STEVEHOLS54

I would hope the lack of team suits would not be repeated in 2019 as don't think it looked good personally. Hopefully some deep pocketed kind sponsor will come forth next season ;-)

Maybe Matt had an idea he would end up using 13 riders in 2018 (14 if you include Chris Holder who was at the press day and practicing before fate intervened). Would have cost a small fortune in race suits ;-) Incredible how generous sponsors can be though on the back of such success. Maybe some had decent bets half way through the season with bookmakers on winning the play offs when they were nearer bottom than top and all hope looked lost ;-)

Tell me about it. Being Hackney born and bred followed the Hawks/Kestrels from 1970 until their demise. Had the pleasure of visiting all of the above incl West Ham's second attempt to try and run as well as White City which was eerie watching them win the league in a stadium almost empty. Factor also in Rayleigh and now 2 in one season in Lakeside and Rye House. Can't take away the memories but its so sad what has happened over the years. At least being in Chelmsford allows access to the 2 new clubs that have come up to Prem in Ipswich and Peterborough.

May be the one he allegedly had sponsorship and machinery all set up for 2018 down South before the one over 8 rule scuppered everything ?? Of course would not want to spread rumours as last time that happened there were alleged sighting of him in a well known South Coastal Town We may know if he were to turn up in Abu Dhabi all of a sudden but that would be pure conspiracy theory

Sorry my bad. Got caught up in the posting. Was supposed to say Sponsors rather than Promoters. (Although maybe they chipped in as well) Sorry Skidder an error as know you and many of your local biz colleagues do a great job in sponsoring the team and special treats like A.Dhabi in recognition of the teams efforts.

Depends on whether his asset owned club want him first. For those who think riders can insist on riding where they want I would point you to the Holder 2018 situation where Ford said he could be purchased for £25 k as he was not interested or prepared to loan him out as Poole wanted him that season. They could do similar with Bjerre who's a Ford Asset unless of course they don't want him for 2019 in which case he can ride where he want's to. Pls look at the latest Bournmouth Echo Speedway interview with Matt Ford on the subject of Clubs Riders Asset's, just released last day or two,

I wonder if Harris had seen his new GSA when he replied to a fan on twitter yesterday with fingers crossed he could get back into Poole for 2019. Personally think its too high now and agree he isn't getting better even though some meetings he would do well. But at 7.78 ??. Even his final Champ was only 7.71 in a weaker league. Much as its hard to forget that magical overtake of Doyle, its too high for my liking. He tends to also start the season slowly and last thing Poole need is another start like 2018. Haven't really seen any clarification anywhere about GP riders for the 2019 season and we only have Doyle as a guideline. ALTHOUGH what about NKI who is as 7.38 but was in GP last season and requaified for 2019. To me would be grossly unfair if we have one rule for one and one for another. But as said I have not seen anything to clarify if he retains his 7.16 or goes to 8 if the 8 rule even exists for this season, and there seem to be doubts anyway if he will even be in UK in 2019 if his house is now sold STC. Plus comments about Andorra as a new abode maybe. Ford also confirmed there is NO one over 8 rule for 2019 even though it worked last year to give Leicester and Somerset a chance to get an over 8 rider. The rider who surely must be on a bargain GSA (even more now than I originally thought) is Morris on 6.60 having finished 2017 at 8.87 that's more than 2 points below what he showed he could achieve. Will be in demand IF he doesn't want to stay at Swindon. Notice he has been included in photo's with his 2 Poole Aussie colleagues on the plane to A.Dhabi GP out of Aussie and also included in the track walk with same colleagues and part of the younger Ford clan. All expenses paid trip by Poole/Poole promoters. I wonder if there will be talks although of course Swindon have a say if he is their asset.

Must admit can't see how they calculate these final ones as I thought it was based on 20 match rolling av EXCL the play offs. Am I wrong ?? as previous GSA had Harris at 7.09 so perhaps becomes not so attractive on 7.78 but also Brady goes from 6.75 to 7.05 yet Nick Morris goes down from 6.91 to 6.60. Maybe somebody can clarify ??

Is that confirmed or just a rumour based on a recent post saying he was visiting Andorra recently ?? Seems a decent place to live if you want low tax though. Up to Eur 24k zero - 24001 to 40k 5% - over 40K 10% & for non residents spending less than 183 days per year 10%. Factor in only 4.5% VAT. Also no inheritence tax I am sure Holder has had plenty of discussions with the likes of Fast Freddie Lindgren and I also heard Max Frike who has allegedly done similar. Nice one if you can afford to live there in the first place. For those among us who may also be considering a move similar to our poorly paid Speedway Riders , feel free to visit https://andorraguides.com/tax/rates/#Income-Tax-Rates-in-Andorra-for-Residents

