Ipswich Witches 2026

[THE DEAN MACHINE]

3 minutes ago, Haza said:

Toys out of pram thrown 

Oh Christ mate get you hard hat on there will be brooms flying you way soon 

[ShanoXtra]

4 minutes ago, THE DEAN MACHINE said:

It’s was a joke mate not an insult unlike yours was to me and I think you will find it’s up to about 22 now 

It’s not an insult, it’s light banter 😆 you insulted Chris, that’s the only reason I felt I had to speak on his behalf 😂!

[dontforgetthefueltapsbruv]

I don't agree with Dean on much of what's said about the current situation bit its unfair to turn on him personally

He does have a greater insight that the vast majority having literally been there, done that and worn the t-shirt

He is an expert of the NDL, lower Championship level that we now will be left with having lived it

[THE DEAN MACHINE]

Just now, ShanoXtra said:

It’s not an insult, it’s light banter 😆 you insulted Chris, that’s the only reason I felt I had to speak on his behalf 😂!

I’m sure he could tell me himself 

[THE DEAN MACHINE]

Just now, dontforgetthefueltapsbruv said:

I don't agree with Dean on much of what's said about the current situation bit its unfair to turn on him personally

He does have a greater insight that the vast majority having literally been there, done that and worn the t-shirt

He is an expert of the NDL, lower Championship level that we now will be left with having lived it

I got big enough shoulders mate, got to have to hold up my big head, thought I would get that in before anyone else did 

[GeneralMelchett]

Just now, gjcone44 said:

Chris is bringing you to reality. the clubs cant afford the gp riders its that simple. Belle vue the same , Sheffield the same. 

This is true - Sheffield lost another 60k last season and their accumulated losses are 500k - Bv have accumlated losses of 300k or more, only Ipswich appear to be solvent!

[mikebv]

7 minutes ago, Haza said:

Toys out of pram thrown 

Hey. As it stands Kings Lynn are in the play offs...😄

[dontforgetthefueltapsbruv]

Just now, mikebv said:

Hey. As it stands Kings Lynn are in the play offs...😄

To be fair it's the only chance they have 

[gjcone44]

Just now, dontforgetthefueltapsbruv said:

To be fair it's the only chance they have 

depending on the rain, or sun 😁

[Fromafar]

3 minutes ago, GeneralMelchett said:

This is true - Sheffield lost another 60k last season and their accumulated losses are 500k - Bv have accumlated losses of 300k or more, only Ipswich appear to be solvent!

Nail on the head.If Sheffield were making money  it probably would  not be up for sale. Obviously Bates Company money was propping it it up. why did he sell Leicester probably for the same reason.

[dontforgetthefueltapsbruv]

6 minutes ago, GeneralMelchett said:

This is true - Sheffield lost another 60k last season and their accumulated losses are 500k - Bv have accumlated losses of 300k or more, only Ipswich appear to be solvent!

Well the Play Off Final attendance covered it on its own!

Will be a big blow for the Benevolent Fund too.....

[Hawk127]

1 minute ago, gjcone44 said:

Chris is bringing you to reality. the clubs cant afford the gp riders its that simple. Belle vue the same , Sheffield the same. 

The sport in the UK can no longer command the participation of the top riders in the world and I would rather see the sport reinvent itself and have a five to ten year plan to get back to its halcyon days of having riders who can really compete at GP level rather than see any more tracks fail. I

If buying that time means bringing other disciplines into the equation before the sport shrinks into oblivion then that is what needs to happen. Meetings need to be events and the likes of short track could/would form part of the show. Stop being so superior, short track is and could be the saviour of speedway with another option to the two wheeled sport discipline that is speedway. Even speedway riders could compete which takes the pressure off the income potential from speedway. Kings Lynn appear to be leading the way next year and more tracks should get in on the act.

[GeneralMelchett]

Just now, Fromafar said:

Nail on the head.If Sheffield were making money  it probably would  not be up for sale. Obviously Bates Company money was propping it it up. why did he sell Leicester probably for the same reason.

Its worth pointing out that Classtrend have been the promoting company at Sheffield since the days of Lucking and Machin - the losses only started when they stepped up into the top division, Machin was always adamant he would never run in the top league!

