Blackadder

Taylor Poole and Cameron Woodward to be in the Air Fence Fund meeting.

My post 1044 - I was told 5 names; 4 have been correct, the other 1 unnamed so far. Today's Sheffield Star:- Sheffield’s axed boss is offered roles. David Hoggart could be in line for a dramatic move to one of Sheffield’s Premier League rivals after leaving Owlerton. The Tigers co-promoter, who played a major role in pulling together the club’s new consortium, has been axed by the club who say they want to do things their own way. Four clubs have made contact with Hoggart - two from the Elite League and two from Sheffield’s league. He said: “I’ve been touched by the amount of people who have been in touch and it has made me realise how many good friends I have.” On his Owlerton exit, he added: “I’m disappointed my services are no longer required and it would have been easier to accept had there been some discussion. Currently I am too upset to make any further constructive comment and would prefer to maintain a dignified silence.” Tigers consortium member Peter Mole has paid tribute to Hoggart, who has been with the club for over a decade either as promoter, manager or sponsor. He said: “David has been a loyal servant of the club, working tirelessly with Neil Machin during some difficult seasons. He played a big part in bringing the consortium together, which made this situation difficult. “We are working hard to take Sheffield to a brighter a future, and everything is positive. Whilst David has been a big part of the management here over recent seasons, we now have our own ideas.”

Very surprised and disappointed about Mr Hoggy leaving.

The full list of confirmed starters so far for the Air Fence Fund Bonanza is: Simon Stead, Leigh Lanham, Adam Roynon, Andre Compton (Sheffield), Patrick Hougaard (Leicester), Josh Auty, Ashley Birks (Scunthorpe), Rory Schlein (King’s Lynn), Ty Proctor (Wolverhampton / Somerset).

The photo of Ken going in to the 3rd bend at Owlerton when riding for Ashfield Giants brought back memories of crowd levels and the old track lights. There was also a good quote - 'Speedway is part sport, part show business and part entertainment. It is about giving the fans what they want. Good close racing with everything else added in.'

In the Sheffield Star:- Tigers chiefs have hailed the work of city businessman Ian Hunter in sealing the deal to take control of the club. And Hunter has once again pledged the support of Sheffield Window Centre as main team sponsors for another season which starts on March 27. Consortium member Damien Bates has revealed how businessman Hunter became involved with negotiations as outgoing owner Neil Machin was in Australia. He said: “Sheffield Speedway owe a huge debt of gratitude to Ian Hunter for the hard work he has put in this winter.” “Ian was most helpful in helping finalise the deal to take over the club with Neil being away in Australia. “The fact that he has also agreed for Sheffield Window Centre to continue as main sponsors of the club only adds to the input he has had with us. “Ian Hunter is an integral and vital part of this club and on behalf of the consortium I would like to express our appreciation and hope he remains on board for many years to come.” Sheffield have confirmed more names for their opening night Air Fence Fund Bonanza meeting on Thursday, March 27. Skipper Simon Stead, Scunthorpe’s Ashley Birks and Elite League star Rory Schlein were all confirmed last week and they will now be joined by Wolverhampton’s Ty Proctor, new Sheffield signing Leigh Lanham and Tigers reserve Andre Compton. All profits from the event will go towards the installation of the new air fence barrier at Owlerton which is compulsory under new regulations.

Jim McGregor made the riders carry on despite the sun, so other referees can do the same. Don't they have issues with the sun in other countries?

Facu has his license back now.

