False dawn

This is what it's like when Starry and Steve Shovlar stop posting (sorry, post less). The Poole thread just gets hijacked by all and sundry.

As we're having a bit of a lull in the silly season, I thought I'd relive a few memories. Soldier Boy was Ray Wilson's number one supporter at Blackbird Road Leicester in my memory in the early 70's. Indeed I think he used to follow Ray everywhere including guest appearances for other clubs. He was famous (infamous) and used to stand right by the starting gate at Blackbird Road. He regularly had very vocal exchanges with opposing fans. I have a vague recollection that he switched his support to Ole Olsen at some point in time (Ray Wilson retired or moved to Birmingham?). But I don't remember what became of him (if I ever knew). Any memories?

And Martin speaks so highly of you

I wish I'd never posted this. I was just a bit surprised that Crumpy suddenly agreed to ride in a test match, albeit a "friendly". That's all.

I have to say that I felt like you were almost talking to me personally. Thank you But to be honest, it took me a couple of years after Brandon closed (temporarily) to resume my former level of support for the sport. Last year I supported the auld enemy Leicester with a passion (both CL and NDL). Mind you, I might feel different if I found myself living near Poole. There are limits! Having said that, I can understand how some might find moving their long held loyalties to another club. I have to admit that yesterday, when I read that there is going to be a challenge match between Leicester (CL) and a collection of riders with a Bees connection under a Coventry banner, my first thought was, "Where's my Bees gear?". In case people don't get it, this was my attempt to lighten the mood.

That's a good question. It's a bit confusing that most clubs have announced all, or very nearly all, of their teams and then a few who have named nobody (or nearly, in the case of Kent NDL). It's the promoter's right to make public the riders he has signed in any way he wants, of course. But this lack of news is annoying to me and the clubs involved don't include my own. If it was my own team I'd be well past the daily look up routine by now. "Just let me know when the team is complete. I've got better things to do with my time" might be the fans response.

All these potential anomalies will have been thought through. Won't they?

Yes I have a deal of sympathy for you wanting to stay on track but to be fair. The discussion did go off at a tangent talking about Scott. But the fact Wolves didn't sign him (or the other way round) now means he's potentially available to the Panthers. So the discussion was relevant.

Are you serious? I can easily believe Fraser Bowes, but surely Jason hasn't ridden for 7 years. And didn't he retire due to issues with his back?

Bavarian.....I assume this was a quote by someone else? Anyone who thinks these two test matches will be "friendly" affairs, knows nothing about the history of speedway between Australia and GB (or any sport for that matter). I expect hard fought meetings with a lot of pride at stake. No doubt they'll all have a tinny or three in the bar afterwards, but on track I don't think they'll be any quarter given. If our youngsters aren't briefed on the subject in advance, they'll know better in the second meeting on Saturday. And for me, that's what this is all about. Blooding some up-and-coming talent and gaining some real experience when the only thing at stake is national pride. National pride? What's that? I think we might have just begun to forget that concept in the British speedway world. I hope for a safe two days (for all riders on display) but Come on GB. Let's surprise a few people.

Are you suggesting the ancient Egyptians had a flutter on trap 6? Greyhounds weren't bred for racing, they are hunting dogs. If you want a slightly different perspective on the treatment of racing greyhounds, I would suggest the following: Spend about 30 seconds researching the subject. Find someone who owns a pet greyhound (ex racer or otherwise) and spend a few hours with the dog. A more gentle creature does not exist on God's Earth.

Isn't that 2 miles from the NSS?

Sounds like a plan. Aren't there any restrictions on this car park that would prevent speedway fans parking there?

The predictions aren't what make me smile, it's the "Ifs and buts" people put along side them. I'm reminded of a saying my old boss used to say, "If my auntie had b*lls, she'd be my uncle". I think I'll keep my coat on this time

I guess I never really thought it would happen, but I'm sentimental enough to have hoped. Perhaps he'll sign for Peterborough

Oh, there are loads of folks on here that can tell you exactly who is going to make the playoffs and who's going to win the league. If pressed, they'll tell you the team scores in both legs of the final. Us normal mortals might as well hibernate for the summer and read about in the Star come November. Now let's see who takes that seriously?

Wouldn't it be a bit of fun if we could formalise this prediction process. For example, we all predict our 1 to 7 for the League. Then come October we "measure" who's prediction is the best. Sounds like a job for Racers-and-Royals to me!

Yes but...... Like all these things it's very hard to be black or white in the final judgement. For example. I'm a Bees fan. Our "home", since 1928, is still there in Brandon. The stadium, the track, everything. Granted it would take a deal of time, effort and money to restore it to working order but there are some splendid folks working tremendously hard to get us the right to race there again. Which category do we fall into?

And what else are we going to do between October and March?

There is the Chunnel. I don't think they're going to fill it in now we've (nearly) left the EU. Alright. I'll get my coat (again).

Oh boy. This is twice this week that I've broken the unwritten rule (one of mine at least), that you don't quote your own posts. Are Edinburgh/Armadale going to sign one or two riders to ride for their newly launched team, some time soon?

Get your coat

Fellow posters. It would be remiss of me not to point out what RobMcCaffery has said earlier in this thread. I, like many other posters, dislike what the BSPA has decided to do in preventing a nomad Reading team from entering the NDL. However, there are other factors. It's only 4 pages. Read the full thread.

Come on Rob. I got out of line. You showed me the error of my ways. I apologised. I was amused, here, that people started saying almost the exactly same things I had, and the conversation seemed to be rerunning itself. No comment about your response. I had already acknowledged your better knowledge on this subject.

This discussion is like flares. If you wait long enough they'll come round again.