Crump99

I think the days of speedway season tickets and calculators are well gone. When I bought one it was just for the convenience of being sorted before a wheel is turned, knowing that I'd probably miss some but would, in part, enable the club to trumpet the annual record season ticket sales; albeit that was 4 years ago in my case! I'm sure that the management collective are aware of the issues you describe but what is your solution. Dates are no doubt at a premium at this time of year and the EoES said jump so we did, against our better wishes I guess. If we don't leave the EoES (no chance) or they don't really seem to want us as much as they are alleged to proclaim then this is just a fact of life running there.

Problem is that I doubt that our planning has much to do with it. We go with what the EoES gives us and they'll not worry about events elsewhere of no interest to themselves. I don't think that there is a genuine gripe on the first one. Most people can record it and watch later. Also an early GP in the series isn't that significant in the final shake up. July is more unfortunate, but is some way off and might always be changed if possible and sensible. How many fans does it really affect though? If dates are scarce, then although he doesn't want to, I guess Rathbone just has to take any potential financial hit on that one. A fixture after a TV Brit GP on a nice Sunday might entice a few newbies.

Stick him on ignore Rodders, he'd pick a fight in a phone box.

Somewhat ironic: Does Peterborough want a speedway club? Falling Panthers gates suggest the answer may be no. There is a problem - there just aren’t enough people coming through the turnstiles and that is hitting finances hard. In a candid insight to the club’s current situation, Mick Horton admits he is subsidising Panthers on a weekly basis as attendances are falling 200 paying adults short of their break-even mark. It’s a plight he is working hard to address and one which can’t continue long-term as he calls for the backing of the Peterborough public (www.peterboroughtoday 2/4/14) one of many down our way.

I never understand this comeback. Someone doesn't want to watch what they feel is an inferior product but are reminded that those that they prefer to watch were once at that stage. So what? Just over 1 in 4 like strike rate

Reign perhaps but given the state of the sport I'd say supreme is pushing it.

That's a different argument though unless they're given a free horn and sit near me to grab a breather.

That wasn't the point though. It was the overall Sunday entertainment package rather than the racing in isolation. Peterborough delivers well enough on that for 15 minutes, but Sundays are for days out, and that's what the atmosphere feels like. Doesn't compare to evening under lights

Given the distress signals the promotion have put out in recent times then nor has anybody else.: "SCUNTHORPE promoter Rob Godfrey has revealed that the meeting on Bank Holiday Monday, August 31st could be the final-ever Scunthorpe Scorpions’ fixture at the Eddie Wright Raceway, unless there is a telling increase in attendance levels at the North Lincolnshire venue for the rest of the 2015 season." I assume that was rectified in 2016 and the fans are flooding in now?

The basic formula (well one that suits me) has always been there, it's just not used. No planning required, just go back to basics. As this is the wrong topic for the thread at this time, my last word on this. As I said, Peterborough used to be good but has lost it over time. Think afternoon speedway only makes it worse as it has all the excitement of a Sunday picnic.

Peterborough have flirted with getting this right over many seasons but never stick to a decent basic formula and seem to toss a coin for which effort they are going to use that night, if at all! Frost & Mahoney made a decent fist of it and somehow employed Darren Fletcher (£s I know) who was light years ahead of anything you'll hear these days, but even that couldn't save a meeting with a poor Lakeside or Belle Vue side turning up.

Because it's the no1 sport in the world.

Kids are bored senseless because it's 15 mins of a poor product spread over 2 hours or more. Presentation is a problem I agree, but isn't the main one. Everything seems to be the problem of the old people these days: pensioners too wealthy, can be bothered to attend things and can be arsed to vote, but we need to pander to who dont know their arse from their elbow. They are the future but will turn into Ernie and Maud when life's reality hits home.

It'll be regular income of sorts for the EoES and filling in gaps to keep the showground in visible and audible use must benefit them. A weekend event booking (which probably covers many more days than that) must make run of the mill speedway takings look like a widdle in the ocean.

Been like that for 15 years. Prior to that speedway was valued and ran weekly. It then had to be grateful to be running when granted. They say jump and we say how high.

Yup.

Peterborough don't come up with a date, the EoES do. If it's the whole weekend then I'd not be surprised if that's where the problem could be.

Too dull up north, I'm going to do the southern trip - oh hang on

Craig Saul been doing it for years at Peterborough. Riders used to be introduced as such and the have their own tune which was used during their victory lap. Always worked well but the presentation is mostly inconsistent and dull these days so it could be worth doing again? Better than telling us what we've just seen as they pass the chequered flag, or another tedious invisible pit interview.

Vic Flange lives

He's deluded and you've got a season ticket sales keyboard ie. it registers a much bigger number than reality.

Being covered by the SNP allegedly: We're on the march wi' Sturgeon's Army We're going tae stay in the Eurozone And we'll really shake them up When we really knacker it up Cause Scotland no longer wants to be part of the GB team.

Because even if I assumed that I knew the answer to some extent then it's good to get a confirmation, which never came BTW but some other mind readers jumped on the case to help you out. I don't know what an EL snob is tbh but I'm sure that you know the answer so I'll not ask. It's true that I did like the EL from 1999-2013 and the anticipation of that top level evening action (not always I grant you) show during that time. I no longer get that same buzz from Panthers or domestic speedway these days but it'll no doubt all continue at a sustainable level and bottom out at some future point. You're happy with whatever, I'll pick and choose and mourn for the good old days.

And you had to edit that. It must have made sense first time round.

Did he? Was running a club on top of Readypower not a massive commitment for Rick and Julie? They probably didn't have the time (in fact did say as much) but put their money where their mouth is which somewhat unfortunately often disengaged them from the paying public and willing volunteers. I'd say that we were very fortunate to have them and it was a shame that they didn't employ someone like Rathbone to bridge the supporter, management gap. Although Swales was on the management team so what input did he have? We then probably wouldn't be having this discussion if Frost & Mahoney had the right people in post (both on and off track) but they got that bit wrong from the start. But we are where we are, too late now. I will agree that Rathbone has steadied the ship and continues to do a good job. Hopefully he'll also get the silverware his efforts deserve.