In today's Sheffield Star:- Tigers are planning to stage 25 meetings at Owlerton this season - with or without progress in cup competitions. Management member Damien Bates has moved to assure fans considering buying a season ticket that the club will be looking to stage extra meetings to fill blank dates in the fixture list. Some fans have been in touch with the club expressing concern about the prospect of only 18 fixtures. But Bates said: “We can confirm we will be looking at 25 meetings, there or thereabouts. “Obviously we want to make progress in the cup competitions, but if that doesn’t happen then we will look at other fixtures. “I’m a big fan of the Northern Riders’ Championship, it would be nice to revive that - but to be honest it would be better for us if we were looking to arrange league cup and knockout cup meetings because we have been successful! “That’s the plan. I understand how some supporters have been concerned about value for money on season tickets if we only stage 18 meetings but that won’t be the case. “Once we get to 25 or 26 it represents a great saving for season ticket holders and that’s the plan. “We are also looking at bringing Cradley here for a challenge match and hopefully we will have some news shortly on the opening night fixture on March 27. “I would also urge supporters to be patient with us, we have entered this fairly late after the takeover and we have loads to do.” The club have also revealed how fans attending the evening with Tigers Legends next week, March 5, can get their hands on rare items of memorabilia. And the new 2014 team race jacket will be unveiled with a one-off signed by the legends available to auction on the night.

In this week's Speedway Star - the race card is being replaced by a newly designed programme.

From today's Sheffield Star:- Sheffield ace Adam Roynon says he is fitter than ever before as the 2014 campaign draws ever closer. After two years of injury hell, Roynon has revealed he has worked harder than ever to reach peak physical condition before the new season gets underway next month. The popular Cumbrian is now hoping he can help the Tigers launch a challenge for the Premier League title. Roynon said: “I’m really looking forward to the new season now. I’ve given myself some good preparation over the winter months, and I’m feeling really positive. I’ve got myself as fit as I ever have been which has been a hard job. I’ve pushed myself far past where I’ve ever been before which I’m delighted about, and I’m just hoping it will show out on track when the season starts. “I think the side the new management have put together looks great, so it looks like being a really exciting year for Sheffield. “Even though it was put together quite late in the day we’ve managed to get some riders with scope for improvement and some reliable scorers as well.”

From today's Sheffield Star. Barnsley based Damien Bates is to hand in an application to become a club co-promoter at Sheffield. Bates, 32, will work alongside Owlerton boss David Hoggart who pulled the new consortium together to take over from Neil Machin. Former Newport promoter Peter Mole, a dentist in the West Midlands, is part of the group along with accountant and photographer Simon Parker. And Bates has revealed how it’s an amazing turn of events after he first watched Sheffield at the time Machin rescued the club in 1992. He said: “My Dad took me to Owlerton when Neil had first bought it, that was the first time I had been to watch Sheffield as a kid. As a group we have a lot of enthusiasm, we have some fresh ideas and we are happy to listen to the fans – they’ve already given us some good feedback on social media. “We are going to revamp the race jacket, we are looking to changing the music in our presentation and will work tirelessly to get out there and promote the name of Sheffield Speedway once again. Neil did a fabulous job, but things weren’t easy over the last couple of seasons. We need to inject some passion and desire back into the place. “The club will apply for me to become a promoter, I’m pleased about that because I’m based locally and David is extremely busy with other roles he has right now, so I can help out. I’ve got the time to put into the role, we are already raising funds for the new air barrier and things seem to be heading in the right direction.” The deal was completed earlier this week and members of the new consortium will meet supporters at a meeting tonight at the nearby New Barrack Tavern. Hoggart will retain his role on the sport’s management committee as well as co-ordinating the major events and working on his Sheffield duties. British great Joe Screen was unveiled as the new team manager last month in an exciting move for the club. Facundo Albin has had his racing license suspended by the Argentinian authorities following a 'bust up' with an official.

I found the best way to find out is to bump in to someone who knows in Argos.

Members of the consortium to be made public and progress on the new fence?

