Big Al

I do. Usually with both hands tightly around their throat

So tell them that they are hard-working self-employed blokes who are only earning from it when when they are riding

It's also making saving/collecting programmes impossible because of their weight and size. You could store 10 old style ones for each modern one. So that puts people off from buying them. It's just money thrown away.

They still need customers, at least to cover overheads. If you own a shop and you know you're going to be closing it at a future point, you've still got to pay the rent and stuff, so yes of course you keep on with the marketing. The statement put out though, smacks of defeatism and of having given up. And actually, I could hardly blame them if that were so. This country is being shafted by the greed and ruthlessness of land and property developers, and the dice are being stacked ever increasingly in their favour. Maybe something's happened recently which has caused the Swindon set up to decide they no longer want all the aggro?

Poole have made all the right changes, at the right times.

I'd agree with all you say regarding the domestic league. But would still argue that some of what you call "travelling circus" events can add to the promotion of the sport at a general level, and would not have a negative effect on income for league clubs if dealt with in the right way. More like the opposite I think, they are two different albeit overlapping markets. Yes, it is a great pity that companies like BSI saw opportunities and took them, and the BSPA didn't, but the ship left port long ago and whilst the FIM regards these organisations favourably, it would unfortunately be detrimental to the UK for their events to be blocked out and to become more isolated. They could be the only way for UK fans to see Lambert, Bewley, Woffinden in action apart from the regular FIM events which only happen in the UK occasionally.

Sorry, I seem to have mis-read it. It should read: Swindon Speedway now realises it has been shat on the the Abbey Stadium's owners in collaboration with property developers, and has decided that it no longer gives a flying fool, knowing that the current season is now the final one. In the meantime, keep coming along and paying, every little helps.

So what is the alternative???

Leicester will be in their new brown coloured team kevlars

Announcement by Swindon Speedway just released: Swindon Speedway sincerely apologise to customers for the unsatisfactory and unacceptable conditions during Monday's match against Leicester. This was caused by a combination of circumstances, which we shall make every effort to ensure is not repeated in future. As a gesture of goodwill, customers who retained their entrance ticket will be able to use it, upon presentation, to obtain a £5 discount (£3 for concessions) from their admission cost at any remaining 2018 meeting, excluding playoffs. Customers who had travelled from the Leicester area, should send their ticket to Swindon Speedway with a covering letter, to obtain a full refund as an alternative to the above offer. Oh hang on.......

The last 72 hours has shown the way forward I think. A league, however it is actually organised, at the current CL level or even perhaps a bit lower, with admission prices in the £12-£14 region. Riders will have to accept that riding speedway within it will not provide them with sufficient income to make it their main living. However, they should have the right to expect prompt payment and good standard of tracks which should be rigorously enforced. Plus an amateur league with strictly controlled costs. A second SGP to become an established addition. Rounds of an expanded SEC taking place in the UK. Want a fix of top level league racing? Head to Poland, or watch Polish and Swedish league on TV - because coverage of UK racing will just be the GP's and SEC.

The track watering equipment looked a bit on the basic side, like it had been borrowed for the night from a local pig farmer.

First of all I hope riders complete a lap of the track without the same calamity as befell the Lions previously. Is Swindon's season turning into a mirror image of 2017? Very difficult to assess Leicester's chances so soon after the day of the long knives, but this should be a better team, just depends on how soon. But BT have a habit of picking close matches (score-wise if not racing-wise)! Allez Les Anglaises

Leicester needed someone like Scott Nicholls when they went into the Elite League, but better late than never I suppose. He is definitely a rider with the skill level needed for that track, and has not lost his enthusiasm for racing and isn't scared to go for a small gap to try and pass. He probably won't average more than 7.5 overall, but what he will bring is some much-needed personality to the team, something which I think was badly lacking although Hans does provide some of that. Danny Ayres would have been an even bigger boost in that respect, but good luck to Connor Mountain and hope he can transfer his form from the Coventry setup.

The points limit I think plays a part in the increased turnover because even when an enforced change is made, sometimes two changes have to happen. So in the current situation Sarjeant has probably lost his place for that reason. That is wrong and something should be done which protects the innocent party if he is a Brit. Apart from that, I think the only change which has been harsh is Newman. Vaculik and Bates never even started, Pqlm Toft was a temporary replacement (again the points limit lead to him not being retained when Bjerre was signed). Leicester reserves now should be Newman and Sarjeant. The 1-5 and the changes to it are mainly legacy of injuries to Vaculik, Bates and King. I recall in the 1970's White City going the whole season (and winning the league) using r/r for Dag Lovaas, Wolves doing something similar with a rider who never materialised (Johansson?), and Leicester in 1976 so shorn of riders that at Swindon they had 6 guests plus Doug Underwood. Then in the Rogers era there was quite a bit more coming and going - I think that Husczca came and went a few times. In fact you can also put the higher rider turnover down to the massive increase in use of foreign riders.

Suspect there were other factors at work, in addition to his drop in performance.

I think we might see a more grippy track from now on. By the way, you must be very disappointed that KK was not also signed?

Well you go away for a few days and come back to find a new team! Bjerre - the epitomy of dullness, to be fair he was signed to fill a gap at short notice Krystian - a great shame the early promise has faded, he didn't seem to be much of a team-man though Kurtz - don't know how he lasted so long, another stopgap Sarj - maybe another time I think the new line up has much more of a team feel to it. I can understand why they went for Nicholls and hope that Connor Mountain gets a fair run and not binned after one month.

What are the arrangements with water? Obviously nothing available from the drainage tanks for a long time, so I am guessing it has to come from metered supply, which is probably "owned" by the landlord and in that case the Leicester promotion would pay him per useage. But then you are into guessing how much the landlord is charging.

I know that some are calling for Bjerre to be released and he's never been a rider I can get enthusiastic about. But due to unusual circumstances Leicester has had a dearth of away matches including incompletions and he has shown decent form when the chance has been there including 2 from 2 at KL before the unfortunate abandonment, and a good return at Wolves. As he is UK based I'm presuming there are no commuting costs. He achieved an average over 8 last season, which surprised me, so I'm very 50/50 over whether or not he should be retained. Unless there is a new "over 8" rider coming in, in which case he would have to be released. Pieszek after his early form has seemingly gone backwards though. From the TV coversge he doesn't seem to be interacting very much off-track which is probably down to lack of English but he looks like he keeps himself very much to himself. If Kim Nilsson could be persuaded to make a return, and if the maths allow it, that might help. At least he knows he will get paid!

I get the impression that Lions management has a strict no loan-fees policy with reserves

Broc

In that case there is a chance of hope. Norfolk Inn chance.

Is it time for the Lions to roll the dice and bring in another American?

When he says "taken away" I wonder if he means fully and permanently, or having to move a few matches from Fridays this season? Obviously he isn't free to elaborate any further. I'd suspect that he's alluding to 2019 and the implementation of a changed league structure. This could include Belle Vue moving to Fridays and trying to ensure that night is limited to BV and Scunthorpe (Godfrey), Edinburgh (Harkess), and Glasgow (£acenna's) plus possibly Somerset. We will see what happens because for sure nothing is going to be announced.