Tinker

Fair enough but I'm just trying to think outside the box. Boy, does Speedway need it. My suggestion is not perfect by any means but I'm sure there's ways they could work around it. All I'm saying is that the sport needs a new direction, a new impetus and more variety. At the moment it's same old same old and needs something different to get new fans in. Even bringing back the Gold Helmet would be a good start. A decent sponsor, some decent publicity and put it out there that there's bad blood between the two contestants (akin to boxing etc). Remember the Golden Helmet match races between Carter and Penhall, now that really did catch the public's imagination!

Probably too late to arrange now but why not have the Knockout Cup involving both leagues. At least it would give some variety and renewed interest with different teams competing against each other. If a Championship team is drawn against a Premier League team then there is only one leg with the Championship team being at home. Otherwise, it's two legs home and away. Semi finals and Final to be over two legs no matter which teams get through to the latter stages. Try and get a sponsor on board with decent prize money and make it a trophy/tournament worth winning. Example of what some matches could be drawn out of the hat as:- Plymouth v Kings Lynn, Poole v Belle Vue, Edinburgh v Sheffield etc. Would surely create a lot of interest and give the fans something different. Worth a try?

Some on here seem to be getting carried away with the fact that there will be no Ipswich or Sheffield next year and making assumptions without any background information/knowledge regarding the situation. Just best to be patient, let the BSPL get on with whatever they're doing and all hope for a satisfactory outcome. I agree a five team Prem is unsustainable, boring and not something to get excited about in any shape or form. I hope they have something more radical in mind for the good and future proofing of British Speedway.

Hey Dean, I've been posting as much recently. I don't have an affiliation to any club in particular, I'm just a Speedway fan who subscribes to BSN. Over the past couple of years I must admit I've enjoyed the Championship matches more than the Premiership. The matches seem to be more grittier and the riders generally appear to have more commitment. People seem to slag off Plymouth but the racing always seems to be close and not strung out. The matches involving Glasgow, Redcar, Poole etc are always worth watching. Variety is the spice of life and one league could give British Speedway a real shot in the arm. Belle Vue away at Edinburgh, Sheffield away at Plymouth etc. Something new for a change instead of the same old, same old etc. Finally, this forum is getting more depressing by the day. I realise there are major obstacles to overcome but what is happening at the moment is just maybe what the sport needed, a massive shake up! I visited my doctor recently as I've been feeling down, fed up and depressed. Is it the cold damp weather or the fact I've just been made redundant etc. After speaking to my doctor at length, he advised me to come off this forum! Just joking.

Don't fully understand people on here suggesting that riders will suffer financially with one league as they won't be able to double up. One league, however, with say eleven teams will give them 20 meetings for starters plus cup matches, play offs, local challenges, individuals etc. On another note and yes, I do keep harping on here about variety, but if there are two leagues why not have all teams involved in one Knockout Cup like football's FA Cup. Sponsorship for a decent prize fund would be a good start and have a proper run draw with no "fixes" like Poole v Plymouth or Belle Vue v Sheffield. All Championship sides to be given an advantage by having just the one home leg if they're drawn against a Premiership team. If two Premiership sides or Championship sides are drawn together then two legs home and away will be the order of the day. Realise there would be things to work out re Prem riders being paid if riding away to a Championship side but surely problem not insurmountable. It would give the sport more variety and imagine if say Plymouth were to beat Ipswich on their own patch. Not only would it be a great boost for the club but market it right and could be financial gains for an increased crowd.

Yes, I know what you're saying but Glasgow v Edinburgh is a local derby where away fans will travel in numbers to create that "special" atmosphere. I probably watched the match you're referring to on BSN and it certainly was a cracker. I only used BV v KL as an example. A Monday night meeting and I can't see KL bringing many fans (if any) to either Match 1, 2 or 3 plus the KO Cup if they were drawn together! I'm basically crying out for some variation and I personally don't care what standard of riders we have as long as they are evenly matched with close racing.

The top brass don't seem to have any long term plan and go from one mess to another. We were told that some major changes were happening next year and that the AGM was only going to be a case of finalising everything. But look where we are now! They should have foreseen what was happening and definitive plans should have been put in place months if not a year ago. Essentially, scrap the two league system and run one league. If that league mirrors the Championship more than the Premiership then so be it. Still entertaining racing to be had with more variety of teams and riders. If things had been thought out properly I'm sure they could come up with 14 or so balanced teams. It's all been said before but a 5 team Premiership is totally unviable, teams meeting each other at least 6 times over a season just will not work. Quite frankly it's laughable. Belle Vue v Kings Lynn for the third time .... no thanks! Belle Vue v Glasgow for the first time .... yes please! Etc etc.

If the AGM has indeed been postponed then one would assume the powers that be will announce this fact pdq. There may be some sensitive pieces of information that they can't release at the present time but wouldn't it make a change for once if they attempted to keep fans in the loop as much as possible. Come clean for once and say it how it is instead of constantly staying in the shadows.

If that's the case then rather worrying times and proverbially suggests trouble at the mill. In my view, the Premiership cannot run with only five teams. Home and away at least three times, how boring is that? Other suggestions on here (either true or false) such as Northampton basing themselves at Oxford smacks of desperation. I can understand why Championship clubs do not want to take the risk of moving up so not really sure what the answer is ..... probably one league at Championship level with a great deal more variety at least.

