Najjer

What is the no.8 rule, presumably anybody under a certain age?

What you saying, they don't make them like they used to?

I think given the choice between Schlein, Harris or Wright most Somerset fans would of taken Wright over the other two. Regardless of the ins and outs it’s Somerset fans lose for sure and very much Redcar’s gain.

With regards the race suits, no I won’t be offering to buy one as that is far from being near the top or even close on my priority list. If I had my own business that was making a tidy profit then it would be a different ball game altogether. Regardless of what current sponsors enquire about or are happy with, there is no doubt if the oppertunity to have further exposure, keep a race suit and the countless number of photos that come with it, I have no doubt they would be happy to part with an extra £500. There is always scope for more and more. I’m also aware and don’t doubt the Premiership and Charles Wright conundrum for one minute. Redcar’s attitude at the AGM is exactly why the sport is in the mess it is with continued self interest instead of trying to better the sport. However - the how, when and whys whilst they are understandable, but doesn’t stop the fact I have little to no desire to watch Championship speedway. The blow would of been softened by watching Wright, Allen, Wilson-Dean etc but our team is anything but inspiring. After watching speedway for 19 years and following Somerset up and down the country it’s sad to feel that way and current situation. I hope I’m the only one who thinks like that otherwise the drop to the 2nd tier will be financial suicide. I hope Somerset have a great season and will continue to follow them albeit from at home more often than not and return to the top division where they belong.

Really Cliff? He’s going to be one of the top riders in the league come the end of the year. We should of bent over backwards to make sure he signed for us.

Chapman/Peterborough didn't release a rider 5 days before the season started. Said rider, refused to sign a contract and walked out 5 days before the start of the season!

I thought it was the cost of them that was the issue with some people, not the man power?

Is now a good time to start the debate on track covers again??

Been raining since 1 o’clock in Highbridge, hopefully it’s not a rain off for those attending but doesn’t look promising at the moment. If it goes ahead Poole should walk it.

Another reason why Charles Wright will be right at the top of the averages come the end of the season. He’s starting to become the real deal.

I’m amazed a ‘tight T-shirt’ sort of concept hasn’t taken off. That looks much better for guest riders and would be a much more affordable way for the lesser clubs than race jackets, whilst looking better too.

Gutted for Peterborough fans. Was really hoping they would line up a decent replacement for Cook and being rewarded for trying to squash rider power.

How anybody can side with Craig Cook in that saga is anyone’s guess. Speedway is struggling financially and whilst there is sponsors pumping money in keeping clubs afloat they should get every preference available to them. The fact Cook said he would of signed on for more points money and milking the club even more null and voids any slight argument he had. Clubs need extra revenue and if riders aren’t happy then go and ride somewhere else. All the other riders have got on board including more high profile names like Andersen, Lambert and Harris.

Obviously - but in simple terms is refundable. I probably should of used the reclaim instead of refundable, if the company is a limited company and VAT registered with a turnover over a certain amount - which they will be.

Just seen some pictures and they look great. The best ones yet. Another club with main team sponsors on the front covers too. Great idea.

The VAT is refundable so is irrelevant for a Ltd company to a certain extent so the figure without VAT is what is relevant. As has been said previously clubs have managed to do auctions to pay for the suits and actually turn a profit from it. Look professional, attract more sponsors AND make money - why would you not??

A quick google search shows that Dstar would charge £3,584 excluding VAT for a complete team. Hardly ground breaking money when you compare it against an auction to purchase them, and also the additional sponsor coverage. Not to mention nearly half the figure you have quoted.

Cook mentioned he thought the issue had been resolved with Ged, so presumably at the time there was seen to be no issue with Cook.

I don’t think you’ve understood what’s gone on with Peterborough and Cook if you think that’s the case. As I’ve also said - the suits could pay for themselves and maintain a professional look.

Does it really matter - in my opinion, yes. Top division or not, they look like a bunch of amateurs from the 80s at the moment. Hardly appealing to new sponsors. When you look at Ipswich, they look the part with a great image to put under the nose of investors. Money could actually be made from aside from other sponsors on them. Other clubs like I think Leicester and Glasgow to name two have ordinary seen the chance of getting fans to pay for them and then keep them at the end of the year. A silent auction could be held which could generate profit to put back into the club. Can’t do that to the same extent with race jackets from the antiques roadshow.

Cook is chatting nonsense. His example of Coca Cola is a really bad one. Take football for example, there is countless sponsors that have to change their sponsors logo colour to tie in with the shirt design. The Coca Cola logo is white writing, but you wouldn’t insist on a white logo on a white suit for example. As I’ve alluded to previously this is probably a cost saving measure whilst looking very smart too. More to the point, after seeing the pictures of the other suits and bike covers Cook has made himself look very daft.

No team suits and just racejackets that look like they made in the 1980s again this year

I'd imagine the Peterborough sponsors are paying more and on the basis that all of the kits is covered in their name. If they are putting up the cash and it was my team, I would be bending over backwards to keep my sponsors happy if it meant their money was benefitting the long term future of my club.

Not only does it look neater, working in the print industry myself, costs are usually lower too for fewer colours and/or white.

Get another part time job then? Speedway doesn't owe them a living. Craig Cook also rides in the 2nd division at the highest payers in the League so won't be doing too badly! Your sentence should read something more like.... without team sponsorship, teams like Peterborough wouldn’t be able to make the sport pay