Wee Eck

The retained list system is a private mechanism between promoters and so, as long as it doesn’t contravene equality diversity or, indeed, modern slavery legislation, there cannot be anything illegal about it. It is designed to provide a financial framework in the case of default. It has nothing to do with “employment” partly because no riders are employed. All teams have to have a minimum value of riders on their retained list but they cannot stop any of “their” riders signing for another team so there is nothing for riders to challenge. Promoters could challenge the system if they wanted but, so far, it seems they choose to work within the existing rules.

Yeh, you’re right there. Like Poole. Or, before Kennett packed it in, erm, Plymouth. And they’re not the only ones - how about Leicester, Redcar or, arguably, Scunthorpe. if a rethink is required, it’s to cut the number of teams down to fit the riders available. When Oxford were allowed in, Birmingham should have been refused as, despite all the hot air coming out from Perry Barr, there is no way they can put together a competitive team for the budget that seems to be available. In my opinion

I must admit to wondering about this. I’m not sure about Max. I think he’s got an English partner and that was one of his reasons for coming back to UK, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Lebedevs stays in Europe now. Maybe Josh Grajczonek could be persuaded to bring his new partner over to UK for a “few” weeks?

I think Plymouth have known for a few weeks now…..

You’re getting picky now - you know he meant to write much more worser…..

I think that was what I was trying to say - Wright will start the season as third heat leader. I can’t find his average but assume it’s higher than 6.00. Then, if it is Lebedevs, the expectation is he’ll be better than Charles and so will take over the third heat leader role when he gets his first real average.

The Lebedevs rumour has been getting stronger all week and, subject to all the usual paperwork sounds like it’s going to happen. Suggestion is an average of 5.5 or 6 with maybe Jake Allen joining him. That would then tie into all the heavy hints from the “in the know brigade” of one familiar rider and an exciting new face and also that the “exciting new face” would come into the team below Charles Wright but be expected to take over as third heat leader during the season. Maybe not as strong as the Bewley/Thomson combo but should be good enough to give the Aces faithful something to cheer about

Yes

The ISLB members certainly used to be UK, Poland, Sweden and Denmark only. It worked reasonable well when Alex Harkess was both it’s chairman and the BSPA chairman as he got Sweden and Denmark to stand with UK in opposing the Poles. When Buster took over, it is alleged he didn’t attend the meetings so UK lost its say.

Enjoy it while you can. He’ll be back soon enough….

I doubt it was.

I have told you the truth. And Adrian’s departure was not connected to this in any way. He announced his departure long before the matter of using, or not using Bewley was finalised.

In the same way, those involved in sponsoring Leicester City or the Leicester Tigers are unlikely to be potential sponsors of Leicester Lions. There is competition for sponsorship in all markets but that doesn’t mean that every sport competes for every sponsor

That’s most of the story but it missed one vital element: the Poles agreed to drop the two team maximum rule ONLY if other leagues allowed them (a) to run any night they wished and (b) that their league had priority over riders at all times. This then could adversely affect every Premiership meeting with riders being missing. I’m surprised any team sided with BV on this. Unless there’s one that isn’t using riders also signed up in Poland, but I can’t think of any

Leicester? What about Glasgow, Wolves/Birmingham?

I see that Justin Sedgmen is riding at North Brisbane on 19 March. Cutting it fine if he’s got a UK team place

But it is. BSPL have given Birmingham a special dispensation to use Tai on a 13.5 average for home meetings only. They will be allowed to use up to a 9 point guest for away meetings

Polish authorities. But the inevitable (alleged) strings attached meant it was a non starter.

Haggling over rates of pay only works when there is a plentiful supply of riders which there is at the end of a season. The longer teams go on trying to get riders to sign, the higher the price will be. At this stage, Birmingham (and Belle Vue) will have to pay inflated rates often for lesser riders. If they have managed to get a sponsor’s licence, then expect Justin Sedgmen in the team. He’s a solid rider but has never got beyond being a lower league consistent second string and now, at the age of 30 has to be more “dependable” rather than someone with potential. If Adam Ellis really is in the frame, Birmingham just have to come to an agreement but not one that rewards him for under performance which is what fixed price deals do. I’m sure LR is skilled enough to come up with a stepped formula that will provide an incentive to perform.

Where are you seeing that?

The current “owners” of Belle Vue Speedway have never owned the stadium and neither did the previous owners. It was built and paid for by Manchester City Council and is built on their land. Looking at the detail behind Greenwich Leisure Limited, it looks like they have huge experience of running council owned sports and leisure facilities. It also looks like BV’s only involvement at the NSS is as day (evening) use tenants. They don’t seem to generate any income from the bars and catering facilities, including the Peter Craven suite. A far cry from what the previous owners envisaged. And, if they are just turnkey tenants, as the old BV were at the previous stadium, why are there people on permanent payroll?

I think the goal posts have moved on that one and there’s nowhere now for him to go within speedway

I think there will be mixed views on this. He’s certainly been part of the team that has kept BV alive since the bankruptcy of the previous promotion, but they’ve not really moved things forward, have they? Part of the original concept for the NSS was that it was to be a training hub for young riders, operated by BV. That never happened and it was only because of the hard work of Ian Sinderson (ATPI) Richard Cotton (Rentruck) and a whole host of others through “No Limits” that any training took place at the NSS. Ultimately, the bulk of the training took place away from the NSS as the rent requested by BV made it non-viable for No Limits. If you look at what Glasgow, Berwick and Isle of Wight have done in the last few years, and compare that to the efforts of BV, the picture, to me, is one of under achievement. Perhaps if there is a change of management, and at the moment, it’s not clear if Mr Smith has just stood down as a promoter, then progress on all fronts - promotion, community involvement and training - will be made.

Covid or work permit restrictions?

But that’s not how it works. The Star prints the teams’ press releases then has further contributions from the likes of Peter Oakes, Phil Lanning and some others. If Birmingham don’t “feed” the Star, then the Star won’t do their work for them.