thebaron

I am curious as to why the Promoter(s) have not yet been named. Is it a consortium effort with say Phil Morris fronting the show. Whoever ? must be into it for a six figure sum. Its a big gamble to take a "start up" with neglible history into the top league. Possibility for hoovering up fans from defunct tracks ? Peterbo, Coventry, Wolves, Brum, Arena ? All seems a bit of a last minute affair, shoe horning it in because its a useable stock car track. If British Speedway had'nt been desperate I dont think Northampton would ever have been on the agenda.? But British Speedway is desperate so it has to be seen as positive. If its still open three years from now it will have done well. Lets see what happens ? Oh yes team name ? Got to be "Cobblers" surely ? There would be some local "pay off" by adopting a nickname thats very familiar to the area. What do I think of it so far ?....Cobblers 😂🤣👍

I predict that the top 4 teams will be in a play off. The 5th team Ipswich will finish bottom ! 😲

I'll correct that slightly and expand for those lesser officianados ...Drew Kemp Fair play to Drew over the Winter hes certainly put the hard yards in down in Argentina. Theres going to be "pay-off" this season for him and his team(s). Fairly sure he is on his way to Scunthorpe come May.

Looks like Northamptons a dead duck by the stock car announcements online. Come on it was never realistic or sense just to rush a team into Brafield, just to "plaster over" the Premiership problem. With nothing firm on Ipswich its looking like "gruel around the top table in 2026". A Four Team Tournament is whats left it seems.

I think the debate over % reductions here valid and raises the questions. But it will not change anything as the team has now been declared and the BSP must be ok with it. Averages will always be a bone of contention. Always have. They are anti-speedway in my book that has become a neccesary evil. At Bradford we quite openly manipulated averages. At the start of the season you would be asking why this rider ? or that. Then Alan Ham would say dont panic theres going to be changes. There were and we strengthened up. I'm fairly sure the riders will know this and accept it. But they get the chance to showcase what they can do so they may get the chance elsewhere. Speedway generally is not very loyal and I dont like that aspect. Scunthorpe have over time been overly loyal to riders. But I think we have learnt from that. I would be suprised if do not know already "the calvalry" arriving in May ? I dont reckon Pickering would have signed up to a season long carrying the team on his own ? There is of course the chance that unwittingly we have assembled the 2026 Champions elect and the 1-7 that starts v Redcar 22/3 ends the season in September. But Speedway doesnt work like that does it ?

Always going to be Lambo I suppose. I get it when we need a 4pt+ rider so lets hope he can find some form and prove an inspired pick? Looking at the fixtures I do think we are in for some testing times until the first green sheet averages. Redcar and then Poole at home look tough to me. Both have riders who go well at the EWR. So I think we are going to have to take the hit over the initial weeks. Away is a worry and Pickers is going to be busy. 6 rides min home and away but should be worth watching. Theres going to be changes for sure. I think Voulas will arrive at Scunny in May. Too good a Championship rider to be missing out and available as Comets are not using him. We wont be winning any silverware as it stands. I'm usually not one for making changes. But this team looks ripe for it from design and speedway being speedway enforced change as the season unfolds. We're going to find out thats a fact.

Absolutely nothing v Lambo he is a bit of a club legend. But it might be time for change for rider and club ? Not sure how much above 4pts we have to play with ? I do think we need some experience alongside Ryan Ingram. Paul Starke 4.13 might be a good shout ? Experienced, has had good meetings at Scunny in the past and that 4.13 might be a steal ?

Thats it I suppose JP is a real entertainer and especially around Scunny. So long as the racing is its usual top drawer at home, win, lose or draw thats the deal we accept. Away will be a different matter. Can see JP being a bit of a lone gun, but exciting to watch. In a way it reminds me of Halifax in the Carter era. Kenny always leading the scorecharts and taking on & beating the oppo No1s. The rest of the Dukes not following his lead. When JPs average changes it will be vital to come up with a No2 who can back him Home & Away in those Big Heats in my opinion.

Of that lot to me its a no brainer Declan Kennedy hes the one who has the potential to progress beyond his current average. Garrity is "untouchable" because of his "history" off track.

If what you say about Zaine is correct ? then looks out of order. I hope he gets fixed up elsewhere and is back to prove a point. Same with Dec if he misses out. Pickering is going to be very busy in all our fixtures. But he lacks support unless someone steps up big time - Luke ?. I see the idea with MPT he is very capable around Scunny. But...and there always is one can he stay fit ?. As I have said I do not see this Scorpions team looking like this at the end of May. I usually say "I dont like changing". But from this far out I have to say I think we will have to.😳

Has somebody in the BSPL cocked up here and ended up in a Bra-field in Northamptonshire when they should have gone to Brad-ford in West Yorkshire ? Is this not exactly why Speedway is failing to as a professional sport. There we have a proper stadium - Odsal with a world class track, all the history, Yet the BSPL would rather take it to an outpost, in a shell of a stadium with zero history. I really cannot see the point in wasting time on Northampton, look to your heartlands BSPL if you want to grow the sport.

