Aries

Nope I’m sorry but we’ll agree to disagree here. I think it’s unusual. As an outgoing owner, and club legend, just a few words thanking a few people and introducing the new owners, get behind them etc. That may well still come at some point but then again, maybe he’s that pi$$ed off that he’s not interested in even doing that now he’s washed his hands of it all! I was expecting something from him in the press release, that’s all I’m saying.

Seems they’re gonna be selling season tickets too. Wonder if we’ll manage to top Sheffield’s buy 10 get none free? 😁

Interesting there’s no quotes from Louis in either of those statements.

https://ipswichwitches.co/new-ipswich-co-promoter-richard-coleman-writes-to-witches-fans/

I liked that. Almost apologetic and understands the frustration. Sometimes as much as you want to talk, you just can’t.

Saying all the right things, and as I’ve said before, they shouldn’t be judged on this years team because as they rightly say, they came in very late when all the others had built their teams. It’s next winter they can be judged. People also need to respect the process and stop demanding to know exactly what’s going on on a regular basis. As Coleman says, they wanted to speak earlier, but simply couldn’t for various reasons. Anyway, all sorted and time to crack on. I always said I’d make a decision on whether I was going to attend based on the team put out, but I’ve changed my mind. I’ll be there regardless as they deserve to be backed. They’ve seemingly done the best they can with what’s left available.

Again, I was told middle of next week so if we get to the end of next week with no announcement then we can probably assume it’s all gone belly up.

Correct.

Today’s Speedway Star from Jenkins.. ”There was a lot of talk of me being with Ipswich again, and I spoke briefly with their new promotion, but it seems a change in the rules has put a stop to me having a low enough average for them to fit me in” Thats interesting for a couple of reasons. Firstly, if the six is who I was reliably told (Brennan, Lawson, King, Musielak, Nicholls, Edwards RS), then Jenkins DOES still fit as the seventh rider on his GSA with normal British reduction. I assume the rule he’s hinting at is the 25% rule 🤷🏼‍♂️ if that’s what he means, then it hasn’t been a change in the rules at all as someone pulled up that rule about him not getting that reduction twice a few weeks ago. Maybe he’s referring to something else? Anyway, bottom line is he’s not in the team. Secondly, that reaffirms that Louis has had nothing to do with building this team and the new owners already have their feet under the table. Edit: Unless the average used for Nicholls is his Premiership average of 5.55, and not his converted Championship average of 5.39? In which case would leave 4.44, with Jenkins on 4.49. Could also explain the rumoured no go for Thorssell even on 4.5 as he wouldn’t fit either.. I’m not sure that’s the case though. Pretty sure the average used would be a Championship converted average, and not an established Premiership one. The most current average is used and Scott’s Premiership average is from 2024. Jeppesen on the other hand, has a current 2025 average in both Premiership and Championship, so I’m guessing they’d use his current Premiership average? Which would mean he just about fits. If it’s his converted Championship average then he’s way over and wouldn’t fit either.

I hear you. It’s beyond boring, but we have people looking in on a daily basis so just trying to put people in the picture as best I can.

It’ll be a few days after that I’m afraid. Looking at middle of next week.

Still touring! Doing the regent and Spa Pavilion at Felixstowe again this year 😁

He was fantastic wasn’t he? Had an aura, the X factor. His form dipped in his final year here by his high standards but it wasn’t through lack of effort or commitment. I’m sure I wasn’t alone when he first signed wondering how many meetings he’d miss and how much effort would he put in, but I needn’t have been concerned! Class act.

He’d made a home here for sure. People will always be a bit suspicious when riders say they won’t ride anywhere else though. We all know money talks. Pretty sure we’d have been his priority though. Still think we might see him later in the season…

Doyle was never getting a contract offer from Belle Vue. Kurtz and Bewley were always going to be there and they’d have made their availability quite clear early on.

Yes his three year work visa expired and it was apparently very expensive to renew. He done the three years of his visa, won medals in both the Cup and Premiership, so things all came to a natural end.

Up to you if you choose to believe him or not. I’m just quoting what the bloke said. I wouldn’t have thought an offer from Belle Vue would have been forthcoming anyway. They already had their top two.

No idea, but that bond money was quite substantial wasn’t it? Anyway, the statement didn’t come with any caveats ie “confirmed to run on the basis that the club is successfully sold”, just that Ipswich were confirmed starters in 2026 so we have to take that at face value.

Having spoken personally with an ex Witch’ UK mechanic on Monday, he told me an announcement would be made in “a week and a half”. That puts it at the middle of next week. He could be out with that of course and it could come sooner we’ll Have to wait and see.

We can only go by the facts that have been given to us. https://britishspeedway.co.uk/miscellaneous/british-speedway-agm-statement-3/ “Five teams have been confirmed to contest the 2026 season: Belle Vue, Ipswich, King’s Lynn, Leicester and Sheffield. Attempts are still being made to include a sixth team in the Premiership”.

According to him in the Star, he just hadn’t received an offer and got fed up of waiting. Didn’t wanna ride for anyone else here so done deals in other Countries. Let’s not forget the confirmation that Ipswich were running didn’t come until early January after the delayed AGM. By then, Doyle, and others, already had their season’s planned out. Just one of them ain’t it 🤷🏼‍♂️

Doyle just got fed up of waiting. Nobody made him an offer. Similar to Ellis reading between the lines of what his father has posted although I’m sure he’ll Correct me if I’m wrong. We just know the club are running this season. That was confirmed at the AGM so all parties are either 100% sure the sale is going through and it’s just Red tape holding things up, or it’ll be run by whoever regardless.

Think you’re reading way too much in to that personally. Anyway, Nicholls is in.