g13webb

I was more disappointed by the way the fans were treated by the promoter, rather than the riders. I don't condone what the riders did, but I feel with better communication and leadership from the promotions, that situation could and should have been avoided.. I'm hoping to read in the media that JC is back on board, then we will be cooking on gas.,,

Call me sceptical, even thick may be, but i didn't think of Chris Holder as anything other than a genuine person. Over the years, I have witnessed his highs and lows, where he usually portrayed everything on his sleeve. Never one to hide his emotions, to me he was someone whom I had the utmost of respect. Over the past few of years he has had to overcome a devastating accident at Coventry, seen his closest friend critically injured, and on top of that, having family turmoil that has separated him from his son.. When you add to this, his parent club didn't want him, It is little wonder his head is all over the place. Like everyone else, I was amazed at his attitude last week, when refusing to ride, and hopefully when he makes his statement next week he'll realise the judgement he portrayed was wrong. If he's prepared to come back and fight for the cause, I for one would welcome him with open arms on the condition that the issues from last week are never seen again... If he's not prepared to do that, then he can go and ...................elf

Thinking back at the shenaangons that has happened this past week, I believe it happened because the rules allow it. So thinking laterally I was trying to think of ways that would safeguard, the Fans, the Riders and Promoters from this happening again. 1. State of the track: A new rule be implemented allowing riders to have 15 mins practice session, 3/4 hr before the start. This to be totally optional, and riders wanting to bother, can see first hand of track conditions. Bikes could then be set up to suit, and/ or the track be remedied if necessary. Either way the Start would not be held up nor a delay in proceedings... and that has to be good for everyone..... 2, Riders who thinks the track is too dangerous.: A representation speaks to the Referee, who in turn calls a meeting with all Riders and Team Managers. At this meeting a vote is taken, and all Riders will accept the majority decision. If a Rider/Riders fail to do so , they will be fined and/or suspended. The Fans and Promotions need to be safeguarded against personal minded attitudes, that can destroy the sport.... 3. Certified Injuries.. Nobody want to see riders force to ride when injured, but also they don't want to feel used when riders uses this as an excuse not to ride. Implement a new ruling stating when a rider is certified injured, he will remain so for a min of 3 / 5 days. This would eliminate the behaviour of riders, like Batchelor who this week, was well enough to ride the following day. He deserted his own team in their hour of need, by using this get out of jail card.... Am trying to think of ways to eliminate all the issues that was allowed to destroy our much awaited match last week... Obviously, I have plenty of time on my hands, the weather is crap and am waiting for the sun to come out. All views and ideas are most welcome.....

Shame you didn't chat with his brother as well. . He found the track very racable, as did Paul Starke

I never thought that Buster being elected as Chairman of BSPA would have an effect on Kings Lynn Speedway like it has. But it appears our speedway club has become a rudderless ship drifting helplessly in the deep waters of despair.... For someone who puts a lot of power in thought and moral values, I have the greatest respect of what the Chapman's are going through.. I have feelings for Buster, but it is Jonathan who I feel for, big time. He may have fallen out with his father, but nobody want to see every Tom Dick and Harry rubbish their Dad The Father-Son parting, highlights all the problems our club is facing, but it also highlights the obvious answers.. Buster has many good attributes and ideas, he is workaholic, would work from dawn to dusk to get jobs done, A real hands-on man. He appears to have problems with Delegation, Negotiations and Taking Control. Whereas Jonathon is all them things and more. He can also be the organiser, the planner, the promoter, and someone who would step up and take control. A partnership made in heaven. I don't think Buster is aware of the damage that was done last week. He shows scant regards to the fans, and gives the impression we should be indebted to him for allowing us to come and watch... At times he seem incapable of communicating with the fans and wants to keep everything a secret. Hardly the attitude of a successful Promoter... In this day and age, there can be no excuse for poor communication. The Social Media makes it so easy to keep everyone informed. Updating Web-sites is a doddle. All it need is somebody in the know to keep fans abreast of all the problems, all the planning and forth coming meeting and clashes. The Stars fans are amongst the best in the land and deserve Jonathon on board. I am in no doubt, that had JC been part of the management team last week all those problems would have been sorted. I feel, unless Father and Son can get together and overcome their differences , this ship will only continue along its destructive route... and that wouldn't be good for anybody....,

