I would like to state from the outset I am not a member of the supporters club commitee nor indeed a member of the supporters club but I do have a family member who is/was a member of the commitee and I wil ltry to answer the questions as best I can.
The riders from this years team recieved over £3,000.00 raised from organised events.
No events had been planned for the winter mainly due to the fact that it is very difficult motivating people to support events during the season so nigh impossible during the close season.
The Devils on tour do indeed arrange travel for away meetings but only for themselves they hire a minibus, the commitee arranged for around eight away meetings the details of which were posted up in the supports hut where people could put their name down, unfortunately not all the trips came off for a variety of reasons ranging from poorly supported to meetings being cancelled to the person providing the coach and driver was to busy.
As regards to the 50/50 tickets not being sold after 19.10 this is probaly due to the fact that anyone wihing to attend the meeting would already be there by then as parade is at 19.15, surely people are not suggesting that the ticket seller sit on their own staring at the sky for the remainder of the evening.
As far as the track shop closing at 19.10 I do not actually know about that, but as the promotion took over the running of it this year perhaps that is a question best answered by them.
With regards to things closing at 19.10, I am sure the people collecting the entrance money and program money were not in their booth's much longer than that but were indeed taking their places to watch the meeting, after all that is what everyone is there for.
As far as the commitee getting in for free, two members of the commitee were issued with passes allowing them free entry, both of which o.a.p's so a grand total of £22.00 missing off the gate.
With regards to the end of season event the promotion did indeed book the venue but the commitee were then given a week to orginise everything, organising trophies, contacting riders for items to auction etc.
All of this ending this way is actually a shame, not only for the members of the commitee who gave their time willingly often under trying circumstances but also for the future riders because ultimately they are the ones that are going to lose out in the short term with the long term effect of the club losing out, but hey speedway in this country is in such a strong, healthy position it can afford to lose volunteers and paying customers.
A final note there will be a egm of the supporters club held soon, so if Mr Spargo or anyone else would like to attend feel free then you then you will be able to find out the facts, hey who knows you might even get the opportunity to tear them to pieces in person.