From today's Sheffield Star:- Joe Screen insists Barnsley teenager Josh Bates is ready for Premier League racing. Bates has been snapped up by Sheffield as one of their reserves for the new season after securing his release from Elite League Swindon. And Screen, Sheffield’s new team manager, is relishing the prospect of working with the youngster. He said: “I think I can offer some good advice and coaching to Josh. “When we first started talking about my role at Sheffield it was mainly about coaching the riders and then it snowballed into being a team manager. “Josh is very young and has just come through the National League, but he’s got talent and ability and that’s the most important thing.He’s had Louis Carr working with him and Louis knows so much about the sport, I hope I can also contribute and help make him better. “Riders like Simon Stead, Leigh Lanham and Andre Compton have been there and seen it all before. All I can do with them is offer my opinion on bike set-up and things like that. “But with the younger lads like Taylor Poole, Adam Roynon and Josh Bates I would like to think I can make a difference with their career.” Screen has been overwhelmed by the messages of support he’s received since his appointment last month. “It’s been amazing,” he said. “I just want the season to start now because there is so much enthusiasm around the place. I can’t thank everyone enough for the kind messages I’ve received on joining Sheffield.”

Ty is reliable and a nice bloke. I hope he does well for you. Are the floods affecting the OTA?

From today's Sheffield Star:- David Hoggart says the new five-year deal for British Speedway with Sky Sports is a massive boost for the sport. And the Tigers co-promoter has once again underlined how the club would love to stage a televised meeting at Owlerton. The cameras have only been to the venue, regarded as one of the best in British Speedway, twice since live coverage of the domestic sport began in 1999. Sky were present when current Tigers team-mates Simon Stead and Andre Compton collided in a dramatic Premier League Riders’ Championship in 2004 – and a World Cup event in 2001. Now Hoggart says the consortium who are in the process of purchasing the club would lay out the red carpet for the broadcaster. He said: “The Sky deal is excellent for the sport and members of the new consortium would be pleased to welcome them. “Speedway needs to be promoted to a wider audience and there’s no better way than with TV coverage. This is a massive shot in the arm for the sport when it could easily have been lost. We must embrace the TV coverage more than ever. We have a British world champion and a Sky deal. We cannot ask for more than that.”

The knife used to do the slicing was made by a Sheffield Cutlery Mester, and he decided where to cut, so that Sheffield was in the north.

Well done to all concerned with arranging a very interesting and potentially exciting Tigers team. All tick - a refreshing new team and team manager; new muck for the track, hopefully bringing the return of Fortess Owlerton; the return of those 2 old stalwarts, team riding and team spirit. Still to tick - progress on a new fence, and a welcoming, friendly sign in the visitors' area of the pits - Welcome To The Jungle!

From the Sheffield Star website today:- Leigh Lanham has vowed to offer the benefit of his experience to Sheffield’s younger riders this year. The former Ipswich man was unveiled as a new signing for the Owlerton side last week and he admits he’s been taken aback by the welcome he’s received. He will be looking to hold his average in a revamped Tigers side which so far sees only Simon Stead and Adam Roynon retained from last season. Said Lanham: “I at least want to maintain my average although of course the aim is to try and put a little bit on to it ideally. “I’m not making any big promises but obviously I want to maintain what I do and make the most of my experience because I’ve been around for a few years now. “I’m a team man as well which does help in getting results in those tight meetings by bringing a bit extra to the team, and hopefully I can have a positive influence to help Sheffield have a great year.” And Lanham is well aware of the troubled times Sheffield have been through over the last two seasons. He said: “I know they’ve struggled as a team and we have to ensure we win our home meetings as a starting point. “I’m confident we can do that with the team the management are putting together and I really can’t wait to get going now. “The fans will be keen to see us do well after a couple of poor seasons, but they were not helped last season by Simon Stead’s injury so early in the campaign. “I like the way the team is coming together and I really feel we have a good chance to be knocking on the door for a play-off place. I’m looking forward to the new challenge and we should have a lot of fun along the way too!”

Alex Edberg, Simon Nielsen and Hynek Stichauer are the only ones I can see from last year's Green Sheets.

.The consortium bit is correct but I don't know about the condition.

He finished on 8.15.

I forgot to mention that there was an excellent letter from Ian Hunter in last week's comic, summarising his view of how Neil Machin has lost his enthusiasm for the sport and how the promoters need to 'wake up and smell the coffee'. We'll done Ian.

Yes, thank you Richard.