thebaron

Another week and another Scorpion gracing the Star front page - this time its Josh Auty and an article previewing his season. Just 5 to go for a 1-7 full house this year !

The answer is; it is weaker. However I have always believed that for British Speedway to survive it had to find its level here. There is simply not the numbers coming through the turnstiles to sustain teams with 1-7 top riders; like the European Leagues. What we have now is a bone fide League structure that offers up the possibility of promotion and relegation creating another interest for us all. We will still be watching some very competitive racing at PL/CL tracks this season. I made a hypothetical point on the Leicester thread just now about Scunthorpe v Leicester being far from done deal for the Lions. Indeed the Scorpions would win the EWR leg in my book. To me its a bit like turning the clock back to 1965 and the British League formation where 20+ tracks; aided by Rider Control I grant you; arrived at a balance amongst the teams. I understand the point about losing some of the bigger names; but we have a very productive National League/Youth structure here that is managing to feed into the PL/CL and out of that we create new British 'stars'. The best way for the rider to learn is for them to be actively racing in these leagues and then 2-3 years down the line your not looking at these lads as make weights; no they're bone fide competitors. Now we have committed to this re-launch of League racing we have to resist the desire to revert to the old structure. I think that a more cooperative administration of the Leagues was needed to secure the immediate; medium and long term future of the sport on this Island.

I'm looking at the Leicester team; and thinking hypothetically; say with us (Scunthorpe) having first call on Josh in the event of a 'fixture' between both teams ?. My money would be on Scunny to take out this Lions team at the EWR; and I reckon we would give you a run at Beaumont Park. One trick you and the rest of the Premier League seem to have missed is Michael Palm-Toft; a quality rider who demonstrated last season in EL outings his ability at that level. To me he was the rider to have 'on your list' Even more so with a 'levelling out' of the leagues following the re-branding. Surprised you guys didn't see that; but then we're not complaining. Good luck for the season; if it gets bad; you can always latch on to Coventry I suppose.

Manchester United and all PL teams could let supporters in FOR NOTHING - the actual gate receipts for football at that level are a tiny proportion of the income for a football club. The income for PL football is generated by TV and sponsorship deals where the vast amount of it goes into the pockets of the players and agents. So to try and draw any comparison between Speedway and Football is hopeless on that basis. But look at it this way; if its £50 to sit and watch a PL football match for 90mins that you should actually probably have paid £10-15 quid for (see my point above) then it would then compare to £15 for 15mins of Speedway. Then you might argue that Football is better 'value for money'. But even then I would say 15mins of action around the EWR Scunthorpe knocks 90mins of Manchester United 0 Hull City 0 into a 'cocked hat everyday of the week.

Check out this weeks Comic..errr sorry I mean Star..Its a Scorps delight one for your bedroom/office wall - cracking pic Bullet doing great work again? Wliko's got himself smack bang on the front cover ! Running an article on his 'age being no barrier' Good sign that Speedways just around the corner. An Evening with Nigel & Kelvin next Wednesday for us at Halifax Golf Club too. Anyone seen that Leicester Lions 1-7 ? - if we raced them; and Big Josh rode for us - anyone else think we would be beat them ?; because I do. Just a thought.

Any idea how long it will take to land fill Odsal Stadium for development ? Your looking at a century and more ! Odsal Stadium is a massive asset for Bradford and surrounding district sat on the end of the motorway with ample land surrounding it. Think Veltins Arena Gelsenkirchen for the blue print.Absolute bugger all going on in the former Rheinland German mining town but the great arena home of FC SchalkeO4 rises like a citadel on the landscape. Odsal offers similar to this former great Yorkshire woollen City but no one seems to understand this. When Speedway was lost to Bradford in 1997 it was only supposed to be a temporary hiatus. Speedway was to return in 2000 in a Toronto style Skydome. That was the plan and we should have stuck with that. The spin offs economically and socially over the last two decades would have changed Bradford for the good forever. Instead all we got was a hole in the centre of the city and two decades of waste and decay.

Steady Iris thought police will be round to see you. Look I'm not daft speedway cannot survive in Odsal on its own. Nor would any would be promoter just slush money down the drain trying a revival. But in a wider use Odsal that includes rugby; stocks; cycling; athletics; football; large crowd events and hospitality there is definitely a place for speedway in an area barren of it for over two decades. Crowds were poor even for an Elite League winning team but pitched at the correct level I am sure West Yorkshire speedway fans could sustain a revival.

