Islander15

STATEMENT and please read it all from Barry Bishop and Martin Widman, co-owners of Isle of Wight Speedway. In a recent Mildenhall Speedway press release their team manager Malcolm Vasey was quoted extensively and some of his comments could only have referred to our heart-breaking decision to withdraw from the National League and the British Speedway Promoters' Limited following decisions taken about the rules for the 2021 season and beyond. He said: “It would be so easy to say the new scheme of things is unacceptable and close down as others have. The owners of our Club have concluded that is not the way for our Mildenhall Fen Tigers. I back them to the hilt myself and hope that you will do the same. Bring your friends to West Row let’s live the dream together. Other teams have fallen by the wayside and we cannot allow that to happen here at Mildenhall. Tigers roar, please come back in numbers and show us." ********* Martin and I would like to give our fans, sponsors and volunteers the following message to reflect upon at this time. For us it has been ANYTHING but EASY to say the new scheme of doing things in the 2021 National League is unacceptable. It has been ANYTHING but EASY to accept that our governing body, for the first time in its history (certainly in our history running the Warriors) I believe, took a decision that affects an entire league, a decision that was implemented not by the league members voting, but by the will of the few – the four members of the Board of the BSPL. They imposed the rules upon the league without consultation and agreement, without the NL representative (Len Silver) in attendance and an instruction to ‘do it this way or you are not in it’ with no confirmation that this way to implement new rules would not continue into next year and beyond. It would have been ANYTHING but EASY for me to stand in front of you all at each meeting, welcoming you all to something I knew we did not believe in with rules that had been imposed upon us. Indeed, at the 2020 AGM, Martin and I had said we couldn’t stage speedway at a 37 point maximum team average, let alone 35 points and Mr Vasey was one of the loudest opponents to the then attempt to weaken the league. It would have been ANYTHING but EASY to accept this way of working from the governing body with this mantra – ‘Do as we tell you, but do it entirely at your risk and do it for our long-term benefit’. How is it even possible for any business to comply with this and who on earth agrees with it? It would have been ANYTHING but EASY for us to allow riders to race against each other on our track, riders who we would not put out at the same time at our My First Skid training sessions. Yet we have to sell this to you as a sporting occasion, one we want you to tell your friends all about and encourage new supporters to come along and watch it. It would have been ANYTHING but EASY to speak to our sponsors about something imposed upon us that we just don’t believe in. For Martin and I to accept the money of sponsors who believe in us, our ethos, and our vision that is taken away because others cannot get their own ship in order. No, this is not for us. What would have been EASY would have been for the BSPL to engage with us, we needed contact with the Board or NL Co-ordinator and not only the Office Administrator – for this is the ONLY person who has communicated with us since early last year, before the scheduled start of the 2020 season, less an email or two from the NL Coordinator. This was a situation where we had to tell the BSPL if we were in or out before being allowed to attend the meeting, the ONLY zoom call since the 2020 NL AGM, and even then it was only a call to discuss who was in and to talk about the fixtures. Of course, we feel bad about not being able to provide positions for riders who thought they would be riding for us this year, but you can also see the effect it is having on other teams where riders are being ‘sacked’ because their averages don't fit with the new team limits. Good, solid, loyal riders dumped at the drop of a hat. So, Warriors and Wizard fans, we will leave it to you to decide if you think we have let you down, or if you think we have taken the EASY route, because those who know us, will know it has broken our hearts to take this decision. But in our view, it is the right one.

Absolutely not bitter. Just look at my footer and you’ll know I’m hardly against the NL I’m just pointing out the hypocrisy. No disrespect to Wallinger or Newcastle here, as I said it’s the rules and club’s of course should be allowed to make whatever decisions they choose to within those rules.

So they’ve decimated the points limit to get young riders in yet riders like RTD who will be a career NL rider gets signed up. Now the rumour is Wallinger will join him! Either there’s no problem with riders being in the NL long-term and we support all Brits. Or the rules should properly facilitate the upward movement of young British riders when they are ready and deserve to move upwards. Whilst not taking away team places from other Brits and foreign riders being on low averages.

Exactly but they really only think of 1 year at a time despite talk of a 5 year plan.

No disrespect to Kent, but their team just proves why these new proposals don’t work! They have a 40+ year old who cannot be described as ‘developing’. They have a number 1 who also has a Premiership team place! The rules should facilitate Kinsley to also ride Championship, not NL. Whilst having x4 3pointers which will clearly make a large disparity in races between those and the heat leaders. That’s not a team that attracts fans. Fair enough, it might as a second tier as their fans stay behind to watch which of the 3.00 men might grace the Championship team in the future but it won’t make competitive racing for a stand-alone team or a neutral to travel afar to come and watch.

What’s happened to Sam Hagon?

You just need to be young and on a 3.00 average to get a spot in this league

It’s a completely unique situation regarding team building in the NL and even more so to the standalone clubs! The points limit was drastically reduced and they were just told it was being reduced. The league has to be viable and offer a competitive product, not just have other leagues impose rules on it for their own benefit. They wanted a reserve league and they’ve created a reserve league.

