Cross Roads

Whilst we must accept that not all family's will be able to attend a mid week meeting due to school timings I take my kids to leicester and the family stand is full of 1000s of kids. Games normally finish 9.30 then you have to exit the stadium car ride home which normally means 10.20ish home. We need to absolutely look at the future for bringing in younger supporters but let's remember its a so called summer sport so for x% of season it will be the holidays. Set race nights mean structure hopefully settled teams. What I'm saying is if we don't try we will never know in my opinion. Let's see what the AGM brings....

Being a fan since the early 80s in the midlands taking many newbys who have unfortunately drifted away with the promotion of other recreational sports far out stripping speedway and digesting these posts the general opinion is it needs bringing into present day with all other entertainment industries championing our hard earned cash. Could anybody confirm if there is an external marketing company working with the bspa with a realistic commercial budget for promoting this sport. For me a winning team will draw crowds to most sporting events however the public need to be made aware of success if better promoted within the geographical area of stadiums. without a great deal of fixed costs speedway promotors really could increase the professionalism of staging these events. I'm a regular visitor to leicester and extremely grateful to the new promotion for saving the sport in the city from the previous clown that said, it continues to frustrate me that it seems acceptable intro to the main event of a 20second 1lap ride of each rider straight back into the pits... Observations: Bikes to the start line manager rider interviews 10mins Few practise laps by both teams. 5 mins Match race both number 1s to who chooses gate positions for meeting start. Roaming terrace mike with club announcer (some weeks works at leicester let's have more interaction) Insist every race winner must complete a victory lap. Totally agree with false start straight back to start line 1 min time allowance. Loyalty cards with x meetings stamped=discount on merchandise and refreshments. Season ticket holders can bring a friend new to the sport 3 times per season similar to gym promotions Free merchandise ie t shirt-air horns on x meetings per season for all children creates atmosphere as most meetings flat (on other track visits also) Post meeting interviews are welcomed as at leicester but also request the opposition manager top scoring rider for there analysis. Set race nights so becomes familiar to all supporters and regular no long gaps between weeks so family lives can be diarised. Really do hope that next season is just not another re work of the past years and bspa are really listening to the general public because without us all there will be no professional sport for this country in the coming years....here's hoping.

Some decent heats last night. We'll done guys for the win. Alarmingly poor crowd go as far to say worst in a long time for a league meeting. Need to sort the tapes out as well for belle vue clearly disadvantaged on the inside gates last night for some heats.with the temp repair on the grass. Also very flat with the presentation again don't like to be critical but really needs some fresh ideas with presentation not taking away robs interaction just everything else around night.

Going to pop along tonight with a couple of friends new to speedway. Hopefully get some good racing. Hoping they also finally have a proper old school intro get the teams to the start line introduce them all couple of practise laps interview the team managers costs nothing gets the crowd engaged from the start......hears hoping.

Belle vue 48- lions 42 great away point

Let's take a breath, appalling team performance last night draw a line under learn from mistakes and move on. You don't become a bad rider over night. 6 days ago we run wolves close and beat swindon days before. Yes some riders need to take a long hard look in the mirror they know who they are give them a couple more meetings and if no improvement then address changes move into May doubling up should ease. Poole will be there or there about this season That said same for both teams with the poor track last night. I'm as passionate as all but was embarrassed last night listening to darcy talk. Yes painful defeat but as a promotor you do not get on the mic with these comments. He has passion I will give him that but for me lacks motivation and business professionalism we're is machin with all his years experience to take these interviews loose cannon. If I hung my fitters out in public all that happens is de motivation now is the time behind doors to debate and promote to the public and strong team approach as only as a team do you succeed. P.s what's going on with the stadium speakers could hardly hear last night and opening presentations are appalling as stated many times. I will give a couple more weeks hope others do too.........

Thought there was positives from last night decent crowd some great debuts of the new team hope gomolski is ok for tom..As with other comments once the track settles can only see positives. Couple of minor points that would for me make a better evening entertainment, scrap the present rider intro and go back old school bring the bikes to the start line interview each team manager then the riders let them have a couple of practise laps get the banter going from the start. Should be a rule that heat winners must do a lap of honour home or away team. Overall encouraging start bring on Poole with Danny making his home debut same again....up the Lions......

