HGould

Rumour has it that old Harry Redknapp gave Matt Ford double barrels when he was handing out wedges of cash to riders in brown envelopes to boost earnings whist claiming Poole didn't over pay. Harry was not happy someone nicking his signature move on his Manor. Seems Matt and Danny now dish out wedges in old hair nets.

It may be testing has changed but in the past you gave 1 sample. That was split in to 2 recepticles. The first was tested and if positive the second sample was retained for further tests. I've not heard of a process where you give a sample and are then asked to give another one. If he could not pee he would have been asked to drink water and to remain in the presence of an examiner until he could give a sample however long it took. These samples don't require a massive amount of urine to be compliant. If he's had a strop and refused to give a sample or tried to influence the tester or verbally abused the tester it may explain the issue of the withdrawn charge. Bottom line is that at some point he has not met the guidelines and got a just punishment. He has been a shadow of the rider he was for a few years in my opinion and we probably won't see him in the UK again even on his most recent inflated average.

If Mulford hadn't got injured just as he'd found form it's probable Redcar could have challenged Poole and Redcar as they'd always have had 2 cracking reserves and capable second strings. Luke Harrison is a great prospect though and everything he learns this season will be a bonus. As for Plymouth, Pearson is a good signing, Trigger is just nowhere near mature enough. on or off the bike. If he gates he can hold people up long enough on a slick track, if he doesn't then as you saw last night he can become a danger. Not sure how badly injured Mulford is, great to see Erik Riss have a good night. Enjoyed the BSN coverage.

Seeing Barkers slight nudge on Lawson last night was othing compared to when Lawson stuffed MPT through the Poole fence last season

Is it a gaters paradise, yes it is. Is it set up to be a gaters paradise, possibly sometimes it is, sometimes not. In mitigation I'd again point out that like Blunsdon was, the tracks with dog tracks that have quite long straights and tight bends are simply not suited to the modern high revving lay downs. Swindon proved that by realigning track, to a degree Oxford was relaunched with slightly shorter straights. I'd say Poole are constricted as to what they can do and not wholly at fault.

Yeah That's the place . I thought the Park was bigger though, had lots of Footy Pitches around 30 years ago but seems to be where it always was. Archie Wilkinson who I think rode for Cradley and Brummies in the 60's had an involvment there from memory. I also think Brian Buck was heavily involved in Cycle Speedway in the Birmingham Area. No doubt if he sees this he will be able to comment.

There used to be a Cycle Speedway Track in Perry Park. Thats just the other side of the A34 Dual Carriageway from Alexander Stadium. Not sure if it's still there Kingstanding Monarchs. It's only 100 metres smaller than Plymouth. Lots of open space there. St Andrews likely to be available by 2026 or 2027 if they move to Wheels Site.

I don't think anyone is seriously suggesting that you could cover a state of the art Athletics track for 10 to 12 Wednesdays in summer and have it available for Athletics in between? Certainly not for a sport attracting 600 fans. I know they did it at Qiubell Park Scunthorpe on the 70s but that was a shale running track.

Speedway in the West Midlands in its heyday was very much like Soccer. VERY Tribal. Let's not forget Coventry fans would not support Bees in numbers in NDL in 2018 due to Mick Horton Heathens fans didn't support team at PB and begrudgingly at Monmore in ever dwindling numbers. As I posted elsewhere earlier in the week you may get 50 tops both from each very occasionally but not 100 extra a week. I agree 100% re non sensical reference to Alexander which is home to UK Athletics and used 7 days a week for events and training. The other negative for Brummies and it hurts me to say it but massive reawakening of Birmingham City with new Owners and NFL superstar Tom Brady on Board. They will be attractive to younger supporters in and around Birmingham and attract back thousands who've drifted away and have very cheap under 15 deals already.

Any chance they could deliver it back, it would look great slung on the back of Nicolas 125k motorhome

Ablitt looks like he's been tapped up with a brown envelope

Nailed on that if Mark Phillips gave his version of events and actual thoughts on Club website he'd get a hefty fine from BSPL thought police. The fact is that the BSPL own all Vlub website domains and monitor any official content on Web and formal social media. Many a Promoter has been fined a hefty some for speaking out on their Club media. Most likely whoever does Plymouth media has forgotten to put RR.

