crescent girl

While there are no assets, riders and clubs still have a contract with each other. This is usually for one season, but could in fact be more. Although we all know it happens, a club should not approach a rider (nor a rider approach a club) until the active contract expires.

Not quite right. The Chairman for the majority of the National League's (extremely successful) independent run in the '80s was actually Danny Dunton. Mervyn Stewkesbury took over for the 1988 season -- elected after a contest with Martin Rogers -- but was promoter at Poole by then, having moved from Weymouth in 1985. Mervyn headed the NL for three seasons, before engineering the re-amalgamation of the two leagues for 1991. This moved Poole, Ipswich, Berwick and Wimbledon (who became Eastbourne mid-season), up, but left the NL in bad shape and led to the disastrous "one big league" of 1995/6. History thus warns us of what can happen when the top league pulls successful clubs out of a well-run second division. In conclusion, were the current Championship to go its own way, run its own affairs, this might not be a bad thing at all.

Vinnie Foord is a Tiger on Friday, no surprise that Hausl's not there. Nick Morris in for Howarth....

Superb coverage of the bunny's invasion! Three local TV channels, and Sarah Cox on Radio 2 (with rated listening figures in the millions) all covering the chase. Greg Blair must henceforth by known as Elmer Fudd.

And the rest, mate! The main stand holds over a thousand and was very nearly full. And folk all around the terraces. A superb turn-out, from a town with a population of about 12,000.....

A really huge crowd tonight -- FIM events apart, surely the biggest since coming back to Shielfield Park? Full marks to the promotion for marketing their product so well

It is 37 years since Berwick won the second-level KO Cup -- something Plymouth have never achieved in 95 years -- so everyone at each of these friendly, family clubs has plenty to race for on Saturday night, as well as again down south in a fortnight. Gates open early, at 5pm -- bars and food outlets serving from then -- and Berwick must be congratulated by keeping to normal pricing (probably the lowest in the league) for such an abnormally-important fixture. That's just £20 for adults, £18 concessions and all accompanied under-16s admitted free. FOR THE CUP FINAL! Admission by cash or e-ticket ONLY. Cards or payphones cannot be processed at the turnstiles -- but e-tickets are available until 7.15pm on Saturday. Full details on how to purchase e-tickets on club website at www.berwickspeedway.com. Season passes are not available for post-season racing, but holders are entitled to admission for just £18, using the concessionary button or paying on the night at the Box Office -- your card is proof of availability. There will be a souvenir programme on sale, possibly Berwick's biggest-ever edition of The Dirt at 40 pages, priced £4.50. Plus, despite expectation of Bandits' biggest attendance for years, car parking is free. As regards the racing, teams will line up: Berwick R.E.D Campers Bandits:: 1. Peter Kildemand 8.08 2. Jye Etheridge 6.34 (C) 3. Victor Palovaara 5.64 4. Jordan Jenkins 5.06 (r/r) 5. Nick Morris 7.84 6. Jack Smith 3.12 7. Reid Battye 5.01 TM - Stewart Dickson Plymouth OBM Gladiators: 1. Danny King 8.16 2. Joe Thompson 6.09 3. Daniel Klima 4.99 4. Ben Barker (captain) 7.57 5. Scott Nicholls 8.15 6. Anze Grmek 3.37 7. Ben Whalley 2.00 TM: Garry May The weather forecast looks fine, both clubs will have noisy camp-followers creating a raucous atmosphere with teams finely balanced there must be every expectation of a full night of entertainment -- saving the very best til last!

Well, I've seen Will Cairns a few times, and while he might wind up the opposition, he hasn't done anything to actually endanger them. Unlike his buddy Coops who, on his two visits to Berwick has succeeded in knocking off/bringing down (pick your phrase) Peter Kildemand and Jye Etheridge (twice) in the same race and -- in the worst example of his over-enthusiasm -- Reid Battye in a horrible move. Earning two exclusions and a slap. All deserved. Of the two youngsters, Will seems to be more in control of his actions

All very theoretical. But -- isn't Jacob Hook riding?

Sorry, that's not really the true facts. Referee's report said "Medical Officer's clarification to referee, as helmet was cracked: Lightcap showed no signs of concussion" So if he recovers from the reported finger injury .......

Who would you have preferred?

As a matter of interest, what was the "junior meeting" in the afternoon?

That's a joke, right? Rye House was an absolute Sahara, with billowing dust, on every Sunday I visited it over forty seasons. Not that I won't back every effort by the die-hards to get it back for speedway.

The reason being, the dates are agreed by both promotions for their mutual benefit. Waiting an extra week allows people with a bit to travel time to make arrangements in good time.

Were he to be sidelined, there could be a different guest each meeting, each able to specialise at one or other if the tracks. But Jack's average isn't too high just now: 3.12 for both legs.......

It's Glasgow -- isn't it to display whether you're a Billy or a Tim?

It'll be Sunday, won't it?

Website details from the parallel meeting along the road were updating fine.

FIM Europe. Not FIM. Big difference!

Bingo!

Just to pull in the horses a bit. If Poole currently attract a crowd of 1,000 in the Championship, how many more holidaymakers, etc, will attend if the Pirates move into the Premiership? Let's be optimistic, and say another 500. No more, as regular followers will be there anyway, whatever the level of racing (as long as the team is regularly winning) as history shows attendances go up very little if a team goes up a league. In the past, Scunthorpe, Workington and Plymouth were all running very profitable speedways at NDL level, but found little if any increase when they went up. When Somerset went up to the top league and signed the World Champion, the increase was minimal. Simply, Poole is a profitable concern in the Championship. Why change? To run as a Premier club, the dramatically-increased wage bill -- probably 4 times that being paid this season -- world have them running in the red in jigtime. TV money? Who're you kidding? Even if a deal were reached, the dribble-down that would accrue to each Premier club wouldn't turn loss into profit. Take it easy Pirates. That grass isn't really greener.

They're British. Aussies don't contest FIM Europe Mickey Mousers.

They're British. Aussies don't contest FIM Europe Mickey Mousers.

Tonight's news on Reid Battye, who has re-signed for Berwick in 2027 is really tremendous. Reid has had (generous) offers from other clubs to leave the Bandits, but will instead "dance with the one that brung him to the ball"

SRBF collection tonight. Time to remember guys like Carlos Villar, Ricky Ashworth, Adrian Rymel and, for visiting supporters, Neil Hewitt. Weather looking good, that 100% home record on the line and a new 16-y-o face making his Championship debut for the Bandits. Tapes up at 7. Free car park!