woofers

Many thanks. Couldn't see this, the only bit I could find was the preview giving riders in alphabetical order.

Has anyone the likely riding order for both teams tonight ? I am inclined to put together my own scoresheet as this is a rearranged fixture and I suspect tonight's programme will be the original with a scoresheet insert.

So, will Swindon by brave enough to price their next meeting similarly ? Only by doing so will it give credible evidence to the price point that speedway can attract decent crowd levels. Of course, pricing the product at the right point to attract spectators is one thing, serving up something that will keep them coming back for more is another - I fear that the racing last night didn't help that cause, although there will be some on here that are happy with what they saw, namely a win for Swindon and a relatively close score line, but in reality the racing for the most part was processional and strung out. How many of those extra punters would return at £17 / £18 per head ?

Also thought the guy who did the intro to Heat 15 was quite good, perhaps trying a bit too hard to impress though. BUT his big minus in my opinion was his 'commentary' during the last lap of the race.....that's a BIG MINUS, a real No, No please. In fairness to Steve Crow, he has settled down nicely this year and now gives a consistent account after each race, placings and then lap time.

Perhaps Value For Money was a criteria back then ? If so, they've just lost a shed load of points...... Anyway, as has already been posted, most of us buy a programme for the scoresheet and any club news and views that haven't already been posted on the internet. The ramblings of bygone days are usually of minor interest to me. (Although I accept that for many, many speedway fans the past is a glorious place where everything was right with the sport - just see how many threads of this forum revert to "I remember when ....... ") I do hope they won't be asking £3 for a "programme" for the rearranged IOW match, as past experience tells me this is likely be the outdated original with an insert scorecard. I don't doubt that, but has it just increased then ?

Seriously ? Or is this a wind up.....

Pretty much sums it up. Was impressed by the 3 Brum riders that raced, i.e. Parkinson-Blackburn, Bacon and Carr, but in fairness the heavy track conditions made it very difficult for the less experienced riders to turn the bike. Couldn't understand why Saunders didn't get more rides, instead of bringing in No 8 Whitehouse ?

Sneaky 50% increase in the price of the programme, up from £2 to £3.....

Why is all this stuff about Woffinden on this thread ?

Plenty of programmes this week ! Rattled along nicely to start with, the first 5 heats completed by 8pm (including 2 tapes breakages). Then looked at my watch at the conclusion of heat 10, it was 9pm ! Have to agree that Kelsey needs to 'grow up', I get the impression he's a bit of a prima dona and should worry less about his image and concentrate more on riding the bike - keep under the radar mate and let results do the talking would be my advice. Although I accept he must be under pressure (either real or self imposed) being a Dugard at Eastbourne, perhaps it would be better for his development at another track. Not sure that Powell was harshly excluded, although they were first and second bend incidents, it was pretty clear that he wasn't in control of his machine and was the primary cause of the stoppage (remember there is no 'first bend bunching' rule). Poor tactical decisions cost us a point last night, Brennan should have had more rides.

OK, hindsight is a wonderful thing and all that, but we didn't need hindsight at trackside to ask why Tom Brennan didn't replace Charlie Powell in heats 11 and 14. Fairly sure that it would have been a more comfortable win had that been the case. Have to be question marks on the future roles of both Kelsey Dugard and Charlie Powell at Eastbourne. Not the best of nights for Connor Coles either. Everyone is entitled to 'off night' every now and then though.

How could anyone get away with it ? So, what will happen ? Will anyone from Eastbourne protest ? Will the 'authorities' require an explanation, with evidence, of why the meeting was called off ? Or will it just be swept under the carpet, 'one of those things' ? Just another episode in speedways decline - no one really cares do they ?

