thebaron

Great opportunity to ensure we do not land the wooden spoon. By no means underestimating Redcar; but this looks do able to me. Come on you Scorp's lets do this.

Yes thats right now I think of it; so on that count thats one aspect of FZG that is unwelcome. Of course theyre a miniority I am sure.

To be honest I wondered if we might have another dabble in the transfer market; and bring Leigh Lanham in. Good signing and makes us a 1-7 again; nice surprise to end the season and Leigh knows his way around the EWR; top scored for the Rebels early season as I recall. Great value by the way on Monday v Tigers; nigh on 40 Heats including the MDL Open; and Leigh's Scorpions debut. What is not to like about that. Here's to a great afternoons racing; who cares who wins (well Rob might!); as long as we're all safe and go home having enjoyed the show. Up the Scorps!

Just to say; that my point was not to in anyway countenance any inappropriate behaviour of the FZG fans; but to highlight the marked difference between the levels of support shown on and off the track for their team. AND all the merchandising and the promoting of the this team to and by their fans; even got their own TV Channel!. I have watched a lot of German football down the years and you could have fooled me if the FZG were not a football crowd ? and of course they do have a football section attached to the club. Maybe that's part of the answer to make the speedway club more central to the community and introducing more aspects to it than just the speedway itself. Make it more of a culture ?

Sadly it has taken Darcys injury to really bring home to me how Speedway in Poland is on a different planet to UK Speedway. I have been looking over the net for information about the club Fabulaz ZG and its fans. Have a look; its mental. Is there anything there that we can learn from and use here. I suggest there most definitely is. #GETWELLDARCY

Went to Berwick on Saturday; I have placed my impressions on the Bandits v Somerset thread. Thommy and Theo aside the Bandits were run out of town. But if we have problems at Scunny trust me there equally bad if not worse at Berwick the crowd was very sparse and minus the Rebels faithful would I imagine probably make it unviable. Tough tough times for speedway and I know that the speedway family has far far more immediate concern for one of our fallen stars right now.

Its 37 years or so since I last saw speedway in Berwick. Infact it was the Willie Templeton testimonial in 1978 to be exact. I seem to recollect a different state of affairs back then; a sunny Sunday afternoon; and big crowd. Contrast that with Saturday night v Somerset 37 years on was I even in the same stadium? you could have fooled me. Except I must have been since Dick Barrie was still carping on from the centre green!. So somethings never change thank goodness I suppose. I walked to all four corners of the track and were it not for a contingent of brave souls from Somerset on bend two; I would say Berwick speedway looks in dire trouble support wise. Very thin crowd; very little atmosphere or enthusiasm pervaded. As I say I was a bit unsure if this version of Shielfield Park was the same as the last?. Back in 78 I might have stood on the 3-4 bend; but I was stood on grass; and there was no perimeter wall behind me and was the pits to my right back then? Maybe one of you Bandits fans can correct me. Anyway the racing on Saturday was fairly routine. Bandits had two Scorps in their team Theo and Tommy Gun so that was added interest for me. But the Bandits were hapless against the Rebel rout. Edberg for Bandits was way off it! totally zeroed out and Garcia also not really at the races. Had it not been for the Scorps pair it would have been a complete "stick em up Bandits" by the Rebs. I found a small crew of flag waving Bandidos on turn three. The over hanging view point had me reminicing for the Shay Halifax in fact the place had that old school speedway feel about it to be fair. Whos the irrate video guy on turn one ? As I wandered back to the exit gate I happened to stand on turn one looking back at the start gate. Just for posterity I thought I would nab a camera shot of Shielfield Park race 13. Incidentally nothing in programne banning public caneras from what I can see. Next news theres a quite intimidating and agitated chap having a go with a steward cause he claimed I had stood in front of his camera! Didnt even see his gantry hidden in the corner and hes clearly miffed off. When I tried to apologise; he seemed even more uncharitable "dont speak to me". Ok I had made a mistake but it was nigh on four decades since my last visit. Dont think he was anywhere near back in them days. Nothing to warn you not to stand there by the way or as I tried to explain ask me simply to move away. I am struck by how narrow the track is and a bit unforgiving. Its like a switch back down-the very bumpy long straights. Indeed it is a big circuit; so much so in Heat1 I am thinking hell thats a long 4 laps and it was! because it was 5. The flag marshall cocked up and put the yellow/black up late on lap 4. So overall impression returning after four decades. Berwick Speedway is not in the best of health right now. Its has a nice retro feel about it for me but clearly it is the few die hard fans who support it; not in sufficient numbers. Having fallen foul of the rather irrate video chap like Somersets Rasmus Jensen later tweeted "Berwick last night glad to get out alive". I probably wont be back anytime soon. But good luck with efforts to try to keep Berwick speedway alive in this traditional northern outpost. Another track lost is another one too many.

