Steve Shovlar

No you are not. You are trying to ram your opinion down someone elses throat who doesn't follow your script. Gavan was hoping/expecting everyone to say Tai. Now that has failed he is criticising other posters opinion. By the way, Ward by a mile. .

Just finished watching it and pretty good fun. Just. Don't go off the line or you will go backwards! Jannirro was unlucky in the final after Darcy tried to dive bomb him!

Just goers to show if the sport had a higher profile he would have won at a canter. Would Champ from 250/1, raising money for charity with bike rides, the story of his rise in the sport. Yet hardly anyone knows about it. Instead we were treated to an excruciating interview with Murray who wanted to be anywhere else but excepting the award. Tragic but a fact of life at this moment.

Good luck to Harris in the GP series. Fully deserved? He wanted to ride in the challenge when others couldn't be arsed. as far as I am concerned, fair play to him and I wish him all the luck as a Brit

Greetings from Orlando, just like to point out that Ben Anslie employs a PR company FULL time to make sure he is always in the news when required. I know this because. I was chattering to his PR crew at a party earlier this year. Looks like they did a good job for him. Perhaps Tai should give them a call. Publicity don't come cheap. But in the long run is worth it to get your name out thee. Off for a thanksgiving dinner whatever that is. Happy holidays!

What did they do wrong? Walked out of the playoff final on live TV without turning a wheel. Disgraceful actions and should have been demoted.

Good post. Though I don't thnk Kings Lynn have a cat in hells chance of getting those two together as they are the pick of the riders. One yes, two no chance. The reserves will be allocated, one decent, one not so experienced. Reserves win meetings and those two together would be 8 points advantage over 2 heats. Of course it will save money but fans on here have been barking for more Brits and more fixtures. They have got both. Whilst it will no doubt have teething problems, in the long term it will produce more quality British riders. Just hope a foriegner doesn't start shouting about losing his rides due to "illegal" employment rules to stop a European from working here in his trade. Yes they will. Not just restricted to NL riders. PL riders who are young and on a low average also qualify.

These NL will gain though. Coverage on Sky brings in sponsorship and will benefit these riders. Poole's reserves in 2013 certainly got sponsored.

Doubt admission will reduce but may well be held at 2013 prices. Great news on 2 home 2 away.

These NL reserves could well benefit from the Sky money if TV comes off. Some of the money could be directed towards these lads equipment to bring them on.

First of all commiserations to Panthers fans. Looks like Frost was too shy to tell his fans personally. A real shame and hope someone comes forward to give their fans a team in 2014. Many on here have been crowing for Brits to be in the team at reserve. The BSPA have obliged. The result? Moan, moan. bloody moan. People on here were saying no more rubbish foreign 3 and 4 point journeyman taking up places where Brits could be used. The BSPA obliged. Moan, moan, bloody moan. Sure Ward V a NL rider would be a foregone but by the sound of it that isn't going to happen. IN three or four years time we might just start to see the budding flower from the seeds sewn in 2014. Teething problems? There's bound to be some but we now have an extra 20 Brits coming into the EL and gaining real experience. Any team can keep their top men as well. Lets be more positive on here. Be positive about this news. No foreign journeymen taking up Brits places. Brits have got these places!

Todays Echo. Pirates: Ford urges fellow promoters to 'work together' at crucial speedway summit .6:00am Friday 15th November 2013 in Pirates News By Ian Wadley . PIRATES PROMOTER: Matt Ford PIRATES chief Matt Ford is pleading with his fellow speedway chiefs to work together after vowing: “We will play our part.” Ford will represent Poole when the sport’s bosses sit down for the three-day British Speedway Promoters’ Association AGM in the Midlands. The much-talked-about summit, which begins at 10.30am this morning, will largely decide the rules and team-building regulations for the 2014 campaign. This year’s meeting is widely regarded as one of the most important in the sport’s recent history, particularly with the outcome of crucial television contract negotiations yet to be confirmed. And Ford insists rival promoters – and concerned supporters – must keep an open mind as rumours continue to circulate about potential changes. He told the Daily Echo: “We must not get carried away by (website) forums. I have been told that one or two people have effectively decided they are not coming to Poole Speedway next season because certain changes are afoot. “We have to do what we can to make sure the sport can continue. It may not be Poole that makes those decisions but we have to play a part in them. We must support our fellow promoters because we need to make sure they come back to play next year. “If we had a TV contract in place, I would ask to run at the highest level we could, but that would not suit others. We have to be sensible, take a common ground and try to work together. “There are not any questions answered until the AGM. I am going with a totally open mind and I hope the fans will be the same.” Ford reported that talks remained ongoing over a TV deal following the expiry of Sky Sports’ contract with British speedway and he insisted it was “certainly not dead in the water”. ..The Pirates promoter, who has won five Elite League titles in 15 seasons, has already voiced his concerns that a lack of broadcast revenue could price out the likes of Darcy Ward and Chris Holder. He said: “There are some hard decisions to be made – there always is – but in particular this year because we are still unsure about the TV deal at this point in time, which is crucial for British speedway. “Without the financial help from television, we clearly couldn’t run at the level we have been. It could be that we have to go to the AGM without having full knowledge of a (potential) TV contract, which is unfortunate.” Ford added that Pirates were in a “very luxurious position” as they were not losing money. He says they will “try to help other clubs by accepting the rules they bring to the table” but insists he will “never accept anything which will truly damage Poole”. Asked about some of the rumoured developments, Ford said he had heard that “two or three” clubs could be interested in stepping up to the Elite League. He also hinted that a rule could be discussed where teams are permitted to only track British riders at reserve.

