Steve Shovlar

Havvys idea of getting rid completely of the points limit has merit to a point. Let clubs build to what they can afford. But perhaps with the save at that there needs to be a couple of u21s and a minimum of three Brits per team. Just a thought nothing more.

There’s only 56 places in the extra league. Riders need more than one meeting a week in the Nice league to make a healthy living.

https://www.poole-speedway.com/news/view/2019-10-12-fans-views-sough-as-pirates-look-to-shape-their-future Club owner Matt Ford has revealed that the 2019 season proved to be the most difficult financially in his 21 years at the helm of the club, explaining "The change of race days from Wednesdays, our night for 50 years or more, to Thursdays had an impact on crowds. We are all creatures of habit and had got used to speedway on a Wednesday, myself included. It was not something I wanted to happen but the league chose to go with Mondays and Thursdays to avoid other international commitments. "We took on a new main team sponsor, No1 Carpet Cleaning, which I can confirm has gone into liquidation owing the club a substantial amount of money – around 75 per cent of the agreed fee for 2019. After a highly successful 2018 where we saw the Pirates crowned Champions we had hoped for an increased level in Season Ticket sales. Unfortunately although tickets went on sale as early as December, sales dropped by 20% on the previous year. Likewise gate receipts for home matches have been down 20-25% and as much as 50% lower when the club ride live on television. "I have also listened to many supporters express opinions over the lack of varied opposition within the Premiership which currently has just 7 teams represented. "That has led me to ask a few questions and I am therefore seeking feedback from the supporters to the questions list below. We are seeking feedback via email ONLY to info@poole-speedway.com by 8pm on Monday (14th October), so that we can consolidate the thoughts and opinions which will then help us determine how best to take the club forward in the future." "I would emphasise however, that although the club still remains for sale, we are only prepared to do that should the right offer be made and it is the intentions of the current management team to still be running the club in 2020 with my son Dan taking a more hands-on role and becoming far more involved in a move that I feel certain will benefit the club. He is very keen to be more active and his ideas to take the club forward, on a day-to-day basis and on the promotional side, are probably better than mine now, although I will be keeping an eye on certain aspects and staying heavily involved in team building." "The questions that I would like you, the supporters, to consider are: a) Would you prefer to see us ride in a league with more opponents and if so, how important is the level to you? - As an example, the Ipswich one-to-seven that came to us for the play-offs had six riders who also compete in the Championship. We automatically see the championship as a lower level but in reality many riders are competing in both leagues. b) How much of an issue has the change of race day been to you and people you know? Specifically, how much has it impacted on your ability to attend? How many people do you know who have been unable to attend due to the change? and, finally, c) how can we improve things to make the stadium more appealing? I ask that bearing in mind that our stadium is rented and that means the speedway club take nothing from the sales of refreshments. While I would love to give everyone plush new surroundings like Belle Vue, what we have is what we have and that’s not a criticism of the landlord or anyone else, just the facts. I am sure we will see a certain amount of development of the site over time, including some social housing, and I see that as a positive if it means we are going to obtain a new stadium within the same grounds as part of that package. So, please let us know by email as soon as possible, because it could be that your points need further review or a response and this medium will make it easier for us to get back to you should we need to clarify any further points.

OK that’s shame as I am abroad and might struggle to see it. Fingers crossed the weather plays fair.

Anyway back on topic. When the restaging for this then if it’s washed out?

Of course you have no problem with him. He doesn’t sit on the Swindon thread every waking minute making trolling, abusive remarks like a stuck record. You would soon get fed up with him if every one of his posts slagged off anything to do with your club from Rosco to Terry Russell to every team member to track staff.

So they really choked at Poole. Let’s be honest we would have had 60+ if it wasn’t for the rain just before the meeting. Their doctored track in the second leg wouldn’t have mattered. Just bad luck for us at the wrong time. Just the way it goes sometimes.

There’s a saying. You couldn’t make it up. But you do in spades. It’s quite hilarious reading your posts as you type away in a blind uncontrollable fury, all alone in your life full of venom and bile and regret. We all have to chuckle at these frankly, boring and repetitive rants saying the same thing over and over again ad nauseam, as if you think people on here haven’t read it the first time it has to be repeated at least a dozen times more. If it makes you feel better making up the rubbish you posted above, so be it. The rest of us know differently. I would have said, enjoy the final and let the best team win, but we know who that is already. And frankly, I don’t believe you give a damn anyway, as you can’t be bothered to even attend either meeting.

