crescent girl Posted July 1 Report Share Posted July 1 We're it not such a potentially serious matter, some of the wilder statements and demands for immediate public release of private information would be laughable The seven-day pause in Working ton's licence is only four days in --- we'll learn what's to happen very soon, l'm pretty sure. One thing we should be grateful for is, Northside is a magnificent track, and the stadium has wonderful potential for development through eventual installation of lighting and some spectator cover. Unlike the permanent loss of places such as Wolverhampton, Peterborough, etc, Northside will be there, and can hopefully push on and up again, after this unfortunate situation is resolved 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
piston197 Posted July 1 Report Share Posted July 1 One thing we should be grateful for is, Northside is a magnificent track, and the stadium has wonderful potential for development through eventual installation of lighting and some spectator cover. Unlike the permanent loss of places such as Wolverhampton, Peterborough, etc, Northside will be there, and can hopefully push on and up again, after this unfortunate situation is resolved Newport ( Queensway meadows) was still there, had everything in place, lights, stands, safety fence, long lease, no curfews or restrictions, and look what happened there ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Stadia Posted July 1 Report Share Posted July 1 14 minutes ago, piston197 said: One thing we should be grateful for is, Northside is a magnificent track, and the stadium has wonderful potential for development through eventual installation of lighting and some spectator cover. Unlike the permanent loss of places such as Wolverhampton, Peterborough, etc, Northside will be there, and can hopefully push on and up again, after this unfortunate situation is resolved Newport ( Queensway meadows) was still there, had everything in place, lights, stands, safety fence, long lease, no curfews or restrictions, and look what happened there ! What happened there is, very sadly, because Tim passed away and a bunch of muppets took over the running! Muppets taking over successful teams is quite common, it seems, along with losing stadiums to development and along with speedway track owners, with strong connections to speedway, (the Duggards, the Pughs), either selling up or keeping the stadium, but not running speedway. I don't know what the answer is, but speedway is clinging on by its finger tips. Holding on to running speedway as a team event, cannot last, as the number of teams drop out. It will survive as an activity, but my guess is it will survive as an amateur sport, with individual meetings and with other associated attractions, such as upright challenges mixed in and GT140 type races. My guess is it would attract more riders, would remove the need for expensive foreign riders and would give the promoters/organisers, a chance to at least break even! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveLyric2 Posted July 1 Report Share Posted July 1 20 minutes ago, Ray Stadia said: What happened there is, very sadly, because Tim passed away and a bunch of muppets took over the running! Muppets taking over successful teams is quite common, it seems, along with losing stadiums to development and along with speedway track owners, with strong connections to speedway, (the Duggards, the Pughs), either selling up or keeping the stadium, but not running speedway. I don't know what the answer is, but speedway is clinging on by its finger tips. Holding on to running speedway as a team event, cannot last, as the number of teams drop out. It will survive as an activity, but my guess is it will survive as an amateur sport, with individual meetings and with other associated attractions, such as upright challenges mixed in and GT140 type races. My guess is it would attract more riders, would remove the need for expensive foreign riders and would give the promoters/organisers, a chance to at least break even! Only assuming sufficient crowd numbers would attend!!? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
piston197 Posted July 1 Report Share Posted July 1 (edited) Tim passed away and a bunch of muppets took over the running, sounds like a fair assumption to me, there was a consortium headed by Phil Morris who were keen to take over, the council wanted speedway to continue, but the promotion did everything in their power to make sure it did not, a mysterious fire did not help either ? Phil Morris , given his position in world speedway would probably thank them for that now !! You can state that there are interested parties willing to carry on with speedway at the Venue...... Morris remains interested in bringing speedway back to Queensway Meadows and has an unnamed “experienced promoter” backing him. But he can’t save his local team unless Sydney & London’s demolition bid is quashed and has called on speedway fans to fight the club’s corner. Details as follows: Edited July 1 by piston197 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Stadia Posted July 1 Report Share Posted July 1 15 minutes ago, SteveLyric2 said: Only assuming sufficient crowd numbers would attend!!? You wouldn't have the same overheads. And you could charge the riders to race, as they do in many amateur motor sports. