R87

Just been having a quick look through Homes of British Speedway and am taken aback to discover that since I started watching in Speedway in 1990, 27 clubs have closed either permanently or temporarily. That's an average of one track each season, with some very illustrious names on the list. Hackney (1991) Re-opened 1995 and closed again in 1996. NOT RUNNING Wimbledon (1991) Re-opened 2002 and closed again in 2005. NOT RUNNING Mildenhall (1992) Re-opened 1994. RUNNING Milton Keynes (1992). NOT RUNNING Stoke (1992) Re-opened 1994. RUNNING Rye House (1993) Re-opened 2001. RUNNING Newcastle (1994). Re-opened 1997. RUNNING Cradley (1995). Re-opened 2010. RUNNING Edinburgh (1995). Re-opened 1997. RUNNING Kings Lynn (1995). Re-opened 1997. RUNNING Middlesbrough (1996) Re-opened as Redcar 2006. RUNNING Bradford (1997) NOT RUNNING Skegness (1997) Re-opened, but closed again 1998 (NOT RUNNING). Long Eaton (1998) NOT RUNNING Linglithgow (2000) NOT RUNNING St Austell (2003) NOT RUNNING Camarthen (2004) NOT RUNNING Hull (2004) NOT RUNNING Exeter (2005) NOT RUNNING Sittingbourne (2006) Re-opened 2013. RUNNING Oxford (2007) NOT RUNNING Reading (2008). NOT RUNNING Weymouth (2010) NOT RUNNING Newport (2012) NOT RUNNING IOW (2013) Re-opened in 2016. RUNNING Birmingham (2014) Re-opened 2015. RUNNING Coventry (2017) NOT RUNNING

Sandhu has been very clever over the years. He's convinced so many Coventry fans that he loves the club, yet he conveniently forgets he bought Brandon to knock it down, then hastened the clubs demise by trashing the place. Mick Horton is not perfect, we all know that, but he had a thankless and almost impossible job.

What a shambolic way for one of Britain's most iconic clubs to come to an end. Hopefully they will be back in 2018, but I won't hold my breath. Well done messers Sandhu, Horton and Brandon Estates. Years of history killed by a childish game of brinkmanship which went too far.

Had my doubts, but very pleased to be proved wrong. Belle Vue have to make the most of a second chance they are extremely fortune to have been given. Looking forward to visiting on Good Friday!

Given the apparent level of debt run up, Belle vue are very fortunate to be coming to the tapes this year. Other sports may have seen them kicked out of the league.

Not your not alone. I'm far from convinced about Belle Vue making it to the tapes. There is still lots of work to do and time is running out to get things ready.

One of the best races I've ever seen. Was? He still is

Stewart McDonald for Wolves in 1996. Seemed a signing who would only last until the averages dropped, yet was a key man in our double winning season.

I've said many times that there are far too many people in the pits at meetings who don't seem to have a reason and get in the way - normally when something kicks off as we saw with Masters and Pedersens pit crew a couple of years ago.

Unrepentant to the last I see. https://twitter.com/GaryHavelock/status/829831655498072064

At least Coventry will take to the track for 2017. However it poses further questions. How long is this temporary deal with Leicester? Is it going to be reviewed on roll out basis if it takes longer for Brandon to be put back together? Will Coventry be making arrangements for those who want to watch speedway at Leicester, but will struggle to get there with transport and petrol cost etc? The reality is that - for now at least - it's running at Leicester or nothing for Coventry. I remain sceptical about Brandon seeing speedway again if I'm honest.

Bottom line is that nobody comes out of this with their reputation enhanced. It's a sorry and shameful saga - especially for a club which has for so many years been one of the most professional clubs in the UK. All we can do is hope for a miracle and that Coventry find some way of being able to run in 2017 and beyond. Ones things for sure, the Coventry fans and riders deserve so much better than this.

To quote Jasper Carrott; "I remember saying to the bloke standing next to me....OI!"

Not fussed either way really. Never been that keen on testimonials.

3 things for me and contributed. 1. The loss of regular action in London (a sport without any base in a country's capital city has no chance of being taken seriously). 2. The Sunday People's infamous "Race Fixing Scandal". 3. Poland opening the gates to overseas riders and then refusing to even try and co-operate with the other leagues.

Frank Ebdon may not have been everyone's cup of tea, but at least he knew how to keep a meeting moving.

So what does this mean? Take a look at @SpeedwayGB's Tweet: https://twitter.com/SpeedwayGB/status/808721047214231552?s=09

As long as Peter York isn't let loose on it.....

Interested to read that Heat 9 from Melbourne is omitted from the sgp2016 dvd......

The impression I got last week was that Adam may be a possibility, but isn't a first choice.

Nothing on either. Given the criticism of Poland, I would be shocked if Musielak was back next year.

Filled a notebook with it all, armed with a couple of pints. It wasn't that I've been a bit brilliant and memorised it!!

