DC2

Thanks, Ernie.

To be fair, rollers are necessary for a level playing field.

Why are Weds so crucial rather than Thurs? Is Thurs bingo night?

Yes, that’s why we need fixture management. I don’t know if they do it now but someone needs to sit down before organising the fixture list and consider what clashes there would be with other sports.

Yes, I agree.

On the same scale? No.

I suppose, in retrospect, Poole can be forgiven all of that as they did accept the Shovlar transfer from Swindon to be their number one fan. Phew, we dodged a bullet there.

Yes, I take your point, but Poole have pulled far too many stunts, like signing Miedzinski despite Swindon’s objections, pinching Klindt on a bargain average, keeping Newman as a protected draft pick, and the Swindon meeting EFs and Joe Screen injury pretence to manipulate averages. Sharp practice for short term success may appeal but if it pushes your opponents closer to season on season losses, it eventually comes home to roost.

If Poole are dropping down, every chance that Swindon could sign Holder and Kurtz ... for the Sprockets.

You mean Kurtz and Holder as second strings or reserves?

Looking at this season’s results, Poole are a million miles from Swindon.

The difference is, for years they’ve been successful and have been “the example” for failing promotions that Poole have encouraged to continue, as without the others Poole would have no opponents to compete against. But sadly Poole have led the others down the garden path of oblivion, when instead they should have had a more realistic view of what is financially viable. Having first call on a ridiculous asset base, poaching riders from other clubs and manipulating rules for their own end, none of which has been in the best interests of speedway, has been detrimental to other clubs.

“1 match home and away over six months” - how many teams in your league, Steve?

Seriously, the PL cannot carry on as a loss making league. Poole are highlighting that and about time too. For too long they’ve been the successful club that has strung others along. Now it’s biting them on the bottom.

Seems very reasonable. Swindon fans normally pay 35-58. Oh, hang on, that’s the score.

OK, so Gavan has an unhealthy fascination with Poole. But I like this thread, it does keep Poole fans off the streets.

Perfectly happy with him. Just saying he’s on a par with Musielak in 2017.

His average has increased from 4.51 to 7.86, looking at the greensheets.

Err ... how about when we signed Musielak? His average increased from 4.53 to 7.57.

Postponed? Why? All you need is fixture management, with all PL teams willing to ride on a Mon or a Thurs as necessary. That would cover rain offs too.

Two or three seasons ago neither Perks nor Joe Jacobs was selected by any team and I started a CL thread suggesting that they should be, instead of the likes of Jan Graversen. My point was that for all the praise he’s still only a 3.57 PL rider. I do wish him all the best.

And yet you would object to a ten week season with 7 to 9 home matches? I’m not quite getting that. I can understand more committed fans like Sidney and Steve Shovlar initially protesting that it would be too short but I think that even they might enjoy a more intense season with more reason to go to every home and away match to get their fix and the possibility of CL or NL matches to top up their season to 30 fixtures.

Exactly.

Out of interest, how many matches have you been to this season, Grachan?

Currently supporters complain about rain offs, not having a home meeting every week and losing the enthusiasm to go to home matches,, let alone never going to away matches. A shortened season in the summer might answer these issues and give a consistent and reliable product. Doesn’t the Polish Extraliga operate like this? It could also be supported by the CL and the NL operating a slightly longer season, say May to September, to draw in PL supporters.