Shadders

Berwick Bandits are like shoppers who hang about supermarkets near closing time to grab the out of date stuff

Kerr to Edinburgh?

What’s a real ambulance look like?

Most of it. Walked out mid way through the second half and had to jet wash the young uns push chair

How long does it take to toss a coin?

Seems daft to blame the Berwick riders when they’ve travelled so far for nothing (Connor Coles excepted). Why should anyone put themselves in danger on a track where racing would be difficult and you’re just going through the motions? Who wants to watch that?

Even Dick Barrie didn’t venture over to the third bend last night, fearing going home covered in dust

I remember coming up on Rockets tours in the mid 2000’s onwards and dreading the place. I assume most visiting riders felt the same. Nowadays it’s help yourself. I can recall standing on the track on the third/fourth bend banking where it was a foot deep.

Seeing Steve Boxall in Luke Bowens old Rye House kevlars brought a lump to my throat

I’m a Rye House fan, have been since 1985, so I’ve seen my share of rubbish teams, as well as league title winning sides (2005 & 2007). I had the privilege of seeing Tai race in Rockets colours as a 17 year old, a remarkable talent. My missus is a die hard Bandit fan, always has been, but her patience has been severely tested this season. We both have seasons passes, and if it wasn’t for the fact that we live 2 minutes from the track we probably wouldn’t go to every meeting, that’s how down she is about the team she’s been watching for over 30 years. Despite being a die hard Rocket I’ve bought the Bandits merch and contribute to the monthly supporters club, who in turn help out the speedway club financially. I don’t want to see the Bandits fold, but with dwindling crowds and rising costs I fear there will be no speedway at Berwick next year. We used to look forward to our Saturdays at the speedway, but nowadays it’s become a bit of a chore “how many are we losing by this week?” I suspect… well I know… we’re not the only ones.

Absolute guff. Supporters are getting restless, what’s left of them. Track was awful, I’ve not had so much dust on me since I was a regular at Rye House. Dunno what’s up with Leon, shocking performance. Gonna give it a miss next week, it’ll be carnage, besides, there’s a couple of tasty looking Premier League matches on Sky on Saturday evening.

8+1 when up with Scunny. I’ll take that. And another former Rocket in the side

I’ll have some of whatever you’re smoking

The way Jonas has been riding this year?

Refreshing to have someone tell it as it is.

3pm start is good for me. Can watch the meeting before heading off to watch Berwick vs Brum at 6.30

The guys been out of the sport for years and has been racing against NL standard riders on the IOW. He couldn’t have asked for a more difficult home debut. Reports say he looked decent at Edinburgh guesting for Jonas. It was great to see the Rockets colours out on track again

You’d be a star in the Edinburgh fringe. Great comedy

September Championship speedway at Berwick for a change

You only travel when you’re certain your team will win?

Are there enough riders of the right calibre to fill all the NDL sides, or are you happy watching kids crashing out before they've learned how to turn a bike?

Twenty years ago the BBC were forecasting a new ice age, ten years ago they told us the ice caps would have melted by now. I would rather trust a Staffordshire bull terrier with my testicles than listen to anything the BBC has to say. The Met Office forecasts are very hit and miss too.

Tend to agree with you about the scoreline. Bandits fans have a tough few weeks coming up with Poole and Glasgow yet to visit. Can only see a couple of wins coming against Birmingham and Plymouth and even that I wouldn't say are gimees. Met office have 60-80% chance of rain around 5pm, lasting for 90 minutes or so, so we could be seeing speedway at Shielfield in September for a change. Could do with some of that heat they've been getting in the Med the last couple of weeks

Not great when the track staff and first aiders outnumber the crowd