TigerIain

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.

Nagel won't be back, and Dan not allowed back as his average is over 8 and Tigers will keep Bomber. I expect Flint and Howarth will be back. Jenkins would make a good number 4 in that team, and allow a stronger bottom 3 than Drew Kemp would, so if that was the choice I would prefer Jenkins

Richard Juul rode one season for Glasgow around year 2000. He signed from top division Wolves on a converted average of about 9.5 and was nowhere near that. Think he only ever averaged about 6 in his div 2 career. Rode with Newcastle after that and I think ended up as co-owner or co-promoter there. Peter Juul could also have made the list though

If it is just one rider over 8, then you won't be competing with Tigers for Dan Thompson. Tigers will have Bomber back, so Dan T will move on. Glasgow, Poole, Oxford, Scunthorpe and Redcar won't be able to fit him in, so Workington only competing with Edinburgh, Berwick and Plymouth. Unless Workington have already signed Klindt, in which case I would think Plymouth are favourites to sign him

If the rumoured 40 point limit is true, and only 1 rider over 8.00 is accurate, then only Scunthorpe can strengthen up, and Poole and pretty much everyone else have to start next season weaker than they finished this. Berwick finished under 40 but Kildemand and Jeppesen were both over 8. Plymouth and Workington may be under 40 with Brit reduction if still in place. Poole finished on 44.53 so will have to loose quite a few points even with the British reduction, about 3.5 points (which for context roughly equates to keeping the 2025 team but replacing Anders Rowe with Ace Pijper)

He also had a skid round Ashfield after one of the Tigers matches, before his individual meetings. Could have been arranged through Nagel or hours Landshut teammate Leon Flint. Jonas Seifert-Salk I believe also had an after match practice session at Ashfield last year. Both of which could be completely unrelated to 2026 team building. Glasgow have ruled out using Danes in the recent past seasons as Poole and Oxford ride on Wednesday nights, but Danes have generally done well for Glasgow in recent years (Nagel, Basso, Rasmus Jensen, Vissing), but there have been a few misses (Sam Jensen, Anders Thomsen and Richard Juul) over the years.

That probably means that Max Perry would fit as number 7 in that line up. With the entire team benefiting from the Brit reduction, it is likely to do well. But whilst both Perry and Hodder showed flashes of potential but I'm not sure that Tigers will have them both back

Scunthorpe just ruined the "we've got 9 riders over 8 and 9 teams so let's give them all 1 each". Great signing for Scunthorpe fans though especially after ensuring a tough season last year

Statement also says "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." Sounds like they have 7 signed already