Ommer Mon

Cradley Danny Ayres - Slight concern over his recovery from injury but no concern whatsoever over his enthusiasm and determination. A great showman and one to get the faithful buzzing. Tom Perry - Well we've got him so we're nailed on to win the League based on the last few seasons. A great passer. If only he could gate he would be the top man in NL. Dan Greenwood - Delighted to see him back. Very solid heat leader at this level and the potential to end up as Number 1 if he really gets his act together. Conor Dwyer - He's had some impressive moments and I think he could prove quite a shrewd signing. Luke Harris - Not too impressed two years ago but he does have ability and a good back up team from all accounts. Fingers crossed he steps up. Ryan Burton - A very good reserve. He has looked promising when I've seen him. Joe Lawlor - The one many teams wanted. Obvious promise and nailed on for double figures at Buxton! What is it about that place? Over all if they stay fit (and nobody does a Kingston) I think we will make the play offs. From there you just have to take your chances. Pity we will have to split our fixtures and I feel that could count against us especially if the Dog Heads reach the Play Offs too. Away teams tend not to like Monmore which gives us an advantage!

Have to say I was really pleased when we signed him last year as to me he had an obvious talent and the potential to add to his average significantly. I believe he pulled out due to work commitments, which may be fair enough, but if he knew the position before he signed he should not have done so. We were depending on him to add points to his average and support or even move above the heat leaders. When he packed up there was no way back for us as that second string scoring is so difficult to replace. As Martin T alluded to, if he does come back he need to be sure he can fulfill his commitments

I've known him since the day he joined Cradley back in 89. Always found him to be friendly and personable. The top professional in the sport with the mechanical knowhow, organisation, fitness regime and self discipline that still sees him as World Champion at such a ridiculous age. Successful in busness as well as on the track. Everyone is entitled to their view and I must say I was disappointed by his absence from Manchester last year. Overall though I'd be happy to have him as a role model for my kids.

Mitch is a great signing for the Potters. I hope they look after him well and he will pile the points up. I also echo the sentiments expressed elsewhere in that it would be nice to be greeted with a smile and a pleasant word as you drive into the Loomer Rd Car Park. It costs nothing and make fans feel more appreciated.

Best wishes to Danny Phillips for a good 2017. He was a key contributor in a successful Cradley side and I hope he adds a couple of points to his average this season. I really think he is capable of that with the right backing.

Very sad to hear the news. RIP Bryn.

Thinking about you Bryn. Always a very fair and lively contributor on here. Hope things improve soon and you will be on the mend. Best wishes.

I was surprised that Layne didn't make it with Cradley last year. He looked spectacular and perfectly quick enough on his first couple of meetings but he overdid it and fell quite a lot. Somebody had to make way when Bradley Andrews finally started to score some points and he was the unfortunate one. Seems to have the talent and I hope he has a decent season with the Brummies (as long as he doesn't score too many against us!).

Hmmmm ..... the two that are left are going to be the crucial signings. If Joe and Ryan are going to be reserves they will ned to fit into a narrow band of 3.6 up to 4.5 with 8.1 the highest combined total. Harris and Dwyer do fit the bill. Hope it's not Big Jim. Nothing against him personally but he did seem to struggle away from Monmore Wood and appeared to coast around in some races, though that may have been down to injury. Heat leader trio is superb but we will need to have a lower order that add points to their averages and can compete as second strings. As I said earlier it's a shame Shelby Rutherford has been snapped up.

Have to say I had got Adam Extance at the back of my mind but I recall he was injured a couple of years ago and had to take time out. If he is fit and up for it he could be a very good signing.

So if its not Hopwood who would you like to see there? Anybody know what Moggo's plans are?

So far so very good! What we need now is Ben Hopwood and a highly controversial 3 pointer to get some of the other promoters scuttling round for their rule books!