Well the future is that there isn't one ! Odsal Stadium is to all intents and purposes empty. Whilst the freehold rests with Bradford Council; the Leasehold is owned by the Rugby Football League. What is important now is that the Council as freeholders should look to secure some medium to long term future for the site. Rugby at some level could play a part in the future of the stadium but it is and has always been completely blinkered to use this 'public facility' for 14 second rate Rugby games every year. Odsal needs to be open for business; not just for Rugby but for wider use; so to me unless you are going invest money in creating an Athletics and Cycling Arena then the re-introduction of a Speedway and Stock Car racing circuit is the best way to get the place back up and running. There have been structural changes to the stadium since Speedway was last there; including the building of a large hospitality suite where the Speedway pits used to be. But the problem is not un-surmountable; by moving the Rugby pitch and hence the perimeter circuit further out towards the opposite Rooley Lane end of the ground. This would create the space to refit the track; which of course would now include an 'air fence'. It is one of THE legendary tracks of British Speedway and you would think at a time when we are trying to re-ignite interest in the sport and develop it; that a golden opportunity to re-establish Speedway at one of the all time great venues; in an area that is literally 'crying out' for a Speedway track is just too good not to explore. If the Speedway powers are not all over this story; and potential promoters are not casting an eye at what is going on with this classic speedway venue; THEN THE DARN WELL SHOULD BE !.

Slight change of subject; but how many of you think that the new Leagues have missed a trick ?. Is it me or does the Premiership look pretty much the same standard as the Championship ?. If the Scorpions rode at Somerset; I might expect we could lose it; but not by mile. Reckon we could definitely give some of the Prem teams a match at Scunny for sure. I suppose we were never going to get a full blown amalgamation this season; but it is certainly heading that way; as the Elite has been watered down. So for me a cross league KO Cup competition would have worked and added a bit more variety to the fixture list.

Said it before; that when Glandford Park bites the dust we need to be in there nabbing some fixtures and fittings; and I don't reckon it would cost the earth to cover the seating area in front of the start gate either- maybe linking the existing stands to the right and left ?. If we covered that; pretty much the whole of the home straight would have covered accommodation; then we have our new hospitality cabins on turns one-two and the EWR is evolving into a tidy little stadium. Today; many folks want the option to sit if they feel like doing so; personally I am happy standing but that extra bit of comfort; especially for those who might be less nimble these days does not go amiss. We will all be there one day remember and hopefully so will Scunthorpe Speedway !

Ryan's tweeted that he's done a metacarpel!. A hand injury that can take 6-12 weeks to heal!. Oooch !.let's hope that clears up soon. Happy Christmas.

Going to try and keep the thread a live so please join in when you can. All it has to be is Scunthorpe Speedway relevant. Alex Davies has gone home to Oz; so does anyone know if he is coming back next season; and does anyone see us operating a 'squad system' whereby we keep a rider like Alex 'up our sleeve' so to speak. In case of need. Realise he is still recuperating from his bad injury last season; so a mid season return in 2017; might be suitable arrangement.

Very pleased; this was definitely the right way to go; its not about sentiment or anything. Why when you have actually had the chance to 'trial' the team last third of last season would you not give it the chance to start next?. Especially when we have riders who some other tracks would clearly desire and the team it did prove itself. For me Lewis and MPT can be top riders in this Championship; and surely Ryan and Big Josh have all the ability to move their averages up. The team ticks the 'entertainment box' and keeps with the ethos at Scunthorpe; so there's a lot to be excited about. Great to see Li'l Josh back; a lot of good ground work went in for him last season and he can double his 2+ average. Wilko and Fritz are 'experienced riders who can equally be in the main body of the team; or be a potent reserve. Plus both have the added thrill a minute factor round the EWR. I think we're set up chaps ! Santa's done us proud. Just had another thought; when was it a team ended the previous season and the exact same riders took to the track for the next ? I certainly cannot recall this in a long while.

Here's my final shout at the 1-7 .. Josh A 7.01 Ryan 7.18 Wilko 6.12 Lewis 5.98 Fritz 4.00 Josh B 2.05 and.... Tommy 7.45 39.79 If you go onto the Berwick thread there are few mentions for Tommy Jorgensen in their 2017 team. Today they did a deal to bring Lewis Bridger to Bandit Country and there's a link to Jason Garrity. So is it possible that we haven't done a deal with MPT but we have done a deal with Tommy Gun as the No1 ? Has all the ability to be a big hitter in the Championship....

Just learning Berwick have signed Lewis Bridger and Kevin Doolan. Assuming that Tommy Gun is back in Bandit Country shows you where the bar is set. I trust we can respond with our own forces on Thursday but we can't be going to Berwick half cocked with those three coming to the start line that's a fact. !

He's a 5.00 Roman ..as I understand it.

A fit Alex Davies on 5.41 and its literally 'daylight robbery' agreed. He was last season because it seemed to me that Alex was playing 'catch up' when the had season started and was needing to get fit when he should have kept himself in shape close season. If he came back over his back injury and fully fit; he could add +2 to that 5.41 average. As Broadsider say's if he's fit; whoever gets him in (at reserve) on that average would be real contenders. Given the 40 point limit I cannot see a team with Wilko, Lewis Kerr and MPT in it ?; and have the top end in decent shape. Lewis's form was seriously impressive for us last season; and that's why I would take him over Wilko. MPT on 6.98 will easily be a top Championship rider in 2017. Auty 7.01 + Douglas 7.18 + MPT 6.98 + LK 5.98 + JB 2.05 + FW 5.00 + AD 5.41 = 39.61 that's as decent as it gets under 40pts I would argue; and ALL of them can step it up in 2017.

