Little Thumper

It's a shame when somebody has put a lot of effort in to something like a supporters' shop and it becomes unviable, perhaps through no fault of the seller. If she pops the stuff on Fleabay, I'm sure people like me will buy a few items as mementos.

Well, I just might be!

Wow. I think that might scare the children!

Strange thing is that when speedway is doing ok, it is a business run by entrepreneurs. When it is doing badly, it is a club calling out to the supporters to help it.

Well, here are some organizations that seem happy to do so:- British Orienteering:- https://www.britishorienteering.org.uk/images/uploaded/downloads/Board%20Minutes%20September%202016.pdf UK Sport:- http://www.uksport.gov.uk/resources/board-minutes Cycling UK:- http://www.cyclinguk.org/about/cycling-uk-board/meetings USA Weightlifting:- http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Weightlifting/About-Us/Governance-and-Financial/Board-of-Directors/Board-Meeting-Minutes Derbyshire County Council:- http://derbyshire.gov.uk/council/meetings_decisions/meetings/full_council/7122016_council.asp Speedway Australia:- http://www.ma.org.au/fileadmin/user_upload/Documents/Event_Documents/2015/Speedway_Commission_Minutes.pdf Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee:- http://www.bankofengland.co.uk/publications/minutes/Documents/mpc/pdf/2014/mpc1401.pdf Auto Cycle Union National Council:- http://www.southeasttrialscombine.org.uk/NATIONAL%20COUNCIL%20MINS%20190512%20(2).pdf British Judo:- http://www.britishjudo.org.uk/the-british-judo-association/governance/board-of-directors/meeting-minutes/ South Australia Classic Speedway:- http://www.saclassicspeedway.com.au/upload/General%20Meeting%20Minutes%202%20June%202015.docx Scottish Auto Cycle Union:- http://www.sacu.co.uk/sacu/meeting-minutes/ National Trust:- https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/documents/2014-agm-minutes.pdf British Akido Association:- http://www.aikido-baa.org.uk/about-us/executive-committee/agm-minutes/ English Lacrosse Association:- https://englacrosse.s3.amazonaws.com/media/2012/08/ELA2012-AGM-Minutes.pdf National Auto Grass Sport Association:- http://www.national-autograss.co.uk/archive.php So, clearly you are saying that a meeting of speedway clubs is somehow different? Thanks

Excuse me for being nosy, but why has the track shop been closed if it was doing well? Seems a bit of a shame. We used to have a track shop at Buxton but that closed down too. Is there any reason why regalia can't be sold on Fleabay? As well as providing a 365 day/year market place, might it not act as a bit of a propaganda tool for the clubs? Thanks.

They are probably going to do a website share with Belle Vue....................whose website doesn't seem to have been updated since the 4th November! A bad, poorly maintained and out of date website is worse than no website at all. Smashing.

I blame the yanks for nicking our words and not using 'em right. I mean fancy looking under the hood to find the engine!

Wrong kind of speedway though! http://www.rockingham.co.uk/venue-hire/venue-activity/corporate-driving-experiences/

I'll put my positive thinking head on then.

Sounds good. I'll try and be there. I remember at Hyde Road when the rumours started to go round that the place was being sold off. People were really worried until it was announced that Stuart Bamforth had bought the old place. What could go wrong. Stuart was a stock car man and obviously loved the old girl as much as us season ticket holders did. It started well. A couple of pick-up trucks were acquired for the riders to parade round on and Stuart had his fireworks which he seemed to like setting off every meeting. Stewart also became chairman of that fine organization, the BSPA, so no need to worry. And of course, we all know how this ended. Five years later, the place was flattened so they could build a stupid car auction on it and Stuart could stuff a great wodge of cash into his trouser pocket. Bamforth died in 2004 aged 55. I'm not sure that he would have had, "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" played at his funeral as perhaps there might have been more appropriate tunes. Bamforth did have some children. Hopefully, none of them are considering a career in speedway promotion. So, my friends, I apologize if my scepticism and questioning of those in authority offends you but I and many other veteran Aces supporters have been sold down the river once before and are not keen on seeing a repeat performance. Keep your pecker up.

