Aries

Again why do they treat the fans with such contempt? The lack of communication is shocking. The AGM is actually important and newsworthy to supporters. Pretty sure we all look forward to hearing the fallout from the meeting, seeing what the points limits are and the make up of the leagues and rules. We rely on second or even third hand sources for an actual AGM date or “in the knows” on here to leak things, and none of us would have known it had even been postponed if not for Plymouth stating that fact. Why is it all such a closely guarded secret? Would it really hurt them to publish a date for the AGM through the official channels, and update supporters on events like postponements? Not good enough and it hasn’t been for donkeys years.

But didn’t they choose not to have him in their side this year for financial reasons? Have they got new investment?

Tom is one of those riders that benefits from a busy schedule and riding regularly. Some said he took on too much a couple of seasons ago, but that works for him. When rides dried up abroad this year, his calendar suddenly looked very sparse and that didn’t help him regain his form. His double leg break last winter must also have been a factor, so was him being thrust in to a number 1 berth at Ipswich because of the lateness of the takeover. Everything cobbled together created a doom loop for the lad and he never really got going. I’m 100% convinced though that next year will see a return to form due to these factors no longer being an issue. His average now in the top flight is an attractive one that will see him out of the pressure heat leader positions for somebody who will now benefit from his poor season. Regular Championship fixtures keeping him busy will also benefit him hugely. IF Oxford have secured his services, then they’ve pulled off the Championship signing of the winter and IMO will have the League’s top man in their side.

Might not have any choice, the issue with that is it has ramifications for the TV deal. Those of interest want more clubs.

Can only think they’re wanting to get a TV deal over the line first and that’s still ongoing. Gives them more time to get Eastbourne involved as well although I’m reliably informed that that has run in to issues that are proving difficult to resolve. Again, how long do they wait? Groundhog day 🙄

This issue here for me is that you get those like the comments above bemoaning the play off “qualifiers’ as non events with little riding on them, but a top team winning the league would be far worse in that regard so I’ve never understood this argument. If a dominant team starts to run away with it like Belle Vue this year, then what jeopardy is there for 99% of fixtures from mid-season onwards? Virtually every team in that scenario is riding for nothing. Lynn’s season for example would have been dead and buried with months of the season left (as well as everyone else’s bar Sheffield) but their season remained alive right up until the final week of the season when Ipswich defeated Leicester. There’s more meaningful league fixtures in a play off set up than there is in a “top of the table wins” scenario it’s as simple as that.

Correct. Trick was quite vocal at the time as well and was clearly unhappy that he was forced out. Shame it all ended that way.

He can come up with several, problem is he’s one voice in a sea of many and he’ll probably end up drowning in said sea.

November 3rd.

AGM a little earlier this year so only a few weeks to wait and see what they come up with. All we can do is hope the likes of Richard Coleman can have his voice heard for change and they actually do something different. We know some form of change will happen because it’s being pretty much forced upon them by Poland so at least that’s a start, as is not having a winter of turmoil that we had last year with all participating clubs being fully prepared. Ideally an eight team league would be preferable, but IMO that’s the maximum number that should be in a top league here currently because there just isn’t sufficient quality to fill any more teams at the moment without leaving one or two being uncompetitive and cannon fodder. Less of a problem if more top riders come over rather than just recycling the ones we already have here, and the jungle drums have a few riders new to the league (and returning) who will do just that so we’ll have to wait and see.

Heard that one myself this morning, can’t see it personally. Our heatleaders are already sorted apparently.

Yeah gone over my head that one. Sure you meant well though.

Ipswich. Corn exchange watching Kevin bloody Wilson 😁

Just bumped in to Mr Doyle in town! Small world…. 😉

Uncle Artur loves him. Wouldn’t be at all surprised if he directed him to Foxhall.

If it is to be Eastbourne, I hope that gets confirmed sooner rather than later. What we don’t want, is this dragging on all winter again and getting confirmed on the eve of the new season leaving yet another team hastily cobbling together the scraps left on the table. Eastbourne or anyone else that comes in to the top flight, need to be protected and the others need to play their part here by not quickly hoovering up all the top number 1’s. Help a newcomer by directing a top rider their way to help them be competitive while they settle in, even if they all have to contribute financially themselves. Northampton got away with it this year with a decent crowd sticking with them until the end, not sure that would be the case at Eastbourne.

I can’t see Louis dumping his beloved Ipswich just to rock up elsewhere. It wasn’t Ipswich he had an issue with, but those at the BSPL. He even gave up his co-comms work alongside Tatum and seems to have walked away from the sport entirely. He did dabble with Mildenhall years back though alongside Michael Lee. Never say never but I’d be hugely surprised.

I can’t either but 7 teams is far far better than 6. People have said “what difference does one more club make” and they’d have a point if it was a 10 or 11 team league. Add one more and the difference is irrelevant. But the smaller number you have in the league, that one more makes a significant difference. Get to 7 this year, get the TV deal over the line and get the 8th (or more) to join the party in 2028. Very true, but I believe the points limit has been agreed. It’s whether you trust people enough not to bugger things up in a few weeks as to whether you pull the trigger on significant signings. I’m with you, expect it’ll be Thomson and Harrison who’ll be in regardless.

Mayfield? Cookie has a point that Spedeworth and Richard Coleman already have a working relationship because of Foxhall. We also know Coleman wants an eight team league, and has taken it upon himself to negotiate a TV deal for the league so we know he’s actively involved all round.

We know clubs have made signings already so things must be pretty much agreed regarding points limits and league structures. Northampton are announcing a couple at their end of season do in a couple of weeks.

I’m not sure stressing the fans out all winter with them not knowing if they’ll have a team to support is fair either. We had that uncertainty at Ipswich last winter, wasn’t nice.

Don’t think anyone is assuming anything at this stage. Let’s wait and see.

Watch the end of the meeting on BSN and the interview with Pickering where they review the footage including the rear view ffs. Whether you still want to claim a technicality that his whole wheel wasn’t inside the line (the rear footage shows it was) that photo itself is comical. Look where the white line is and look where Pickering is on the track. You think there’s racing room there between Pickering and the inside white line? His front wheel is literally going up a grass embankment LOL Pathetic.

Wonder if it’s Coleman’s deal or the other one Morris and co were working on…

Not for me that Phil. Sometimes being part of a works WhatsApp group has its downsides 😂