Kinsley confirms that he’s one of the 3 that are out. A club decision, and not his.

Of course Chattin shouldn’t be, but there’s an obsession lately at only prioritising kids and that every rider should be on an upward curve. No, we should support all British riders that are willing to ride and commit to a full league campaign.

Very much a shame. They’ve stuck with him for so long and starting at the same time as everyone else in a weaker league would’ve probably been a breakthrough season for him at Central Park.

I’m sure Spooner will be back.

So Ben Trigger is the younger model that’s replaced Chattin. Harsh on Chattin but I understand this move more than I initially did as Trigger would’ve been 14 last season so ineligible but turns 15 for this season. Had things have been normal then Trigger would be in for this season anyway. Tough on Chattin and I hope he gets fixed up somewhere else and tbf enough other teams must need 3.00 reserves with the awfully low points limit.

So confirmed that only 4 Fen Tigers will return! Maybe not Ablitt or Edwards if they’re off to Eastbourne, Ruddick if he’s going up North, Marson if he’s staying in Australia or Kinsley if he’s prioritising the higher leagues and to get their overall average down. But we can safely say they’re tracking Bebee & Kelly.

I believe Greg Blair’s last average was 7.04. The BSPL will probably make up some reduction for him though, seeing as he’s on the fast track list, to fit him in.

Such a shame. This sport should be for all but unfortunately some men have too much power

That top 4 only just fit under the points limit by themselves!

Such a sad day and I hope this isn't Barry and the Warriors lost to the sport

http://www.speedwaygb.co.uk/news.php?extend.38635 All is announced! No Isle of Wight sadly, but Berwick, Newcastle and Eastbourne join. Belle Vue are still TBC. Points limit is 35.00. A straight league season with no play-offs or cup competitions.

I will update this thread as and when we get details announced.

Armadale Devils 1. Nathan Greaves 9.22 2. Sheldon Davies 3.00 3. Danny Phillips 6.36 4. George Rothery 3.00 5. Tom Woolley 6.69 6. Lewis Millar 3.00 7. Gregor Millar 3.00 Total: 34.27 Remaining: 0.73 Belle Vue Colts 1. Jack Parkinson-Blackburn TBC 2. Paul Bowen 3.36 3. Benji Compton 6.52 4. Ben Woodhull 3.67 5. Connor Coles 7.43 6. Harry McGurk 3.00 7. Sam McGurk 3.00 Total: 26.98 + JPB Remaining: 8.02 Berwick Bullets 1. Leon Flint 8.80 2. Ryan MacDonald 3.00 3. Greg Blair 4.50 4. Ben Rathbone 3.56 5. Kyle Bickley 8.70 6. Kieran Douglas 3.00 7. Mason Watson 3.00 Total: 34.56 Remaining: 0.44 Eastbourne Seagulls 1. Jake Knight 8.83 2. Connor King 3.67 3. Richard Andrews 6.55 4. Chad Wirtzfeld 3.81 5. Henry Atkins 5.86 6. Nick Laurence 3.00 7. Nathan Ablitt 3.00 Squad Member: Danno Verge 5.56 Total: 34.72 Remaining: 0.28 Kent Royals 1. Dan Gilkes 8.00 2. Jacob Clouting 3.13 3. Rob Ledwith 5.93 4. Jamie Bursill 3.13 5. Ryan Kinsley 8.00 6. Jake Mulford 3.00 7. Josh Warren 3.00 Total: 34.19 Remaining: 0.81 Leicester Lion Cubs 1. Joe Lawlor 7.91 2. Tom Spencer 3.80 3. Jamie Halder 4.63 4. Dan Thompson 5.50 5. Joe Thompson 6.48 6. Kai Ward 3.00 7. Ben Trigger 3.00 Total: 34.32 Remaining: 0.68 Mildenhall Fen Tigers 1. Jason Edwards 7.53 2. Elliot Kelly 3.62 3. Luke Ruddick 6.67 4. Sam Bebee 4.25 5. Jordan Jenkins 6.55 6. Arran Bucher 3.00 7. Sam Hagon 3.00 Total: 34.62 Remaining: 0.38 Newcastle Gems 1. Max Clegg 10.14 2. Kelsey Dugard 3.35 3. Joe Alcock 4.36 4. Josh Embleton 4.83 5. Ryan Terry-Daley 5.44 6. Danny Smith 3.00 7. Archie Freeman 3.00 Total: 34.12 Remaining: 0.82

They were supposed to be having an online meeting late this week so maybe we’ll hear something more concrete next week.

Unfortunate when other clubs are sticking with the 7 they had in 2020

If they end up being the same rider in different comps, does the work permit qualification rules move down to the next placed rider? Which could make Ruml eligible by finishing 5th.

Good news! Maybe they’ll finish with Phillips and another 3 pointer.