IainB

Cost is certainly a factor, there are many factors though. Speedway's pricing structure is a bit archaic, I linked to crickets T20 pricing a few weeks back and they have many pricing options. It's okay having kids for a quid or kids go free but what happens when they hit 16, 17 or 18 and they're faced with a 2000% price increase and they're earning minimum wage? They're probably lost to the sport until they're over 40 and have carved a decent living out for themselves.

Absolutely, that's my point an attractive fixture can and will attract a crowd. I can see next year being 2 leagues, a north and a south

Belle Vue have the same issue, although I'm not totally onboard with what @THE DEAN MACHINE says regarding pricing, I think it's certainly a factor and vfm is very much an issue. The cup semi final at Sheffield on Thursday night was pretty well attended by general crowd levels these days.

100% 👍🏻 Maybe 6pm starts in the summer could be an option? I know it's still not under lights but maybe add a few quid onto the burger and beer sales.

... yet many footy fans bemoan the lack of Saturday 3pm kick offs 🤷‍♂️

Maybe he's a bit intimidated by the "big league" riders, it's down to the rest to actively include him in things imo.

That was the other place I've seen him stood by himself on the outside of things at Poole... Leicester's captain is Max Fricke, but there's enough experienced riders in the Leicester team to notice he's isolated and to include him more. Maybe that was a catalyst for DT's improvement moving to Ippo and being more included in things there?

Maybe, it is a team sport though and I'm pretty sure even introverts like to be included in things.

Just watching this back on catch-up and poor old Joe Thompson cuts an isolated figure while the riders were waiting to go on parade, I've noticed this before, everybody else chatting away and him stood on his own staring into the distance... quite sad to see.

Unless you're a deliveroo rider... hang on... I've just had a thought 🤔

I think Artem Laguta came in on a visa from Plymouth!

Or BSPA/SCB? There's a lot of foreign riders at Worky... and even their Brit sounds a bit foreign 😂

Speedway riders, like other professional athletes coming to the UK, primarily obtain their visas through the International Sportsperson visa route (formerly Tier 2 Sportsperson visa). There's also the Temporary Worker - Creative and Sporting visa (Tier 5) for shorter stays, though the International Sportsperson visa is more common for full season engagements. Here's a breakdown of the process: 1. Sponsorship and Endorsement are Key: * Sponsor Licence: The speedway club or organisation employing the rider must hold a valid "sponsor licence" issued by the Home Office. This licence allows them to sponsor overseas workers. * Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS): Once a rider is offered a position, the sponsoring club assigns them a unique electronic Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS). This CoS contains details about the job, salary, and the rider's personal information. It's a crucial piece of the visa application. * Governing Body Endorsement: This is a critical requirement. The rider's application must be endorsed by the relevant UK sports governing body for speedway. This endorsement confirms that: * The rider is an elite sportsperson or qualified coach. * They are internationally established. * Their employment will significantly contribute to the development of speedway at the highest level in the UK. 2. Eligibility Requirements for the Rider: * Age: Must be 16 years or older. * Job Offer: A genuine job offer from an approved sponsor (the speedway club). * English Language: For stays longer than 12 months, riders usually need to prove their English language proficiency (e.g., by passing an approved test or demonstrating they are from an English-speaking country). * Financial Maintenance: The rider must demonstrate they have sufficient funds to support themselves in the UK (currently £1,270 in their bank account for at least 28 consecutive days). Alternatively, their sponsor can certify they will cover the rider's costs. * Tuberculosis (TB) Test: If the rider is from a country where TB testing is required, they will need to provide a certificate. * Travel History: Provide travel history for the last 5 years. * Valid Passport: A valid passport with at least one blank page for the visa. 3. Application Process: * Online Application: Riders apply for the visa online through the UK government's official website. * Document Submission: They will need to submit all required documents, including: * Valid passport. * Certificate of Sponsorship reference number. * Endorsement letter from the speedway governing body. * Proof of English language proficiency (if applicable). * Bank statements (or sponsor's certification of maintenance). * TB test results (if applicable). * Previous travel documents to show travel history. * Biometrics: Riders will need to provide their biometric information (fingerprints and a photo) at a visa application centre. * Fees: There are application fees and an Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), which grants access to the UK's National Health Service (NHS). 4. Visa Duration and Extension: * The International Sportsperson visa can be issued for up to 3 years initially, or for the duration of employment plus 14 days, whichever is shorter. * It can be extended if the rider continues to meet the eligibility criteria. * After 5 years on this visa, riders may be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (settlement) in the UK, provided they meet further criteria (e.g., continuous residence, salary requirements, passing the "Life in the UK" test). Important Considerations for Speedway: * Governing Body: The relevant governing body for speedway in the UK (e.g., the Speedway Control Bureau - SCB, or British Speedway Promoters' Association - BSPA, working with relevant sporting bodies approved by the Home Office) will be crucial in endorsing riders. * Loan System Impact: There have been instances in the past where the Home Office scrutinised how speedway's loan system impacted visa compliance, leading to some challenges for clubs and riders. Clubs must ensure they comply with all sponsorship duties. * Brexit: Since Brexit, non-UK riders (including those from EU countries) now require a visa to ride professionally in the UK, which was not always the case previously. This has added a layer of complexity and cost to bringing in overseas talent. The process is rigorous and requires careful attention to detail from both the rider and the sponsoring club to ensure all requirements are met. Many clubs and riders often seek assistance from immigration lawyers due to the complexities involved.

Maybe he could do that covid season at Sheffield he never got to do 🤔

And the government topping peoples wages up for companies that won't pay a proper wage with universal credit... how on earth this country has got itself into such a mess is unbelievable! Tolley for PM 😂

I subscribe to the full BSN package yet still went to Sheffield last night and to the Lions vs Aces slaughter (that Brady Kurtz skipped, not skippered 😂 the other week)... As a (part time) Aces fan I think you've forgotten how good it feels to win away 😉 TNT/Eurosport/Sky meetings I've long since stopped attending, purely to how slowly they're run with massive breaks for the ads with no alternative content provided to fill the gaps... all they have to do is pipe the broadcast interviews etc. over the PA system as a bare minimum it would give those that have attended something to listen to.

But they were there, single handedly saving the sport in this country 😂

Don't forget the £266bn (and counting) student loan book... to pay for folk to go to uni to get a zero hour contract job in an Amazon warehouse, not quite sure who's going to pay that back 🤷‍♂️

Was a pretty decent crowd (relatively) at Sheffield tonight

Average UK salary £3,410 Average Polish salary £1,540 So you can double that £7... still good value though, shows how much we're paying over here to make up for the lack of numbers.

They weren't tempted out by returning Oxford hero Ben Barker then?

Ryan Guest on the centre green telling us it's gone down to a last heat decider... bless him 😂

Sean Bean, Jessica Ennis-Hill, Michael Palin, Arctic Monkeys, Joe Cocker, Def Leppard, Gordon Banks, Helen Sharman, Sebastian Coe, Harry Maguire, Harry Maguire... your boys took one helluva beating tonight 🦁

Sam Masters machinery has been on the blink for the last few meetings now, it was popping and banging on parade and why he even started that last race on it I'm not sure... unless we're just using this as a test session now 😁

They have all season to be fair... one area where TNT are infinitely better.