Pointless having the AGM before we know where we are with Sky. Teams can be sorted once the BSPA know whether sky or another TV company are onboard or not. Certainly foolhardy to go ahead and deal with team building plans etc before the finances are known. At the Poole celebration night last night is was reported that Matt ford was more confident the sport would be shown on TV next year, though whether it's Sky or BT who knows? He did say whatever the league structure, Poole would build the strongest possible team under the rules of the league.

Jim could you let me know where to PayPal the money to? Thanks.

Just another rant like we get on here by the woe is me brigade. Nothing to see. Move along.

Still don't know where to Paypal the money? Anyone know? Not at all Jim, the more that do the same the better. Come on people have a look in the cupboard or loft for an interesting item you no longer have use for. Stick it up on Ebay, advertise it on here and then Paypal the money to the Ricky Fund. You know you want to and you will feel good you did something worthwhile for the cause.

The AGM could well be delayed if the Sky contract is still being negotiated. No point in making a load of rules/team building plans for 2014 if the Sky contract comes in and teams can build to a higher level. It doesn't matter if the AGM takes place in january. Teams would stil have plenty of time to build for the start of the season and rides would feel the pressure to sign, for perhaps a lower rate, if they were under presure to get fixed up.

I think Sky and the BSPA will sort out a deal. If negotiations are taking place, Sky are interested.

Thanks to all those who bid. The painting raised 87 pounds which is a decent little amount if not as much as I had hoped it would raise. Just need to know now where to send the funds? Anyone close to the Ricky Ashworth Fund on here can tell me where to Paypal it to? Cheers Steve

Well I gain nothing out of this but Ricky could gain a bit of money and the winner a very nice item. If people won't bid because it's me selling it then I would find that quite incredulous. Still, 72 quid isn't a bad amount for the fund if that's what it is going to end at. My wifes account.

Less than 24 hours to go now so if you are thinking of placing a bid please do so soon. Cheers Steve

Yes enjoyed listening to that. tai came across well. Hopefully Murray will come to Cardiff and get the buzz. Will be noting better than a presenter raving about a great day out at the GP in Cardiff on his show on a Monday moning.

Only 3 days to run on the Ebay auction to raise funds for Ricky. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/350912087727#ht_808wt_1170 The painting is now up to 72 pounds which is great but I hope we can still get it up a bit more. It's worth a lot more than this current price so the winning bidder will know he has a double whammy. Getting a great item to hang on the wall and the money goes to a deserving cause as well. Come on give a bid. You know you want to! Cheers Steve

Only 3 days to run on the Ebay auction to raise funds for Ricky. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/350912087727#ht_808wt_1170 The painting is now up to 72 pounds which is great but I hope we can still get it up a bit more. It's worth a lot more than this current price so the winning bidder will know he has a double whammy. Getting a great item to hang on the wall and the money goes to a deserving cause as well. Come on give a bid. You know you want to! Cheers Steve

Big thank you to the Speedway Star for carrying a photo of the painting plus a link to it on Ebay. Current price with less than a week to go is 51.00 with lots of watchers. Hopefully these will turn into bids. The idea is to bid a little more and often to sneak the price slowly upwards. I know people don't like to show their hand when bidding but on this occassion it's all going to a good cause and the idea is perhaps not to win the item for as cheaply as possible. Thanks to those who have already bid. With luck it will go higher than the current price. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/350912087727#ht_808wt_1170 Cheers Steve