BertHoven

Not the only boobs in sight - there were some in team selection also!

I can't answer your question. Perhaps you should contact the Glasgoe management. I would, respectfully, like to ask you a question: Why is your 'signature' so overstated and garish? It really detracts from the post itself.

Chris Harris and Simon Stead only headed in the English team by Lee Richardson, a GP rider and ahead of Scott Nicholls, also a GP man. Well done, indeed As for Mr Screen- he still has much to offer Belle Vue but as, I feared before the tournament even began, his days as an international are behind him. I'm sad about that.

I don't normally criticise referees/umpires and I won't do so now. However, I do think the FIM should ban them from taking the evening newspaper into the box during meetings!

A wise man once said: 'Tis better to be famous by accident, than infamous by intent!' BTW: The wise man was me about two minutes ago, but modesty forbids me saying so.

Hey Andy, Have you taken leave of your senses, old friend. You're not really suggesting that we should deny those high-powered executives who govern our sport their annual Mediterranean junket - are you? Do you actually suggest that they meet in Starbucks in rainy Rugby for their AGM. Splendid idea, old chap, might get some logical decisions then - what! Much mirthful merriment, Millwards! Bert.

I've just read the local forecast for Wroclaw. It states that the expected outlook until approximately 17.00hrs is for an 80% receeding to 60% possibilty of showers or light rain. Thereafter the forecast is for mostly sunny or mostly clear weather with a 30% to 0% possibility of rain until about 23.00hrs. All times are one hour ahead of British time. There you have the weather forecast and it seems that there is a fair chance that the meeting will be run; as to the result, I can't comment on that as my crystal ball is dazzling my eyes here in the almost tropical Manchester area. I kid you not, my friends, I kid you not!

Karl, I'm sure that if the manager had asked all riders to be there they would have been. Consider that the absentees may have had commitments to families. Basically they are employed as speedway riders, that is their job - only That is a fact that we should all keep in mind. Worry not, I'm convinced that, barring illness [themselves or families] all five riders will be there when required to represent their country

The referees/umpires in any sport are very dedicated and, indeed, brave men. I admire every one of them. They undergo vigorous training and have to pass stiff examinations before they can officiate. Then they start at the lower end of their chosen sport and have to work their way to the top - if they are fortunate enough to reach the top. They know the rule books inside out [and the right way round]. They are usually nearer the action than the spectators, therefore they get a better view of the incident. They cannot discuss the matter at any length but have to make a quick decision. Being human, they are as fallible as any other human, the difference being that referees are often verbally crucified - and, yes, on occasions spat upon for their errors. To the average spectator an allegedly foul move is 'dirty' if perpertrated by an oppenent of the particular spectators team or 'firm' refereeing if the perpertrator is a member of that fan's team. The referees/umpires are very dedicated and brave men. I admire them all!!

I've just clicked on the link and got the story - no problem. Try rubbing two wallabies together!

Hi Bunny! I'd like to see Austarlia and Denmark in the Cup Final. Both are fine teams and have a great history. Australia is the land from whence came speedway and the countries riders have long been leading competitors at all levels of the sport. Poland are staging two legs of the competition which gives them a very generous crack of the whip. I feel that is enough. BTW: I'm confused about your whether you think Poland will qualify? You say you 'think' they are 'definites' to go through. Definite means 100% therefore you cannot 'think' they will go through as that means you are uncertain. It also means that you've confused this old codger's few remaining brain cells!! Just joking!

Controversial Fairy? No, factual. All the riders are English. The team manager is English. Therefore, even if the speedway authorities named the group Team Zanzibar it would still be the English team. BTW: Please don't use long words, like that one beginning with 'cont' as my keyborad has problems spelling them and my mind doesn't know what they mean!

I've changed mine to show my support for the English team!

Your premise, Rich Tea, is totally false. I'm not sub 16 [or even 16]. I'm not a girlie or even a mumsie. I am a daddy and I'm a wannabe grand-daddy. I'm seventy-two. In spite of all these disqualifications I will always defend any rider, from any team or nation, who I feel is being unjustly, in my opinion, subjected to criticism. So you see, your basic premise crumbles like an over-dunked Rich Tea.

Oh Rosie! how can you think that when you said in your bio that I am more than welcome to call you Fudge. Anyway I like fudge better than I like roses - nasty prickly things they are!.

Reading Sky Speedway News this morning I was interested [and amused] to see the contrating headlines: BRITAIN CHARGE INTO FINAL SWEDEN EDGE INTO WORLD CUP FINAL An admirable summation of the situation, I feel!

Guess I just homed in on it, Tiger Blue Fudge!

Couldn't understand, Andy, why he wasn't selected for the team proper initially. Lack of experience perhaps? But, as George Andrew would say, "What do I know".....I'm just a Belle Vue supporter. Possibly a wee bit biased, you think? "Never!" "What never?" "Well, hardly ever"

Well said, Fudge. Totally agree with you. Some of us need to remember that riders are human beings, with all that it entails, and not automatons programmed to ride in races. BTW: I like the avatars at the foot of your posts.

Oh yes there will! If the English team win the world cup because one of the team wore a funny hat and I am aware that he did so, I swear on my Belle Vue season ticket that I will 'mention' it on this forum - probably in bold red italic font! It's a matter of principle!

Oh for the days of pure speedway racing I stress the word 'racing' because that is how all the points were scored. Three points were awarded for a win, two for second place, one for third place and none for fourth. How how simple - and fully effective. What's the difference between a tactical ride, a tactical substitute and a 'joker'? There isn't any - they are all a massive joke! If my memory serves me well [and I'm sure someone will tell me if not!] they were introduced to prevent runaway victories, and for the benefit of Sky television viewers, who would not necessarily be fans. Have they stopped massive point differences? They have not, as a cursory glance at the Belle Vue results of recent weeks will confiem. No doubt there have been similar results at other tracks. So has the system of the man wearing the funny hat being awarded a 100% increase in what he has earned achieved that object?. It, blatantly has not and, as has been outlined above it could have resulted in a stupid result last night at Swindon. Will we ever see the end of this spurious scoring system together with the play-off tragi-comedy. I predict that we will! When?.....This year.......next year......sometime......never as long as any television company has a financial interest in our sport. Meantime, dear friends, the pantomime continues because they're behind us. Oh! yes they are!!

Not harsh at all, Rabbit. Tommy asked a reasonable question, I agree. I didn't understand why he wanted to know, so I asked a reasonable question [though perhaps, on reflection, my phrasing could possibly have been a little softer]. Tommy gave me a reasonable answer. Tommy, if I hurt or offended you I offer my sincere apologies. It was not my intention to do that.

[/b] In my many years (59) as a supporter of speedway racing I have never met, never read about, never heard about an automatic speedway rider, a robot racer. I have forgotten the names of more great riders than you will probably ever know. Many renowned international riders - proud to represent their countries. Many marvellous championship riders. Many men who never won an individual title but who were valued members of league teams in all nations. All were masters - nay maestros - of the oval circuit. They didn't always win, though many were seriously injured, permanently disabled or even killed in their attempts. No - they didn't always win; but they always did their best.

Forgive me for asking what you may consider a stupid question, but isn't scoring 15 points from 5 rides in each of which he can score a maximum of 3 points the only definition of the term 'riding well' Maybe he did have luck but he was 'riding well' enough to take advantage of what Lady Luck offered him. Perhaps you should write to Mr Richardson and tell him what you thought of his efforts last night and what tactics he should, in your opinion, have employed. He might make you his trainer/manager - or he may issue a writ!