TigerIain

But if you read the British Speedway article from 3rd November, David Howe is quoted as saying "Josh comes in on a high average so we have had to look at riders who we feel will improve their own average, and I am quite happy with the balance of youth and experience in the team" I read that as them having signed a full team, but have only announced their star number 1. That doesn't fit with your narrative of Scunthorpe signing Pickering knowing that there would not be a Premiership. Even if the conference had been moved to January (which it does appear to have been) there will be plenty of discussing ongoing between promoters to try and find a workable solution prior to that. The conference is normally about formally signing off on the new big changes, with maybe the odd smaller matter brought up at the time

And if Glasgow tell them where to stick their ultimatum? Are you REALLY going to kick Glasgow out of speedway?? And kick Chris Harris, Kyle Howarth, Leon Flint, & Luke Harrison out of the Championship? Or are they just to ride your 4 meaningless meetings? (NB I've no idea who Glasgow have signed for next year, but those 4 have all been linked to Glasgow, but I expect the first 3 to be wanted back. I'm also reckoning that most Championship teams have already signed nearly all of their 7 for 2026 so couldn't fit three newly unemployed 2026 Tigers septet into their plans). So Tigers prop up the Premiership for one year with Janowski or some other nae user at number 1, no second heat leader and a team full of riders not good enough for the 5 existing Premiership teams, and then go back to one big league to sign the cast offs again? That is assuming that your 1 year propping up the Premiership with a dross team getting stuffed every week with a significant drop off in the racing (entertainment) against teams we don't care about (no rivalries of any sort) doesn't kill the crowd levels to the point it becomes not financially viable to continue? Also how is this Championship level team going to work, is at a select team from other clubs (essentially 7 guests!) are we just bringing riders out of retirement. Or are we to have 4 Premiership riders plus 3 NDL reserves? (like that very sorry lived inter league trophy from 10ish years ago) The 2026 Premiership problems are a direct result of 4 of the remaining 5 teams hoovering up all the talent and leaving the others to rot. KL made a decent fist of it, but Oxford and Birmingham were lambs to the slaughter and consequently aren't around any more (Brummies lost their stadium but there was no talk at all of trying to relocate). That is the reason that no one wants to step up. It's not the first time it happened either, Arena Essex / Lakeside were screwed over just the same when they stepped up. Ideally it needs a miracle resurrection of Coventry or Swindon or Peterborough or Cradley Heath but that isn't likely, and starting a Northampton team in a different location (like Oxford) with a weak team getting stuffed every week sounds like a recipe for disaster

Nobody agrees because you're wrong. Glasgow lose enough money in the Championship, and that is on their fans preferred race night, with lots of local derbies and rivalries. None of the 5 Premier teams hold any of the appeal of a visit from Edinburgh, Berwick or Poole. Or Redcar or Workington. 1 season propping up the Premiership and the financial losses associated with that could be the end of the current promotion and no one in Glasgow wants that. I genuinely can't see many Glasgow fans wanting to move up a division. One other thing, where would Glasgow, or any other 6th team, get a competitive team from? An Oxford/Birmingham select from last year would still finish miles behind the other 5 teams, and would provide little excitement. That's partly why the Premiership is struggling, because whenever anyone steps up the others refuse to share their riders and the new team end up as cannon fodder.

Glasgow could sign both, along with Flint and Howarth if they build along the same lines as last year. For all the talk of the weak reserves, Glasgow were only 1 point or 1 ride away from being Playoff Champions, so might build the same way this year

Dan Thompson has signed for Edinburgh. He goes well at Armadale, but hasn't ridden at 1 or 5 before now (at least not last year and not regularly for Plymouth) so it will be a big step up. Very good rider, but wasn't quite the same after his wrist injury last year (not sure if the injury wasn't quite healed properly, psychological issue, or just coincidence). I hope the move works out for him, but it is a bit more of a risk with the extra pressure or being the number 1, although he should prove to be a better number 1 than Sedgmen or Palovaara were last year.

