Aries

Me too bloody hell. On that average I thought he’d be certain to return to Belle Vue. Maybe he was a bit miffed at being ousted this year? Who knows but nice to see someone sticking to Northampton and showing a bit of loyalty. He’s obviously happy and enjoyed his season there.

Mafs ain’t maffing for me there Phil! Six team league once home and away is five home league fixtures. If you’re having one home meeting every fortnight then that’s one hell of a short season!

I guess so. Forget the heatleaders next year, you could find the title being won and lost at reserve. There’ll be one or two who’ll look ridiculously strong, and others who’ll be badly exposed.

Has the right name at least! 😁 Still have a hunch that Brennan could be an Ace as well.

Heard we’re in the mix for Cairns too. Coleman mentioned the financial issue of the reserves because naturally “we’ll all want the best ones”. With one having to be British, there is a very small pool of them actually good enough so the obvious four will be sought after. The sensible thing to do would be for all the promoters during their numerous meetings, agreeing a cap for the under 21 riders and nobody can go over it. Let as many clubs who want to meet that ceiling do so, and then let the riders choose where they want to go. I’ve heard some of the figures being offered to these youngsters are “eye watering” and above and beyond where they currently stand in the game but that was always going to be an issue.

I can tell you now that Woryna was the one they really wanted and were trying hard to get a deal done for him so a bit disappointed if it’s the case that they couldn’t get that over the line. Tobi less so, sorry Tobi. He’s maxed out his average as has King and I’m pretty sure that King will be in the side so it wouldn’t be good having Tobi and King as two of our three heatleaders.

Does it? From where?

Well he didn’t Phil come on mate we all read the tweet

Exactly this. We weren’t even told the date of the AGM in the first place. Ironically, that was pretty much leaked by Plymouth as well due to them publicly asking for financial help to raise funds by the 3rd of November!! This isn’t new either. We have to find snippets on here every winter of when the AGM is taking place, it’s shouldn’t be the case. As you rightly say, is it that difficult for the BSPL to name a date for the AGM, and then inform the very people who keep the sport in this country running, about delays and the reasons behind it? I’m not talking about a daily commentary here and release all details as we all understand negotiations can be delicate and confidential, but a simple “The annual AGM has been delayed to a later date whilst we negotiate a TV deal and/or attempt to bring another club in to the Premiership. More clarification will come in due course” That shouldn’t be difficult.

Exactly this. We weren’t even told the date of the AGM in the first place. Ironically, that was pretty much leaked by Plymouth as well due to them publicly asking for financial help to raise funds by the 3rd of November!! This isn’t new either. We have to find snippets on here every winter of when the AGM is taking place, it’s shouldn’t be the case. As you rightly say, is it that difficult for the BSPL to name a date for the AGM, and then inform the very people who keep the sport in this country running, about delays and the reasons behind it? I’m not talking about a daily commentary here and release all details as we all understand negotiations can be delicate and confidential, but a simple “The annual AGM has been delayed to a later date whilst we negotiate a TV deal and/or attempt to bring another club in to the Premiership. More clarification will come in due course” That shouldn’t be difficult.

Told you earlier this summer that wasn’t happening. Coleman immediately dismissed that idea and didn’t seem the least bit interested in bringing him to Ipswich. He knew full well he doesn’t ride Foxhall well. I’d be extremely wary of those Polish articles in general though. Didn’t one of them last winter also say Lambert was riding in Britain this year?

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…. 😉