At long last I am able to join the debate and re-access this Forum. Taken ages for me to recover my login details. I'll start by saying that Nathan Ablitt is the announcement tomorrow. Nothing at all against Nathan he was really unlucky to miss out last season, so it will be interesting to see how he can pick things up. But overall I have concerns about this Scunthorpe line-up ?. Obviously the BIG signing is Pickering but he looks very much a loan gun. Looking at the other teams, there is not one where I see us going away and managing more than 35 points very often ?. We also look suspect at home. Pickering looks guaranteed six rides every match. There must be more to this than meets the eye, what with Pickering's average reportedly dropping in May a couple of points ? So the intention is to make changes it seems. With still one place to fill 4pts+ can we fit in Declan Kennedy ?. I cannot understand why we invested in Declan last season if we do not bring him back this season. The second season is always the dividend, he's ridden the tracks, understands the British set-up better and he was actually making decent progress. Same with Zaine Kennedy always competitive, great to watch, became a bit of a go to rider for other teams as a guest. But looks as though he's missed out this season ? Are we planning to pancake the averages in the first month to bring Stevie Worral back ?. Far from convinced by the line-up as it stands too many questions than answers.

Great point about Jake being a good team rider. He is our best at that. Circa the times he saw Nathan Abblitt home at Scunny. Jake is accomplished on the bike and safe so he makes a good race partner. He knows where to put the bike and the EWR inside out. We can benefit from having three Aussies in the team. They're here to race and its like a brotherhood away from Oz. They thrive on that. We dont have riders with double up commitments at the outset. So the focus is on their racing for us. That can pay-off for us. As ever we get behind the Team and it is very "backable" Some top guys in there that will put 100% in everytime. Look we wont win them all but its guaranteed going a be "action packed" watching us try. Up the Scorps 25

Contrary to one or two sceptics on here. I think we have put together a team that has room to add to their averages. With the league losing one or two big hitters theres room for others to step up. We should be strong at home. While we do have riders who know the tracks so we should be capable of being in the meeting away from home. No 1 Steve Worrall only committing to Scunny should allow him to focus on finding form after being out last season. Being local to the EWR will make it an easy commute for home meetings. Jake just had to be back. In this league he can be the No2. His ability is not in question he will always score well at home. He just needs to find that level on our travels. He brings a lot to the party so was always on a return ticket. We had to take a bit of a leap of faith this time. The Championship needs new talent to come in. Some of that is in the shape of the British Youth scene. Luke is a brilliant example of this. He really showed his potential last season. He is very capable of upping his average. But we had to cast the net wider and I am excited to see the return of Zaine Kennedy and brother Declan making his UK debut. This could prove a shrewed move with both starting in the reserve berths. Zaines better than his 4.27 starting average for sure. While Dec on 4.00 might suprise a few once he is dialled in. Both are welcome additions to the league as a whole. Australia has and continues to be a prolific supply line of racing talent. In Lambo and Connor we have two racers who will aim for double figures round Scunny. Connor is still a developing British talent. He demonstrated he can hold his own in the Premiership last season at Belle Vue. He can kick on in 2025 and can be a third heat leader. Lambo equally will want to bounce back in 2025 and put all his know how to the cause. He rode through a tough period in 2024 but his scores held up pretty well. I read hes investing in new bikes for next season. The commitment to the club is there at every turn from Lambo. So I think the management have used our 40pts well. I think the Scorpions 2025 promise to be a mix of the tried and trusted. With the odd roll of the dice that we need to try. Its going to be a good watch seeing where the Winter takes us. Have a good one roll on March

That adds substance to the team we have put forward on this thread. I suppose point for point Lambo on 5 83 (after 2.5% reduction) is good value certainly around Scunny. Going with a top two of Worrall and Jake, will increase the need for Connor and Lambo to step it up certainly looking to the Big Heats. With the above I cannot see us going for a 2-3 point reserve. It gives weight to the idea that we are bringing in two reserves who can add to their averages. The Kennedys, Zaine 4.27 & Declan 4.00 would surely fit that requirement Then with Luke 4.32 up in the 1-5 and very capable of adding 2pts to that we have a declared Team CMA of 39.33. Its looks a competive line up. Lots to look forward to in 2025.

