M.D

Was it that good though? I remember Michael Lee failing to turn up at Eastbourne to face Gordon Kennett and rode in another fixture, possibly abroad, can't remember now.

Im an Eastbourne fan, enjoyed good natured banter over the years, wish we still had it. But this person is beyond boring, and just childlike.

Watched him as a junior at Eastbourne, had that broken leg which had a lot of complications, he lost his Mum from an early age, I Sponsored him in his early days and went through the Eastbourne times when he didn't get paid, like all riders, by Ian Jordan. You could tell as a junior, he was a talent.

Every business should have its own business plan, but if the collective business model of the industry they work in is failing, then its going to fail despite their individual efforts.

No, issues go back years, semi pro and a rebuild.

Don't think they had any choice, as I have pointed out over protected nights in the UK. It was way too late to change the league structure this year, hopefully they will work on a plan in place for 2027 but they have backed themselves into a corner with riders doubling up and the thought of loosing the protected race nights would loose even More riders.

This means in basic, at this present time, Poland have no control over rider and what they do on a Monday to Thursday, change this and they will have even greater control on what riders do affecting riders availability to league racing.

Problem is, the fixed race nights are protected nights for each Country. UK, Monday and Thursday, Sweden Tuesday, Denmark Wednesday, Poland the rest. The minute the UK change this, Poland will run riot and demand riders in Poland, we can't afford to lose those nights, nor can Sweden and Denmark.

Just checked it out, Wednesday 18/06/1986, Gordon Kennett scored paid 13 from 5, Dean Standing 9+3 from 5, Eastbourne won 46-32. Nearly 40 years ago..

I only went once, a very young Martin Dugard scored a 15 point maximum for Eastbourne.

It was an individual meeting, I was there with Adam Shields, Adam won his first ride but then pulled out aggravated his broken pelvis. Loved Newport, went there a good few times.

I remember going to a meeting at Newport after the Cardiff GP and he had a big off going into the solid fence off turn 4 back first, don't think he was the same for a while after that.

Hope so, it will be about time they showed some consideration to the fans.

Is this due to the demise of Belle Vue?

Rode the tail end of the season with a broken hand, fully fit now.

You make some very good points, I agree with a lot of your ideas. What the BSPL need to do now, is change all the negatives into a positive and have a total reset. Own up for once, say the structure is not working but we will go with what we have in 26 but the structure will change in 27. Now, if that's two leagues with the NDL included or if they want 3 with top riders then they will need to make it financially viable I would go with one top league followed up with a National league to bring the youth on. if clubs can't affford the GP stars or they won't ride for what is offered, then so be it. The sport needs a total reset in the UK, step back to move forward.

https://hgaerospaceltd.com

Great to see H G Aerospace are backing Vinnie Foord this season.

And what a great journalist you were for the club, hope your enjoying your retirement.

Is Charlie Coopers brother that know body has heard of?

Would you blame them? they got done by Ian Jordan for a lot of money and speedway is not a great business model these days. Arlington stadium has been in existence since 1928, it has been updated over the years but is a money pit. I don't know but they must make a bit with the stocks, why go through the aggravation of allowing a promotion to run speedway with another risk? They are first and foremost, a business family.

Also has that structure on bends 3 and 4 now

More Paul Dugard who is a director of the stadium and represents Margaret, Bobs widow who owns the stadium along with Eric.

The stadium is still operating for cars, the track is still there but would need a fair bit of work by now. Would take a fair bit of investment now to get tractors, starting gate, air fence and every other thing to run a meeting. As I have said before, and we have tried, The Dugard's won't run speedway at the venue.

Agree, You only have to look at my football club, Bristol City Owned by Stephen Lansdown, worth around 2 billion, the clubs runs at around a deficit of about £20 million a year, he puts the money in and turns it into share capital, think he's put about £240M over the years. He's an astute business man who owned the investment company Hargrieves Lansdown but why would he do this if not for ego or building a legacy, and you won't get that out of speedway..