False dawn

And at least 90% of the fans

The fact that Emil Grondal is riding in the 50th anniversary meeting might be significant.

For sure, we all have a responsibility for the things we say and write. Surely, recent events in many areas of life, speak to this very graphically.

I hope no one is suggesting that Greg accepted his wildcard and at the same time had no intention of taking up the place. He was invited into the championship for many reasons, not just his record. He would have surely added to the series and could well have qualified for the 2021 series by right (I have/had a bet on him making the top 3 this year; 22 to 1 will do that to a man).

If you want the advice of a Bees fan, you'll wait till half way through the season before bringing him in like we did at Brandon. Then you'll win the league.

My Peterborough team sheet has been complete for a while Rohan Tungate 6.59 Michael Palm Toft 6.30 Mikkel Bech Jensen 6.26 Chris Harris 6.16 Hans Andersen 5.79 Scott Nicholls 5.50 Bradley Wilson-Dean 5.47

A rare occurrence in my experience. There was an individual meeting at Wolverhampton fogged once. Actually, curtailed. They got to heat 12 or thereabouts. The winner was declared but he had to get down from the podium and walk across the track so the crowd could see the trophy. And to prove I'm not shy about my age. The winning rider was Johnny Boulger

Careful. You do that sort of thing and you'll get called a nerd. I know.

I don't know the truth. My only comment would be that hiding behind such a name does nothing to enhance your credibility. And before you say it, I chose my forum name on the basis of the fact that everyone picked a name of some significance to themselves (can you walk on water btw?). Back in the day, I took every opportunity to make it clear who I am. In case you weren't born then, I'm David Williams, former grasstrack, speedway and road racing sidecar passenger. Oh, and I've been a Bees supporter for 50 years. Who are you?

I think, like me, the speedway world is stunned at this news. We all want to know how, why, how could this happen? But out of respect we'll refrain from asking those questions just now, won't we? Danny was a racer, an entertainer and someone the fans took to their hearts. Keep that in your thoughts and let us try and to understand how his nearest and dearest must be feeling. Personally, I can't begin to imagine. Having just read Rob Godfrey''s words on the speedwaygb website (click here), I have to say what a moving tribute that was. Rest easy Danny.

You clearly have an accurate profile of the greyhound "industry". I use the word advisedly. I own a grey. Actually he isn't 100% thoroughbred and he wasn't a racer (no tattoos). Probably a traveller owned hare coarser. The point is, that I have become acutely aware of the darker side of the racing world. Of course there are good trainers and many of them see their responsibility extending beyond the dog's useful racing life. But the significant minority that treat their dogs as commodities, to be discarded when they are no longer fast enough, cannot be ignored. Greyhounds that escape the racing world alive, are often timid in the extreme. I know, I've met many. Given a caring environment, many come round and demonstrate their true nature. And, at the risk of repeating myself, you will not meet a kinder, more gentle, more loving creature on God's good Earth.

Are Eurosport taking over from The Guardian when it comes to typos? "Michelsen wins final head-to-head against Lagunta to become champion"

Nah. He fancied an intelligent conversation, so he ignored all of us and started talking to himself.

Thanks Philip. I think you've just proved I was right in the first place. See. I'm only wrong when I think I'm wrong

One of my favourites is "Get your facts first, then you can distort them as you please." Otherwise known as the BSPA'a Rule No.1 or, "There are basically two types of people. People who accomplish things, and people who claim to have accomplished things. The first group is less crowded." (forumites please note) But I suspect you were alluding to, "It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt". [No offence Dandelion ]

I take your point about speedway in the states but many sports have failed to gain a foothold there, including "soccer". My theory is that they have many long standing, well supported sports already (baseball, football, hockey etc.). The US sports fan is already spoiled for choice with sports they excel at. And it's a funny thing, but I've picked up a cue in my time as well as swinging my leg over a speedway bike. Both were easy to do. Getting started that is. Becoming proficient, let alone world class is another thing (I've never excelled at either btw). It takes money, backing and dedication. You said it's taken 25 years for snooker to get where it is in China and I spoke about 20 years. We'll not fall out over 5 years, will we?

My comment was an attempt at humour However, to take up your point on a more serious note. I remember going to the World Final in Poland in 1973. Although there were some good Poles riding in Britain, Poland itself could, in no way, be described as a major speedway nation. But the stadium was rammed and the media really went to town on the coverage. And look at Poland now. Arguably the no.1 speedway nation in the World. So can we make speedway more global on the back of a greater geographical coverage? I think the answer is probably a resounding yes. Clearly the cost base has to be addressed but look at the sponsorship in snooker from the Chinese as an example. Snooker was nothing in the far east until a few top players went there to play some demonstration games. Then some Chinese youngsters picked up a cue and now the sport is massive (Ding commands an audience of 500 million when he plays in the top tournaments). This doesn't happen over night, but television and now the internet provide vehicles to make this a reality in less than 20 years, maybe less. A Chinese World Champion before 2030. Now there's a thought.

Belle Vue, Leicester and Kent don't seem to feel the need to split their websites. Surely both teams can benefit from the the joint focus on a single website?

Why "would have been"? Surely, still could be?

I guess that if a club is worried about the number of meetings or the travelling distances involved, they could exclude themselves from the competition altogether. If the regulations allow for this, I dread to think what the reaction from officials and fans might be. As they used to say in exams in my day ,"Manchester United withdraws from the FA Cup. Compare and discuss!".

That's not a comment you could have made a couple of years ago when Matt Ford was firmly in control. And that's an observation from a died in the wool Bees fans who has viewed all things Poole from the point of view of bitter rivalry.

I know. There is an announcement regarding Josh Embleton if you can avoid the missing page error. But nothing reference the other 5. Still this is a new promotion and they are getting up to speed I guess. And good luck to them. Bringing two sides to market from nowhere is no mean feat. I'm just glad to see that another famous club has not been lost possibly forever.

There's no speedway in Perth these days (if ever?). Edinburgh ad Glasgow are close. If Scotland vote to leave the UK, I guess they'll be ringing Armando to get their own GP. I'll get my coat

I know what you mean. He was a top promoter when I started watching speedway. And that's a while ago!

It's on the Official British Speedway Twitter feed as shown on the www.speedwaygb.co.uk website. I quote: NEWCASTLE have completed their team-building for the 2020 National Trophy. 1. Max Clegg 2. Joe Alcock 3. Jamie Halder 4. Josh Embleton 5. Leon Flint 6. Ryan MacDonald 7. Archie Freeman