If you go back to post #2 you will see I had got Danny as Priority #1 for us to sign. Well done to the promotion for getting him but I can't really understand why Kent didn't want him back (apart from Luke Bowen's massive average mopping up the points). He is worth the admission money on his own and is exactly the kind of showman that gets people along to meetings. Sadly there are not enough of them these days. The sport badly needs entertainers who can pass riders. Welcome Danny. Have a great season. With Tom and Danny I think those Brummies will have to look over their shoulders this season. Can't wait to see who's next. I'm a bit disappointed Shelby Rutherford has rejoined Buxton. He looks useful when his bikes are on song.

You know that you are always going to get 100% from Tom and I will be very pleased to see him back. His track knowledge of Perry barr should come in handy too! Good luck Tom. Hope you have a great season.

Welcome aboard to the Hammers (subject to approval of course). The National League certainly seems to be the place to be lately. I've certainly enjoyed our involvement since 2010 and the presence of Teams like Lakeside, Birmingham, Eastbourne, Belle Vue, Coventry and Kings Lynn adds to the rivalry.

Glad to see Matt get fixed up. Really popular during his stay at Cradley and he improved in leaps and bounds during his stay with the Heathens. Wonder whose bikes he will be on this season. Rumour had it he was mounted on some of N K Iversen's kit while with us. Hope he continues to develop into a quality rider.

Welcome to Joe. He certainly looked to have plenty of promise when we saw him last season and, as noted above, his scores at buxton were quite staggering on occasions.

I think you will find that Stourbridge RFC and Dudley Kingswinford RFC are actually located in south staffs and not Dudley, which proves your point even more strongly! Dudley used to have high quality sports clubs like Dudley Town FC (never a League Club but they've had their moments in Non League circles) Dudley Cricket Club (top of the Birmingham League when they lost their ground - one step below County level) and of course the Speedway. Now it has nothing and they are even talking of bulldozing the three remaining leisure centres because they have fallen into disrepair (same story as Coseley and Brierley Hill Swimming Baths). When it comes to Sport they are useless!

I'm sure there will be some disgruntled fans with the prospect of returning to Perry Barr. What folks need to remember is that this is better than the alternative which was nothing at all. We done to the promoters for getting us back to the tapes again with hopefully enough time to build a title challenging side. Thanks to all who helped pull this off including Wolves, Brummies, Ladbrokes and (I think) GRA. Here's to next season. 'ommer em Cradley!

Sidney You've missed Mr Hancock off your list! Sayfutdinov would be a great addition as he is now the outstanding rider in the World for me. Greg's still got the beating of the rest including Woofy which says it all about the quality of the current field. It's not what it was. PS Best wishes to Jason. A nice guy and extremely unfortunate this season. Hope he amkes a full recovery.

Priority Number 1 - Get Danny Ayres!

Brummies, Eastbourne and Lakeside? Blimey. When you fall out of the 'Elite' league it sure is a long way down. All very welcome of course.

It will be a very sad day for Speedway when Tony finally hangs up his Promoters Licence. He has been a real credit to the sport over the last 30 years and instrumental in rescuing many casualties. He even took on Dudley Council in an effort to bring Cradley back and that is determination beyond the call of duty! Very best wishes for a long and happy retirement.

Warmest congratulations to Tony Mole, Graham Drury, Tom Perry and the rest of the Brummies on their victory. They have been the standout team all season and thoroughlly deserve it. It will be a very sad day when Tony Mole finally hangs up his promoters licence. He has been a real credit to the sport over the last 30 years and has resurrected a few casualties during that time. Even had a dabble with Cradley at one stage before the forces of the dark side (Dudley Council) got the better of him. He really will be missed.

I've really enjoyed watching Ryan race over the last few seasons. He was never going to be a world beater but you could always rely on him for 100% effort and at times he overdid it but always got up to have another go. Riders like him are the life blood of National league racing in this country - a great entertainer. Quite a hole for Buxton to fill next season. My best wishes for whatever he chooses to do next.