

Thomson? Would that be it?

What's the Glasgow asset base?

Bellego is a great wee rider. I'm actually quite surprised to see his average still in the 6 to 7 bracket. He is a no brainer to have in your team. Glasgow must be really choking that they let him get away. Not sure what the script is re Alden, good rider but does he want to ride in the UK? I'm surprised that Berwick don't have more assets than that.

What is Berwick's asset base?

Is Joey Ringwood coming back?

I think I read it somewhere but this may have been a red herring.

Currently do NL clubs own their riders (the ones not owned by PL or EL clubs)? If so will they receive a loan fee from the EL clubs?

The issue you highlight I believe is still valid. However given the Gb management allocating riders to tracks this may make this problem less of an issue. Although the guys who remember rider control like this (in years gone by) will remember it has its flaws as well.

Masters seems Scunny bound.

That makes more sense. Although personally if they were intent on introducing this type of rule then it would have made more sense to have 1 UK rider at reserve in the EL and likewise in the PL.

Having Cookie (with his high average) in the team will certainly make it challenging to piece together a balanced team. With the recent AGM announcement re the EL reserves it may prove challenging to get appropriate 3 pointers.

Well done to all involved in ensuring the track of the year (for premier league) being awarded to the Armadale track.

Cookie is hero worshiped at Armadale. So I'd imagine if he wants to race for Edinburgh in 2014 he'd be given an offer he couldn't refuse. Max is in a similar boat as Cookie. Joe Tabaka must have had his name penciled in to the 2014 team prior to his sickening injury. Hopefully his injury allows him to join in 2014. He's another who is a firm favourite at the Dale. Personally I'd like Derek Sneddon to stay as well. Derek is a very positive influence on the team and pulled out some terrific point scores this season on the road at times. Beyond that I don't really know but I'm sure the promotion will have a good team lined up to ride in the Blue & Gold.

Congratulations to Somerset they've been the team to beat this season and Monday was a fitting end to their efforts this season. I was lucky enough to attend the match and I'm very proud of my team, The Mighty Monarchs', efforts throughout this season and Monday night. I'd also like to thank the '(largely)young team' of fans that I travelled with. In a day and age when youngsters are much maligned it was a hoot to travel with these guys. Were they boisterous ..? Yes of course. Were they noisy..? Yes of course. Were they respectful of their opponents and fellow opposition fans ..? Most definitely. Great effort guys. And here is to next season.

http://www.yr.no/place/United_Kingdom/England/Highbridge/ The above forecast would suggest that the match going ahead is eminently possible.

I thought Edinburgh did very well to bounce back to get a lead from this match considering the damage to man and machine. The track staff did a quite miraculous job in merely getting this fixture on and the track looked superb. Super effort by Somerset to get so close to an away win and the task looks very close to impossible for Edinburgh but this bunch of riders never give up and will fight to the end. They've pulled off some remarkable results this season. Now for one last push... If extra motivation were required I'm sure the Monarchs' thoughts will be with wee Joe Tabaka. His crash was truly horrific and I wish him well for his speedy recovery. What a difference a year makes... after some great effort in fielding a superb team and improving the race night experience at Armadale the promotion were rewarded again by a fantastic crowd. Fingers crossed for decent weather on Monday as the Monarchs supporter's buses will be heading down for this one as well as numerous getting there by plane, train and automobile...

Yes I guess this in the first hurdle. Will Glasgow run in 2014? 2013 has been a very tough year for the new promotion. If you were being polite you'd say it was a steep learning curve if you weren't well I'm sure they've had enough stick so far to do them a lifetime. Scottish speedway needs a strong Glasgow team. Now that the old guard have moved on I hope the promotion can focus on bringing in young, talented and ambitious riders. I'd be very surprised if many of the class of 2013 are back for 2014. Equally it wouldn't surprise me if a rider or two from further east made the trip down the M8.....

Failed

A truly wonderful night's speedway entertainment put on by by both teams. Morris and Doyle particularly impressive from the visitors. With the home men all scoring solid points. We all like good heats of racing but sometimes these can be a bit too infrequent for our liking. Last night the majority of heats were exciting for one reason or another with 4 that stand out in my mind as I type. Morris in heat 4 for his effortless 3rd to 1st with some exceptional cornering. Heat 3 for .. well to be honest I lost track of the passing - re-passing and tussles that went on - incredible stuff. Heat 15 for a Cookie blockbuster special around the outside of Doyle. But the absolute standout race for me was heat 11 and wee Josh Bates... simply enthralling, nerve racking and ultimately joyous (for The Monarchs) stuff... and what a roar from the crowd as he crossed the line. The wee man certainly likes a battle. All in front of a big crowd.

I don't know, that's why I was asking. My post was based on what I'd read in the Speedway Star i.e. Cookie had indicated that he reacted to something Barker had said. But it sounds like you may have heard hence I was just enquiring. React to what?