Broadsider

https://youtu.be/aFadE557skQ v Workington Comets 31/08/2014 Just Wow! Enjoy!

https://youtu.be/8NgBQ7RBF7w https://youtu.be/yj-kspS5Ogg Scorpions v Peterborough Panthers, Heats 14 & 15.. #theonlyreasonforfridaynights

https://youtu.be/C1oDkE1HAPo Scorpions v Peterborough Panthers, Heat 13.. Enjoy!

Agree wholeheartedly that, for the converted, it is all about love of the sport. Personally, I was enticed back on regular basis in 2012 after years on the outside following Bradford’s demise in 1997. It didn’t take me long to re-ignite the interest and re-establish that regular weekly habit all over again. As basically I get it? But new and floating supporters are fully justified in being selective over their entertainment and rightly will demand value for money. The Scunny faithful will acknowledge that Rob does a pretty darn good job of reliably delivering competitive and exciting racing on an always fair and consistent track. Served up by what are a very supportable team of riders. I would certainly still call it value for money even though I also have a significant round trip to get there. What has to happen is to convert the fringe supporter and get them to fall in love with the sport again. A major key for the fringe supporter is being able to easily appreciate and identify with what’s going on; but also essentially recognise that the Scorpions riders are out there representing not only the club, the town but also the supporters themselves. A togetherness if you like, where there is mutual respect and belief. Establishing this connection is what draws you in as regular supporter getting to know and appreciate the individual and character behind the helmet and feeling that bond. The riders do have a large responsibility all in this and to be fair, compared to many sports, the riders always remain pretty much accessible and do mix readily. But in some instances they could do a few more simple things to keep that vital link with the crowd buzzing. I do always like rider themes such as Ryan’s “Land down under.” Have each rider chose a distinctive signature tune that fits! And play it! If we win a race, come around and take the chequered flag for a lap of honour! Wave it and salute the fan’s, you’ve earned the accolades and applause! If Scorpions win the meeting do the bike parade but also how about a team hand-in-hand salute to the fans much like in the German Bundesliga. It works and goes to further build the rapport and deepens the team-fan relationship.I also particularly like the idea of team race suits, possibly costly? But again it is all about identifying as being the same and displaying a collective togetherness. I appreciate Rob and others are keen to do some work on attracting back the fringe support on a regular basis. In this respect, it’s back to promoting basics and getting out there talking to the locals and telling them all about the Speedway and that they must come and see for themselves. Thinking further about awareness and establishing the rider team supporter relationship. How about taking a little time out at say Tesco on the roundabout. It’s on the doorstep and there’s a huge local footfall goes through there. How about for a couple of weekends pre-season, we try and get a couple of riders and their gear in the main Tesco entrance? Say, David Howe & Wilko perhaps would be perfect, David with his family, International Speedway & Grasstrack Rider, a photo montage (Alex Summerfield could possibly run up some of his stunning action shots on a banner stand?), dvd’s showing action, the chance of a pic on a bike, opportunity to ask questions, a few giveaways, fixture lists hand outs etc.. Again this is all about awareness, getting to know what’s going on weekly down at the EWR, identifying with the riders and beginning to establish that rider/team and supporter bond. Thinking about it? With a name like Nike Lunna our new Finn should be a promoters dream? The only hope being of course that he can actually live up to any hype? I appreciate he’s in a foreign country and young but perhaps he could be just the type of character to spark interest with the potential younger support? Remember were not out there asking for a donation as such, we’re actually giving the public something and a chance to come along to the EWR and sample again what’s on offer. Hopefully they’ll like the entertainment and be back for more? Admittedly, it would certainly help, once they go, if the meeting was a thriller(fare chance with the 2015 lineup?) and on a great night weather wise with no hold-ups? But once there, the public have got to feel welcome, comfortable and able to get to grips easily with what’s going on. They can mark a race card but for those less inclined would a simple centre field score board help to show where we are going with the heat result and cumulative score? I don’t need it but it might help new comers? Actually, how about for a little extra Scunny value for money we, as a club add an extra couple of heats after the main meet for the Scunny Rider of the Night? Finally always wang a cracker up! How about a publicised fans open afternoon, press & practice day? Get the local press in etc.. but let folks have a look around, cordon off a walk through in the pits area, chance of a photo with a rider/ the team, supervised groups to walk the track and watch from the infield to get an entirely fresh perspective? On race night, I do like Rob on the mike. I think most do and appreciate his downright honesty. I get him he’s my era, but how about expanding a bit and get say Carter or another rider/ex-rider(always someone wandering around?) to say few words intermittently about the racing, track, riders etc… as the meeting goes on? It helps to inform and keep things flowing. I have attended baseball in the USA, not just the majors but also the minors & for instance Fort Myers Miracle. Not massive attendances at minor league baseball but I will say one thing, they know how to pull out the stops to put on a show to please and encourage the fans. Quality basic stadia and reliable weather help of course but they really seem to focus on involving the fans and particularly the kids. There’s a Guy with the roving mike keeping everyone entertained and informed on everything Miracle. And to keep the show going during an innings break, there were on field games for the kids. Check out the season programme and there are regular theme nights, i.e. barbecue, free Bud night, free tee-shirt night, free flag night, free hat night, where basically local companies sponsor giveaway’s to the fans which all go to make it a little more interesting and enticing night for the supporter. Basically watching the Scorpions has to become a habit and unmissable again, particularly for the folks of Scunthorpe. Personally, I’m really looking forward to a great season and would like to wish everyone involved a safe and successful 2015! Cheers all

