OldHawk

Zenon was a legend at Hackney and I am devastating by this news. He was fearless on a bike and a gentleman off it. One minute on the line the next up on the fence. Amazing rider. I got to know him well during the run up to the Hackney reunion in 205 when I had the absolute privilege of him staying with me for a week. How many sports top riders integrate with fans (at least from that era) to that extent as speedway. More recently I was a guest at his meeting in Gdansk and was privilege to be invited to the after party where we once again regaled tails of the good old days. The last time I saw him was the day I flew home from that meeting where I delivered a letter to him from his old mate Barry Thomas. His smile whilst reading it lit up the room and it is that picture that I will remember. RIP Zenon and thanks for all the excitement you gave a 9 year in 1976.

I thought Kent greyhounds and Speedway was both run by the same person, Cearns? But in any event my thought is to make sure even more people drift away from speedway than have already a match, any match, to retain interest would be a good idea regardless of the revenue of that one meeting.

Yes agreed but my track Kent has already stated no matches at all. I hope others don't follow suit but lets see. I still wonder if the BSPA have done anything like enough. but who knows! After posting this I wrote a strong mail to my MP. Of course that wont change anything but I try at least to understand the logic even if I dont agree with it.

I may be doing the BSPA a massive disservice and there may be factors I am not aware of but I am wondering if they have simply sat back and waited for things to happen or if they have engaged actively with the sports and culture minister. I say this because it has stunned me that speedway is not involved in the so call trial detailed below: 'The two-day county cricket match between Surrey and Middlesex, scheduled for July 26 and 27, will be the first event to feature crowds, followed by the delayed World Snooker Championship which begins in Sheffield on July 31 and the final day of Goodwood on August 1, when 5,000 spectators are set to attend.' Given this, I cant see why speedway has not returned. As a shielder now for 4 months because of asthma, I have taken safety very seriously. But down the road from me is Bluewater. A large indoor shopping centre which attracts thousands. Of course they have the advantage of the E word...the 'Economy' So why hasn't the BSPA been able to at least run a trial match? I may be wrong but it worries me that the BSPA have just not done enough. It seems to me that even a month of challenge matches in October as at pre war Belle Vue would be better than nothing.

I agree with City Rebel. The responsible thing to do is to postpone the start of the season. Its a no brainer, the less people you meet the less likely you are to contract.

I am very late posting any comment to this as I waited until the book was under £5. I have to say that I feel the book was ill advised. Tai comes over a a bit of a money grabber with little thought for British speedway for which he has not done anything like enough to help a sport in crisis. He admits deciding to be British to gain a 10k sponsorship offered only to brits and says his heart breaks when he sees the Aussies pulling on their Australian race jackets. He is really an Australian and his disregard the UK speedway says it all. For me it doesn't cast him in a good light at all.

Danny was a complete enigma. Brilliant one minute, miles in the lead and then in the fence. But Speedway is sadly short of riders that generate this kind of excitement, a character and an entertainer and most of all an all round thrill merchant. He would have been revered as a rider in the 70's and 80's when showman ruled. Sadly he missed that era but equally made the relatively dull speedway of today a joy to watch in races he was in. Speedway has lost a gem.

Attended Ted Hubbard's Funeral yesterday. It was by far the biggest funeral I personally have ever attended with (a rough guess) over 200 people there many trapped outside listening on a speaker. Teds Cortege arrived with a chequered flag draped over his coffin which was then carried into the church to a clever and tasteful medley of march out themes from Canterbury Hackney and Rye House. Hackney/Rye/Canterbury and Crayford were well represented by Barry Thomas, Bobby McNeil, Laurie Etheridge, Hugh Saunders, Graham Miles, Karl Fiala and Barney Kennett. Also spotted was Reg Luckhurst, Steve Weatherley, Trevor Geer, Paul Woods and Graham and Paul Hurry. There were probably more I didn't see or didn't recognise. Ex Ref Graham Broadie was in attendance. It was a fitting and special send off for one of speedways nice guys.

Ted was a much better British League rider than his results show in that he didn't score as many points as he should have given his huge talent when he rode full time for Hackney. But when doubling up between the Hawks and Rye House as Hackney number 8 he often turned in match winning performances and of course his National League record speaks for itself as the master of Rye and Canterbury. But of all those wonderful memories of Ted my favourite is a non riding one. When we ran the Hackney reunion in 2005, the night was so hectic I found myself running around all night until I raced past Ted propping up the bar. I was almost past him when he grabbed me by the arm pulling me to an abrupt halt and with the other hand thrust a pint into my hand and said, now stand here and drink that, you deserve it. It was a simple but wonderful gesture. I didn't know him very well but had the pleasure of chatting to him at a handful of social events over the years and he was always a gentleman and a real pleasure to chat too. This is one of my favourite pictures of him as he has his fag in hand. RIP Ted.

I too wasn't there but I have seen Tom Brennan race on many occasions and have never seen anything to lead me to believe he is a dirty rider or would cause a crash on purpose so its good to read some neutrals supporting that view. BUT, I equally support criticism of the two teams involved. The number of Kent matches that fail to beat the curfew is becoming a joke. I watch with amazement at matches I have attended there at the complete lack of urgency. This is also a criticism of the referees, who appear to think it is not their job to keep the meeting moving on swiftly. On several occasions I have seen people shouting up at the ref's box asking why the 2 minute warning is not on. And as for Eastbourne, I have felt for a long while they are a disgrace to speedway. The Dugard's clearly have a win at all costs mentality which I draw the line at when it harms the sport as a whole. They appear to have a card which allows them to do what they want without fear of being challenged or punished. They sign dubiously legal riders (aided by a poor rule book). They call off meetings for rain which everyone knows is due to rider availability. And again, obvious delaying tactics should be dealt with by the referee to ensure not only fairness but much more important sport credibility. A rule that excludes riders from a race (with no reserve replacement) or even the meeting for unprofessional conduct would snuff this out immediately. I have taken many newcomers to speedway in an effort to repopulate the species but I cant explain much of what goes on which must leave my guest wondering why I actually bother to attend. Of course this is only the tip of the iceberg in a sport riddled with problems and possibly heading for extinction. Sad and dark days.

