screm

At the end of it all there has to be rules, and there has to be criteria to obtain visas, some riders will miss out over the narrowest of margins in the same way some riders will qualify with the narrowest of margins.

Very possible, though in the case of Campton its quite clear he was never going to make the criteria needed for a visa.

Giving his achievements, and the length of time he has been at the top, Greg must surely one of the best ever no matter what era.

Smith ended the 2013 season with a PL average of 7-15, so should make the criteria for this season.

The Comets have moved quickly to complete their side following the visa issues - bringing in Rusty Harrison and Nathan Greaves. Workington Comets are pleased to announce that long-time Comet Rusty Harrison and Sheffield-born youngster Nathan Greaves have been drafted into the Comets line-up following the work permit problems that have struck the Australian duo Mason Campton and Matthew Wethers with just six weeks to go before the season gets underway. Thirty-three year-old Harrison who, although born in Adelaide, South Australia, has made the UK his home for many years; living in Workington with his young family and having a Testimonial meeting scheduled to take place at Workington on Saturday 11th April following two frustrating postponements last season. After spending last season with Glasgow, where he achieved a 6.50 average, the return to Comets colours will be Harrison's tenth campaign with the club; having ridden as a Comet from 2001 to 2004, then in 2006 and again from 2010 to 2013. In doing so he has made 325 official appearances for the club, putting him second in the all-time appearance table, just 36 matches behind fellow Comets stalwart Carl Stonehewer. Comets owner Laura Morgan said: “Naturally we were devastated by the news we received with regard to Mason and Matty, but unfortunately we are where we are and have to move forward with the new season just around the corner. “Deciding to bring Rusty back into the fold was a very easy decision to make. He lives in the town, is very popular with the supporters and, when in full flight around our place there is no-one better to watch. “Rusty was very keen to return when we asked him, although the circumstances that have brought about his return are unfortunate, which is something that Rusty was keen to acknowledge. He is good friends with Mason, with whom he shared a workshop all last season, and he is disappointed about the situation as we all are but he is very keen to have a good season with us this year.” Sheffield-born Nathan Greaves, who turns seventeen later this month, will be taking up a place in a Premier League side for the first time after a successful season with the all-conquering Cradley side last year as well as gaining experience in the Elite League as a fast-track reserve with Swindon. Greaves is tipped as a good prospect for future honours in the sport and will occupy one of the reserve berths alongside fellow Comets newcomer Nicki Barrett. From Workington Speedway.

I think that giving UKVI have said they will work with the clubs, and after they had a workshop with them last Friday would lead me to believe they wouldn't let the clubs put in the request for a sponsors license if it was likely to fail.

So he qualifies and can look forward to a season over here, some of his fellow countrymen might not be so fortunate.

Most legal matters take time, and if Ward is questioning the way the test was carried out that would prolong things still further, as long as Ward receives a fair hearing then time shouldn't come into it.

Using the links that have been kindly posted on here, if the BSPA stick to that then we should all be clear.

On the BSPA site Ryan Douglas has an average of 6-73, so unless they use bonus points he wont get in via average, hopefully for him he did the necessary if his states national Final.

Sounds like an investigation from a leading speedway magazine. Yes its taking a while to get what from the outside is a simple enough case, but if we have to wait this long for both sides to present the evidence and for the FIM to consider that evidence and bring a punishment then shouldn't we let them got on with it.

Apparently Doolan doesn't need a visa.

Which is good news for Doolan and Berwick, looks like there will be a few riders and clubs not so fortunate, and will find themselves in the same position as Workington who have lost Campton and Wethers.

So length of residency, marriage etc doesn't come into it, when it comes to averages, do they include bonus points or are the rolling averages on the BSPA site the ones to go with, for example Kevin Doolan finished last year on a 6-93 rolling average, so he could be in bother.

I take it the average you have to attain is from last season and last season only, or in the case of Kozza Smith and Alex Davies 2013. Going by that Kevin Doolan looks to be in a bit of bother at Berwick, not unless he has British parents, one last thing, does length residency come into it.

Under the criteria riders must have a Premier League average of over 7.00, or finished fourth or better in their state championship. Doolan has neither, it must be hoped that Doolan qualifies either with British parentage and/or for the years he has been resident over here, which I`m not sure comes into the criteria.

So going by the criteria riders are now failing, Whethers has been riding illegally since 2010.

Whethers finished the 2010 season on a 7-04 average, though has been below seven since then.

I think Ipswich will have something to say if Workington was to sign Covatti.

I can understand about Campton not being allowed a visa, but less understanding about Whethers, has he failed to meet the new standards for attaining visas or has he been riding illegally for a few seasons now.

Some seem to be keen to poke the guilty stick at other riders, maybe to try and prove that poor old Darcy isn't such a bad person after all, its not working IMO.

Giving that the UKVI have said that they will work with the clubs, and after their workshop last Friday, do you really think the UKVI would let clubs apply for sponsor licenses only to turn them down, after all UKVI are now guiding the clubs through the paperwork. IMO getting the sponsors license will be the easy part for the clubs, getting riders to apply for visas and then getting those visas granted will be the hard part.

UKVI have already said they would work with any club trying to get riders through so they are ready to start the season, I am sure some riders will be easier than others.

In Woffinden there`s a lesson to be learned for Ward, if he wants to learn it of course.

Your not putting Ward down as a second rate Aussie surely, anyway I think the way the rules are going to be will make sure we don't see any Aussie rider that shouldn't at least have the capabilities of making the grade.