enotian

aren't ready for the Championship because the standard is too high for a 2nd tier competition - is the point. the fact that two have jacked it in also proves my point They would be ready for a lower standard Championship. You'd give a team spot to a 2.00 assessed rider if you thought they could average 3.00. You wouldn't if you think they'll average 1.00. The fact that they might only average 1.00 in the current Championship does not mean they are not capable riders it just means they're not up to the standard of the other riders in the league (most of whom are riding in two divisions so have much more income to invest in machinery) but could progress to a higher standard given opportunity. I don't think riding in the NDL offers these young riders the opportunity to progress as quickly as they would being in an environment with more experienced riders. It's how it's always worked organically in the past but in the past young kids mostly weren't thrown into a league made up of top division riders. There way a clear career path for all but the exceptional kids. 2nd division reserve, progress to heat leader if not No1 status in that division and then get an opportunity in the top division.

People will only have been able to come up with one name of a young British rider who should be in the Championship because of the level of riders in the Championship. Just about all of the Premiership riders also ride in the Championship just spread across more teams. Archie Freeman, Jack Parkinson-Blackburn, Harry & Sam McGurk, Alex Spooner, Jake Mulford, Joe Lawler, Tom Spencer, Sam Beebee, Elliot Kelly and Sam Hagon are all talented young riders who need to be competing with more experienced riders to help them progress. But most of them would properly struggle against the majority of the riders in the Championship and would potentially lose confidence as a result. While the Championship is full of these Premiership standard riders there's no chance of them being given an opportunity. The problem is will the competitions they do ride in help them to progress to become Championship ready. I don't think so. Writing off a whole batch of talented you kids.

Oxford isn't he? Dillon not Max who I think I heard had a full time job in the US so wouldn't come across despite seeming to be much improved since his spell at Edinburgh

Terrific Youtube content from Lee Complin there. I'm not a fan of social media but it is exactly what the general public are after. There's a good backstory there regardless of whether or not his comeback goes well. Really professionally done and great exposure for sponsors.

Thanks. I don't watch too much content from the 5 main channels. In addition to your three favourite sports I also like my football, rugby union and cricket. Then you chuck in Netflix, Spotify, (i don't have Amazon Prime) and the odd couple of months of Disney plus, possibly BSN. It all adds up. I'm lucky I can afford to subscribe to them all but then as it becomes safer for me to do so I'll like to do stuff other than watching TV. You can easily see if the Discovery sport platform doesnt offer the range of mainstream content the series can easily become even more marginalised as it is now.

couldn't agree more. all the talk from discovery is about growing the product/series. I imagine it can only grow if you're growing the fanbase to. what casual viewers are you going to attract on discovery sport. those who have access to it either have been given it free as part of a package and will hardly use it or have it specifically for Speedway (existing fans) or another sport of the channel (Tennis, Track Cycling?) who might stumble on SGP. at least on Eurosport the access is much wider and the variety of sports shown much wider and higher profile (at this point). I suppose the numbers of subscriptions/viewing figures will decide what happens but if those viewing figures are niche sponsors will react. Maybe they're hoping the PL coverage will act as an advert for the SGP. On that basis it would help if the were more SGP stars in the PL. I suppose half the league have one so that's maybe enough. What is the situation in Poland? Have the rights been sold to one of Polands main broadcasters? Or do the Poles need to purchase Discovery Sport as well? I do like the sound of what Discovery are looking to do with the series with more off track content but I do worry it'll not attract the figures they're looking for. Then the intended investment/improvements are abandoned and the series stagnates for the rest of the contract. Presumably FIM were okay to have their flagship speedway competition being moved to a less accessible platform. Or did the money talk?

I don't disagree and can't see it being a money spinner but it does sound like it is Curtis Sport taking the plunge. Unironically you order them on-line!! Might get one as it could be quite the collectors item. (my attempt at sarcasm) As I say fair play if someone thinks they can make a buck out of it. It's not doing any harm.

difficult to do sarcasm in the printed word but I think you've nailed it above. I don't disagree with anything you say but it's no different to any other Sports sticker album in that players can move. I loved my Espana 82 and Mexico 86 World Cup sticker albums but some of the players didn't even make the squad. Poor Paul Bracewell. Plus if you get a doubler you can maybe stick him over Ty Proctor At this point I'm wondering when it'll be available or will Birmingham just have a half page? from the press release it does sounds like it's been franchised out so it's probably risk free for the BSPL and if someone else thinks they can make a profit from it good luck to them.