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fortythirtyeight Posted July 1 Report Share Posted July 1 1 hour ago, Ray Stadia said: What happened there is, very sadly, because Tim passed away and a bunch of muppets took over the running! Muppets taking over successful teams is quite common, it seems, along with losing stadiums to development and along with speedway track owners, with strong connections to speedway, (the Duggards, the Pughs), either selling up or keeping the stadium, but not running speedway. I don't know what the answer is, but speedway is clinging on by its finger tips. Holding on to running speedway as a team event, cannot last, as the number of teams drop out. It will survive as an activity, but my guess is it will survive as an amateur sport, with individual meetings and with other associated attractions, such as upright challenges mixed in and GT140 type races. My guess is it would attract more riders, would remove the need for expensive foreign riders and would give the promoters/organisers, a chance to at least break even! Like the amateur meetings at Scunthorpe? , or even grasstrack meetings? which attract about as many as a W.I. Meeting in a village hall. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Stadia Posted July 1 Report Share Posted July 1 13 minutes ago, Fortythirtyeight said: Like the amateur meetings at Scunthorpe? , or even grasstrack meetings? which attract about as many as a W.I. Meeting in a village hall. What's the answer then? Limp on until the sport disappears up its own fundament? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poole keith Posted July 1 Report Share Posted July 1 40 minutes ago, Ray Stadia said: You wouldn't have the same overheads. And you could charge the riders to race, as they do in many amateur motor sports. Can't imagine insurance costs would be much cheaper,and can't imagine the poole landlord for example would take much reduction in rent,and like skids says would be real concerns about crowd levels,so can't see those type of meetings being an answer at all 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikebv Posted July 1 Report Share Posted July 1 1 minute ago, Ray Stadia said: What's the answer then? Limp on until the sport disappears up its own fundament? BSB does "more than OK" using UK riders with a few aspiring overseas riders who for many, see BSB as a stepping stone to WSB and MotoGP... If this type of model was the only Speedway on offer, I would suggest crowds would attend.. As you suggest, throw in some support classes to ensure a conveyer belt of talent coming through as the top names organically moved on to Poland, and the sport would continue.. Just like BSB does when their riders move on to the higher level racing.. It must cost circa £30k to lay out for two home and away meetings in the top tier, so use all, or some, of that, to put out some decent prize money and see if 1500 or so at @£20 will attend, and 10 sponsors will pay £500 for "a VIP night out" on nights that the entertainment industry is most successful... There will always be some who say "team speedway only for me" but, in its current guise, it isn't really that anway is it? These people have to actually collude with promoters in pretending it is a bona fide team sport.. Ten meetings minimum at each track, regular racing each fortnight, changing riders each meeting, all publicised well locally in the two weeks between meetings, with decent prize money, and ran on the best night for that customer base, and you could have some continuation of the sport.. If this was the only ticket in town, the sport would continue... On its current glide path it won't... 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteelShoe Posted July 1 Report Share Posted July 1 (edited) 4 hours ago, 2ndbend123 said: No the promotion can’t help the weather that was never mentioned. But they can help being suspended from racing. Or is that the weathers fault too? Smell the coffee and stop sugar coating this errors have been made and now everyone must suffer the consequences inc riders and fans. But again if the promotion actually bothered to communicate all this could be explained. I suppose you have never naively made a mistake. Well the only person who doesn't make a mistake is a person who does nothing. I think you should cut Andrew some slack, in particular your post about him being a crook I found very distasteful no doubt he will too. There is no one more emotionally upset about this right now than Andrew believe me. With regards to communication I would imagine the club are taking advice on this from the BSPA for legal reasons. I do not believe the current situation is about money but administrative matters referred to in the BSPA statement. I have my personal view on what the nature of these matters probably are based on the facts on offer on Companies House. The company Northside Speedway Training Track was dissolved on 17/6/25. There may be two reasons for this : either Andrew requested a company strike off for whatever reason or he has fallen foul of not meeting legal requirenents/ obligations. The problem with this dissolvement is that the company no longer exists as a legal entity. Among other implications of this is the fact the promotion will have had their Sponsor Licence revoked which allows the club to sponsor migrant riders under the Sportsmans Visa scheme. The situation is recoverable. The company will need to be reinstated . I expect this is what the club are working on with the help of the BSPL in order to bring about as speedy a resolution as possible. Edited July 1 by SteelShoe 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorthernBee Posted July 1 Report Share Posted July 1 6 hours ago, singy13 said: And hopefully any info supplied will stop the 'crooks' accusations? The sponsors money will have probably helped to build new toilets, refs box, the 3rd and 4th bend spectator viewing, fan club shop and other spectator facilities - all costly projects and certainly good honest care for the fans at Northside. My feeling is that the management/owners are fairly sensible and wouldn't have spent the money on the new ref's box or the 3rd and 4th bend viewing if there was a chance of a few bad weeks would send them under. I know this is speedway but surely no one os that daft? Surely? My understanding is that there is a long term plan to have the track and facilities up to FIM standard - the work on the pits is an example of that. Again, it would be really daft to have those future plans yet to come undone by a few bad weeks early in the season. I sincerely hope it can be resolved. