northyorksbear

So around 7.5 for last rider?

Now now - behave yourself

I see Eastbourne, Leicester & Glasgow as favourites Redcar and Scunthorpe could do well, but much depends on who they get to fill their last spots Berwick, Poole, Edinburgh & Birmingham (again depending on who they sign) look like mid table unless someone makes great strides And sorry, but Newcastle, Kent & Plymouth to be down at bottom. HOWEVER - those views are based on teams as declared now, we all know injuries occur and teams might change so all to play for. These are my genuine opinions, feel free to debate and disagree, but please don't take offence if you think I have downgraded your team's chance - compared to your own views

I've put your nomination in to be in charge of agreeing final team submissions - Bears would love 7.45 to play with

He also rode in 1972 - went through the card to get a 15 point maximum and win Open Championship went through the card to get an 18 point maximum in Eng v Australia international scored 11 from 4 rides in league match So 15 rides and only beaten once (by Frank Auffret) Top class rider

Good Luck to Plymouth and their promotion - certainly got everyone talking about them, All this fuss about how much it is costing and finances, these are very different times to even two seasons ago, so who knows what deals have been done, I personally think that both these riders are not looking for big paydays and are more likely to just want to ride and enjoy their "twilight" years. I don't know and have no inside knowledge, but I bet their are other riders in the Championship on better deals

Top right corner

I can say with 100% certainty PHIL Crump has NOT ridden at Redcar

Been watching all the developments at Newcastle with great interest, as I feel it is important to have strong setups at the North East clubs for all to thrive. Seems like you have got a good new promoter in Rob Grant, he seems willing to engage with fans and keep them informed of what he is doing and more importantly - why! Not everyone will agree with all his decisions but that's life! At least if he is up front about it all then he won't be accused of having hidden agendas. One part of the statement did make me smile - regarding doing the track Rob's family will be assisting as they have a farming background - expect some ploughed fields comments Anyway, Happy New Years to Diamonds fans and management here's hoping we get some exciting tussles between yourselves and the Bears in 2021 (with the Bears winning of course ) and if we can have a title deciding play-off final between the two of us that would be the real icing on the cake. All the best NYB

My Star arrived in post yesterday - Excellent first Christmas present

Hopefully Newcastle can survive and continue - I don't think a full track share is a valid option, but what should be seriously considered regardless of changes at Newcastle is Newcastle & Redcar sharing a junior team in hosting the meetings - seems totally logical to me and has so many advantages given what both promotions and venues can offer

Have to agree - excellent read each week Well done and Thanks to all involved Stay safe everyone

Jade Mudgway !!

You need to be careful asking Janice to keep you entertained - you might get a shock

3 more Redcar possibilities Wright/Riss Wright/MPT Riss/Andersen

Stewart & PalmToft

Back in 2008 I posted my dream team on the Speedway plus website, here it is reproduced with my comments at the time - Very poignant this week with the sad news about Jim Burdfield - who made my dream team!! Steve Wilcock Without question the number one Middlesbrough rider of the modern era, watched him progress from solid second string to THE best rider in the National League. He never really received the full accolades he deserved, possibly due to being too quiet both on and off the track, just basically piling the points unnoticed. I also had the thrill of winning his race jacket and getting a ride round Cleveland Park with Steve after the Ellesmere Port match in 1985!! Allan Brown My first hero in 1968 was Graham Edmonds, but after he was injured Allan Brown came in and he became my top man. I don't have many personal memories from back then, but know he was very stylish (and won lots of races). Tom Leadbitter As well as being a top performer for the Teessiders/Tigers Tom was a great team man, always helping teammates on and off the track. He was also great with the fans and loved to be involved in everything going on. I have a fantastic picture of an end of season meeting. Tom is covered in flour, riding a donkey like it's the finish of the Grand National. Martin Dixon Dicko in full action was worth the admission money alone!! I've witnessed numerous passes both inside and out at Cleveland Park, when the opposing riding hasn't known what's hit them. At the time of his serious elbow injury in the late 80s, in my opinion Dicko was the best rider in the National League and would have dominated for several years. He also had fantastic equipment, I remember one away match at Stoke, M'bro needed a 3-3 to win the match, Wilks (Steve Wilcock) had been struggling all night, but came out on Dicko's bike against Paul Thorp, gated and won by a mile. Gary Havelock Witnessed his after meeting rides, pre meeting rides, first "official" team rides and all the time we all knew he had that special something. Another who never looked overly spectacular, but had a great knack of gating when he had to and winning the important races. Nowadays at Redcar he leads by example and if heat 15 is vital then he brings out all the World Champion class to produce the goods. Bruce Forrester Another of my heroes sadly no longer with us. Bruce came to Cleveland Park a novice, but was a quick developer, and another who led by example. Very quick out of the gate, Bruce also wasn't afraid to move opponents if he had to. One meeting up at Sunderland he invariably was ahead after turn 2 and the Sunderland fans gave him real stick, but at the end of a superb maximum they all applauded a great performance. Jim Burdfield For my last rider I wanted someone who typified the Middlesbrough spirit of wholehearted trier, if not a top performer. I considered John Spilsbury, Dave Butt, Bob Watts and John Place amongst others, but eventually went for Burdy - mainly due to his personality, his ability to produce match winning performances and most of all his never say die attitude.

I would agree with that 6

OK to start on the negatives - at this moment in time virtually everyone's predictions will have the Diamonds finishing bottom of the league, and I can see many defeats to start the season off with. However positives - as others have said there will be speedway at Newcastle in 2020,and from Granty's comments for a number of years afterwards. The team which has been put together does have potential for improvement with several riders able to have substantial increases in averages, whether they will is the big question. If the new guys, who I assume will be assets, get a full season in then they should be good for 2021 and I fully expect diamonds to be much more competitive later in season. Bottom line is enjoy your speedway and support the new promotion - hope it goes well - as I have often pointed out it is to the benefit of Redcar and Newcastle for both to have strong teams, as was clearly demonstrated by last season's cup final. Merry Christmas to all up in Geordieland

I appreciated hearing your views and fully accept why Poole & Newcastle were not included, I'm expecting you to update your list when each is known. The flak you are getting appears to be more due to part of your name as opposed to your comments

Best top 5 in the league and two reserves with huge potential - IF one (or both) of them click 2020 will be the YEAR OF THE BEAR

nobody mentioning MPT??

Well no-one can claim this is regionalised !!!

Might be alot of fun with Barker and some of his other teammates (or teammate to be precise)

Top quality side in my opinion - I have installed them as my favourites for the title already Would have loved kemp at Redcar