Rider power is nothing new, but it has to be controlled. 40 odd years ago Michael Lee would put a 1000 people on the gate just by being there, and that was a big cash imput the promoters had to appreciate. Love him or hate him he must've been the biggest headache to have in any team. Dispute all the harbouring, all the forgiving and all the inconvenience the promoters showed, they eventually made the decision to let him go, knowing the lost of income would be massive. They did that, believing the sport was bigger than the man. Chris Holder is relative new at Lynn and doesn't have the same following as someone like Lee, But he had been accepted and was settling in well. Not scoring the points that was expected of him, but improving each week. He could have made Lynn his new home and the fans would have continued to support him with open arms. that was until last Thursday, when he let all these people down. My personal view of the situation is that Chris didn't want to help the Stars in their quest for success against his beloved Pirates and wanted any excuse to perform badly. The track wasn't that bad, as heat times showed, but it gave the Chris the opportunity he needed. Looking back at his first race, Chris made a decent start , but eased off against Andersen when entering the first corner , and that was before he had sampled the track, So I believe the mind-set was there even before the start. Chris's actions last week has all but destroyed the fans belief of him being a genuine person with integrity. When he has lost that, he hasn't anything else left to give.. I for one, thought he was a far better person than that.....

I am aware you are Robert's right hand man, but it is you who needs to get their facts right. The incident I was referring to was a smallish man about 40.ish Telling Lambert to get on with it . I wasn't interested in the personal verbals that followed, but it was Robert who was blocked at the pit gate when he wanted to confront this 'No-body'. Two stewards stationed on the pit gate will vouch this.., My opinion, was that Robert should be more professional in his attitude, in not letting these comments get to him... If he takes on board every comment and insult thrown at him he'll finish up in a nut house..... I appreciate he is young and at an impressionable age, but this situation should have been addressed by now.

Buster will tell you tomorrow in the match day programme. and I won't mention it again.

Congratulation to Swindon but one has to feel sorry for Leicester, who gifted Swindon the opportunity to win. This match could have been over by heat 12 had it not been for bad luck... and inept team managing... Leicester's Team Manager was probably the worst I've seen . Some of his decisions were unbelievable. You win some and you lose some. For 12 heats Swindon were second best......

It is apparent from reading the posts, the main difference of opinion centres on whether Chris is your friend or not. There are those who will not have a word said against him, and will back him to the hilt, Others who like me, saw another side of him last week. That wasn't the man or rider we have come to accept as one of ours I am in no doubt the track last week was crap. The racing was dire. but it's been that way all year. Chris's behaviour on the night was unacceptable Whether it was because it was against Poole, or he still wants to be part of the that team, it was obvious he had no intentions of helping the Stars win. and that is the part that really hurts. Now served with a 28 day suspension, he has to ask himself 'what does he want to do' because reading his body language last week, many of us are at a lost of his intentions... But I cant imagine he'll ever ride for Lynn again. .......... and that's a shame...

No, Gavin Caney accompanied Dale, he went along because he didn't want Dale to be on his own. No mention of Rob going .... Such was Gavin 's dislike of how the evening went, he has resigned his post as the centre Mic\man...,

Good point JC. From my high vantage point I noticed Rob in the pits early on talking in that small grandstand. Before heat 9 he was seen walking to the pit office, same time as the referee was making his way down to the pits. At this point Dale appeared OK . That was the last I saw of Rob, and when Dale collapsed and went to hospital, the Big screen operator was called from the timekeeper box as a substitute TM... Where Rob went is a mystery... It's easy to point fingers, but the truth is they refuse to race at a time when the track was deemed unfit to race. But after the remedy work was completed, they continued racing.... Don't have a problem with that. To me the referee was slow in taking action, sitting there in his warm box, he was reluctant to investigate the problems until Lambert and Huckenbeck refused to ride. So they penalised themselves and the team, to get the Ref 's attention... Lambert & Huck' action was a million miles away from that of Holder and Batch....