Yes but how does one prove anything ?? Plenty of comments on the Forum that Morris wanted out of Swindon and many Wolves fans were already planning him in their idea of a 1-7. It was said by some he had decided to go there although have never taken much notice as ultimately if he is a Swindon asset you would think they may have a say in the matter. Although when I raise the subject of Chris Holder many jump in and say a rider can decide to ride where he wants (after all Ford put a £25 permanent transfer only tag on his head for 2018 and wouldn't agree a loan deal). I think ultimately it will be Morris who decides where he rides and IF he chose Poole then no doubt the usual suspects will be crying foul play and illegal tapping up of a rider. Having said that there is also the not small question of what would Swindon & Rosco have to say about it even if the rider expresses a wish to leave the club. On a different note I see Chris Harris posted a fingers crossed emoji on his twitter account in last day when asked a direct question by a supporter if he would ride for Poole in 2019 having signed for Somerset. I think some may be making the association ride at Somerset Wed and stay over for Poole up the road (kind of) on a Thur. Maybe Harris is hopeful he gets a chance to extend his stay.

Nuh - Wouldn't surprise me if Matt already knows his 1-7 (or most of them) He will probably drag it out to maximise press releases in the Echo and local media. Noting like max exposure huh ?? In the meantime he has to concentrate on him and his wife's trip to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix this weekend and entertaining last seasons team with the sponsors who have helped pay for it. He could of course be using the time to also work on Nick Morris for 2019 after a few bevvies have taken effect

I thought Matt signed Jakobsen as a long term prospect being arguably the best young Dane currently coming through at still only 20. Jake is nearly 3 years older - has a lower GRA and has ridden UK 2 years longer. For that 0.5 point difference who offers arguably the most potential as a rising star in the sport ?? Jakobsen has also been signed up by a POL Nice 1 team for 2019 having ridden Lge 2 last year. I wouldn't mind seeing Allen in the side for 2019 if he could be accommodated say at reserve, if they were saving points for further up the team but not for me at the expense of Jakobsen. Unfortunately that would mean also not being able to accommodate Nielsen due to the points limit. The other 5 were in line with who I wanted to see in for 2019 with Jakobsen and one other maybe Shanes, as a young Aussie would not fit with the new overseas rider rule on allocated GRA.

Hmmm Then arguably maybe Becker/Lydsey could be better options but again would mean Matt having to jiggery poke further up the team.

Just a thought. I partly mention James because he also has a low enough GSA with the reduction to slot in IF Matt's team idea's were along the lines I mentioned. Looking at the final GSA's there is next to nobody in Premier GSA's that would fit or be ideal imo. Having said that there isn't much to set the pulse racing in the Champ either. HOWEVER I notice one young Aussie that may be of interest to put in the reserve berth and let him also double up and that's Jordan Stewart. Will be 20 in about 10 days and had his first season this year in UK with Redcar. Has a 4.09 GSA converted down at 1.5 would come in on a 3 point av. He is a young Aussie and we all know Poole's love affair with these guys and I am sure they would supply him accommodation like most/all other young Aussies they have had ride for the club. Stewart just finished runner up to Jaimon Lydsey in the Victoria Speedway Champ in Aussie and both therefore qualified for a UK Working Visa for 2019. Lydsey maybe another possibility (may also better option) as EXL Champs Leszno have also signed him as one for the future but will probably be loaned out to lower league maybe for more experience ??? Only 19 he raced in POL Lge 2 this season and was 10th in riders League av. Would he qualify on a low av like Stewart being same age and if anything at a disadvantage to Stewart having NOT ridden UK. Also as Ray says - Being Aussies they would probably be given longer ?? As said just a thought and one has to remember that Shanes first love is arguably Grass Track/Long Track and he may be happy to combine Champ with N/L but I'm just guessing on that score. Do the younger Aussies offer more potential as actual speedway riders than Shanes who will be 22 come season start so 2 years older. Still only young I know but these young Aussies who make the effort to come all the way across the World when so young to develop as Speedway riders do have a habit of pushing on even if not all actual World beaters. Luke Becker the young American is another option but would he get a low GSA or would they set him too high to fit in the rest of the team ??? Plenty of food for thought.

I think Matt Ford will consider his team carefully. Let's not escape the fact that Poole team only won 2 matches away all season - both at Leicester the bottom team who won't be there this year. Shame as think its Klindt's favourite track ;-) I think strength in depth will again be important, as we saw with all 3 leagues finishing top wins you nothing (a shame but its a reality as this is the way its set up). I am sold on Chris Holder (or Nick Morris) - Jack Holder - B.Kurtz - Woryna - Jakobsen - Klindt - Shanes (with his 2.5% reduction) and its creeps withing the 42.5 (assuming Chris keeps his 7.15/16). Last season proved that its about winning your home matches and getting important away points by staying within 6 points. It would be a team of combined youth and experience. An not convinced about Josh G and have a feeling he has reached his limit and will still be trying hard to establish himself in his adopted home nation Poland having changed teams after failures of 2018. Can see him maybe going back into Champ, although having POL Sunday may mess that up. He was better when doubling up even if an exhausting schedule. I feel there have to be some changes as we were a bit fortunate this year. Plenty of scope for improvement in the younger riders with stability from Klindt and Holder. Also have 3 possible strong reserves maybe alternating i.e Jakobsen/Klindt and maybe Woryna sharing that berth at times with Shanes. Of course I could be way off the mark and Matt may have other ideas :-)

