Bleeds Pirate Blue

I was clapping a correct exclusion of a rider the Pirates have zero chance of beating, because Doyle clearly laid it down

It's the reprobates all around that character I am worried about

@Steve Shovlar Do you recognise anyone in this photo? http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/16180754.GALLERY__70_years_of_Poole_Pirates_speedway/?ref=mr&lp=11#gallery58

Agreed. Szczepaniak has exceeded my expectations to date. He's been solid or better in every meeting to date. Fans who thought Woryna and Szczepaniak were suddenly going to be 7.50+ riders were extremely optimistic.

While I understand the criticism of the new logo, in the 70th year of the club seems appropriate to me to pay homage to the club's heritage. I'd also add, while it's his main business, I've always had the impression Matt Ford sees himself as a custodian of the team. He was a fan before an owner and reinventing the club's image in an important year in its history might feel like overstepping his remit?

I don't see the point of paying 10k for race suits. It won't make the riders any faster. The sport is in dire straights and it's an expenditure that plays no role on dictating the result on track. If race suits are such a big deal, why not set up a Kickstarter or something??

Thanks for the update Glyn. We really do appreciate you coming on here and updating us on the progress of the track.

I love how Gavan can yammer on about Steve's opinion on things when he wasn't there, be it a match or the weather, yet he is allowed to make his own assessments about things he wasn't there to directly see. Such a hypocrite and troll. Please note that there have been pleasant conversations and some reminiscing on this thread between fans of opposing teams over the last few days after we got the 'laugh at Poole losing at home' vibe out the way. Take your antagonistic and trolling ways elsewhere Gavan. You're not welcome here.

Found it! First Call / Reveille - this used to play over the tannoy as they came to tapes and revved up. Or something very similar!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGnZxcS7VKA

I know the Final Countdown!! Haha! I'm thinking of the bugle-esque tune as they came up to tapes. I'll do some research and come back to you

Track seemed worse this week, probably as having been so wet you could excuse the Belle Vue match. As for the result in the Belle Vue match, the gating dominance shown by Belle Vue for the first four heats wasn't sustained like Swindon did as the meeting progressed. Also the Aces' lead was helped by Spanner's EF when leading a 5-1, and Woryna being baulked when avoiding a Starke lock-up (3rd on a 4-2, to last) was a swing from being a Poole 10-3 lead, to being a Belle Vue 7-5 advantage after just two heats. After Heat 4, Poole outscored Belle Vue 42-24. I'm not convinced that Cook and Worrall would have made enough of a difference personally...

I quite like the old school walkout and music! I miss some of the tunes we used to belt out back in the 90's! We had that little ditty they played just before the start of every race, and then slapped on some Tina Turner "simply the best" for the post-match parade!

I didn't realise that Nigel Wagstaff invented press conferences back in 2005! It's a wonder Oxford folded with such a forward-thinker!! “There is no such thing as a new idea. It is impossible. We simply take a lot of old ideas and put them into a sort of mental kaleidoscope. We give them a turn and they make new and curious combinations. We keep on turning and making new combinations indefinitely; but they are the same old pieces of coloured glass that have been in use through all the ages.” - Mark Twain

Thanks for uploading Steve. I thought Killer's answer to my question about the gating issues was a little hollow (their sharpness), but I'm no rider, so will give the lads the benefit of doubt. But in all honesty, its the same for all other riders - it's been raining everywhere causing rain offs! He also dodged my comment about his availability eh! I've never been his biggest fan as I've often felt he can dish out the hard riding but goes down a little easy, but he was exceptional last night and the effort he put in was above and beyond what can be expected from a temporary signed on a poor track in a home defeat when the meeting was done and dusted. So re-assessing my opinion of him somewhat. His efforts justified the entry fee in an otherwise dismal meeting for Poole fans. Reflecting on the Poole team and state of affairs, it's far too early to suggest making changes and sacking people. The bookies have made Poole the 6/4 favourites to win the league for a reason. I wouldn't want to single out any rider yet as deserving of blame. It's a team sport and what I've seen so far is a Pirates team being given a lesson in gating in each meeting so far...

Indeed - I asked that question for a reason! As for the poor gating from the team for three consecutive matches, "a lack of sharpness" seems a bit of a cop out.

Oooh. A half decent race in Ht7! Kildermand rides a hard first bend on Ellis before blasting around Batchelor for the win.

Another evening of gate and go so far. Every race is over by the first corner and Swindon are gating much, much better. Track is certainly smooth. But trying to ride a wide line isn't an option so far.

I'd be hoping for a Poole win by 12-14 points. We haven't started the year firing on all cylinders, but a drier Wimborne Road should lead to a more impressive performance. Looking forward to it.

This @geoff58 fella is a right troll eh! Another stain on the forum that no-one removes. Fair enough, dislike Poole Pirates, but my gawd what an utter tool. BLOCKED to the same void as Gavan, sidney the robin, DC2 and MattFordFan. You can be 'anti-Poole' without being a massive bell. Plenty manage it! Forum admin, take control back, stop sitting on your hands. You're complicit in allowing this divisive and toxic BS to flood the forum.

Yeah, I wouldn't be expecting a Poole victory in the A fixture, but I'd like to see them get within 6 and give them a scare, something like being just 4-down heading into Ht 15.

Are we talking the current Australian Champion, Rohan Tungate, who defeated Brady Kurtz and Max Fricke to win said title? Upon reflection of seeing him perform live for the first time in 2018, like a reasonable human being Steve has changed his opinion. Would you prefer he stubbornly digs his heels and refuses to change his opinion to suit your narrative? Shovvy is at worst a pantomime villian who plays up to his role and hits all his marks. And you all get to scream and holler in the correct spots.

Exactly. If we can allow the Belle Vue 'what ifs', lets throw in: Holder has no visa issues No EF for Spanner in Heat 2. The one 8.00 rider only rule wasn't approved by the BSPA Hell, how about Darcy never got hurt while we're here... When I take all the above into account, Poole still win

@Bald Bloke Defo been to some 'chippy' matches, certainly against Eastbourne, but, never seen anything come to blows. Probably because someone would throw a hip out! But, I was just trying to make the point that speedway fans, in general are accommodating, friendly people. So why is this online forum the antithesis of that 'in real life' vibe? And then further to that, how can we fix this?

Exactly ouch. We're a niche group of weirdos that all like a niche sport, yet in our one place online where we can all commune and discuss speedway, far too many adults are acting like mouthy brats stirring up mischief and antagonising others. If your children were behaving like many on here, what would you tell them!??? There will always be some ribbing and wind ups, but this forum has gone long past that. And its a real shame.

Sounds like you tar all Poole fans with the same brush. You do realise there is childish gloating and wind ups carried out on this forum by supporters from all clubs right? I stand by the fact that Matt Ford runs Poole Speedway the way he does because its his main income and his passion. Poole do bend the rules to breaking point at times, but that's because we're run by a man who wants to win. If other clubs were run by people as ambitious and dedicated to the cause as Matt Ford, then speedway would be in a better place. I'm well aware other will disagree, and that's their prerogative. As for the boasting about being champions, who doesn't celebrate their club's successes? How many times will people bring up Poole losing to Coventry in the final that one year? Are they boasting/gloating? This forum is an incredibly toxic place. Yet I can't think of a single heated argument I've had with opposing fans at any live speedway match I've been to in the 28 years I have been going. Strange that. How about people take some responsibility for their actions and words and consider what they are saying before posting? Posts like yours continue to fuel ill will. We all see the sport struggling, so why don't we try and act like adults with a common interest and start playing nice. Cut out the name calling. Be a bigger man/woman!