Dexter Fitzwilliam-Cartwright I presume. First pupil to get his own motor vehicle. Used to park it next to Mrs Bridges, the chemistry teacher. 😉

Uncle Dexter I think?

Hope this wasn't a wind up otherwise a bit of a daft thing to say. What's your source of info?

From what I have read over the past year or so, Sweden seems to be in more of a mess than the UK? Various tracks owing substantial amounts of money, riders not being paid, lack of homegrown talent etc.

I realise there would be many pitfalls with one league but for me personally, I think it would be a breath of fresh air for the sport. Glasgow versus Belle Vue, Kings Lynn versus Edinburgh, Plymouth versus Sheffield etc. I know it probably isn't going to happen but as a BSN subscriber, I have looked forward to watching the Championship meetings much more this year than the top tier. The Championship seems to be more gritty with more committed riders. The recent matches between Poole and Glasgow and Poole and Redcar were great adverts for the sport and for excitement and entertainment value easily eclipsed any of this year's GP's. Finally an appeal to the guys in charge (and remember of the radical changes being mentioned), if there are to be two separate leagues then please do not run the Premiership with five teams only. It would surely sound the death knell, same teams/riders every other week and the playoffs would be a mockery. Let's hope they are going to spring one or two surprises and pull some major news and/or changes out of the proverbial hat!

Congrats to Redcar. Great to see the team deprive Poole of a clean sweep. Watching Jody Scott ride was brill, all over the track both inside and outside. One to watch next year for defo. Also great to see what it meant to Gavin Parr, well done to all involved!

I hope upon hope that if the Premiership remains in its current form next year, there are more than five teams contesting it. Five teams would not only be boring but would make a mockery of the sport. It was bad enough with seven teams but five teams (maybe racing each other six times in the league alone) would be madness. Fans would soon switch off with the same riders week in, week out. If the two leagues do not amalgamate (my preferred option but I understand the pitfalls), then please have at least seven teams in the Premiership.

Agree with most comments made on this thread. Watched on BSN, very exciting with some breathtaking action and really showed speedway in a very good light. Must admit I've enjoyed the Championship meetings more than the Premier ones. Congrats to Poole, always a well oiled machine. A big mention to Glasgow for always being in the mix and finally two other teams which I have enjoyed watching this year:- Edinburgh, good to see them on the rise again and unlucky not to make the final. Plymouth, a small club and some people knock their track but always close and entertaining racing. Look forward to more action next year.

Here here!

I think the performance of Flint tonight is pivotal. He's rather hit and miss and needs to ride well if Glasgow are to keep the scores close. Additionally, the Glasgow reserves are going to have to ride out of their skins to beat their opposite numbers. Intriguing stuff. It sometimes baffles me when riders use excuses like the track is different to last time, can't find the right set up etc etc. The likes of Bomber and Howarth have ridden there many times in the past so there should be no excuses. I'm a neutral and subscribe to BSN and although my nearest tracks are Belle Vue and Sheffield I have definitely enjoyed watching the Championship this year as opposed to the Premiership. As a northerner, come on Glasgow! Let's make sure those trophies are shared out.

Mike, you always talk a good game but I sometimes wonder why you come on this forum because most of your posts are full of negativity. If I had a quid for everytime you've used the phrase "mickey mouse sport" I certainly wouldn't be taking my holidays in Cleethorpes or Skeggy! I'm also having difficulty understanding your recent post. If the play offs are to remain, are you suggesting that the finals should be held in July or August when the weather has a better chance of behaving itself? The league matches themselves have to lead to a climax of some sorts so if the play offs are held in July, what the hell then happens in August and September? I've known past Julys that have been a complete washout and Septembers that have been akin to an indian summer so blaming the powers that be for this current weather situation with the subsequent cancellations etc is both unfair and pretty unreasonable.

Realise I'm putting pressure on them but I believe both Zischke and Blodorn will eventually come to the party for BV. in the play offs. It could be argued that they need to if the team are to progress to the final but I have a sneaking suspicion they will defo play their part. Here's hoping we have six keenly contested meetings over the next three weeks and as many on here have already said, it's very close to call. My prediction is a BV v Sheffield final.

Lambert a real worry. Seems to have lost the plot completely and with the Speedway of Nations on the horizon worrying times ahead. Serious question but does he need to return to the British Speedway to sharpen himself up, he defo needs to do something!

Everyone seems to be writing Belle Vue but I've got a sneaky suspicion that they will prove to be the surprise packet. They're the "sleeping giant" at the moment and Lemo will expect them to all raise their game come the play offs. Underestimate them at your peril.

Agree entirely. Watched him on a few occasions on BSN and has a very tidy style. Not afraid to go up to the fence either. Hopefully, could go far.

Thanks S. Have kept thinking Zischke will improve as the season has gone on but it hasn't really happened. As we are in touch of the playoffs both reserves will have to up their game if BV are to have any chance of retaining the League title. Enjoyed watching Workington last year (on BSN) and had high hopes for both Zischke and Voulas but both riders don't seem to have moved forward.