Before anyone says yes but he had Doyle in the team. Yes he did but as we all know Doyle doesn't normally team ride being very much a self interest rider. You have to still beat the 2 opposition riders and if you have a team mate mainly interested in only gate and go then you still have to do the work to get a BP. Arguably even more with Doyle in your team ;-)

Also worth mentioning the Bonus points not included in the GSA's. In 24 matches in 2018 Jack scored 25 bonus points which was more than any Somerset rider. Only 3 riders Prem riders matched or better in 2018 in total. One of those was Woryna who matched 25. After what happened with Brady in 2018 I am always wary of how things will go. Similar to Morris who dropped way off compared to 2017 (like Brady and Nick both fell in similar terms). But what you can't dismiss is that all 3 of those riders have potential and come season start Jack at 23 - Nick at 24 and Brady at 22 all have the potential to push on. I would happily have all 3 as feel all of them will improve even if one maybe doesnt increase at all.

But they would if they go up to Champ. Would make sense as both live fairly local which would suit both. One team who could juggle ok with the new 38 point team limit is Eastbourne. Some good NL youngsters coming through so could combine some decent heat leader types with some of these good young riders who would get low GSA's coming up from NL. Every team in Champ needs to do some trimming and for some its major surgery to get down to 38 points. Eastbourne have young Brennan & Edwards coming through who could possibly hold their own in Champ as for sure other clubs will be having to use low av riders to get within the 38 point limit. Meaning poss plenty of races between low av riders plus importantly good experience for the younger guys. As well as allowing to make the team stronger in the top half.

Yes that is the case if they ride for their parent club Poole. I am sure if Matt Ford doesn't want them in Poole in 2019 he will agree to loan them to ?? for a respectable loan fee but probably not nothing.

That was what was released in local Swindon media and seemed to be the case as of morning of 14th. However they must have negotiated a solution as the contract to race there in 2019 was FINALLY signed just before midnight on the 14th Nov jut as the window was closing. Was also reported yesterday on POL Speedway site and on the Reszows site (was either twitter or FB).

Sorry thought this was Swindon - Duh....

Holders may be available for £25k a pop if you are interested. Probably Ford's valuations based on last year not mine). Can't see Matt Ford giving up those assets or even on loan to what is now his only local rival ;-) He may even try to poach Morris after plying him with plenty of that free booze he will be getting on the all expenses paid trip to Abu Dhabi having proved to be a lucky charm in last seasons Final's :-)

Maybe just visiting but also weighing up the pro's and con's of if he did make the move. What we don't know of course is, if as was reported he was selling Holder Towers does he intend still to retain a UK base with another maybe smaller property or could it be that by also winding up Chris Holder Racing as a UK company in the Summer he has seriously contemplated said move. I assume he can still continue to visit his son regular. Lot's of possibilities/permutations of course and would help maybe if Chris himself put out a short notice on his twitter/instagram page saying if he was at least hopeful to be racing again in UK in 2019. Suppose we are just going to have to wait on that score until Matt or Chris supplies some news. Of course I assume Matt will try to drag out team news to take full advantage of utilising the media signing by signing around Bournemouth FC news to maximise Poole coverage which he is fully entitled to do. Can' say I blame him as it keeps interest during the dark days of Winter and is good PR. Suppose Chris and Jack will be back in Aussie anyway to prepare for Aussie Champs in order to get into qualifiers for the SGP ?? Chris now has to take the long route back in. Not much chance of wild card unless he does a Madsen over some seasons or has a resurgent career like Doyle.

I wonder if Matt Ford will be working on Morris while Nick is on his all expenses paid trip to the Abu Dhabi GP for his part in helping Poole to win the Premiership. I am sure he would feel right at home with Brady Kurtz and Jack Holder. All the Aussie boys together and all three with the capability to up their official GSA's ;-) Morris has also proved he can score plenty of points around Poole.

Interesting. Remember reading up on it when I found out prior to last season Freddie was based there as my intrigue said - WHY Andorra ??? Seems they have a very favourable tax regime. Probably have a big bearing on him not racing in UK maybe, although he wont have the GP's this year. At least Jack already said in a recent POL interview for Torun that he intended to race UK this year but at the time 1/2 weeks ago he didn't know with which team. Well we know not Somerset it won't be.