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moranboys Posted July 1 Report Share Posted July 1 11 minutes ago, mikebv said: BSB does "more than OK" using UK riders with a few aspiring overseas riders who for many, see BSB as a stepping stone to WSB and MotoGP... If this type of model was the only Speedway on offer, I would suggest crowds would attend.. As you suggest, throw in some support classes to ensure a conveyer belt of talent coming through as the top names organically moved on to Poland, and the sport would continue.. Just like BSB does when their riders move on to the higher level racing.. It must cost circa £30k to lay out for two home and away meetings in the top tier, so use all, or some, of that, to put out some decent prize money and see if 1500 or so at @£20 will attend, and 10 sponsors will pay £500 for "a VIP night out" on nights that the entertainment industry is most successful... There will always be some who say "team speedway only for me" but, in its current guise, it isn't really that anway is it? These people have to actually collude with promoters in pretending it is a bona fide team sport.. Ten meetings minimum at each track, regular racing each fortnight, changing riders each meeting, all publicised well locally in the two weeks between meetings, with decent prize money, and ran on the best night for that customer base, and you could have some continuation of the sport.. If this was the only ticket in town, the sport would continue... On its current glide path it won't... I think everyone knows damn well that if something in this sport doesn't change drastically then I don't give it more than a couple of seasons tops...I don't see any radical change from last season tbh and in its present form and with the rumours of at least another possibly two tracks not operating next season the future of UK speedway doesn't look good....why is it that a couple of decades down the line,is Poland now the dominant force?? I think I have an inkling... A lot lot better supported...cheaper admission prices and better pay..run better and probably promoted better too.ive been attending this once great sport since 1976 and cannot believe the decline over here...many tracks now defunct and the ones left not looking too healthy.The cost also is a big issue and the rules regarding guests,r/r etc a complete joke..as mentioned many times before by people,how do you explain to newcomers that through a full season,unless you're extremely lucky,that chances are you won't see the same riders riding week in week out for their clubs..I used to follow this sport a hell of a lot and have parted with a lot of money in the process and I can't believe that it is now July and I've not attended,along with my wife,one meeting! I just don't have the enthusiasm or the finances now to do so.i also believe that yes,while it is a good thing for people who do not have the available money to follow their team,that seeing it on one of the streaming sites is a good alternative but in my opinion it's killing the sport and is one of the reasons crowds are down at many venues.i just hope for the sake of this wonderful sport that had been a big part of my life,that it's fortunes take a turn for the better. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorthernBee Posted July 1 Report Share Posted July 1 On 6/30/2025 at 4:54 PM, A.N.Other said: Got to admit, I have been curious about the increasing presence and keen involvement of George English, ex Newcastle Diamonds promoter. Hmmm ? He is just the announcer, and actually quite a good one. Clear and interesting. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteelShoe Posted July 1 Report Share Posted July 1 4 hours ago, Mr Blobby said: Any comment on running the Plymouth match with no insurance or licenses from the SCB/BSPA? Not taking away or making Andrew to be the bad guy but for all the good work he has done he’s cut some serious corners behind the scenes which has led to this. Hopefully can all be resolved. Facts always appreciated in place of conjecture. Not saying your not wrong but I don't know what corners you are stating he has cut. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fortythirtyeight Posted July 1 Report Share Posted July 1 MikeBV…BSB does "more than OK" using UK riders with a few aspiring overseas riders who for many, see BSB as a stepping stone to WSB and MotoGP... If this type of model was the only Speedway on offer, I would suggest crowds would attend.. As you suggest, throw in some support classes to ensure a conveyer belt of talent coming through as the top names organically moved on to Poland, and the sport would continue.. Just like BSB does when their riders move on to the higher level racing.. It must cost circa £30k to lay out for two home and away meetings in the top tier, so use all, or some, of that, to put out some decent prize money and see if 1500 or so at @£20 will attend, and 10 sponsors will pay £500 for "a VIP night out" on nights that the entertainment industry is most successful... you know that the large majority of BSB riders don’t get paid to ride don’t you ? In fact they actually subside the ‘teams’ they ride for! How many speedway tracks can now attract 1500 paying spectators ??? One? Possibly two ? keep dreaming…. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fortythirtyeight Posted July 1 Report Share Posted July 1 2 hours ago, Ray Stadia said: What's the answer then? Limp on until the sport disappears up its own fundament? I don’t have an answer as I think the sport is doomed in its current format as the leadership are clueless. A complete overhaul is needed if the sport is to survive. At the moment there will less than a dozen clubs next season and you think some of those can survive on those figures ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikebv Posted July 1 Report Share Posted July 1 (edited) 8 minutes ago, Fortythirtyeight said: MikeBV…BSB does "more than OK" using UK riders with a few aspiring overseas riders who for many, see BSB as a stepping stone to WSB and MotoGP... If this type of model was the only Speedway on offer, I would suggest crowds would attend.. As you suggest, throw in some support classes to ensure a conveyer belt of talent coming through as the top names organically moved on to Poland, and the sport would continue.. Just like BSB does when their riders move on to the higher level racing.. It must cost circa £30k to lay out for two home and away meetings in the top tier, so use all, or some, of that, to put out some decent prize money and see if 1500 or so at @£20 will attend, and 10 sponsors will pay £500 for "a VIP night out" on nights that the entertainment industry is most successful... you know that the large majority of BSB riders don’t get paid to ride don’t you ? In fact they actually subside the ‘teams’ they ride for! How many speedway tracks can now attract 1500 paying spectators ??? One? Possibly two ? keep dreaming…. Then let the current operating model destroy the sport... Like it has done systematically for the past two decades... There will always be those "happy clappers" who still see the sport as bona fide from a team perspective, and pretend along with fhe promoters it means sometbing, but sadly, they are getting fewer year on year... The model simply doesn't work, and heads have been in sands far too long... And that means both the "happy clapper fans" as well as the promoters.. Edit. And why not "pay to play" for Speedway... MX does it and Stock Cars do it, and this helps provide the prize fund.. One of the major issues is that "journeymen" riders are trying to earn 12 months money in six months of work.. Far too many full time pro's for such a tiny sport and income to support.. These lads should be semi pro and earn their speedway money riding regularly through the season whilst having a job outside the sport.. If the sport went individual then they could do this as less time needed off work... Give 16 riders a grand guarantee, with some prize money on top, twice a week, for 26 weeks... I would think there would be quite a few takers.. Edited July 1 by mikebv Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fortythirtyeight Posted July 1 Report Share Posted July 1 24 minutes ago, mikebv said: Then let the current operating model destroy the sport... Like it has done systematically for the past two decades... There will always be those "happy clappers" who still see the sport as bona fide from a team perspective, and pretend along with fhe promoters it means sometbing, but sadly, they are getting fewer year on year... The model simply doesn't work, and heads have been in sands far too long... And that means both the "happy clapper fans" as well as the promoters.. Edit. And why not "pay to play" for Speedway... MX does it and Stock Cars do it, and this helps provide the prize fund.. One of the major issues is that "journeymen" riders are trying to earn 12 months money in six months of work.. Far too many full time pro's for such a tiny sport and income to support.. These lads should be semi pro and earn their speedway money riding regularly through the season whilst having a job outside the sport.. If the sport went individual then they could do this as less time needed off work... Give 16 riders a grand guarantee, with some prize money on top, twice a week, for 26 weeks... I would think there would be quite a few takers.. ……”Give 16 riders a grand guarantee, with some prize money on top, twice a week, for 26 weeks...” of a lesser standard than the premiership and probably most Championship heat leaders who currently earn more than that in a week. That ‘two grand’ doesn't cover an engine service ( done after ever half dozen meetings ) never mind their routine maintenance bills, tyres, Clutch plates,cables, chains etc. So now we are talking NDL standard riders riding in individual meetings and we know they pull big crowds…..not. and just how does a club survive running one individual meeting , with thesame riders, every few weeks? I would think there would be quite a few takers.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LisaColette Posted July 1 Report Share Posted July 1 (edited) 6 hours ago, 2ndbend123 said: The promotion still haven’t made a statement. The last statement was on Cumbria Crack 2 hours ago mentioned no Berwick fixture. Like it or not the communication to the fans is terrible. 'Once matters are fully resolved, Workington Speedway will issue a clear and transparent explanation to our supporters.' Edited July 1 by LisaColette 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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