Gemini

Yes, it's almost as if he knew about him being available before anyone else.

Ah.... Soldier Boy there's a blast from the past. I wonder what he's doing these days? I would include John Berry in the list of managers who liked winding the crowd up as he would often stand at the starting gate at Blackbird Road looking at his watch if a Leicester rider was on 2 minutes. I can't see what SCB has said wrong. Who is he supposed to have had digs at?

I'm not surprised after the things he wrote. Didn't do very much for team bonding either.

Why was the quiz cancelled?

What ~ Leicester and Glasgow? Looks quite a long way apart to me.

Ford isn't having any of mine either. No offence.

I did, but all I can remember is him going to Australia every Winter then holding the Hunters to ransom to get the contract he wanted.

Ah...but....Scotland have never ridden as a team in internationals have they and it does say England Stars? (Fully expecting someone with a better memory than me to correct me and list the Scottish team.)

Just as a matter of interest exactly which Poole assets rode for other teams this season? Also which have been signed for 2016? This may have a bearing on why some promoters are always keen to agree with Matt Ford.

Of course and that sadly is probably the idea.

I don't think Smolinski would ride for Coventry again. Didn't they have a falling out? Larsen would have been a good signing but I thought they couldn't have him because he would be on the invisible heat leader list.

Unfortunately I do too. My dad took me to the first meeting when I was 8 but I'm not sure if it was in 1948 or 1949 as I believe there were some open meetings in 1948? I can't remember that far back. I've been going since then, but transferring to Coventry when Leicester closed in 1983. You might be interested in looking at the photos I've got on Facebook of the old Leicester riders. https://www.facebook.com/janet.hambleton/media_set?set=a.10150144289657785.323814.550797784&type=3

That's a shame as it was the only time I could make it to Peterborough being as Coventry ride on Friday's.

I like them and I'm definitely over 55. The only thing that is disappointing is the fact that if losing the semi final the season just fizzles out like Coventry's did and there isn't another meeting. No chance to thank the riders, no goodbyes. Mind you Hans was probably pleased to just quietly slink off to Poole without having to turn up in Bees colours again.

Love your avatar Happy Hunter. Joe Bowkis was one of my favourite riders in the 1950's, along with Len Williams, Bryan Elliott, Charlie Barsby and Cyril Page.

Maybe I did but I didn't misunderstand your 3 quoted teams ~ Belle Vue, Poole and Coventry ~ although typical man you're now saying it could be any of the teams that hadn't made announcements. Probably all 8 then?

If that was the case he would have been signed now wouldn't he so why risk an unknown Pole? Presuming Larsen fits or there is another reason why he can't be included. (I've given up trying to work out all this heat leader stuff.)

Why Coventry? We've already got our team sorted out, unless I'm completely misunderstanding the topic. KK was keen to get an E.L. place this season so why would he only want to do half of it? If this is what is planned for 2017 I think I'll be quite relieved that next season is Coventry's last and I can opt out of E.L. Speedway.

If they did there would probably not be a lot left of the stadium/track to go back to in view of all the vandalism they have to put up with.

Me agreeing with a Poole fan ~ that's got to be a first. I'm sure the promoters must be reading all these comments and having a laugh, whereas fans are bickering amongst themselves because they've no idea what's going on. It can't be that hard to just publish a list surely instead of keeping everyone in the dark.

Surely the time has passed where a club can pull out of the E.L. as presumably at the AGM they had to confirm they were running in 2016 so to drop out would mean a hefty fine? So E.L. it will have to be then but I think David made a big mistake leaving the P.L. and he probably realizes it now.

Perhaps you can have a word with Coventry's good buddy Matt Ford and get him to put right any incorrect statements made here about Poole.

I know this is a joke Bryn but if your local track closes and you still love Speedway surely you would still want to go, as long as there is a stadium not too far away? I managed to change from a Lions fan to a Bees fan in 1984, although admittedly for a couple of years I was supporting the visiting teams (under my breath.) I do understand though because I'm not so sure I could revert back to supporting Leicester every week if the Bees disappear, unless the standard of racing was good and there were no damn sun breaks. I'm probably more fussy these days so I realize that my two statements are contradictory and apart from the odd visit to Peterborough and Leicester I'll no doubt be joining the list of ex-Speedway fans.

Doesn't really matter if he's the same rider because the teams aren't the same anymore anyway ~ the quality is rather lower these days. Should be a doddle for KK if he's in the right mood.

They do need to tread very carefully but only because she's usually spread out asleep. I've got over the signing of KK now but Davey Watt or Troy Batchelor would be taking things too far. Leicester need a couple of riders though so I'm sure they'll get fixed up.