I can answer the guest problem. The two league system makes no sense as in effect the teams in each league are staffed by the same pool of riders which is not infinite. At this moment in time British Speedway is not best served by two leagues. So from where we are amalgamation and regionalisation is the key. Thereby reducing travel; costs all round. By creating a two region N/W and S/E Conference this partially solves your guest rider issue; as teams in the N/W Conference can only utilise a guest from the S/E Conference and vice versa. I read Philip Risings article and he is getting down the same avenues as myself. I presented a viable plan on these forums last year and both my promoter and Speedway Star have the plan. I see in this weeks Star that BSPA Chair Alex Harkness is already preparing us not to expect revolution at the BSPA Ann Conference but I would caution him to at least show us some evolution and embrace a reform of the leagues. We are moving in difficult times; so you have to take steps to keep the sport functioning properly until we have better times. I fiercely contend that merger and regionalisation will allow us a firmer base from which to go forward. The guest rider farce is in part addressed by the regional league structure. I can go on ....

Any info on Andreas Lyager? Have a read of this http://www.speedweek.com/speedway-racing/news/75721/Norden-Andreas-Lyager-gewinnt-Stoertebeker-Superpokal.html Can somebody have a word with the lad because I think he might have a problem with his sat nav next week. He thinks he's signed for Southscope ! http://websta.me/p/1046328523381709667_402355421 Andreas in action below; seems keen enough; if he's been pestering Rob for a chance; so lets give the kid his chance ! By the way; have not had chance to comment on Friday; but yet another cracking nights action at the EWR v Newcastle. Our new Czech mate Zedee Holub "Didn't he do well". Immediately sussed out the track. A controlled; rider; who can think his way through the race; forming an instant understanding with Alex Davies. Knew when to take the race himself and when to back Alex; great signing and clearly connected with the crowd; as Rob invited the pit staff to "send the boy round" to take the applause and salute the crowd. A couple of pointless rides in the end but 8+2 debut was impressive in a dominant Scorpions performance. He looked well set up from the off. We were thinking on a theme tune for the Zed Man and came up with Zee Zee Top "Sharp Dressed Man" over to you Barry ! Theo Pjiper was superb all night and great to see him reaping the rewards for the skill and craft he shows on the bike. All the riders contributed down the order; and covered for Ryan's absence. Special praise for the Bates Boy; wow did he hammer round on the outside for his two heat wins. I have to confess I was almost watching through my fingers; for fear of him coming a cropper !. Fearless; his sweep round the outside in the re-run of Heat7 was awesome to watch as he went on to win He's a genuine prospect and has come on a lot since his early days as a Scorpion. Notice Redcar went down heavily at Glasgow this afternoon and sit just three points ahead of the Scorpions in the race to avoid the bottom spot in the PL. Sets up next Friday nicely and on the evidence despite all the bad luck and injuries the moves made to bolster the team can pull us clear. Add in the debut of Andrea Lyager who's 7pt average may look a bit steep (but anything he gets is a bonus) and the I think we can look forward to next weeks meeting.

Och! this hurts cannot believe Ryans rotten luck last night get well soon fella. Was not there; how did it happen; because if again a rider ends up under the air fence ? then we want to seriously look again at these fences. Looks a let down of a night for Holub; but you cannot judge him on one meeting. Only thing I might do different was let him ride at home first; as you get the bounce on the crowd from the initial interest in him. Ce la vie thats done so on to tonight. Suppose we will be r/r now for Ryan. This season (and not just for Scunny) has been a nightmare tbh. Rob and the team really dont deserve this; you make the efforts to change things and then another man down ! I see in this weeks Star Editor Philip Rising is rallying us all to come together over the winter in making some defining change to help the British Speedway scence. I can see already he is supporting some of the ideas I have long since put forward. Next year (whether Scorps make it to the tapes or not) we have to be brave and make some defining decisions. About rider safety; machinery and tracks; about promotion and marketing; about league, competition and team structure; about costs and revenues. It seems a turning point is sign posted up ahead and British speedway needs to ensure it does not end up down the wrong one to a cul-de-sac. Right now though got to get up for tonight; we need to show support to Rob and the team. It looks like a great day for some speedway and lets have a safe and exciting nights action. Come on you Scorps !

