PhilK

Agree with that, good post mate! Whoever comes in must have a positive working relationship with the stadium owner, or as you say there is no speedway to talk about. It is good to hear Dave Coventry say he wants it professionally run, and he seems to have good ideas on fixture organisation which is good to hear, if stadium owner and promoter can work together we may have a positive future at Mildenhall to look forward to. Below is an article from the CEN (DavidC)which seems to be positive "Dave Coventry has assured supporters that Mildenhall will be represented at the National League’s annual meeting in a fortnight where the club’s future will be discussed. Confirmation of the meeting at the BSPA’s headquarters in Rugby on December 7 was the only relevant news concerning the National League to emerge from the sport’s annual conference at the weekend. "I’m talking with three parties at the moment," said Coventry, the West Row stadium boss, "and it should all be happening this week. There will be someone representing Mildenhall at the meeting next month, either myself, a representative of one of the parties or a new promoter." Coventry also outlined work to improve the grandstand facilities at the stadium as it continues to be well supported for other motor sports and greyhound racing".

I'd like to think you are correct greyhoundp, but do think you are being rather hopeful here. From the eleven that started last year it would seem Bournemouth and Weymouth are non starters, Plymouth are applying to go up, Mildenhall are far from definate starters, Newport??,that leaves six and I doubt one or two of them are definate starters (Kings Lynn ?). As for new clubs, maybe one or two at the most, but personally i'd be surprised if the league is bigger than 8 clubs in 2011. I dont want to be negative here and do hope I am wrong and you are right.

Correct Howard! However the article quoting Dave Coventry in the latest Speedway Star is encouraging, and I agree totally with the comments he makes. Sadly i dont have a copy of the SS but if anyone does it is, I feel, worth posting on here.

Exactly wessexboy, I agree totally. One Commonwealth rider per side isn't hurting clubs or in all honesty the future of British Speedway. Often they are exciting youngsters who actually bring a few more through the gates. However, riders wanting £20+ a point certainly is making it difficult for clubs to survive. Apart from Dudley and Plymouth the crowds around the NL are pretty meagre, and as Rye House have found increasng admission costs is not the answer. When promoters such as Ford, Silver and the Chapmans have trouble attracting people through their gates then there is a real problem, and unless costs are driven down I can see the NL only having 6-7 clubs in 2011.

They certainly are justifible!!! and hopefully Ollie will receive what he is owed, no wonder his Dad is angry, any parent would be. I really feel for young Ollie, hopefully he can find another teamplace soon and get his speedway career moving again. He certainly is a rider of considerable talent.

It certainly was Mike, one of many in a closely contested excellent meeting last night

Indeed how!! Riders, Supporters, Sponsors all left in the dark until today. First enjoyed speedway at Mildenhall in August 1976 and now fear we won't see racing there again.

. Totally agree Dennis, your post sums up the position excellently in my opinion. The riders need to know exactly where they stand as by the middle of next week they will be a month without a meeting as well as being owed money for meetings already run. They deserve better!

Congratulations to Adam, an excellent result

Taken from this Friday's Bury Free Press MILDENHALL Fen Tigers fans have been assured there is light at the end of the tunnel – as Dave Coventry prepares to seal a rescue package for the troubled club this weekend. The West Row club's 35-year history looked destined to come to a shuddering halt at the start of the week, after chairman Ray Mascall handed over control of the Tigers to the British Speedway Promoter's Association. As a result, this Sunday's National League away fixture against Buxton was promptly postponed, as the West Suffolk outfit faced a race against time to assemble a full squad of riders. However, Mildenhall Stadium owner Coventry – who is locked in negotiations with Mascall and National League co-ordinator Peter Morris – has emerged as the favourite prospect buyer and he aims to complete the deal within the next couple of days. A swift change in hands would ensure that no further meetings are postponed. "I am confident that a deal can be agreed very soon," said Coventry, who bought Mildenhall Stadium from James Waters in 2008. "The club has a long and interesting history and it would not be fair on the fans if they were to lose their local speedway team. "No fee has been agreed yet. I will need to negotiate that with Ray and see what we come up with together. The important thing here is the future of the sport." Coventry, who has managed stock car racing at the sporting venue for 18 years, has been accused in the past of not being a speedway supporter. But, the 55-year-old insists this is not the case: "It is true that I like my stock cars, but I am a motorsport fan and speedway comes within that bracket. "If a deal is struck, I will pull the team together and safeguard the future of the Tigers." Mascall, who has been a Tigers supporter since 1977, decided to sell the club after his wife, Jean, died two months ago. "Jean was a massive Tigers fan and I bought the club, mainly as a gift for her," said Mascall. "She was my life and when she died, I knew I had lost the heart to carry on as chairman." The off-the-track troubles have served as an unwelcome distraction for the Tigers as they bid to lift the National League title for the first time. Currently fourth in the table, the in-form Fenmen look set to clinch an end of season play-off berth after sealing eight wins from their opening 11 meetings

Which is in total contrast to an article in Friday's Bury Free Press!

