g13webb

Merry Christmas Sidney, Cant agree with your comments, of all the teams announced so far my feelings are that the Panthers are the one to beat... Strong in every department

Thanks for your reply. Personally, it wouldn't bother me if they didn't announce the team till March. Its not about my impatience of the team announcement, but I couldn't think of a worse time for the club to make any announcement then at Christmas..., Its just that the Stars always appear to be last in these things. I would imagine most people could name the majority of the riders so its not that important. The post I made was just a comment made in jest of the timing of it all. I am thoroughly looking forward to Christmas, spending time with ALL the family, Watching the kiddies opening their presents, the adult drinking and enjoying them selves The Christmas dinner is always a memorable one sometimes lasting for hours... There never seem enough hours to indulge watching the telly and have to rely on catch up to see the programmes we missed. I often spare a thought for those not as fortunate as ourselves and regularly finance a charity bed over the Christmas period. But something like Speedway, is the furthest thought from my mind. and I offer no apologies for that, So your perception of me and those who likened it, is way out of line, Trust me , I don't let anything spoilt this wonderful time if it can be avoided.... Happy Christmas to you all , friends and foes....

And what is Father Christmas bringing you this year,? the little man replied 'we are going to told the name of our first STARS rider for 2019' Wow!, aren't you a lucky man...….

Putting finances aside, It is not important to the fans who owns the stadium, there only concern is the entertainment that is promoted. You could have the best venue in the country , but if the show was rubbish it would remain empty.. I have always praised Buster for his acquisition of Saddlebow Road, and the constructional changes he has made. It is of my opinion AFA is equal, if not better than any other venue in the country. What a pity the same cant be said about the actual track...

One has to be impressed with the team the Panthers have assembled. They have 3 top experienced heat leaders, all able to compete for that No 1 spot. Each are of proven pedigree who have experience on each of the tracks. The remaining 4 riders will all be of similar quality, who no doubt will be swapping places within the team. Just imagine 2 reserves of the quality Lasse Bjerre and Charles Wright . they would make a mockery of the other teams. No, they probably haven't got a Robert Lambert, but they have every other base covered. I admire people who show initiative and activity in moving forward, No doubt every speedway fan will wish their team was as good as this ... Give the management a pat on the back... Impressive......

No doubt the advertising spots in the programme more than makes up for the outlay. Forward thinking is imperative when promoting a top entertainment. You cant knock Polish speedway for holding all the aces... Probably, when the UK ruled the world, we should have been more proactive in keeping our lead, instead of taking it for granted...

Many posters have pillars my comments for negativity, yet You and 'Trees 'are doing exactly the same . The positives from the way Poland run their meetings are many yet you go on about a expected financial crash, We all know the riders are holding the sport to ransom and are paid too much, but that shouldn't distract anything away from the professional show they put on.. The performance would be just as impressive if they were to use similar riders as we do in the UK. I wonder if they used the TV money to balance the books, or do they use it to promote the sport .

Polish speedway is the epitome of organisation. every thing is run to a time table. Four races is quick succession then an interval. pop to the loo, or dash to the shop, even enough time to quench you thirst. At the same time the track is given a good going over. Right on the dot the racing starts again. Everybody knows the schedule, the Riders, the fans, the referee, and the meeting flows so fluently. I except the track are tailor made to suit the high powered bikes, but the shale they use generates exciting races... No sooner is one race finished the riders are out for the next. Of cause the spectacle is better, but that is because the way it is organised and not because of better riders... The TV are at every meeting where they can advertise sponsors in every interval . More sponsors, more money; More TV goes out to encourage more fans. From your comment you obviously think they are very similar, but to me they are a million miles apart…. We sure have a lot to learn from them Poles...

Firstly I'm sorry to have put a reference to your age, my impression, looking at your picture, I thought you be young twenties, and in that case would have missed out when watching the sport many years ago, when unlike today, it was watched by full houses and followed by millions. But even then there was areas of discontentment but more portrayal then John Berry pointed out back in the 80's..... My attitude has always been proactive and have followed the sport regardless of all the problems. Some of the comments I read on here are insulting and foolhardy. as I have devoted a lifetime of going to every meeting . I must have spent £1000's of pound following the exploits of the Stars. Just because I voice an opinion different from their own isn't the crime of the century. I agree with what you say about different people having different ideas, but Polish speedway is a proven schedule of what should be done . Surely following their example should be our first step forward. If we could replicate them and put on a professional show and good racing , most of those people you talk of would give it another go. Running the same old all the time does nobody any favours NB; If there were no adverse comments, those in posted in favour would be pointless. You need two sides to every debate...….

You look quite young, a relatively a new supporter. The negativity you talk of , is down totally to the promotions of the club. The fans of the Kings Lynn Stars are the best in the country. Unlike other clubs, we have never ever won the main trophy, but these die hard fans always come back in the hope one day the miracle might happen. I have spent a lifetime supporting the Stars and have been so disillusioned with the way the club communicates with us. it comes across as we are the last consideration, when every avenue is exploited, to milk in as much profit as possible at the expense of those fans, who have given so much. Often we are treated like mushrooms, kept in the dark, shown so much contempt and for what. The meetings are drawn out to ensure we spend more in the bar, and matches are raced on a track not fit for the purpose, and we are charges top dollar to watch processional follow the leader races. From a group of 30 strong, each and everyone have since departed the sport. Through my devilment and determination I am the last, thinking I'm here till the end, but the antics, contempt and rule bending of last years final to me was the final straw. all the belief I once had has all but gone. and when that happens you have to question your sanity I admire your naivety, but as the saying goes, ' You reap what you sow' and that sure tells the story of Kings Lynn Speedway....