Reading the last two; and as good a rationale as you can make out. Get well and get back Lewis.

Tony; just reading this and I am absolutely on your page with this. It is pretty much how I envision things in a amalgamated regionalised format. I would though split the leagues slightly differently in as much as Scunthorpe have to be in the N/W and I might have Cov/Lei in the S/E ? I agree also who decreed we have to run with 7 riders to a team? As recently as 1997 we ran with 6 in the inagural EL season won by Bradford!. As you say that has also applied in seasons past as well. My vision is 6 man teams 8 man squads with a designated No8 (say NL ability) and an affiliated rider maybe based overseas but whom you can bring in to cover for injury. There are lots of overseas riders whos Euro commitments prevent them committing to full time in the UK. But on a short term affilated contract the UK may be workable. Another point you touch on is the 21 rider guest pool. I think that has merit for those who fail to get a regular team place. But part of my plan is to recruit 21 Marqee riders on central contracts and draft one rider to each Conf club. The draft could take place at the opening of the Belle Vue National stadium maxing publicity. Each club receives their marquee rider; clubs are helped to finance the marquee rider by the BSPA via tv money/sponsors etc...and that rider is the "standard bearer" to promote the speedway centre he rides at. Lets say Scunthorpe received say; Martin Smolinski in the draft ? Smolinski is the Marqee rider who is presented as the figure head at Scunthorpe and similarly others tracks have their Marquee rider. The draft could also include the Development rider taking the 6th spot in the team; there are surely 21 competant young British riders who could take up a reserve slot in each team. I have more within my plan; but compelled to respond when I saw how much we are down the same line.

TigerOwl your posting here is top drawer. You have hit on the exact anology I have in mind; that being Speedways comparison to Conference N/S football leagues.I watch Guiseley FC in the Conf N just been promoted to Nat League but; crowds at Guiseley 400-500 max. The players are not full time theyre estate agents; joiners; administrators; football coaches/teachers. In speedway with the same crowd level the riders in the main are full time; as far as I know. Theres no one respects a speedway rider more than I these guys deserve all they get. But I am sometimes scratching my head at the maths behind it; that would make it a viable full time occupation. Ok for Tai and the GP troupe thats full time; but if I am No6 in a PL team I need to supplement my part time speedway career. So speedway is (like football Conf N/S) semi-pro. That then begs the question from the riders; how do we fit our jobs in around riding for a PL team? We have to go up and down the country say 2-3 times a week. Well no you dont because the leagues are regionalised now (rem; my mantra N/W and S/E) matches are more local less travel. It might help riders to have one set race night in the week. Hence making possible to earn a living combining a regular job with a semi-pro speedway career. Which is what the lads at Guiseley FC do in the main. Some very readable points made within this thread in my humble opinion.

What the bloody hell ? thought I'd seen pretty much everything two weeks ago but thats upping it a few notches. Folk fighting on the track whilst we're hammering round ..worlds gone mad!

On the subject of rides. Ryan Douglas has been on twitter appealing for a ride !. Obviously as a Scunny fan I do not want him riding here there and everywhere to our eventual loss. But the lads over here from Aus to ride and earn as a full time speedway rider not sit around for weeks on end and no rides. For me one of the reasons for this is the organisation of the leagues and fixtures. I know last week v Plymouth was off and no ones blaming anyone. But in a regionalised structure we may have run with Scorps v Belle Vue but Scorps v Plymouth you have to consider it more before committing to it. Result is Ryan sits out until Ipswich and we all know riders need to ride. I am for a competition we can stage with some certainty and regularity and more locally based competition supports that more. I am not saying we never race the likes of Plymouth;we still run a National Cup competition; and we can bring the N&W and S&E Conferences together for the Grand Finale. Next season the National Stadium opens at Belle Vue. Thats a golden opportunity to relaunch British Speedway. I see every club there and represented by their riders. Sky can do the launch event; press invited and fans. The new league structure launches and we really promote each and every Speedway centre. I can go on but not right now. Speedway has to be prepared to be brave and say look what is happening now is not the best we can be; we can and will be better and be prepared to change. Might not be for all time; but right here; right now lets do the best for all our sakes. That said as I write this it all seems trivial hearing the concerning news from Peterborough. Sincerely wishing Lewis Kerr all the best get well soon.