I'm only a couple of miles from the track as the crow flies, and it is bright and sunny outside

Our sincere condolences Ray, our thoughts are with you and your family at this very sad time. Phil & Ellie

Many thanks Paul

Really looking forward to Sunday, chance to meet up with old friends :approve Last year was excellent! Fingers crossed for a dry day.

Have managed to obtain an excellent recording of Ellesmere Port v Middlesborough from 1985 Screensport, watching it reminded me of what a great track Ellesmere was over 400 yards and plenty of room, great memories of trips there following Mildenhall came flooding back.

I remember seeing Red Star (Ruda Hvezda) at Mildenhall early in the 1978 season in an excellent meeting where they were the victors by 40-38. Their side that day was a powerful one that featured Jiri Stancl, Jan Verner and Peter Ondrasik who all went on to ride in the World Final at Wembley later in the season, another team member Zdenek Kudrna was one of the reserves! Valcav Verner top scored for Red Star in a close meeting in front of a big crowd, great memories! Red Star also rode and won at Stoke, Newcastle and Milton Keynes during this tour but lost at Canterbury. They were also defeated by an England U23 Select side at Bristol. I did purchase a couple of excellent photos from Jim Blanchard of the meeting

Cheers, do you have any background information on these three youngsters?

If anyone has any footage from or involving Mildenhall I would be interested to hear from them! Also anything from KM Video from Weymouth, Barrow, Scunthorpe, Newcastle, Workington, Crayford or Ellesmere Port please!

Thanks Iris123

Does anyone have the heat details and scorers for this meeting please?

Always look forward to receiving my copy of this magazine Packed with interesting articles and well worth £10 of anyones money, especially with the Friends of Speedway sponsoring the U15 Championship this year

Another fine speedway publication, I received mine last week and it is another excellent addition to the speedway library. Only 100 copies produced so dont wait too long! California Speedway The Southern Area league Years of The Poppies 1954-1957 By Bryan Horsnell. A 48 page boolet packed with information on the poppies teams, riders, S.A.L. matches and events, staged at the California Speedway 1954-1957. Plus much more, with over 80 illustrations, photo's. This booklet is a limited edition of just 100 copies, each of which has been individually numbered. Price £5. Also available, is a special numbered limited edition (of 100) postcard of a Poppy favourite Eric Hockaday with details of his speedway career, and to commemorate his, recent, 80th birthday. Price £2 Buy any book or postcard together, for just £6, and both will have the same number of the 2 limited editions- A real collectors Item. Available by post from: Bryan Horsnell, 275 Overdown Road, Tilehurst, Reading, RG31 6NX. Please add £1 for p&p for the book, or 50p for the postcard. If ordering both, p&p is just £1. For further details please contact bryan on email:beejaysocent@hotmail.com Note to Mods! With this booklet on CALIFORNIA speedway, The FLEETWOOD book and recent books on CREWE, READING and BELLE VUE maybe it is time for a subsection for speedway literature??

Just saw this advertised on the internet, looks another fine addition to the speedway library following the recent excellent history of Crewe Speedway ! THE FLYERS REMEMBERED A fascinating new book by Cheshire author Mike Craven traces the history of the Fleetwood Flyers speedway team from its roots in 1948, right through to its demise as the Fleetwood Knights at the conclusion to the 1952 campaign. For five years the sound of speedway japs could be heard on the Fylde coast with the smells of Castrol R mixing with the fish & chip smells of the famous fishing port on match nights along Highbury Avenue. This book describes everything you could ever want to know about the great times and atmosphere on match nights at Fleetwood Speedway and the list of personalities who graced the venue on Wednesday nights throughout the summer seasons lists like a whos who of Showbiz. In the words of the author, the story is told in words, numbers and pictures incorporating an “in depth” account of the racing itself, a behind the scenes visit to expose the trials and tribulations of the organisers, the tensions and battles between them and the non-sympathetic local residents, supported by a significant section of the Town Council, the love/hate relationship with the Football Club which shared the stadium right through to a shocking finale played out in a Liverpool courtroom. There are appendices containing the full, tabulated results of every meeting and individual performance together with more than a hundred photographs and illustrations which bring it all to life in the glorious black and white of the age as well as the colour of the present. “The Flyers Remembered” is available directly from the author, Michael Craven at “Appleby,” 10 Station Lane, Mickle Trafford, Chester CH2 4EH, in A5 softback priced at £11.99 plus £2 p&p, or in a strictly limited hardback edition of similar size at £17.99 plus £2.00 p&p. There will also be opportunities to purchase signed copies as the author visits the town during November. Please allow time for delivery during the postal strike

Thats interesting par_darrell, was only speaking to Mike a few nights back, would certainly like to obtain a copy of Boston v Berwick from 1981! Will have to have a word with him