Yep. Top riders attract bigger crowds.

Sweden can afford them on smaller crowds. As I said it is all down to securing proper money for the product. BT have done us no favours. If Eurosport take over the tv rights they need to pay proper money for it.

you can’t debate so you post vitriolic crap (that means aggressive criticism if you don’t understand that word) So you don’t think the stars of the sport will make ny difference to crowd levels? You are not worth debating with. Suggest you go back to your brexit mates in the general section where you have some protection.

If Swindon don’t stroll it would be an epic choke. Possibly helped again by the weather, Swindon will again be able to take advantage of the light rain due around 4, with a 90% chance at 7pm. Looks like the luck Ipswich had with the rain at Poole could bite them this time around.

A shame this really is too one sided.

Bring back top riders crowds will increase. Heeps, Howarth, Worrall, Morris, Etc etc bring in zero extra fans. Emil, Woffinden, Zmarzlik, Hancock, etc would bring many through the turnstiles. Of course large sponsorship required to tempt them over in place of riding in Sweden.

This whole meeting is simply setup to show the locals just how good their country is at speedway. Make sure the Rest of the world team is sufficiently weak enough to be very easily beaten. Poland alone being stronger that the whole of the rest of the world. Where’s the Doyle’s Zagar, Emils, vaculik etc? Got a great HD steam from the tvp website. Using a vpn with Polish address. Not sure if it was needed though.

It’s all to do with the rider level.

Careful you will get the wrath of the forum descending on you for speaking as you see it.

And the reason I won’t watch Poole in the CL. I will be watching a top flight Poole team and hopefully a bigger league as well, if the tv money is as big as rumoured. It might entice a team or two into the league with the thought of a piece of the pie.

You won’t in the final either. Swindon are going to make Ipswich a new one. Swindon fans are of course being cautious and rightly so but being neutral and not caring who wins, it’s a final that’s very easy to predict. Is there anyone who actually believes Ipswich have a proper chance? I would really love Ipswich to be able to take a lead into the second leg but this is not realistic. Iversen is not a threat to Doyle in the U.K and going through the teams the only advantage is Allen at reserve.

Never understood Matt Fords call to not bring Adam Ellis back to Poole. A likeable rider who did well in the season he had with us. Thought it was a mistake at the time and Matts error was certainly Swindon’s gain.

Wolves are certainly missing a PK, Sam or Corey. But then most clubs are in that boat. Shows how the sport has dived in this country.

The form of Masters was always going to be an issue. He badly let his Polish club down in there playoffs, poodling around at the back while riders like Klindt and Walasek were busting a nut for the cause. A bit like Holder was for Poole at Ipswich. Perhaps when the going gets tough some Aussie riders go awol. Wolves should do all in their power to keep Douglas and Becker. Both showed great improvement through the season. First names for next year? Both Thorsell and Morris were poor. Doubt Morris will be invited back. Thorsell is a long way from that guy who smashed everyone at Monmore. That injury has taken away the edge he had. And he can be poor away from home. Schlein and Howarth? Schlein did try but he is now in the twilight of his career. Howarth has got as far as his ability will take him. Decent second string/good reserve. One of the bigger issues seems to be the team manager. Peter Adams lack of enthusiasm shone through like a beacon. He is well regarded amongst riders and fans but is he now living off past glory? I want to see my team manager motivating the riders and showing passion. Perhaps it’s time for Adams to move aside and bring in a younger more enthusiastic manager, possibly an ex rider who has connections with Wolverhampton? Depending on league structure I wouldn’t be suprised to see Thorsell, Schlein, Howarth, Becker and Douglas return. Morris and Masters released.

One thing I did notice. When Ellis rides with Doyle he seems more confident. His starting seems better and he is fast and gone. But when in a heat without Doyle he seems less confident. Do Swindon fans notice this? He has continued to improve and seems to be close to becoming third heat leader. Just a little inconsistent.

Well done to both teams for making the final. But unless something utterly dramatic happens this will go down as one of the most one sided finals in the history of the top flight. I hope Ipswich can somehow come away with some kind of first leg lead to make it a bit more thrilling than the last semi final, but I am not holding out much hope. Man for man Swindon are stronger in virtually every place.  Current weather forecast is for showers in the afternoon and evening but it’s too far away to be accurate at the moment. 42-48ish.

Stop being more of a pillock than you already are. Poole will not be in the CL.