Steve Shovlar

Heard that a drunk had dialled 999 and asked the operator to be put through to Alex Ferguson. The operator said " sorry you have the wrong number. Phone the council and ask for the Moyes Abatement Department".

If they could sort out the team strengths, who rides for whom, this would be a huge money spinner for the clubs involved.

What you unsurprisingly fail to comprehend is that SWC meetings are not run on tiddly little trick tracks like Monmore or Kirky Lane. They are ridden on large fast tracks and riders like Cooke wouldn't see Janowski for dust. To compare the two on an international stage shows your lack of knowledge of international speedway.

The reason Cook isn't rated by some Poole fans is probably down to his performances when he comes to Poole. Very poor. And the reason his average is as high as it is is because he has ridden many more home meetings than away in 2013. Was looking forward to seeing him ride against us last year but he was useless. Scored 4 points the last time he rode with one win in ten races over the season at Wimborne Road Not the form of an international.

Woffinden, Harris, Nicholls and King. Cooke is a second string who is dialled into about three tracks. Too old already and has reached his level

Cooke had his chance. Nowhere near good enough unless GB ride at Belle Vue.

<personal abuse removed, valid points left in post>

Congrats to Rosco. Don't let the mountain of abuse about to come your way from next summer get you down! <predictable personal abuse removed>

Fifteen quid is far from expensive. Perhaps if promoters had had the guts to raise prices properly a few years ago we would have more of the top guys riding over here. People are happy to pay £25 to watch league 1 football and always find the money to support their team. People who say speedway is a ten pounds sport are living on another planet IMO.

You just cant stand the thought that other fans have a different opinion. You can say what you like but at the end of the day IMO it's Ward over Tai any day of the week.

Of course Ward is overall a better rider than Tai. I cheered Tai to his world title but he had massive luck along the way as every one of his challengers got injured and fell out of contention. Good for him on his title though! Darcy overall is a better rider. More aggressive, a better passer, generally more exciting all round. If others disagree that is their opinion, this is mine. If Darcy hadn't been injured I feel 100% sure he would be WC right now. Darcy for me every time.

Spoilers from this season. Their time has gone.

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.