There's deffo advantages. One less signing on fee? One (or two?) less travelling expenses depending on who pays. One less race suit? I think the problem's arise when RR is in operation, especially for the 4th, 5th or 6th averaged rider. If everyone is programmed for 5 rides who covers? If the 6th rider is the nominated reserve he'd still only be able to take two more rides (7 in total which is nearly half the heats) then if the one rider above can taken a RR ride that's still only three of the 5th riders programmed rides being covered so you run the risk of three rider races. You could say everyone gets to take a RR ride but that would undoubtedly get abused. You could when RR is in operation have an unprogrammed #7 and you'd still only have six riders at the meeting but essentially you're saying that there still has to be enough riders to cover seven team places. Or it becomes a guest fest. As I said before it might be an obvious solution but not if it compromises the product. There'll certainly be a reason why six rider teams were abandoned and hasn't been reinstated as I'm sure the promoters would have loved cut costs.

last tried in the mid/late 90's (1997?) after the amalgamation of the Divisions 1 and 2 had failed. Only lasted one season I think in the new second division, whatever it was called. I can't remember the heat format (how many heats) and don't recall why it was abandoned. Maybe just because more riders became available rather than it being unpopular. Although I do think there were problems with flexibility especially if RR was in use. An important consideration though if the product isn't as good. There are quite a few moving parts at the moment. I've posted previously about the evolution of streaming. If the majority of your streaming income comes from away supporters then you need to think about how you maximise that (i.e. having more than one away team) I'm thinking 4TT. That would have to be a stand alone competition a la The Hundred in cricket. If that extra competition provided enough fixtures it would replace the need to double up between PL and CL. That might mean 6 man teams or perhaps the CL would become a more sustainable league using British based riders only with perhaps only British U21 riders allowed to ride in both the PL and CL to aid their progress. Maybe a few of the current more affluent CL clubs would revert to the PL and the more sustainable CL, utilising British youngsters, would enable some clubs (Mildenhall, IoW, Workington) to step up.

So extrapolate this out to see why it makes sense. All Russian sports people are banned by international sports authorities. The Russian authorities than ban them all. So all Russian sports people are therefore now allowed to compete in international events. Representing some banner but in reality representing Russia. Massive boost for Putin. "I told you they wouldn't ban our sports people". It's like telling a fat bloke he's banned from eating pies and then giving him a pie as soon as he says he doesn't want one. As long as he pretends he's not a fat bloke, even though everyone knows he is.

That was a fairly stacked Hungary team. Maybe only Kosco missing? Adorjan did World Finals I'm sure. Him and Tihanyi were often in World Pairs Finals. Don't think Tihanyi or Bodi ever got a UK team spot but the rest did. I mustn't have been there as I still can't recall it. Some fairly big names in USSR speedway in that team as well. Didn't Marko get close to being World U21 champion at one time. Starostin had done World Finals but I think he was a veteran by the time he turned up a Brough.

fine but what's the stipulation? Do you have to be in business for a year before you can apply? Or can you just apply straightaway? I think Diamonds fans were told last season that they couldn't have any work permit/visa riders because it was a new promoting company without a trading history.

Cheers. So it wasn't just at Brough he was struggling. Those Gold Cup matches are official fixtures though surely. I've no recollection of seeing Hungary? Robert Nagy, Csaba Hell? I remember seeing a Russian team when they had a rider called Chartchenko (I think) who was sensational but that was probably before 1990 when the Soviet Union broke up... apparently temporarily. So no chance of signing him. Used to enjoy those international select friendlies. I'm guessing that was when foreign riders were desperate to ride over here

Yeah how do the new Birmingham promotion have a sponsors license? I thought new promoters had to wait a year or more before applying for one? Or is Pearson being sponsored by a Premiership team?

Cheers man. Much better memory than me. Presuming the 7 matches were friendlies or cup competition. Aye beating Barghie would have gotten me riled back in the day. Mind Phil Jeffrey ended up being a decent Diamond. I was surprised he'd only done three seasons in the black and white. I thought he'd been a stalwart for a number of seasons at number 2. Funny how the mind plays tricks but glad my recollections of Nixon weren't completely gaga.

A little off piste here but it doesn't warrant a new thread and hopefully the knowledgeable Diamonds fans will see this. Brian Nixon. Australian lad. I'm sure he rode/struggled for the Diamonds in the early 90's. However none of the history sites or literature include any reference to him being a Diamond. His career seems to have started with a handful of matches for Eastbourne in 1990 averaging 5.50. Then in 1991 he appears to have done a full season for Glasgow averaging 4.50. Then nothing. My recollection was we signed him from Glasgow and sent him back, maybe swapping him for someone like Phil Jeffrey? Or did we get him from Eastbourne at the start of 1991 and send him to Glasgow before he'd ridden in an official fixture for the Diamonds? My recollection was he was a massive disappointment but I thought he'd done a fair few matches before we eventually got rid. I then have a vague recollection of him turning up for Glasgow and having a half decent meeting but it's all very sketchy. It is like 30 years ago!!! Can someone at least confirm he was a Diamond at some point or do I need a noggin check?

