steve roberts

Yes!

I've purposely tried to take a back seat regarding this particular subject because of all the abuse and finger pointing that any comment against the Play-Off system from certain quarters generate but... It's no secret (well chronicled elsewhere) that I gave up attending speedway in 2003 thru' various reasons but mainly due to re-location. My team (Oxford) won the last traditional championship in 2001 after a very closely fought season long battle with Poole. The matches all season long were well supported because we felt we had a team that would be challenging for the title. The next season (2002) it was decided to re-structure the league format and hold play-offs to decide the league champions. Oxford were denied an opportunity to defend their title because SKY had decided that the 'qualifying' matches should be completed by the end of August. However, Oxford's visit to Peterborough didn't take place as it fell outside that remit. If Oxford had won that match they would have claimed the last play-off spot however Peterborough 'qualified' instead (even though one could argue that they were at fault for not running the fixture within the agreed time scale). Hence why my enthusiasm began to wain (although to be fair it had been on the decline for a number of years). I have no interest in the economies of play-offs as I haven't access to such figures and it's beyond my remit and, to be frank, my interest as I no longer attend matches. I'll let those who still have a vestige interest in the sport to 'discuss' the pros and cons but my underlying feeling of play-offs are in the negative due to the irregularities of its initial inception and the fact that my team was denied an opportunity to defend their title thru' no fault of their making!

It would be great to read an article on 'Joe' Gooddy. I recall seeing his bike parked up in the Poole car park and it appeared to be tied together with string! I remember my brother telling me that 'Joe' and 'Speedy' Pete Jarman would look out for each other and if anyone messed with either the other would be to his rescue...so to speak!

I bet you can quote some Ian Thomas' stories...always one ready to bend/manipulate rules to his advantage!

Strewth!

Thanks for that! Just read the statement but I have to confess that July does seem to be rather optimistic bearing in mind we are likely to have a few 'iffy' months with the winter on our doorstep! Here's hoping that I am proved wrong but the statement(s) does suggest that speedway will continue next year which is the main thing.

Watched highlights from the 1979 Intercontinental Final held at White City last night and, despite the dust, the racing was excellent (especially races involving Michael Lee and Peter Collins) I actually went to the meeting but can't remember much about it except that Gordon Kennett (a favourite of mine) failed to qualify on what, only the previous year, was his home track.

I commented similar earlier on this never ending, circulating, on-going, going round in circles thread, that contributors should adhere to some basic rules. It's ironic that only yesterday and today a representative of the Labour Party has seriously questioned open abuse on social media whereby people who 'hide behind a keyboard' feel that they can be more abusive than if talking to someone 'face to face'. I'm not suggested for one minute that contributors on this forum are any way as abusive as comments received by certain MPs but surely we should think carefully before placing comments, however strongly felt, and show due respect to fellow contributors (and a certain amount of humility wouldn't go amiss either).

He was 'allocated' to Hull for the 1976 season but refused to go. He was prepared to sit out the season if he didn't get his wish to move to his preferred choice Coventry. Eventually got his wish and Hull received £15,000 (?) from Coventry in the way of a transfer fee...even though he hadn't ridden for them!! Bizarrely Oxford's first match of the season at Coventry (1975) they had a guest as a replacement for Olsen because it still hadn't been sorted out!

I enjoyed visiting Eastbourne back in the seventies when it was operating as a Second Division/National League team. Of course the White City team moved there in 1979 and I felt that it lost something...and I didn't like it when the first and second bends were altered during the early 2000s (?) Check out my comment on the Ole Olsen DVD thread regarding 1975!

If the building runs into problems there's a ready made stadium 30 miles from Swindon...at Cowley, Oxford!

Colin, I'm afraid that it's referred to as 'Last Word Syndrome!' Just read your comment (I assume it's you?) in the recently published John Louis book! Received my copy only today...looks to be a good read. I had great admiration for the late John Berry (I communicated with him on a couple of occasions) and I only hope that John Louis isn't too critical about him in his book.

Just received my copy today! Looks superb and can't wait to read it!

Remember the story when said Berry and Ron Bagley visited Hull...and proceeded to measure the width of the track (it was always 'suggested' that the width didn't conform) to the annoyance of the home fans and Ian Thomas! Did I read somewhere that Soldier Boy won the lottery or some such thing?

I nearly gave Scunthorpe a go last season but decided not to bother...something to consider!

Pleased as punch when Dag Lovaas joined Oxford...a real favourite of mine! Shame that it didn't work out for him at White City.

One of my great memories was my weekly trips to Wood Lane (White City) The first time I went on the occasion of the very first meeting I remember being blown away by the stadium! I know people often refer to the fact that there was no atmosphere but I used to sit near the starting gate and it generally was quite noisy and atmospheric. One second half I decided to sit right up under the roof on the first bend...no atmosphere there however! The 1976 Grand Prix Final (televised) was the first big meeting held there and I lost my usual seat having, instead, to re-locate to the third bend and remember the event attracting something like 37,000? The racing wasn't as bad as people have since commented upon. Saw some great racing there and Marek Cieslak was a master of the very flat outside passing numerous riders during his debut season (1977) Great Memories!

I shall certainly check it out!

I wasn't a great fan of Olsen but I recognised his achievements. Remember seeing him throw his title hopes away when he fell whilst trying to pass Christer Lofqvist during the 1972 World Final. Best World Champion in my time? I would have to say Ivan Mauger (although Nielsen was a close second...but I would say that!)

Sid, I did some research and placed comments on the thread entitled Ole Olsen DVD in the 'Years Gone By' section!

You've obviously read my post elsewhere regarding Olsen's rare appearances at Cowley!!

What about the antics of some of the promoters and/or team managers? I used to enjoy the spectacle of team managers engaging with the referee on the phone at the start line and gesticulating over a decision! I remember a conversation I had with the late Bernard Crapper asking him what he used to say to the referee. He stated that he often was just passing the time of the day with the referee but wished to wind up the crowd and install some 'atmosphere' to the proceedings! The likes of Ian Thomas would also create 'mischief' to help along proceedings! Sadly no longer with us. I remember when he 'engaged' in conversation with Soldier Boy (another character) over a decision with fingers pointing adding to the entertainment!

Sounding more positive!

I agree to an extent however I do remember when Ole Olsen (as reigning 1971 World Champion) visited Oxford during my first year (1972) the interest that generated. During the middle/late eighties, because of the lack of teams competing in the British League, you would see the same riders on a regular basis and perhaps fans got a bit blase...I certainly used to! But I can see that some fans enjoyed the regularity.

Yes Ipswich were very fortunate in being able to declare Tomasz Gollob in their line up on a ridiculously low assessed average (7.5 if I recall) considering that he was an established 'star' at the time (something that even sadly missed John Berry questioned in one of his books and/or columns) The dreaded assessed average...always manipulated to suit. I guess that most teams have been guilty over the years and it was a loop hole many promoters took advantage of. However there was downsides also. I remember that both Lukas and Ales Dryml being saddled with 7 point averages when still relatively inexperienced.