David; thank you for sharing this with us; much respect; you have provided lots of entertainment for us all on the speedways down the years especially here at Scunthorpe. We never overlook the thin margins all riders tread in pursuit of this sport; so although injuries have brought about your decision; you have given your all; and walk away safely and surely satisfied with all that you have achieved. All the best to you and your family for the future and thanks for the memories. And I think it's gonna be a long long time Till touch down brings me round again to find I'm not the man they think I am at home Oh no no no I'm a rocket man Rocket man burning out his fuse up here alone

Put very well as you have; it just reads dreadfully does it not, and something really has to be done about this. I have a cunning plan if people will hear me out; and part of it; is to amalgamate the two leagues and regionalise - North/West; South/East. Guests are permitted but not from within your own section so a team in the North/West can utilise a guest rider from the South/East and vice versa. I am a long advocate of the benefits of regionalisation; at this difficult time in the sport. The promoters need to come together in the interests of the sport. This does not mean that we are regionalised for ever and a day; but when the sport and its supporter base is going through hard times; it needs to draw back to its strongest position; and for me that is represented by an amalgamated regionalised format. For instance regionalisation would help with situations like we at Scunthorpe found ourselves in last Friday v Plymouth. The meeting was called off on the back of a poor forecast at 9:00am that looked a reasonable decision given the travel involved for Plymouth. But there was not a drop of rain all day; and it made the decision look a bit hasty. My point being; that if your opposition is more locally based you can make a later call and not inconvenience people as much. As I say I have a plan and I will be trying to communicate this when and where I get the chance if someone will listen.

Yeap I'm on it sorry Bandidos everywhere Matthias is indeed a Berwick rider and looking very good too!

Actually Timo Lahti is already a Scorpion! He rides for Munkebo Scorpions in the Danish League so theres a bit of symmetary going on with Timo. Also notice that Swede Mathias Thornbloom recent Rye Rockets addition rides for Munkebo Scorps so if I was checking him out (hes made a good start at Rye) then it might bring me round to Timo Lahti. Of course hes an Eastbourne asset I think; but really got to grips with the Elite League. There ample scope to fit a rider in like Lahti and with compatriot Nike already with the Scorps I'm talking myself into this! Also like the look of Marcel Helfer the young German rider. He was trusted with a World Cup spot and was competitive enough. Maybe he would fancy a go with a view to breaking in for 2016. Then again I could be completely wrong and we've signed a Koplonka! Correction Matthias is a Berwick Bandit!

What if I threw a couple of names in ? German World Cup youngster Marcel Helfer ? or Nikes compatriot Finn .. Timo Lahti ?

Rob agreed absolutely never heard Rob G say that; indeed sure Nicolai knows we all have a great deal of high regard for him. He has done his bit for the Scorpions in recent seasons. Thats what I like to here a bit of passion and cares about it. Lets have a safe competitive meet; we aint chucking the towel in !

Got to say its a bit disappointing as a Scunthorpe supporter to learn Nicolai (our go too rider the past two seasons) has linked up with the Pussy Cats. Rob has said in the Star that he tried Nicolai last week; in an attempt to shore up the Scorpions and got nowhere. Nicolai was not the only call that led nowhere it seems. None the less; all the best to Nicolai; but what is the betting we are on the wrong end of his scoring next Thursday. Another reverse at Ipswich tonight; so desperately need the points next week to stand some chance of avoiding the wooden spoon. We keep going come you Scorps.

Rob dropped a hint that the injuries to Josh and Ben might precipitate team changes. That is not just replacing Ben but maybe also bringing in a new face instead of running guest/rider rep for Josh. I think it would be fair to bring back Ellis Perks for Ben. Ellis looks in great form for National League Cradley and was unlucky to lose his reserve place at Scunny earlier in the season. Personally I am happy for Tommy the Gun to come in where he can for Josh. But if we decided on permanent fix till the end of season for Josh; I am scratching my head a bit. Any thoughts ?

Answer to your first question Funny man. YES! as far as we are concerned theres no agenda against Rohan Tungate we rate and respect him as a rider. So it was sad to see things turn out as they did. Equally with the situation reversed we would not have backed our rider injurying Rohan in a deliberate action. Whether he intended it to result in injury or not. Indeed Rob has put on record he would have sacked any Scunthorpe rider doing such a thing. A precedent existed with Ben Powell as has been discussed in this thread

Whats the weather been like in Scunny tonight? Sure the early call is made in good faith. But it might further make a case for the Leagues to be merged and regionalised. I think the fact that it was Plymouth; a poor weather forecast in the South and the travelling distance involved and the likely effect on the gate attendence necessitates such an early call off. That said it could be hammering it down in Scunny ?