Internal Russian dissent is exactly the desired outcome of the international ban. First off I feel terribly sorry for the individuals and it would be much better if Artem and Emil were in the SGP. But this situation is much bigger than that and a stance had to be taken. Let's face it I doubt Artem would have earned a living from riding in Russia anyway, there doesn't seem to be many fixtures. Happy to concede this point as I've not researched it. To illustrate the point, if you imagine that Speedway was the biggest sport in Russia and Artem the most famous sportsperson. Firstly the international ban would have robbed the Russian public with the opportunity to see their favourite defend his title which would have been a disappointment and provoked some thought as to the reason for the ban. The Russian public might view if as unjust by the west and continue to support their regime. Then their own authorities also ban him robbing them of seeing him ride in their own country. Now you're asking questions again. Still the public might turn against Artem for his anti-Russian sentiment. At which point the international ban has been pointless. However, if the combination of denying participation in global events, withdrawal of global brand products and economic hardship result in dissention within the populace then there is a chance this invasion could end. There's bound to be some other mad man despot polishing his ice pick just waiting for the chink in Putin's armour. And pulling out of Ukraine might just be the way of getting the gig, Huzzaah!! One for fans of "The Great" there. I know speedway isn't and this particular ban is ineffectual in reality but you can't go half arsed in these circumstances. There has to be a united message. The question of nationality is tricky. Particularly as the World becomes a smaller place. Is it where you were physically born, or where you grew up, or where your parents are from, or where you contribute economically/hold a passport? Just reading about Palace's Michael Olise who is English, French, Algerian and Nigerian at the same time. In the case of the sporting ban the only criteria that can be applied is the nation the individual represents. Unfortunately for Artem and Emil that is Russia. You can argue all you like about them being Polish citizens or whatever but in a sporting sense they represent Russia and you can try to say they could represent Poland or not represent any country but it's a flimsy smokescreen which only serves to weaken the message. Whilst this might mean the end of Laguta's speedway career, compared to the end of innocent Ukrainian and Russian lives, it's insignificant. It's an impossible situation but a stance has to be taken to demonstrate to the Russian people that the actions of the regime that governs them are immoral and not acceptable. You can't do that if you're making exceptions and concessions because it's a bit unfair on some individuals who we generally like because they entertain us.

would be a bonus if it took the team total up to 42.50 or whatever the limit is. As it stands unless others improve he'll have to average c 7.00 to make the Diamonds competitive.

I'd say well built. Looks like he has a fair set on guns on him. Certainly doesn't look obese or unhealthy. Just not the shape of your modern spindly speedway rider. Power to weight ratio disadvantage I'd say. They do say the camera adds lbs so maybe he'll be fine. Just surprised they mentioned weight loss when he's still carrying too much compared to the others. It's why I never stand next to skinny people.

Not sure but don't both Sheffield and Berwick have different promoters than they had 10 years ago? So when they bought out the previous promoter they may not have bothered acquiring a seemingly retired rider. Don't know any details but offering that a reason how Complin become a Newcastle asset when he'd clearly been someone else's asset at some point.

Looks to favour teams with a strong top two but the heat format does that anyway. Yeah it'll just be a re-run of heat 15 won't it which could be a good or bad thing. Might add a bit of excitement. What about three match races, two riders only. Heat 16 reserves only, Heat 17 2nd strings only, Heat 18 (if required Heat Leaders only) tbf I don't mind a draw. was the league point scoring still 2 for an away draw and 1 for a home draw? Proper surprised it wasn't publicised. Normally the sort of thing they think will have the masses flooding back.

more interesting to see the size of the lad. apparently lost a lot of weight but shall we say he doesn't look to have the usual physique of a modern day rider. doesn't look like he'll get out muscled in the first corner but will he make it there at the same time as the other less rotund riders? i imagine he was owned by a promotion who no longer exist and his 'asset status' reverted to the BSPL when any new promotion decided not to acquire the 'asset status' of a retired rider. They're still obsessed with having an asset system in place even if you have no rights over that 'asset' beyond the season long contract you have with them.

Very true but my point is, at this point in time you can make a judgement on whether or not Glasgow vs Poole might be a good meeting because you have an idea of the line ups. That can't be said of Berwick vs Brum can it. At present it's the proverbial tin without a label on it. Unless those responsible for selecting the match know how Birmingham will line up. So why take the risk of broadcasting a fixture which could feature an under strength team away from home. The chances of that being a poor meeting must be higher than that of any fixture in which you know the line ups feature evenly matched teams. That's just obvious. This is a business which could dramatically improve the finances of the BSPL. So don't take unnecessary risks with the content, especially with the first offering.

I've thought about this a lot and I tend to agree. I think it would be a great shame as it's great fun to root for fellow country(wo)men in world championship events regardless of how arbitrary that connection might be. Unfortunately these shows of patriotism are now hijacked by those with a nationalist agenda generating hatred toward other nations which spills out beyond the sports field. Maybe I'm giving more credit than is due? Maybe some have an agenda but perhaps more just aren't clever enough to be able to draw a line between the sporting event and real life? Maybe individuals could represent their star sign (I'm joking). Come on team Sagittarius!!! Although I am on the cusp. No doubt when the global corporations officially take over we'll get to enjoy the intense rivalry of team Walmart vs team Amazon...... and it'll be exactly what we deserve.