As I posted on the match thread the Gate looked better on Wednesday. I'd always estimated 450 to 500 each week and the article writer said 600 on Wednesday which would seem about right visually. Nigel said he needed 1000 to break even which we've had a handful of times since the Masons came and through to now. Average over CL era at PB probably 500 ish He must be forking out 50 to 70k a year to support the Club. I know he has an established business but bloody hell that's a lot of badges. He's done all he can, as did David and Peter Mason. With doubts about Stadium it must be like continually filling up your petrol tank and driving round with the sump plug missing. For his own health and welfare I doubt anyone could complain if he walked away. It's sad but even with Coventry and Cradley closed we've probably only gained 50 regulars judging on their old colours and doubt we'd attract many from Wolves of they closed. Sums up the current state of the sport. Only realistic hope I believe is for BV, Ipswich Sheffield, Poole, Oxford, Glasgow who seem solvent or fundable to form a new league and any remaining including some threatened with closure to lok at a hybrid lower CL / upper NDL model eg Berwick, Edinburgh, Redcar, Scunny, Leicester, KL, Workington, and hope Wolves and Plymouth Brummies, Mildenhall, Kent can hang on somehow (sorry if missed anyone out)

The Ford's were fortunate to inherit one of the stronger fan bases in Speedway. It must be the envy of the likes of Scunny, Berwick. Edinburgh who have survived and thrived on occasions on probably 20 to 25% of the Crowds that Poole attract. So rather than moan and complain maybe doff your caps at Clubs like that who deliver enjoyment year after year on a shoestring budget in comparison. May also be time for those knocking the likes of Mark Phillips to recognise the incredible progress that Club made between 2017 and now, especially off the Track singlehandedly gown to Mark and a small loyal team of volunteers. Those locals who whinge and moan all the time on here and Updates need reflect on having to drive to Poole or Oxford were it not for him.

Diplomatic silence like Mark Phillips would be wise move

Great entertainment tonight even though we lost Some excellent rides from Josh Pickering and great potential from Sam Hagon Jason Edwards man of the match though from reserve for Redcar. Very cool under pressure. Decent crowd and plenty of passing.

Whatever the rights and wrongs of last night one thing is clear. Back in the 2 valve and upright era that Track would not be considered unsafe. Those days had no air fences and rain offs were far less prevelant. They'd put sawdust down and get on with it. Those were men not petaldicks, and they'd ride the bike and gear it according to the conditions. If they had a 2 wheel in and slide out for a few races they would. I've seen Mauger, Briggo, Collins, Olsen all do it, pictures of riders looking like they have just come from down the pit with only eyes visible were commonplace. Too many of this era can't ride bikes that rev too high and lack throttle control. Maybe the real reason they didn't want Barker to ride it was he'd have leg trailed round the fence and broken the track record. Time to consider the reason and not the cause. ..

Tidal River there right behind where they keep tractors on 3rd bend. So water not only coming from sky but very high water table under the track High tides killing the venue it seems.

Has somebody been stamped in the guts

Apparently Devon had more than double average July rainfall in July and lots since. Your worst nightmare to see Schlein turn up. He's happy to ride and win a British Final so wet you could aquaplane but regularly throws his dummy out in Leagues. Ban him for 4 weeks if he refuses to ride. Parasite

Any idea who is on BSN comms and presenting...

Indeed. There in lies the root cause. Doubling up or factually down to create income post the Sky money glut of 20 years ago. That money dwindled so double down created a false fake paradise as a generation matured. If you create a system then you can't blame those who exploit it. Speedway has to go 2 tier being as close as it can to professional full time and semi professional part time. Accepting that it's an 8 month season in Europe to deliver for the full time or a 6 month season in UK to deliver for the part time. No doubling up must be enforced other than age limited to say 23 or 24. Strict pay rules.

It's undoubtedly a good line up. It's also a truly shocking indictment and proof positive of the terminal decline in UK speedway that the average age must be around 35. This is the second tier Where are the breakthrough British riders. Clearly they are either not good enough or opportunities are stunted by PL riders, factually both reasons.

Have you anyone in mind?

Worrell given special dispensation to spend the meetings racing from the van. Not sure who's van though...