Cheers Rob ..back to the drawing board for me I guess... phew !

You know me a big 'Thunder Davies' advocate but is he (through no fault of his own) more of a gamble ? and where has Lewis's average dipped to 5.98 ? Someone else had him down under the 6.16 he supposedly finished on according BSPA figures.

I have commented that we need to assemble a team where the nucleus of the team could move up with us to the Premiership. If we can challenge and I believe we can; we need to put the building blocks in place. We don't want to be faced with signing a complete new team if we got promoted. So the likes of Josh Auty, Ryan Douglas, Lewis Kerr, MPT (who for me can be a Championship No1 in 2017) and Fritz Wallner all fit that into that category. Josh Bailey on a 2+ average is a 'give me' and then I would look at the likes of Stefan Nielsen who really progressed in the Elite and PL in 2016. That team ticks the entertainment box and all can improve and comes within the 40 point limit. I just cannot see us throwing money and points on a 'big hitter' because realistically who would that be ?. If your going for it then Chris Harris is available !. But I just don't see the management jeapordising the club financially. If we go for Ben Barker fine but; his nigh 8 point average limits the bottom of the team further and for me he is not the rider he once was. Due in some part to injury mind. I do not think we got carried away with the team at the end of last season. By luck more than design we arrived at a good 1-7 that proved it has great potential certainly the likes of Lewis Kerr, MPT and Fritz Wallner will have no worries getting fixed up elsewhere if we look elsewhere. These are riders our opponents will covert and we should be in the box seat for doing deals with them for 2017. It all points to me for us to show confidence in our good work in the second half of last season and give that team it's 'head'. Add a 5+ rider and Stefan Nielsen must be in with a shout? and I believe we will reap the rewards next season. That said if we did opt for Ben Barker as a potential 'big hitter' I came up with Ben Barker 7.91 Josh Auty 7.10 Ryan Douglas 7.18 Lewis Kerr 6.16 Fritz Wallner5.00 Rob Branford 4.60 Josh Bailey 2.05 Total 40.00 Branford is a rider who goes well at Scunny and could step up next season. With Rye House going up he will be looking for a Championship ride. Hopefully Ben Barker would give us the ability to go other tracks and with Ryan and Big Josh have three riders to take on the opposition top three. Then in Lewis and Fritz have two more riders capable of hitting the big points. Come to think of it that's not a bad line up at all ! and just within the reduced 40 point maximum ..infact bang on it !

Lewis Kerr's tweeted he's signed deals in the Championship and the Prem !. Fingers crossed its us ?; if it means anything Ryan seems to have given him a LIKE for it.

Wilko on Twitter says he's done a deal for 2017. Expect that would be with us Anyone heard anything on this ?

Thanks Phil for putting me right on Nike. As you say either way there's a balance there. One thing we have to work out is 'doubling up' because I bet 'they' think it wont happen.. but I reckon it will; and we will end up with with the two promotion play off teams at loggerheads over a rider who has ridden for both teams all season. Suppose the solution is he reverts to his 'parent club' in the event of a clash ?

The 40 point limit puts to bed pretentions of including a 'big hitter' for me. Li'l Josh on 2.00 - if correct looks like a no brainer. This strengthens the case for getting MPT on board; as he is one rider who can step up at Championship level and can ride Premiership. We have to adopt the approach that we are assembling a team to push for promotion and for the nucleus of that team to serve us once we get there. So for me MPT (7.01), Lewis (6.16), Ryan (7.18) and Big Josh (7.10) are a good nucleus thinking forward. So that would leave us on 29.45 and 10.55 to shuffle with. Wilko(6.12) and Fritz (5.00) is the decision for me. If we go with Wilko we would have 4.43 left and if it was Fritz it would be 5.55 left. We all love Fritz caused a 'revolution' round the EWR when he arrived but do we need tried trusted over a season?. Because if we do; then you might go with Wilko in a top five. With Rye House promoted to the Premiership how about Leigh Lanham on 4.34 as the reserve partner to Li'l Josh ? Bags of experience and a steal for me on that average !. I absolutely do not want to lose Fritz; he definitely ups the entertainment level without question; but something's got to give. I wondered if we could do a deal with Fritz as our 'go to rider' in the event of injury and then see where we are end of June and if we needed to make a change bring him in at that stage. Then again; Rob could very well go with Fritz from the off at reserve ! and look for a 5.55 man in the top five Stefan Nielsen on 5.53 given Plymouths demise. Remember his heroics with 12 v Sheffield at the EWR last season !. Also is Nike Lunna still our asset ? 4.86 and a full season at Glasgow might make a break through in 2017. Some food for thought .......

Smoke seen billowing from a chimney in the Broxbourne Wild Life Park, Herts ! Think something's been decided.