Granted JA does take commited to another level at times but putting the boot into a fellow pro when he's down is mindless and an embarrassing professional low for RH. Only three meets in and Scorpions sadly looking shot to bits! Need to stick together, dig deep and hold our nerve until the cavalry arrive!

Sounds like back injuries again and not good, totally gutted for Anders & wishing him a speedy and full recovery. The sport is truly brutal at times and could now be faced with having to consider a major change even at this ridiculously early stage? Picking up the pieces from last night, we are still a team of b-good speedway riders so lets get at it!

Rob's comment's reassure to some extent and tbh with a deal tied up so early I can't honestly believe that the all essential visa has been over-looked? In fact I'm certain that Moorwell has already "tweeted" a while back, bemoaning the filling of work permit applications? So visa's have definitely been top of the agenda at some point? If it does though turn out that we've been caught slacking on this then apart from seeming very un-Moorwell-like? It's also a real game changer for us. There's no doubt 2014 Aussie U21 runner-up Ryan is a genuine gilt-edged prospect and his points scoring potential is darn near irreplaceable in the new Scorps septet. It would be a massive blow to miss out not only for Ryan but also the for club and supporters all eagerly anticipating the new season and witnessing the next stage of Ryan exciting speedway development. If the necessary visa is in place then club need to promptly make an official statement to such effect. Should it turn out that the visa issue is real then unfortunately I little faith in achieving a favorable outcome from the UK Border Office and basically that's the season screwed for us all.

A few worthy contenders there but, no question, the 2014 stage is set for Scunny's flyin Ryan Douglas!

Mellgren's inclusion is a major coupe and with Ryan now fully dialled in, means we should definitely start out stronger than last term. The Scorpions No 1 slot is basically up for grabs and certainly don't rule out Ryan on that score! We have best balance of all the PL declarations so far and with capacity for everyone to up their average, the Scorpions will take some stopping. Even more so should Williamson begin to suss things out.

Calm down Rebels, it's another speedway farce but trust me, all will be well after the first greensheet's

If that's first hand Tear Gas, then clearly great news on the captain. Please don't get me wrong, deffo want him in there, it's just that Rob basically ruled him out a couple months back. It is encouraging though, to hear tales of how folks can actually comeback stronger from such a serious back injury. Nevertheless, I'm sure it still won't prevent us all from being on tenterhooks everytime he's out there? Also, of course, Howzza is an institution and again, I bow to that. So that leaves the 3 pointer? I think Rob will very wary of another Bates situation, where it was all unfortunately too much too soon. As such, I'd also favour the likes of Williamson, a little older perhaps and still raw in speedway terms but already a proven motocrosser who might just adapt nicely under the influence of the captain? As for Morra?,keep an eye on the Rebels first greensheet's.

appreciate this probably wouldn't get the popular vote on here? but whilst there are still doubts about the captain's recovery time and an obvious question as to whether club statesman Howzza can finally put troublesome injury behind him and re-discover the form and appetite of a couple of season's-ago?, in light of recent developments, is it tempting to perhaps seriously consider a change of tack even at this stage? : 1. morris 8.84 2. douglas 5.03 3. auty 7.24 4. jorgensen 6.15 5. mellgren 7.33 6. stefan neilsen 4.70 7. 3.00 42.29 a great no1 and still enough in there to cover all bases imo, only a thought and happy crimbo all!, here's to a great 2014 for all on the shale!

Champions Scunny first to declare and rightly setting the pace for 2013. Catch us if you can.