Update from Cleveland Arms tonight. 2016 SEASON CVS said club badly needed a successful 2016 campaign after the nightmare of the previous few seasons. Said the trophy is ours for keeping as the last Elite League winners. His favourite memory was Max Clegg beating Richie Worrall on the line in heat 12, as he felt Belle Vue were deflated by that. PA said he felt in the last few weeks the championship win was never in doubt due to the form in closing weeks of the season. His favorite memory was beating Coventry on the opening night at Brandon as it showed what team was capable of. He said the team spirit was the best he's ever known. TAI WOFFINDEN PA said signing Woffinden was good for business as crowds improved (Lakeside for his debut was pleasing as Lakeside normally don't provide great crowds). He felt that Tai's scoring wasn't massively crucial as Kylamkorpi was scoring well enough, plus Tai has something of a phobia of British tracks due to previous injuries and Monmore not a track which suits him. PA said no chance of Tai returning full time in 2017. CVS paid tribute to Kylmakorpi and club ensured he received a medal for his efforts. Was very complimentary about club as and fans after leaving and would have no issues with returning to Wolves in the future. CVS admitted that it is out of character to make the sort of change we did and suggested maybe he had picked up something from sitting by Matt Ford at a control meeting! MAX CLEGG CVS said it was a year where Max stepped up and that he showed the progress expected. All of the team lines ups considered for 2017 include him. JACOB THORSSELL CVS said Jacob has been slow burner, but again believes he has made strong progress. SAM MASTERS CVS said Sam is in Wolves' plans for next season, but not in clubs hands as Somerset own his contract. He said he felt the club owed him a chance after hsi visa problems in 2013. PREMIERSHIP CVS said he hated the name "Elite League" as was a nonsense without having the very best riders. However, he said the name was forced upon them by SKY. HE said he is sad that the race format has been dropped and reverted to the previous one. Said its been done to to "referee's who are not very bright" being confused by the different formats! CVS said relegation/promotion is more workable now than the previous attempts as the leagues are closer in strength. The BSPA are discussing whether to introduce a parachute payment for any club which is relegated to the Championship. CVS said Somerset is a good addition and that they have moved in his opinion as more tracks in the Premiership are closer to them than in the Championship. Also that Rye House are a good addition and that they are making a serious investment into the club and stadium. PA said Chris Harris was a target for the club, but that he feels Rye House were able to make a better offer in terms of finance and also track time, as he is considering running training schools at some point. BELLE VUE CVS said rumors first began prior to the world cup, but praised Manchester City Council for being very supportive. He said the BSPA and MCC are working hard to ensure speedway continues, as losing the NSS would be a blow speedway wouldn't recover from. He said he knew they were looking into making changes due to complaints about an "unfriendly" welcome from stewards there. CVS said he felt Craig Cook embarrassed himself in the play-off final, particularly when he was still trying to confront both Freddie and himself 20 minutes after the meeting. NICOLAI KLINDT PA said Nicolai didn't take up the clubs offer to return to Wolves and suggested it may be down to the negative attitude some Wolves fans on social media have towards him..... PA distanced himself from retirement talk and said he will be with the club for as long as he is wanted. POLAND CVS said the Sweden, Denmark and the UK all feel "betrayed" by the changes the Polish authorities are trying to enforce - believing them to be "illegal". PA ruled out Nicki Pedersen returning to Wolves!!!! PA said promotion and relegation WILL happen. They have brought the leagues closer to make it workable and that teams cannot "wriggle out of it". CVS said he things Danny Ayres is a very entertaining rider, but no plans to sign him as he feels he wouldn't progress due to starting speedway late. RE Cradley. CVS said he is working on the situation surrounding fixtures, but said they will NOT be using alternative dates as Wolves and Cradley will have more fixtures in their two leagues. CVS blasted the Premier League for not supporting British riders enough, feeling many jettison them far too quickly. CVS said rolling averages are now being discontinued. Once the first GSA's come out, the points limit will drop to 42. There were suggestions about capping riders on 12.00, but that it wasn't followed through. CVS said Adam Skornicki is being considered for a spot, but Ricky Wells is unlikely due to his average being too high. PA said that he is reducing his work commitments which will give him more time to begin work on his autobiography. He revealed that his son Thomas is applying to be a referee! CVS said that in the event of a promotion/relegation play off featuring a rider racing for both clubs, then priority will be given to the club that owns him, otherwise it will go by which club he has ridden for the most times. CVS said rumours of a World League in Dubai were true, but probably not being staged - certainly won't be in Dubai. CVS he is uneasy about buying Aussie's due to the poor treatment they get from the border authorities. he also said he's not sure how BREXIT will impact on speedway. PETER KARLSSON Both men paid tribute to PK as a magnificent servant. CVS regaled the story of how he was told in 1990 that he wasn't good enough to have a long career in the UK and that he should sign Alun Rossiter! PA said he didn't think it was a coincidence that PK has featured strongly in previous championship winning teams. CVS said he will never forget the look on Matt Ford's face after the play-off semi-final win! FREDDIE LINDGREN PA said never in doubt that Freddie would re-sign. MIKKEL BECH PA said he feels he could have done something with Bech had he been here longer, but that he sensed early in the season that something was wrong. He told the club early on that he had problems and needed to get back home, but both PA and CVS praised him for agreeing to stay for a few weeks while a deal was done with PK. CVS said the turnover for the online shop was incredible - especially since winning the league. They have sent clothing and other items to counties you wouldn't believe. Both CVS and PA said they were confident that the club can defend its title with the team they have in mind. Think I've covered everything. I'm sure others will add bits I've missed.

Great news for Coventry. Now hopefully Sandhu and Horton can stop this petty little game of calling each others bluff and at least try to keep the Bees going at Brandon and then a new facility.

Can only imagine how you must feel. A (seemingly) sad and disgraceful end to Brandon inflicted by two egotistical idiots