When they can alter rules on a whim, like last years final, they can do anything. What little integrity, the sport had left, disappeared that day. Now everybody knows the rules are there to be changed, to suit whoever wants accommodating . Organised chaos..... Its no wonder the fans have had enough...…..

You're very wrong Steve. when you supported a team for as long as I did, you get used to being at the back of the queue. Recently my feelings for the club has waned somewhat, but I still have a high regard for the supporters and the way they are treated. The announcement of this years team is of little concern. The belief I carried for so long has been drained from me. But back to the announcement of riders, just about every team in the league has given their supporters something to get enthused about, with the exception of Lynn. The negatives going round are mindful, it would be of the minimal inconvenience to have given a couple of names out. but it would have excited the majority of supporters, having some comfort of signed up riders. But don't worry, you carry on following the piped piper....

With all the festive activities going on around Christmas, no one gives a damn about a speedway team this time of the year. Just another blaring example of inconsideration to the Stars dwindling supporters.

Probably true, nothing you say would surprise me in the slightest...!! Robert enjoyed last year because we were in contention for honours, if we again descend back to our normal way, you will see Robert moving on. Once Robert has gone then you may as well close up shop...

We have been looking forward for 50 yrs. There will never be a better opportunity to achieve that goal then we had last season, and we messed up big time. I am in no doubt we will be back to normality in 2019, when we will again be submerged in the also rans. I know the team has yet to be announced but you don't need to be Einstein to remember the poor quality we have had in the past.... There have been some quality riders signing for new teams, What a show of intention it would have been to have acquired Craig Cooke to ride for the stars, instead of which he sign for our closest competitor . Unlike others, I don't brush the debris under the carpet...

Agreeing to let Poole use an illegal rider in the second leg was a terrible decision, Using a guest at home, rather then having our own riders on R/R, who were all on song hurt us big time. That heat 12 decision was likes a Ref scoring a hattrick at Wembley, yet our TM excepted it as a bad call, as if it was nothing. Had that been the other way round, Middlo would have done his nut...… What about Neil's saying he wanted to ride in the second leg, only to be told we have a guest booked...…. Need I go on....

That's why last season's lost was so devastating. Having waited a lifetime for us to be that position, it was conspired by all, for us to lose. Kings Lynn has never been a team of winners and probably, we now have to wait another lifetime, for everything to fall into place again... Yes we may have suffered some terrible luck, and bad referee calls, but don't forget, we made some atrocious decisions in that final... When the team wanted inspiration and leaders, all they got was excuses...

Its my belief had we kept Rose, and Kerr not been injured, there would not have been Riss or MPT. It was only when these two were co-opted into the team did we start to perform last year. To consider Kerr in the team from the off, will only be based on sentiment . There must be far better riders on a lower average than Lewis. He should be farmed out until, he has again proved himself fit for the task... He's had too many bad accidents to keep coming back and putting it on the line. I admire his fighting attitude, but sometimes you have to be sensible.... but you don't win anything carrying riders, especially those weighed down with injury history,,,

I appreciate that, any idea to speed the meeting up gets a plus from me.... But if those 2min warnings are implemented, I would much rather the rider be handicapped than excluded.

I applaud the way that Buster recued the top division by purchasing two other clubs, but the only way this can work is to let them run as individual units. They have to be free to make their own decisions and sign their own riders. If it is seen as Buster controlling everything at all 3 clubs, the integrity of the sport will be lost, with people questioning the ethics of the whole happening. Yes, the return of those historic derby matches should be mouth watering, but if there are any signs of controlling interest, the remaining fans of the sport will be gone forever..

I agree with the 2min clock to push the meetings along, but rather than exclude the rider who exceed the time limit, taking away the fans privilege of watching the offending rider, why not penalise him by putting him on a 15mtr handicap instead on excluding him..... An astute Team Manager could use the existing facility to overcome the min 3 races rule.....

Last week we have the national magazine devoting all its pages highlighting the problems with British Speedway, We had Promoters, Fans, Riders , Celebrities all opinionizing on the problems with this sport. Amazingly a week later, at their annual meeting, the BSPA contradicts everyone ideas and does nothing. Just about sums everything up.....

Of cause the format has made it harder to attain those high averages, but it would be wrong to ridicule those top riders you mentioned, as I'm quietly confident they would have achieved those high figures regardless of what format was used. Yes there were journeyman back then but they were usually reserves, bit like they are today. But back then the teams were far stronger with 3 proper heat leaders. and teams more evenly matched. The biggest difference back then was that each rider was seen as a team member and belonged to that team. Now riders race for various teams and have no allegiance to anybody.... consequently the fans don't have that connection with the rider anymore... I remember, often staying late at night drinking with the riders after the meetings, the place was packed with fans wanting this contact with the riders. WE never won much but the place was usually heaving.... Couldn't wait for the next meeting...

Its hard to argue with any of that...….

Yes it may be their money, but look where that has got them. I am in no doubt the dire situation the sport is in is totally down to the rules and decisions made by the BSPA. Decisions governed by personal agendas. They have this one last chance to make a new start and rise from the ashes, but quite honestly I don't have any confidence in them doing much to change it...