[Hawk127]

17 minutes ago, gjcone44 said:

Chris is bringing you to reality. the clubs cant afford the gp riders its that simple. Belle vue the same , Sheffield

Edited 20 hours ago by Hawk127
Duplicate post

[GeneralMelchett]

8 minutes ago, dontforgetthefueltapsbruv said:

Well the Play Off Final attendance covered it on its own!

Will be a big blow for the Benevolent Fund too.....

Well the big crowd for the playoffs will be reported in the next figures, I know in the JL days he used to say a big BH crowd in May / Easter time set them up for the season. 

 

9 minutes ago, Fromafar said:

Nail on the head.If Sheffield were making money  it probably would  not be up for sale. Obviously Bates Company money was propping it it up. why did he sell Leicester probably for the same reason.

I always feel I wouild be a fairly good promoter, Ive worked in finance all my life so i understand better than most the pressures of running a business from the admin / financial side. The problem is all those 50-60k losses per season add up and eventually the funding either runs dry or someone stops being prepared to throw away 200k or more!

The problem is not just speedway, i struggle to find any football clubs that are financially sound!

Edited 20 hours ago by GeneralMelchett

[Fromafar]

4 minutes ago, Hawk127 said:

The sport in the UK can no longer command the participation of the top riders in the world and I would rather see the sport reinvent itself and have a five to ten year plan to get back to its halcyon days of having riders who can really compete at GP level rather than see any more tracks fail. I

If buying that time means bringing other disciplines into the equation before the sport shrinks into oblivion then that is what needs to happen. Meetings need to be events and the likes of short track could/would form part of the show. Stop being so superior, short track is and could be the saviour of speedway with another option to the two wheeled sport discipline that is speedway. Even speedway riders could compete which takes the pressure off the income potential from speedway. Kings Lynn appear to be leading the way next year and more tracks should get in on the act.

I personally think the sport has too take step back and rebuild.Dont know what the plan would involve but there are a lot more riders out there than some people are saying. Everyone know that even most Championship Clubs are barely hanging on.Self Interest has to put to the side.

 

 

 

[IainB]

1 hour ago, WembleyLion said:

Cousin I believe.

Isn't everybody in that part of the world 😂😜

[Badge]

54 minutes ago, IainB said:

Isn't everybody in that part of the world 😂😜

No that's Norfolk,  not Suffolk 😜

[MattB]

10 hours ago, ShanoXtra said:

Speedway needs to prosper, I’m not on here to have any arguments… I want speedway to have a bright future. The main thing I’m frustrated about is the lack of communication from BSPA on any matter, they are sitting silent and us fans left in the dark. That’s very poor from them.

What's new?

How many times over the years has a decision been made during the season which leaves everyone scratching their heads, only for the BSPL to then say. "It was decided at the AGM".  Fine, but why didn't you put that in the statement in November then?!

 

 

 

[ouch]

So Louis plays the Sandhu card due to the proposed set up not being to his liking. Try being a Belle Vue promoter and having to deal with the crap laid at our feet with irritating regularity. 

No matter how disgruntled you feel about not getting your own way you do not jump ship. Think of the bigger picture for once and not solely your own club as this thinking has got us into this situation we are now in. It’s better all round to try and attempt change from within rather than just washing your hands of our wonderful sport. You never win every battle but you still have hope to win the war. 

I posted when the NSS opened my concern of not having any top flight clubs to ride against due to the volatile nature of many promoting teams. It’s come to pass in the main due to this insular me, me, me thinking that culminates in this situation when things don’t go their way. We know it’s not a financial decision as like Poole in the second division the witches have the best crowds and due to incredible work done by Louis they have the best sponsor support. 

Pulling the rug like this has MASSIVE repercussions to the WHOLE sport in the UK and even if he gets his way and performs a U turn the damage from that press release will last. I feel for the witches supporters who would turn out to see their team in what ever guise they appeared. To have that potentially removed whilst the perpetrator sheds crocodile tears is particularly galling. Keep fighting guys, someone’s got to. 

Up the witches!