Crump99

Thank God the EL doesn't exist or are we having another re-branding. Please be upstanding. Run that by me again you've lost me!

Well that'd set season ticket sales in reverse if nothing else. Please be upstanding, it's the right thing to do.

You're sticking pins in that voodoo doll as we speak, praying that nobody takes the suggestion seriously to bring together the Butler/Bratley dream team you get on so well with

I'm sure that he'd have to be on the books pdq. No idea whether they have a qualifying period for experienced promoters in such a case. I'm pretty sure that he'd be interested if the deal and conditions were right. He's probably a bit more picky these days as to what he'll do and where he'll go. Let's hope that because that qualifies for a second idiot badge. It reminds me of "Divine is summoned to the palace following Swindon defeat" - He's the one we pay to do all of the work and take all of the blame!

Won a trophy which is more than you've ever done (egg and spoon in Swindon girls U15 doesn't count ).

My vote goes to Bratley. We wouldn't be in this mess if they'd had him onside even though orion thinks that Bratley can't run a bath

Don't think that many realists have a problem with punishment if it's justified. Without knowing the real facts of the matter it comes down to party lines who you believe and side with. As for weakened teams, with everyone innocent until proven guilty and the trial long after the then alleged offences and matches, why does the system allow the punters to be short changed by not allowing a like for like guest.

If we run then I don't think that there's any chance of him returning so that answers that one in part. I'm not sure that he think that he did anything wrong and the fact that the BSPA/SCB left him alone would support that.

Run a business like what? If you can do something that benefits your business, you take advice and it's agreed that it'll work out fine then yes I'm sure that he would depending on the situation. These are BSPA rules we're talking about, the most flexible rules in motorsport today. They only stick to them when they want to get someone, and Rathbone was the unfortunate (or not, depending on your allegiance) victim on this occasion.

If I was a betting man my money would be on not a rumour. Rumours these days are usually pretty accurate with someone somewhere unable to keep quiet. It's half-term in many places next week when I guess most flights are dearer than this week.

Well the story went that he did say no but then sought advice (probably explaining how such money could be used productively for Peterborough Speedway), which isn't unreasonable is it, unless you're asking a wrong un of course! The advice allegedly (which we assume is the bad advice mentioned in the mysterious written verdict) was to take the money and small fine that might come his way. Yes Rathbone should have stuck at no but clearly was also badly advised locally of how dangerous paddling in the shark infested custard is. Those who can't see that need more than coffee to bring them to their senses.

First meeting of the season is usually one of the best attended, if not the best attended meeting of the season anyway. It usually sells itself after the winter and build up but will have to be free for all. The BSPA (SCB) will be watching and will no doubt take great pleasure in putting the boot in if there is any suspicion of trying to make a buck, so people can forget that. It is what it is. Plenty of sponsorship opportunities would help greatly with costs if the BSPA/SCB hasn't banned them in the written verdict they've yet to disclose to the paying public.

The first meeting is just usually practice of men, machines and organisation on a cold March day before the proper stuff in a week or two. I wouldn't want too many basing their judgement on that

So did I. It got me an invite over to the vipers nest that was WWoS where it eventually sunk in that it was nothing to do with Horton, who could go and whistle, but was everything about fighting off the vitriol being thrown at Peterborough Speedway at that time. This was the interesting bit Rodders from the local rag "But the written findings of the SCB hearing make mention of the fact that I was ill advised." - Don't think those written findings are in the public domain. Who was he ill advised by if it was noted?

As you know Dick, I like a challenge.

Put all your cards on the table before the trial whilst stocking them up with ammunition at the same time, talking about gullible, that cap fits lovely on you.

In what respect?

Problem is that you can't win in such situations. There's always something that you should have said but didn't or shouldn't have said but did. It was all as clear as mud and still is in many respects and that's the way it'll stay. This is speedway after all where clarity, transparency and logic are always at a premium.

Spent already allegedly. The facts of running Peterborugh speedway are the same as they have been for 15 years so it can't have been a surprise that wads are needed.

Fake news is just one side of the story with a new buzz word. There always has been two sides with the truth somewhere down the middle.

That's just the happy clappers getting excited. Well intentioned but it's not a raffle, serious cash is needed. So if Ged doesn't want to carry on then a sale does get a mention which means the EoES may deal with someone else? Problem is, where is the next Frost/Mahoney because that's the budget required to run at the Showground when they can fit you in. “I’ve got to try to understand whether I can stay out of trouble and away from the politics, and if I’ve still got enough left in me to carrying on doing the best I can for Peterborough Speedway, or whether the club gets sold, or worst case scenario disappears.” (Peterborough Today 16/10)

That's assuming that the EoES doesn't want to deal with anyone else and Rathbone doesn't want to recoup some of the reported 100k that he's invested? If the EoES want to end it then that's the end but otherwise I want something back for my troubles.

I will agree that the response from Panthers management since August has been wrong and confrontational. That was taking them on when I'd say when a different approach was needed to play nicely even though we thought that we were doing the right thing. Rathbone said the politics gets him down and Frost/Mahoney warned him about the BSPA. The thing is, there is a bloke living within a stones throw of the EoES track (think Mick Bratley still lives there) who is quite comfortable working in the world of shark infested custard and knows when to back down or play the game even when probably in the right. “But the written findings of the SCB hearing make mention of the fact that I was ill advised." Both those named promotions ignored the advice that wasn't ill-advised for some reason and paid the price. If Rathbone wants, or can afford, to carry on then with his co-promoter bowing out then he could do with that experience in the camp. Unfortunately the piece in our local rag today does seem like a resignation speech. It would take all of Bratley's skills to smooth that over, if he was interested or wanted to help now. I think that he still would.

So you're saying that they are all totally untrustworthy and don't take any action without written evidence to back it up? Sounds about right, the penny will drop at some point.

How did he take them on?