I kid you not. Batch walked away as well, but like you say he was dismissed as a supposed injury. If anything Batch actions were even worse than Holder as he showed he could ride the track. His win in heat one was the quickest time of over 9 years.... Holder was just being bloody minded, probably to assist the Pirates to get a result...., Who knows......

You were fortunate that you never went last week. Many times I have wished I hadn't gone either. But before you make a stupid comment like the above, Lets imagine you had paid your fee and was there waiting for the meeting to continue. At one time we were leading by 6, but now because of our riders not wanting to race, we are now 6 points drift. The Mic man tells us the Ref is coming down from his box to sort out some of the rider's issues. Then we wait,....... and wait......... We hear nothing,....... but we witness Buster working flat-out during remedy work on the track. Over an hour passes and still no information. We, the fans can only wait around ,in the hope we can claw back those points we are adrift. Eventually 75 mins after the last message, we are informed that the meeting will continue. It is another 5 mins later we are informed that Batchelor would not be riding again and that we could use IRR as a replacement.... Don't you think the fans should've been told of Batch missing before making them wait over an hour under false pretences. It truth we never had a hope n' hell of getting back those points, and had the fans been kept informed they could have made their own mind up whether to stay or go home.... So this misdemeanour was far more than that. It was the dirtiest, most underhanded, contempt to the fans I've ever witnessed....

Yeah.... Forgot about that.....

Hello JC, I had been racking my brain as to why Buster has not made the obvious decisions, and you hit it on the head with the above post... The Sponsors have tied Buster to a contract enabling CH to do as he likes.... Brilliant.... We need to get Roger Warnes back.....

I know of Dale because of my connection with the club, It is true I have never thought his appointment of team manager was right and always thought it was a decision made through convenience rather than expertise... I do not know him personally, but when we have spoken he has always bothered with a replied. My biggest fear of Dale as TM was he lacked the authority of making decisions when it mattered. Looking into the pits, last Thursday, Dale found himself between a Rock and hard place. he was in a no-win situation. He was smack in the middle of every argument. On one hand, he has Holder trying to get riders to agree with him about the track, and on the other, he has Buster having a go at him for the riders not riding. I really did feel for him. It came as no surprise when hearing the news that Dale had collapsed and taken to hospital. Though not official, I am of the impression his situation was totally caused by the dynamics of the situation. If he had had the authority to tell Holder to man-up/shut-up, or to tell Buster to sort the track out, probably his collapse could have been averted.. Pleased to hear Dale is back at home recovering well...

No doubt.... I was thick enough to think, as a supporter, I was of value to the club, but at last Thursday I was shown exactly what they thought of the spectators. From now on, they wont be getting any more of my money...

You're missing the point here completely. Thursday night wasn't about Chris Holder, it wasn't about Troy Batchelor nor the track It was about the fans who believed for the first time in years we had a chance of putting one over our greatest rivals. Following on from a convincing away win the previous night, this was a wonderful opportunity to make a massive statement of intent. Beating teams like Poole is a terrific ego boost. The track wasn't good, I've seen far worse. but the attitude of C. Holder left nobody in any doubt he wasn't prepared to ride and therefore give the whole emphasis back to Poole. He never gave one thought to the fans who had spent their money to be there, Nor to what they wanted. All he was concerned about was his own feelings. Having convinced Batchelor to withhold his services they try to convince the rest, but failed miserably. We the fans, had to wait around for over an hour while Buster did his best to get the track racable. Not knowing then, that neither Aussie would be returning and hence gifting the league points to Poole. Had the supporters knew this, do you honestly feel they would have waited all night to see the remaining races with only half a team. Be real. No, as per usual the supporters were treated like mushrooms. It feels like nobody gives a damn of what the supporters feel. Holder and Batch's attitude was unacceptable. Ok the track was bad but to withhold their services need to be penalised. Losing to me has never been a problem, Have to say, we at Lynn are use to it by now. Honestly, Integrity, Endeavour and Commitment means everything. Lose if we have to, but lose with pride.... For 50 years I have supported the Stars, paid my money, and enjoyed the Downs as well as the Ups. I have visited most track in the country and met some wonderful people. But after Thursday, I made a decision not to go to another meeting, ....... While the likes of Holder or Batchelor are part of our team,,,,,,,, I would pay to watch lesser riders too.... Never have I seen such contempt shown to the fans as I did last Thursday....