Batchelor would fit in well. Good gater, which is essential for Wimbore Road. Just had a season at number 1, and dropping to the slightly easier number 5 in a weakened league means he should increase his average

Dan Thompson previously mentioned on a podcast that he needed a new Championship team for next year due to the 1 rider over 8 rule (Tigers will almost certainly have Harris back). Scunthorpe suggested that they had signed 7 riders and Poole have said that they have signed 6 and seem to have fell out with the 7th causing a problem with replacing them. Redcar are rumoured to have all 7 in place. Plymouth have announced 2 riders who would be Champ heat leaders. It would be a major shock then if there wasn't 2 leagues, but if the rumour is true about the annual conference being moved to January then there could be a major shock incoming. It does seem that the Championship will be essentially as expected but could be that the Premiership is still to be decided which could be behind a potential delay to the conference? Not that we know, as us fans aren't important enough to let us know when the conference is. And maybe I'm not getting my season ticket for Christmas

Riss is not intending to ride in the UK next year per an interview in the Speedway Star. Jenkins' Facebook post suggests it was his choice to leave Oxford for a 'new challenge'. Nicholls leaving was circumstance last year, and likely his choice not to return. If they don't want to ride for Oxford, then there is nothing that the promotion can do to make them. It does start to leave questions about top end strength to support Masters though (assuming that he is back at Oxford).

There were times at Ashfield last year when it felt that the tractors were out for ages going round, sometimes without moving any shale. It would help if something was said as to why the tractors were out for longer than normal. In general, there is a lack of info for fans at track side as to what's happening with delays and things (breakdowns, injuries, why Palovaara wasn't excluded in heat 1 of the playoff SF). Often people watching live streams know more than those in the stadium (On occasion I've had to message people watching the live stream, or sign in whilst at the stadium to find out what's happening in the match that I'm attending).

I'm beginning to think that they are delaying it because someone leaked the date!! Maybe they think is fans are gonna turn into the January 6th rioters or something! If it is delayed, hopefully it is too allow something good to happen, rather than their trying to stop something bad happening, but so knows. They don't like to tell the fans. They are not building teams, seeing budgets or offering contracts at the conference. They are signing off on the structure and rules for next season hoping that FANS will support their decisions (or at least not walk away from the turnstiles). You can't please all the fans, but surely speedway needs to focus on what brings fans through the gates and paying money in to keep the sport going. Fans aren't the only consideration but they are just as important as the other stakeholders in the sport. I do find is strange that given importance of what is agreed at the conference with regards to what hairdryer the next season, I find it strange that they don't tell fans when the will hear the league structure, points limits, rule changes etc. And it also seems that some years they forget to announce some of the rule tweaks etc

Why shouldn't Glasgow be allowed to compete in the Championship? Tigers currently have wealthy promoters but that has not always been the case, in fact it's rarely been the case in our history. Moving up would eliminate any sort of local rivalry. And further reduces the number of teams to race against. Moving up would force Tigers to give up the Friday night that their fans prefer (by a significant margin over other times/days). More importantly, where would Glasgow get a non cannon fodder Premiership team from? (Never mind not being able to build the type of entertaining team that the promotion and fans want). A combined Oxford and Birmingham team from last year would still have finished miles off the pace. If rumours are true, Glasgow make a not insignificant loss every year, despite the promotions best efforts, in the Championship. Moving up to the Premiership would make that worse and might drive the Facennas away, quite possibly ending speedway in Glasgow. I think I speak for most Tigers fans when I say I don't want the Premiership.

I'd be surprised if they haven't talked to him, but Blobby is broadcasting that Dan Thompson is off to the Monarchs next year

Sounds like the Monarchs are still trying to sign a number one for tuppence ha'penny and a couple of ginger bottles then

Scott Nicholls is just below 8 so Plymouth could sign a rider above 8. However Nicholls is more than capable of being number 1. Depends if they want top heavy or strength in depth. Either way it was a great way to start their team building

Adam Roynon, if the picture was accurate. Tbh I think it will be the new number 1. Unless that is Richard Lawson who would be at Poole's end of season do at the time. That might be awkward. If King is going to Workington, and Thompson to Edinburgh, then I'm not sure who it will be at Plymouth (I expect Harris, Wright, Masters and Lawson to start where they are). I would be shocked if Klindt is back, and not sure Kildemand or Jeppesen would be there. Adam Ellis maybe?