Glynn. Any chance of some latest photos of your teams hard work for us fans...

Why is that.....surely just the warm up act as in many entertainment industries build up to the main event...

Good call to let them ride first. Keep hearing from the club this year is about entertainment why not get the MDL and the twins on...for me get back to the proper intro with the riders at the start line let them have a few practise laps. Insist each race winner does a lap of honour bring the pits outside in front of the mural so the fans can see what's going on. More frequent interviews during the meeting with both home and away sides.... I know sound like a broken record of so many others but really need some club updates if the track is to be altered at all as this is key for me....

If Allen is true to his word in today's star then upmost respect to the lions riders last year continuing to turn out for our entertainment and still some not fully paid risking there life for little truth from the management team.....thank you.

New website looks professional and finally we seem to be receiving a steady stream of club info thanks to those who have driven changes. I see the band of helpers have been to site carrying out the pre season maintenance I wonder if this shall include some needed track changes let's hope so for both clubs. Onwards and upwards bring on those robins...

Josh auty Kim Nielsen first two lions 2017 signings....

What about Simon Stead or Ollie Allan both young enthusiastic for the sport and connected to the generation riding today well respected and within the media spot light... mind you what's Mr Atwood up to now days seemed a decent guy from the early days.

Just read the article in the star bullet points below: life long fan wants to promote family's back into the sport, applauds the efforts of chapman to secure the long term future of leicester they have both put finances into the promotion, very critical of Hemsleys involvement and seemed embarrassed that the riders pay issue was not resolved until recently. Trying to bring back all the sponsors, accepts is an entertainment business and believes can turn around the fortunes. Good riders have been contacting the promotion but want assurances Hemsley is not involved. They are awaiting outcome of coventry as there maybe riders who would fit there plans but at the same time hopes they survive.Doesn't believe that ground sharing with coventry is the way forward. If indeed he understands the fans concerns lets hope track changes are imminent as those I talk to seem to always raise this. Need to get moving pretty quickly once this weather changes if to action with the season around the corner. Let's get behind the guy and hope we finally get a team to be proud of with a good nights entertainment....fingers crossed.

Happy hunter we can only presume then that a race night has already been agreed for the team to be in place and we the public shall be informed soon.......

I believe we need to have a blend of race nights next season Saturdays when allows around sgp and a dedicated night in week. Early season may be difficult for some young family's with children however as we progress into the summer holidays should be easier. Let's remember even the footy have Saturday Sunday afternoons, evening games along with Monday,Tuesday evenings plenty attend. Unfortunately today's public have to be flexible around so many other sports. Just hope is promoted in the press far better than historically. Let's also hope if aloud buster can make track changes to allow better quality racing to entice those who have walked away. I for one will give my hard earned cash in the early days and see how we progress...he's hoping.

Let's hope there is flexibility with the fixture lists, by this I mean early season Saturdays until the rest of Europe and gp kicks in with a mid week night. This for me shall be a key driver to entice a quality team.

Still the silly season but heard a few times now Matej Zagar for lions next season anyone heard the same.....

Been to motorcycle live today talking to people connected with the sport, whilst coventry are the enemy up the road I do hope things get sorted with the stadium to allow another season there with all the fixture and fitting piece going on... Apparently lions have already got there no1 signed so hopefully this is good news to be imminently announced with new promotor etc..

So reading the star today it comments that fans need to be patient as ongoing meetings taking place. Announcements will only be made once a deal is fully completed. Being positive and we indeed get a new promotor what would be your preferred team selections for the lions 2017 season......

Seems very strange, if I lease a commercial building or domestic property would not expect the landlord to let me in each day. Come on Mr Hemsley let's attract some common-sense and thought around all joe public who welcome speedway in the city. If there is no deal completed how does the venue create revenue for you ?, there are no other activities to support a multi functional venue like stock cars, football,rugby, dogs etc. very bazaar....

When attending the recent ERC at coventry I spoke to a member of the leicester employed staff who categorically told me was owed thousands of pounds. I don't wish to advise of the name as I don't think is fair to the individual but please be assured I'm no liar and have only ever stated facts.