I know that, but just because some fans have a nickname for a rider it doesn't necessarily mean an official presenter should use that nickname in announcing line up's etc. I don't recall Kevin Coombes announcing 'Floppy', 'Rico', 'Woofy' or 'Nicki P' in any line up or results announcements. (But then again Kevin was a more polished and professional presenter who knew his speedway). With regard to the programme issue are you saying programmes were put away and unavailable at 7.20, or that you think they should be sold out by then? I just wondered what the print run was, and if a greater number than expected of Cradley fans caught the promotion out, as it obviously makes sense to print more programmes for a 'local derby' than for a match against further travelled opposition.

Programmes sold out by 7.20. Wouldn't say it was a big crowd last night so wonder just how many programmes are printed? Decent support from Cradley and a few Eastbourne fans missing due to the Brighton football, including Jack the Lad presenter who put the footie ahead of the speedway. The stand in couldn't say Brennan either, which I think is a shame.

You were saying.........??

Don't think Arlington is Armstrongs favourite track, think he described it as "your little trick track" when interviewed riding for Stoke back in our first NL year. Ayres usually goes well and is good value. If he keeps his head he could be tonight's top scorer. Not sure Kelsey Dugard "riding through the pain barrier" is a good thing to do.

He did get a team spot. Problem is the team folded. He might have had an inkling this was a risk and could happen given the shenanigans that have been going at Coventry for some time. Really it's no different to anyone else with a job, and then finding your employer has gone bust. I'm sure he'll get a place as soon as a suitable vacancy occurs.

Have you attended any National League speedway? I was intrigued when Eastbourne went NL, but have been pleasantly surprised and don't really miss the top league anywhere near as much as expected. I know many others feel the same. Some doubters came along last year for the first time since the Elite days and are now regulars again. The race times are only 2 / 3 seconds slower and the racing generally closer. Give it a try. Have an open mind. If the choice is some speedway or NO speedway, I know where my vote goes.

Is it right that speedway has only a couple of years at Arlington? Have heard on two separate occasions and sources that the land has been sold for a hotel development.

I have heard that as well, but not seen anything to confirm it. Nothing on the Eastbourne thread.

I suspect you are spot on, correct. In this day and age does anyone really think a stadium holding Motorsport events would be built alongside a new housing development? Only the die hard speedway fanatic would believe this. It just doesn't "stack up" in today's politically and social environment. Doesn't matter if the Abbey was there first, there will be ways and means to get around this and put the housing in. I fear that 2017 will be the last year of the Swindon Robins speedway team. I also think that within, say 5 years, speedway in the south / south east of England will have 2 or 3 clubs - Poole, Rye House and Kent. It is surely only a matter of time before Lakeside and Eastbourne succumb to external pressures.

Season Tickets: Upside - you can avoid queuing if there is a dedicated turnstile. You can save one, (possibly two), admission fee costs over the season IF you can attend ALL meetings. Rain Off's don't impact you financially. Assists the clubs cash flow at the start of the season when resources could be tight and one off costs incurred. Downside - the two scenario's that impact you financially and negate any savings are rearranged meetings that fall into dates you have already committed to something else, and double headers.

Hmmm, not a wheel turned yet and discussions about 'a great guest' have started. And we wonder why speedway has its issues........

Erm, according to Companies House, Brandon Estates Ltd was dissolved on 3rd November 2015 so technically does not exist and therefore has no legal standing. The two directors names were Ian and Stephen Butler. No mention of Mr Sandhu.

Does Pearson still do his PR ? 99% of the posts on here and Twitter are saying the same thing, supporting the BSPA stance. So have he and his 'advisors' made a monumental cock up or is it all part of a carefully crafted PR campaign? Are they that clever? Remember, it's all about him and there is 'no such thing as bad publicity', is he trying to copy the Nicki P persona ? These latest antics have certainly put his name back in the spotlight and will be attracting attention of whatever sort. As far as boo-ing, that should be a no no, it's just more proof that he has got a reaction, (Nicki loves playing the pantomime villain and the boo's that come with it). A far better reaction would be silence, complete indifference - think about it, your name's called, no one cheers, no one claps, no one boo's...no one gives a toss....how do you feel ?