Harrison (4.97) replacing Grahn would allow a stronger number 6. I would expect Sedgmen to be first choice ahead of Palovaara for number 5

Don't kid yourself that promoting speedway in a big city is any easier. The problems might be slightly different but still just as big. Glasgow news (not just sports news) is Dominated by Rangers and Celtic. Then the sports news has everything about the rest of Scottish football, all the English football, the European football, then whatever sport has is major event (Ryder Cup, Olympics, Wimbledon, Snooker World Champs), then Glasgow Warriors and Scotland rugby, then global sports like F1, golf, tennis, then there is just a tiny bit of space left for teams like Caledonia Gladiators (basketball), Glasgow Clan (ice hockey) and the Tigers to fight over. Then factor in other things like the huge live music scene in the city competing for news space and fans money. The Facennas have put a lot of time, money and effort into trying to promote the Tigers in Glasgow but it's hard to be heard. So whilst they might have a big catchment area, they have problems fighting with the other sports and everything else for column inches. I reckon 3/4s of the city population have still never heard of speedway and half the test don't know about the Tigers. NB none of this is a criticism of the Glasgow (or any other) promotion. I've seen some of the hard work the Facennas have done with billboards in the city centre, mutual publicity tie ins with rugby and ice hockey, and at running races and other events, free tickets for new fans.

Caveat that win with Dan Thompson crashing out of that meeting, and in the final Joe Thompson was unlucky that both Hagon and Harrison were on his back wheel right from the start. He did well to hang on to first as long as he did given he was riding defensively to block 2 riders. Had only 1 of the 2 been on his back wheel then I think Joe would have won. That being said, sometimes a change of scenery works wonders for a rider. And Hagon spent most of last year as a second string, but in that line up he's a reserve which could make a difference. Most British riders develop slightly later in their career so there is still time for Hagon to become a top rider. However in 2 visits to Ashfield with Berwick last year Hagon got 3 from 3 rides and 0 from 3 rides. I'm not sure those performances will convince Tigers to go for him

You've missed the point of what I was saying. I don't care how quickly the decisions are announced. My point was I am a little surprised that there isn't ever an announcement saying the conference outcomes will be announced on whatever date. It would be of interest to a lot of fans. Is not like there is a wealth of speedway news going on at this time of year anyway. Most Ltd Co's and most sports don't make such impactful changes every year as speedway does. So the conference outcomes are a big deal to most fans. As for people being negative, there is nothing that can be done regarding that. The date that you release info won't have that much impact on people's reaction to it. Also, you could post literally anything on the internet, and someone will object to it.

I believe that was the case in his first season as Workington seemed to be really late to declare they were running and sign a team. He did well enough that year to be retained for last season. I think it is the inconsistent scoring from him that put some teams off. On his day he is a top rider but looks bang average too often. I don't know what causes it but his scores are more up and down than most others. If someone could find the key to make him fire on all cylinders in every race then they would be on to a winner

I should hope that it is well publicised with the attendees! I just don't see what's the harm in letting fans know when it is, or when the outcomes will/might be known. What is decided at the conference impacts on everything for next season, even if the only outcome of a conference was 'everything is the same as agreed last year' would be newsworthy given that would be a first. I'm not asking for an invite or a live broadcast of the discussions, my point was that finding out the conference outcomes is of interest to many fans, I don't see the harm in telling fans when to expect an update. Plymouth announced yesterday that they will announce another signing on Friday. Scunthorpe announced in advance that they would be making an announcement (the signing of Pickering). It is not unusual these days for sports clubs to tell fans when news will be released. What would be your problem with saying the conference is on this date, we will let our fans know the outcomes that night, shortly thereafter, the next night or whatever timescale that you went to set?

I believe it is the 12th of November, but it's not well publicised when it is. Seems strange that it isn't more widely talked about given that it sets the rules for next year

Whilst Lawson seems to have signed a contract in Denmark, he could do be back with Pirates. When they wanted to resign Ben Basso they said that they could avoid any clashes with his Danish commitments. And it's not like speedway is every week in the UK these days. Plus they run a squad system in Denmark, so Lawson might not be needed/wanted there every week. Whilst there isn't much room to improve his average, his scoring would be a big loss to the Pirates, even if it allowed them to be stronger elsewhere. I'd be surprised if Lawson wasn't a Pirate again

Would still be a long trip to Plymouth. Bomber stays in the Midlands these days, so not as much of a time saving add you might think. Still has family in Cornwall though

Nothing announced as yet, just the standard 'not easy decision', 'fresh challenge' type announcement from Jenkins saying that he is leaving Oxford. I think a lot of teams will be interested.