Sir Sidney

I don't think anyone has actually given up, but we do have to look at the reality. Maybe just worth recapping on some of the things that have happened: Once Mr Taggarts plans were initially known Ian Perkin made contact with Mr Taggart's team to investigate if speedway could form part of the plans. As I understand it, at the time, Mr Taggart was open to the idea and advised Ian that, if Mr Taggart's plans were accepted, Ian should submit a proposal / plan to him. We were all asked to e-mail the Mayor of London and the Leader of Merton Council to set out our support - and to copy both Ian and Diane McLean (part of Mr Taggart's team) so that they could also judge interest. At that early stage I don't recall Mr Taggart's plan including housing, or so much housing, and that the original drawings seemed to show an oval race track with scope for a figure of 8 - indicating that speedway / stock cars might feature. I e-mailed as requested and got a reply from Diane which didn't discount speedway's involvement should Mr Taggart be sucessful. However, as Arthur Cross in particular has so eloquently set out, the financial reality of the situation may explain why Mr Taggart is emphasising why housing provision will play a significant part in his plans. The recent news paper piece in which Mr Taggart has mentioned that local residents are not in favour of retaining stock cars might also explain why the latest drawings now omit the race track. As speedway knows to it's cost housing and motor sport do not make popular neighbours. I'm not sure that I see that article as positive for speedway (other than if stock cars do not exist then speedway is not competing with it). The 'Show of Passion' organised does not seek to include anyone other than the greyhound community, and to me that would seem to indicate a lessening of interest for including any other sport. I like others have posted on the 'We want Wimbledon Facebook' site, but have not had any response. And so, in summary, I would say: The previous speedway management has had discussions with Mr Taggart There is an active Wimbledon Speedway group on Facebook which does indicate interest No one from the speedway community has, or is likely to, come forward with an option which puts speedway first - the economics as Arthur Cross has set out simply do not make this feasible If AFC Wimbledon get planning permission there is no possibility for speedway If Mr Taggart gets planning permission (and the current owners wish to sell to him) there is a slim chance, but no more than that.

There has been contact between the former PLC management (see post 93) and Mr Taggart's team, who had indicated that, if their bid was sucessful, they were prepared to discuss the reintroduction of speedway.

I watched Wimbledon from 1969 through to the close - meaning that I saw the team compete at all levels from British League, New National League and Conference / National League - and watched world champions right down to youngsters starting out. When the Dons dropped out of the top league I thought I would miss the top riders - but as others have rightly already pointed out, what was key was whether the racing was competitive in the league that the Dons were in at the time. If the outcome this winter is a reigning in of costs, leading to some of the top riders not racing here we will cope, and British speedway may well flourish.

Based on the very first post on this subject as below Ian Perkin is in contact with Paschal Taggart's representatives, so someone is representing speedway's interest. I doubt any one has both the interest and the financial resources to put forward an alternative speedway focussed proposal and so our best bet is probably that the greyhound proposals are the preferred option. As so often with speedway, we are in the hands of others 'Wimbledon Club Chairman when the track closed in 2005, Ian Perkin has had communications with Paschal's legal counsel and if the bid is successful she has indicated that Paschal would be interested in discussing with the previous promotion whether there might be a suitable opportunity for allowing Speedway racing to take place in the new stadium.'

Looks like the Council is using a standard response, just tweaked a bit - I've had a similar response. In the response to me it includes the line 'Your support for the retention of a greyhound stadium and speedway racing is noted.'

Not a fan of darts or tattoos personally, but I'd have thought Phil Taylor (a multiple individual world champion I think) presents himself as a personality to be taken seriously in his chosen field, and has tattoos - and is well known

Congratulations Tai. World champion - doesn't that sound great!!!

Also an article about Tai in the Times Sports section this morning. Great to see speedway mentioned.

Well done to the Dons team tonight. It can't hurt the current process relating to the stadium to show that there is still interest in Wimbledon

Latest news on the Kings web site http://www.kentkings.co/news/2013/september/201309113_Third_time_lucky_for_Kent_CTA_Fire_Kings_vs_Wimbledon.html Unfortunately I will not be able to go tomorrow - I can't re-arrange work committments again to allow me to get there in time. Good luck to the Dons team

Just seen this on the Merton Council web site under 'Meetings of the Council' http://www.merton.gov.uk/council/decision-making/committee.htm?view=event&event_id=3564 'Wimbledon Greyhound Stadium - Council meeting 11 September 2013 The council is aware that some residents may be under the false impression that a decision relating to Wimbledon Greyhound Stadium is on the agenda for this meeting. Please note that the stadium is NOT on tonight's formal agenda and no decision will be made about this site at the meeting. This is because the site's designation for "sporting intensification" was decided at the full council meeting on 10th July. This decision will now go to the Secretary of State for approval. To date, no planning application(s) have been received from any parties who have expressed an interest in the greyhound site. If and when any planning application does come forward this would be dealt with by our Planning Applications Committee and subject to our usual planning consultation processes.'

I think the Merton Planning meeting is this week - Wednesday maybe? We should get an indication of the Council's preferance.

Thanks for the info on times and transport. As long as I can get away from work in time I intend to go. I wish Kent would release the line up for the meeting - the more genuine Dons links the better, so I'm a bit dissapointed if Andre isn't going to ride

Does any one know the Wimbledon team for next week? Also, could anyone let me know what time on average meetings are finishing so I can see if I can get home by train Thanks

I've e-mailed my message of support to the Mayor of London and to the leader of Merton Council. Let's see what happens on 11th. As Arthur Cross quite rightly points out Risk / Galliard will not necesarially implement the Council's preferred option.

Well I must admit I'm with Gustix on this. I shall be very glad to have the opportunity to debate how Wimbledon might do, having not had the option to do so for a number of years. Whilst I'm glad that it is still possible to have a side that features some riders with genuine Dons connections I wouldn't have been overly concerned if the side hadn't. If Mr Taggart or any other person buys Plough Lane and speedway returns I'll support whatever team is put out - and I doubt there will be too many connections to previous Dons riders at that point! I'm sure the Kent promoters have tried to put together a Wimbledon side that they think will be competetive, but will lead to a Kent win - that would seem a sound business decision as one sided challenge matches don't usually please anyone. I hope they have got the balance slightly wrong and Wimbledon win.

Or how many points the Dons may win by!

Posted by Andre on the Wimbledon Speedway Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/groups/2426614704/

Dons riding at Kent on 12 August, with at least some riders with genuine Dons connections (Andre Cross, Chris Mills, Chris Schramm reported elsewhere). Keeps the profile up and I think assists when we write to the politicians. Lets hope Mr Taggart can persuade RCP to sell him the stadium and land - still the biggest obstacle to a return to Plough Lane

A glimmer of hope - still need RCP to sell the site, but a step in the right direction