ThommoHawk – The Barry Thomas Story will be released on 18th February 2018 price £14.99 plus UK packaging and postage £2.50. (International postage will be quoted separately) Pre order ThommoHawk: 1. Send an e-mail to ThommoHawkthebook@hotmail.com - Your mail should clearly state if you want your book posted or collected - If posted please include your full name and address - If collected pick up will be at Paradise Park on 18th February ONLY 2. You will then be sent a mail containing payment options and further details All pre ordered copies will be signed by Thommo

About ThommoHawk FAQ - This book written by Thommo and Hackney Speedway Friday at Eight author Chris Fenn. - It is a full-blown book (similar in quality to the Tempus/History Press books) - It contains many pictures (B&W and Colour) from Thommo’s personal collection, many never published before. - It features contributions from many of Thommo’s team mates and rivals including 1976 World Champion Peter Collins. - The book will be launched at the published on 19th February 2018 but pre ordering is advised in advance. Details released soon. - The book will be limited edition – there will not be a second print run - All pre ordered books will be signed by Barry Thomas

People buying the book on pre order will receive a signed copy by Thommo Back Page Summary 'For the first time one of speedways most spectacular riders Barry Thomas tells the story of his 21-year speedway career and of speedway throughout one of its most exciting and vibrant times in the 1970’s and 80’s. Containing stories and anecdotes from his record breaking two decades at Hackney, his foreign exploits for England in Australia and his tour of the Middle East, Thommo discusses his love affair with the Hawks, his views on his team mates and his rivals and offers a view of speedway uniquely seen not from the view of a high-flying world champion but from a rider who forged a very successful career at grass roots level. Discover how Thommo literally brought the house down in France, unleashed fire extinguisher horror on more than one of his teammates and he reveals the unusual way speedway riders repair their cars on the long journey home from away matches! Collaborating with ‘Friday at Eight’ author Chris Fenn and featuring rare unpublished photographs from his personal collection, this is the fascinating story of one of speedways unsung heroes.'

Anything is always welcome

updates on facebook page ThommoHawk@CPFenn

Bryn really loved speedway. When Hackney merged with Crayford in 1984, I believe that he was instrumental in uniting both sets of fans especially through his Friday night newsletter the “Hackney Kestrel News”. Speedway is much poorer today. Rest In Peace Bryn.

Most people I know who voted out including myself wanted to stay into a reformed Europe. Like the BSPA, Europe stated it was our way of the high way so guess what....? Those of you who are bashing the leave campaign and saying immigration isn't an issue obviously lives in some back water like Ipswich (yes you cookie) where it hasn't had an effect yet, as some of us are forced to live in little Romania were very fed up. Most people I know who voted out including myself wanted to stay into a reformed Europe. Like the BSPA, Europe stated it was our way of the high way so guess what....? Those of you who are bashing the leave campaign and saying immigration isn't an issue obviously lives in some back water like Ipswich (yes you cookie) where it hasn't had an effect yet, as some of us are forced to live in little Romania were very fed up.

Promoters to stop taking the fans fro granted before speedway dies completely. The way most matches are "select" sides with the number of non injury related guests is killing speedway..

I agree with all this criticism and would just add that its Len Silvers fault as well. As a promoter who is (was?) renown for being one of the best in the business, he appears to have lost the plot or become completely disinterested. They seem not to realise that stand alone clubs have nothing else. I mean if Kings Lynn's NL team doesn't do well its of no real concern because their bread and better is the Elite league. Kent now face the season finishing in a few weeks (end of August final match?) long before the bad weather sets in so its no real surprise that people are already giving up on 2015!, I wonder if some will come back at all! I can only hope the promoters wake up, count the crowd and do something! (Sorry but Danno Verge has to go, he will never make the grade)

I wont go now because Kent cannot track a full side for their first match of the season, I wonder how many others just wont bother. Speedway is in a very bad way 8-(

Anyone know if Morley is riding at Eastbourne or does Redcar have first call?

Is Ben Morley riding at Eastbourne because Redcar have a match that day? Who gets preference?

I was alerted to this petition by a work colleague today. In have signed it but was alarmed (despite obvious worries that it may be a waste of time) to see that only 39,000 has signed it. Is the best speedway can do?

Is the national league so poorly thought of? The national league is devoid of big stars with GP commitments so why several days after the fan fare of launching the 2015 Elite and Premier league fixtures, there are still no national league fixtures? Hurry up BSPA, national league fans have commitments and holidays to book too!

Is there any point in having Simon Lambert or is there any point in having this league? He has missed the last 3 home matches now Its bad enough for Coventry to have to ride it with no decent riders available due to injury but self made problems are harder to accept. Whilst the Elite league "fast track" appears a good idea in theory, fixture clashes with the Elite league are wrecking the NL which is struggling anyway. I stopped going to speedway in 1996 and only returned last year to support Kent but my enthusiasm is already waning because speedway just never learns and never appears to make any decent long term decisions.