Unfortunately, Lambert as Captain has to take on board opinions and views of his fellow riders, Lambert as a rider, had rode in 2 races and showed he was capable of getting results.. Because of his age and inexperience he was ram-roaded into objecting to ride on the back of the input from the 2 Aussies... Lambert was in a no-win situation. For that I I feel for him. His and Huckenbeck exclusion was totally the result of chaos in the pits., where leadership was non-existent. But no amount of goading should have tempted him into the spectators pen to confront an objector. He has to be more distant than that. Prior to this, there was some No-body at the pit gate giving his to'penneth about all the hanging about we had to endure, and again Lambert had to be restrained from going into the lions den. He needs to grow up and understand peoples frustration when things go wrong. Our season ended on Thursday night......... It now appears the promotions at Kings Lynn are clueless and gutless at making the right decisions. It was always my belief the Club was more important than the Rider,, Not any more.......By not making example of these riders, is like saying: F--k the supporters, the riders can do as they like. They should both have been issued with 28 day suspension for withholding their services. Probably then, they might considered the consequences of their behaviour, but while the promoters keep wiping their arses, nothing will ever change... What will happen the next time the track is not to their liking. ??????? Foot note:- I feel sorry for Lewis Rose, He's one of the good guys, who has attained another nasty injury. He has such terrible luck... Hope your recuperation goes well .

All the Aussies are like 'Peas in a pod', Really gone off them of late. There are a few exception to the rule but most are of the same. I don't have a problem with Batch getting hurt and pulling out of a meeting, but you would expect him to join in with his team mates and provide some encouragement in their hour of need. But he couldn't get away quick enough. Same with Holder, its all about him. This was an important match for the fans, one of the few chances we got of beating the mighty Pirates, But that was of no consequence to them Aussies, all they thought about was themselves. As for the IRR, that was a desperation ploy by the stand in Manager to cover our missing riders, thinking he was really injured. No, the sooner they're have gone the better. I would much rather we lose watching lesser riders with principals than bow to the ideas of these prima-donnas who think of nothing but themselves... Yes the track was rubbishe. but Only two riders refuse to ride.... Lets get this right.....

I've had a gut-full of this tainted sport, especially at Lynn. I've always had the greatest of respect for the work Buster has done for the sport he loves, but here come a time when enough is enough.. Never have I felt so insignificant as I did last night. We wasn't a consideration. Not by the riders nor the promotors. We had paid our money to go in and that's all we are there for. The attitude by some riders was unbelievable, cry babies you better believe it... The track was bad, but it was bad for everyone, not just for Chris Holder and Troy Batchelor . The track at Lynn has been bad all year. Last night was no different in that there was not one overtaking. We, the fans deserve better, We deserve honestly and above all we need to know the truth, even when its not good news... So, Buster, because of your inability to act in a responsible way and ban these trouble makers, than I will am left with little option but to bid you farewell. No way will my conscience allow me to support a club that treat their fans with such contempt. ...