A line up that I have pencilled in. Although I also have one wihout Lambo ? Rob is usually very loyal to his riders. I favour going "top heavy" that way we are competitive in heats 13 & 15. Non the less 7pt + riders are thin on the ground so there is logic to your 1-7. Certainly room for all of them to add to their starting averages. I would like to see Ryans Testimonial at Scunny. But it will depend on his main sponsors and where he races in the UK next season. Say he moved across to Birmingham for 2025 ? I would say he be just as well having the meeting at Scunny ? If at Leicester he has enough of a connection with the Lions crowd to get a good turn out there. In any event Ryan would be deserving of our support for his Big Day.

Absolute no brainer that "Cool Hand Luke" Harrison is back. His progress was really great to watch last season. I only see further progression for Luke, up into the 1-5 in 2025. I agree with the previous post in as much as we need to "roll the dice" in this version of the Scorpions. Gambling on a young Aussie would be reminicent of 2012 when Ryan arrived with us. If we had the chance to bring over Declan Kennedy on a 4.00 thats similar to Workington taking a punt on Tate Zischke. That didnt go too badly did it ? But for his unfortunate injury ending his season. If brother Zaine was also on the scene on 4.27 thats a steal it really is. But that would squeeze the options at the top end. Another reserve option might be Ace Pijper who has grown up at Scunny and would make a pretty capable reserve. I think with a reduction as a British rider (2.5%) he comes in on 2.94 ? I think its a choice between Connor Mountain or Simon Lambert. Similar averages but at different career stages. Much as Lambo is a Scunny legend my head says Connor because hes a developing young British rider. I cannot also see a Scunny team without Jake Allen. Ask yourself this ? If MPT and Kyle Howarth are in the departure lounge. In a time of real shortage of 7pt+ racers. Whos coming in thats anywhere near Jake. Great to watch round the EWR ?. Knows the club inside out, big crowd favourite and can still kick on in 2025. Captain material. We then need a No 1 & 2 far easier said than done. Oxford & Poole showed that by running top heavy they had the better of opponents in the big heats 13 & 15. We need to have that ourselves. I think Steve Worrall could be one of the two. But he was out for a long spell last season. If back fully fit then we all know how well he knows the EWR. He was there quite often on race nights last season amongst the crowd. No2 ? if its a 40pt limit and thats been rumoured and we went with Dec or Zaine at reserve we should be able to bring in a rider at most on 7.38. Maybe we have to broaden the search outside of the Championship for that rider ? Jake 7.33, Connor 5 64, Luke 4.32, Steve W 7.93 ? Either Zaine K 4.27/Dec K 4.00 ? Ace Pijper 2.94 ? 2.5% reductions on Final 2024 CMAs for each British Rider. Leaving a max 7.38 for the No2 spot. Might not be a million miles out with this ?

Seems I have hit the spot !

The silence out of Scunny is deafening me. So I'm starting a thread. Is there anyone out there ?

Hes back with Scunny in 2025 👍

Were we ever in for Hagon ? because I never thought we were. He did go well at the EWR in one meet last season granted. I am fine with Ablitt who definitely made some progress last season. Hagon has the backing from his motorcycle family and could make real strides next season. The pull was Poole as well which I can see.

Each to their own views but I do like the team and looking forward to watching us on track. I was really "invested" in the Scorpions in 2023 as riders, their character and technique. I think that "connection" is important it helps bring the fanbase closer to the Club. We know that Speedway can and will throw in a few changes along the way. But if we have some continuity and prepared to keep faith with it injury permitting. It can go a long way to forging the bond between the fans and the sport. Roll on March 2024 folks.

Pleased with the team we have assembled within a 38pt limit. Bringing back the core of "the Class of 23" makes sense to me. They know the Scunny set up and there will be very little need for adjustment to it. We were never replacing Dougy, but Kyle Howarth knows Scunny, is the Capt of Premier League Sheffield. So we are adding bags of track know how(e) - excuse pun and a "leader" Connor and Nathan are capable of pushing on in a league slightly trimmed down for 2024. In Jake, MPT, and Lambo (Cpt Fantastic) we have three heat leaders. Luke Harrison has the time to go as far as he can in a debut season. So anything is a bonus. I think ws have a team to get behind I trust the riders and the management to serve up the entertanment again next season. Bring it on.

Seems we have a "big reveal" this morning. With Lambo, Jake & Luke already on the teamsheet. I will go Howarth, MPT, Connor and Nathan to complete the 7. Also the Stags reveal so I'll start with Luke...

Delighted to have Jake back integral part of the club. Arguably our best "team rider," as he demonstrated on more than the odd occasion when paired with Nathan Abliit last season. In next seasons Championship he can definitely up his 7.16 average.