Wee Eck

Dear Mr Rat The first step on the road to recovery is to own up to and face your failings and I’m pleased you’ve finally recognised not only the nature of your problems but also how pathetic you come across with your rudeness and bullying. I have a list of therapists that I can send you who can help you continue your progress if you feel that would be of interest

What was the year that Glasgow had a stonking top five of Parker, Stancl, Grieves, Bentley and Jones (I think) and then two low averaged reserves? How did that work out for them? Unless Oxford have snatched the much heralded Rushen away from Poole, then they may find they struggle at 6 and 7

What would Nathan Ablitt come in on?

Am I the only one who didn’t see that signing coming?

Does he qualify for a visa?

In the unlikely event, maybe very unlikely event, that Barker’s not back, who else would have him?

I usually rely on you to be the oracle but, how much implied additional experience does he have? Mr Google isn’t very helpful here with both riders being shown as coming to prominence in 2022. (And I wouldn’t normally split hairs but it’s just about 6 1/2 not 7 years between them)

You don’t really do reading well in your haste to condemn anything and everything about Poole. Look 5 posts back from yours and you have your answer. With uncertainly surrounding the Premiership, many doubling up riders have looked to sign for a European team to try to safeguard their earnings.

Top class reveal and a great line up. Well done Glasgow

Trackrat stalking Poole supporters. What’s with the fixation?

Hodder and ?????

But why would the “mini success” of the championship teams allow either their product to be watered down as they have to give quality riders away to ex-Prem teams or see their costs rocket because they have to take on ex-Prem riders to stay competitive? This is a top league problem and they have their own CEO so it’s up to him and his team to sort without compromising other leagues.

Both of whom have ridden championship in the past. Teams don’t overlook riders who they believe to be competent enough. I think Nathan was unfortunate but don’t know why. I’m sure he’ll get a place during 2026. As for Ben, he’s 31 and has had many chances. A team succeeds by bringing in riders who improve during the year but I don’t think that can still be expected of Ben. On the other side, Max Perry, for one, is the type of rider that teams believe has a lot more to give so I’d expect him to get a place next year.

Please name one British rider “perfectly competent at Championship level” who can’t get a team place - and back up your claim of competency.

I think you’ll find there was a lot more to Stewart (not Stuart) Dickson going than not being a yes man. And I can’t see Cami’s company listed as a sponsor these days. Even if it was, I doubt that would influence the owners who are not known for suffering fools and chancers

But staying on the south coast?

I’m not sure you can still buy a foam fence since Champion closed down

Why would that stop him? Denmark runs on Wednesdays

You’re not Rob Godfrey in disguise, are you?

Will teams be able to sign an over 8 point rider after the initial declaration? At present, replacements are like for like - you can replace up to the average of the rider you are replacing - but what about a rider who under 8 at initial declaration, maybe only because of the 2.5% reduction but who, for whatever reason needs to be replaced when his average is over 8? Or will a team be able to make wholesale changes after the initial declaration including more than one rider over eight but as long as they keep within the overall limit?

Steve Worrall retired, Danny King new number one

I agree 100% with that. I had a long gap in my speedway watching and in that time, the sport had become fully professional. I recall an interview with a very young rider, only just NDL standard who said “I can’t wait until I’m making a living from the sport” and thought then he had his priorities right. Name me another sport that guarantees every participant who earns money as soon as they get into a league. More specifically, name me a motor sport that pays riders to learn their trade. Then name me another business that pays its “employees” more than they earn for their employer. It’s like paying a brickie £30,000 a year to build a wall that’s only worth £20,000. But we can all talk about the negatives but what’s the solution? Has the appointment of a CEO in the premiership brought in new supporters, new sponsors, a new TV deal? What will Harry be able to do? I have no answers, just frustration

It would negatively impact the current top league whose supporters are used to seeing the top riders. BV already struggle to attract a decent crowd even with Bewley and Kurtz, what would it be like without them? Also, with only one league, those riders that currently double up, which seems to be the majority, will look for an increase in points money to cover the reduced number of meetings which would then impact the Championship teams. Even if there were still 16 teams like this year (which there won’t be) then total league meetings would drop from 40 to 30

I stand corrected and thank you for the information. But still think he’ll struggle riding at number one

If the rumour that CL teams will only be permitted one rider with an average, after reduction, over 8 points, then once more it seems the weaker teams want to drag the stronger ones down to their level. What sort of sport expects to flourish if it continues to lower standards whilst no doubt increasing prices? And, again if the rumour is true, this means that Dan Thompson will become some team’s number one. Now, Dan has had a great year and, gave the GB under 21 SON team something to be pleased with in an otherwise disappointing night when he scored 23 out of GB’s total of 26, but is making him a number one in a new team, inevitably a poorer team than this year, going to spur him on or slow him down. I’m sure someone will be able to find the split between his home and away scores but my gut feeling is there will have been a big difference when he was away from Glasgow.