Buster has to do more than apologise, he needs to make an example of those riders who last night brought our sport into disrespect... From what I witnessed last Chris Holder and Troy Batchelor should never be allowed to ride for the Stars again. Whilst Batch has an excuse because he fell off and probably hurt his wrist, I am in no doubt he will be guesting for Swindon tomorrow at Belle Vue, so the injury wasn't that bad. Bearing in mind the dire situation the team was in, he was changed and gone with not a care in the world. Holder on the other hand was as brazen as you like having a laugh with Middlo in the pits, while his fellow team mates were trying to resurrect some pride from the proceedings.... For both of them should be issued with 28 day suspension for withholding their services. This will stop them riding elsewhere and hopefully stop them from being the Prima Dona's they are. Ok, so what if we lose their presence in the team. I would much rather lose with integrity than allow them to dictate if and when they ride. Winning don't mean anything if its not done correctly. Any respect I had for either went last night. They can both go to Hell, before I pay to watch either again....

In all my time this was without doubt the greatest demolition, the sport has ever seen. If ever there a was occasion when the self destruct button was pressed, then it was last night. Having scored an impressive away victory the previous night, what could possibly happen to stop us gaining a double over our bitter rivals. Thinking before the start, how nice the place looked with the new shale, and that wonderful new electric scoreboard. With Rain in the air, I expected we will start on time, and the proceedings to flow. Batch won Heat 1 in an ultra quick time, but Kasprsak struggled to a halt, Heat 2 Rose won in another quick time and Shanes struggled. Lambert impressively won ht 3 but Starke struggled. A pattern is emerging. the times are getting slower, the races are spread out with only 3 finishers. Heat 4 Andersen beat Chris Holder from the gate to win, Chris give up on the second lap....Lambert again wins ht 5 with Kasprsak giving up . Heat 6 we are on a 5-1 when Batch hits trouble, Jorgensen takes over before coming to grief causing a 3 man pile-up. The track is deterriating before our very eyes. Holder refuses to come out for ht 7 and is excluded. There is mayhem in the pits nobody knows what going on. The night has turned into a nightmare. Buster has to take the lions share of the responsibility. He was to blame for the state of the track. Unofficially, We have been told the old shale reacted with the new stuff and went solid with no give. The Ref has to take some blame for the way the meeting was drawn out. Even a blind man could see the track was wrong, yet it took 4 people refusing to ride, before the Ref went to the pits to confront the problem. And lastly the riders have to take some blame as well. There were other people who struggled but it was Chris Holder who initiated the proceedings of not wanting to ride. Lambert who had 2 comfortable race wins was got at, else he would have continued. But it was so obvious the 2 Aussie couldn't give a damn for the sport, the fans or the fact this was an important meeting. They wanted out.... We fans had to wait over an hour for track work to be done, that should have been completed prior to the meeting, without one word of reason from the officials. They expected us to stand around and wait.. Eventually the meeting was completed, long pass the finishing time. The few people that remained went home in silence. this had been a knife through the heart of the sport. Never seen such shambles in all my life. I feel no urge left to ever go again. this was that bad... It appeared the senior riders were complaining of the track, yet the younger ones relished the conditions and put on a decent showing. Holder had Batch really went down in my estimation. Pity Chris didn't have the same attitude as his brother. Kasprsak , didn't like the track but he stayed the course and won a couple of races.. I won't comment on Lamberts antics, but he has to learn you never go into the spectators pen ..... whatever the reason.... Finally, tonight was probably the last meeting many will bother to go again. We fans were treated terribly, We didn't know anything, we were not told anything, and were expected to do as they thought fit. Such a shame because tonight could have been a wonderful time when we as a club get noticed...... We sure did that.....

What is it with our team Manager that he always wants to put our weakest rider in Heat 14. It's happened three times now....One of the important races of the night and inevitably we have to field, our weakest rider, Ayres to have his compulsory 3 rd ride. all because the Manager had changed reserve in heat 8. Putting Rose in Heat 8 means he had 2 rides on the trot. It would have been better all round to have left Ayres in heat 8 and put Rose in 14 when it would have been far more important to do well... Last night it could've back fired...