FAST GATER

Maybe talk the" flying window cleaner" Tony Atkin into turning out !

It has never really bothered me who wins a s/way match as long as it is a close scoreline plus decent racing ,winning the league seems to have very little relevance on the attendance figures . Star riders have a limited appeal in getting punters through the gate ,it's the whole package that matters and the blind love of the sport demonstated by the vast majority of fans . I can't understand the criticism of CL in any shape or form he has been wonderful servant to the sport ( I am certain it has not made him any wealthier ) and has decided he has had enough .

Fair point the one thing I would say is imagine how good Bart could be if he was a "gater " .

Doyle has a finite time left in the sport ,therefore needs to make the best financial decisions he can to maximise his income .

Hans was an an amazing rider but Bart is centainly not "way behind him" !

Me too Dean !

I would love him to do that to prove all the "doubters" of him being the GOAT wrong !

The great Frank Varey used to throw the sweets to the kids as he graded the track at Elle Port in the 70's wonderful servant to the sport !

That's the problem it's ended up as a semi pro sport just the riders have not realised that yet ,even in the 70's Gulf league ( now PL ) riders except for the Mauger & Co had part/full time jobs !

I take no pleasure in the fact that the sport in this country has finally ended up at a semi professional level maybe it can survive and consolidate what is left ,it can't go on as it is that's for sure .

Sad news Brian was what the old NL was about solid reliable rider who went on to be a manager ,promoter and owner of s/way teams RIP .

Anywhere other than being involved in s/way track prep !

Still seems expensive for a Mill Stone !

Between 8 and 10 times( to value a business) is what I normally work on as rule of thumb freehold /long lease have a significant effect neither of these factors apply to many speedway teams .

Excellent analysis this was exactly the position when we looked at purchasing a club in the 70's "you are buying smoke " you haven't touched on the the most costly non asset element the RIDERS !

That has been true of British S/way for the last 30yrs plus ,like it or not the wage demands what we would call "star riders" ( not saying whether a rider is worth it or not ) has alwys had to be mostly if not totally underwtitten by third parties .

I personally have nothing but respect for CL he has been a wonderful servant to s/way as a rider and promoter ,I am certain in real terms owners /promoters in s/way do it for the love of the sport . I tried in the 70's to persuade my father to buy a speedway team (he was a massive fan of the sport) his reply was it is thankless and profitless passtime at best. Chris L has made a huge decision I would image it is one of the hardest things he's had to do in his entire s/way career .

Think NIcholls as a second string would be great signing at home he could still beat anyone and be a nice way to sign off his career .

A wise promoter once said to me many years ago 40/38 and how you got there was more important than a win even , it's true you can forgive a home loss if the racing plus result are close and exciting IMO ! The last thing you want to see is countless numbers of 5/1's and four riders strung out with the last one parking up on the centre green with a lap to go .Whilst I don't want to see 1970's World of Sport wrestling ( fixed and badly rehearsed) something in between maybe achievable . There is nothing better than two riders side by side elbow to elbow entering the last bend and one winning by half a wheel, ,demanding skill trust with the result being in many respects irrelevant . As far as I know there are no great rewards for winning the leagues in this country , extra income for the play off's but who cares who wins it's how they do it IMO .

Sadly I think that may well be the situation most of the people I speak to or come in contact with have zero knowledge or interest in the sport ,when you start talking about it they often "glaze over" (in the same way I do about football) or think that it ceased to exist anymore . IMO the sport needs someone to inject a significant amount of money and raise the profile ,not unlike Wrexham FC a perfect example of what money can do !

Much needed here IMO

I stand corrected on Doug T

Speaking as a former sponsor rider's start off grateful end up demanding , maybe just my bad luck but it happened almost everytime

Second left Charlie Monk Second Right Doug Templeton

The fan I spoke to at the weekend said Bomber and Scott would be the dream duo and a great way to end their careers .