Ha ha

Well, HA, we're singing off the same hymn sheet here. So, how can this re-birth be brought about? Or are we dreaming the impossible dream?

I hope you are right. My only point is this. If all the signs are so positive, why cannot the supporters be told a little more? If deals are being done with riders which are legally binding, then surely the new promoter must have already signed a deal to take over the promotion. How else could he or she be a party to a contract if they are not a legal entity? The idea of wiping the slate clean is smashing. But who will recompense the rate payers of Manchester for the monies which have apparently been lost? I am thinking that B.V 72, my friend, you are a little nearer to the source of this information than myself. I admire your optimism and I am sincerely hoping that your hopeful, positive forecast is based on knowledge received rather than wishful thinking. If there is good news, I am sure that all efforts will be made to get it out before the end of the year, as this will be a great relief to many worried supporters.

HA, you are a wise person. Just a small point though. Yes, it is the promoters' money and they are theoretically the risk takers here BUT the majority of this money has come from supporters paying to get in to their venues. So, surely it makes sense for the end-user to have a significant say in the end product? And I know some of the ideas aren't going to cut the mustard either in practical or financial terms but some of the ideas are good. Sadly, the people in charge are a little hard of hearing.

Well. we have been told that there was somebody from Belle Vue there, we are just not being told who it was or what party they were representing. I wonder if the other NL wallahs who were present, knew BV's new man/woman? Showing my age a little here but perhaps it was a Kendo Nagasaki type of character who is unknown to both supporters who pay to keep speedway afloat and to his/her fellow combatants? Or is this new BV Champion a Two-Hatter? Perhaps the promotions at Belle Vue and Coventry are even more tightly linked than a bit of sharing the same changing rooms type camaraderie? Or perhaps, the BV representative was theoretical rather than actual? Who Is Racing Where? ...........A Drama In Many Parts..................To Be Continued.................Acme Productions Inc.

You couldn't possibly know that unless you know what costs were incurred. As the Belle Vue financial position appears so diabolical that they were unable to pay the majority of their bills, it would be hard to see how the Colts meetings were generating a profit. "Talks are ongoing" wears just a little thin after a while and it would be nice to know just a little about what direction these talks were going in. But not wishing to appear a merchant of doom, I shall follow your example and put my faith in the men in the shadows. The Merchant of Doom here again, I'm afraid. Not looking hugely promising at the moment for the new Belle Vue/Coventry Combo:- https://coventryobserver.co.uk/news/brandon-estates-confirm-no-parties-involved-in-talks-amid-crime-scene-coventry-stadium-situation/ But hey, worse disasters at sea and who needs seats or lighting?

So, HT, you are a wise person, would you think it reasonable to see a list of the attendees at the NL AGM? Do you not think the supporters would be interested to know who was there and the items on the agenda? Or are we still working on the Need to Know basis?

Hey, we don't need this Merchant of Doom stuff! Pull your self together, get a grip, man up. Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life.....

You would be very surprised!

F*cked Up Beyond All Repair But Unfortunately Not Dead Yet (Quite). Sorry, military slang

Well, sorry to appear a Merchant of Doom but that looks FUBAR BUNDY!

But was that not really just a Scunthorpe side with Sheffield being the junior partners?

Who was that? Well, if a do look a total dick at the beginning of next season because everything in the speedway garden is rosy, then I shall come on here and put myself forward for The Dick of the Month Competition. But what does depress me is all the cloak and dagger and keeping supporters in the dark stuff that seems to go on. Why do they need to do this? You look at the situations at Belle Vue, Coventry, Leicester and all you hear is tales of shady goings-on, meetings behind closed doors and the various parties plotting against each other. Why does speedway have to operate in this clandestine fashion and why are supporters treated with apparent contempt? So B.V. 72, you may classify me as a Doom and Gloom Merchant and I respect your opinion. I would rather class myself as a Realist and when speedway gets it's house in order, I will be happier than a very happy person. So, who did you say was at the NL AGM representing Belle Vue? Indeed, why do they not post a list of attendees as I am sure supporters would like to know who is fighting their corner?

Oh, ye of little faith!