Ipswich Witches 2026

[cowboy cookie returns?]

So is the delay down to complications between Louis & the new owners or an issue with the signing over the the lease to use the stadium? The only two reasons that I can think of for the delay. Or am I missing something? Certainly hasn’t progressed as I thought it would early last week.

[TTT]

12 minutes ago, Siggytastic said:

As much as I hold Scott in high regard, He is good on the smaller more technical tracks but I feel He would struggle on the larger (Belle Vue, Sheffield, Kings Lynn) tracks so I wouldn't choose to have him in the team.

He would struggle away, I agree.

Problem is, It's looking like every Club will have to have a Rider on a low 5's GSA and other than Nicholls, The only riders left below 5.50 are Craig Cook and Lewis Kerr.

Personally I'd like a tail end of Jeppesen, Jenkins and Edwards.

[FishersGate]

31 minutes ago, IainB said:

You've literally mentioned every single rider currently riding Speedway at one point or another 😂 

He hasn't mentioned Garity yet has he?

[IainB]

1 minute ago, FishersGate said:

He hasn't mentioned Garity yet has he?

Haha! Everybody seems to have forgotten about him with the problems the rest of the sport faces. 

[Steve Irving]

Nicholls would be a better signing for Ipswich than anyone else. Struggles for pace on the bigger tracks these days, but will still score consistently well around Foxhall.

Important to win your home fixtures.

Edited 12 hours ago by Steve Irving

[Hawk127]

Those that are managing/controlling this Ipswich campaign are running the risk of losing the good will of not just the Ipswich fan base but that of the entire Premiership where those declared clubs are seemingly being held to ransom over the indecisiveness or one or more parties when it comes to the fixture list etc.

The dwindling fan base who like to plan ahead to support their team at away matches are ignored to the point where that particular contribution that fans make in terms of travelling support falls on deaf ears of those in charge.

Promoters are happy to take the punters money but pay scant regard to realising the importance of keeping supporters on side and the mushroom syndrome is the mantra that suits the promoters business model.

Many more will find other things to do on race nights and pick and choose those meetings they want to attend yet those running the sport seemingly have their respective heads buried in the sand so much so that you feel they could not find themselves a way out of a paper bag let alone solve the issues of. the self inflected mire the sport finds itself in and actually go out of there way to ignore the contribution the die hard supporters offer this great sporting spectacular.
 

Speedway could be so good if promoted as something special and run by those who had a vision to expose it to broader audience, but the insular way in which it is runs means this will not happen in the short to medium term. Get rid of the old guard and things might change, but leave it as is and it will pass into history. 

Edited 3 hours ago by Hawk127
Spelling error

[chun]

Whilst it’s clearly frustrating that no news is forthcoming, we must also appreciate that Ipswich speedway has come close to being no more.  Your lament is understandable Hawk, but we must be sanguine.  The primary concern is keeping foxhall alive and if it means waiting a few more days for the new investors to give us firm plans then so be it.  I’d rather than than entertaining idle speculation.

Edited 12 hours ago by chun

[TTT]

Just like this poor sod, We all woke up expecting an end to the frustrating period in regards to a Sports Team but it never materalised.

Edited 11 hours ago by TTT

[Pinny]

8 hours ago, JamesB said:

Not really sure why you picked Eni Aluko as an example. The way she and others were  slandered, bullied, etc by Barton was an absolute disgrace.

She would probably make as good a fist of it as some of the TM’s over the years. 

You must be joking surely. 
 

if you watch the podcast she is on the other day where she came out with her latest nonsense, you will see she is a horrible, lying, twisted piece of work. Like a character from top boy sat there. 
 

Thankfully she will only make a few quid now from podcasts as she is headlines for all the wrong reasons but she wont earn anything from proper televised football again. No channel will go near her now. 
 

Joey Barton is an absolute pleb , but he was right with this one. 

[RoundTheBoards]

2 hours ago, TTT said:

Just like this poor sod, We all woke up expecting an end to the frustrating period in regards to a Sports Team but it never materalised.

Meanwhile this Manchester City fan isn't getting his hair cut until they are cleared of all 115 FFP charges

[Phannan]

7 hours ago, TTT said:

Just like this poor sod, We all woke up expecting an end to the frustrating period in regards to a Sports Team but it never materalised.

Marouanne Fellaini would beg to differ no doubt 

[Phannan]

5 hours ago, RoundTheBoards said:

Meanwhile this Manchester City fan isn't getting his hair cut until they are cleared of all 115 FFP charges

Haha brilliant. Or until they sell out a game at the emptihad 

[cowboy cookie returns?]

Either nothing was forth coming last night or those who were there have no signed th official secrets act.

[Hawk127]

8 hours ago, chun said:

Whilst it’s clearly frustrating that no news is forthcoming, we must also appreciate that Ipswich speedway has come close to being no more.  Your lament is understandable Hawk, but we must be sanguine.  The primary concern is keeping foxhall alive and if it means waiting a few more days for the new investors to give us firm plans then so be it.  I’d rather than than entertaining idle speculation.

It is not just about Ipswich albeit they are a major factor in the current situation, it is about speedway as a whole and those incompetent individuals who as custodians of the sport have collectively contributed to the decline in the sport as a creditable activity.
Failure to promote on a national basis, the me, me, me attitude of promoters and the inability to control the riders who are the tail wagging the dog has left what was once the second biggest spectator sport in this country an example of abject failure.
No one has any vision and the idea of working collectively for the benefit of all is beyond the comprehension of the promoters. Yes you can be grateful that speedway at Ipswich will feature in 2026 but it should never have got to this situation and whilst it is not in the public domain the reasons for JL throwing in the towel, it clearly has something to do with all of those on the top table and their attitude.
We will see, but for now some will feel it is better than nothing but until the attitude changes this may just be a temporary solution.

[mikebv]

49 minutes ago, Hawk127 said:

It is not just about Ipswich albeit they are a major factor in the current situation, it is about speedway as a whole and those incompetent individuals who as custodians of the sport have collectively contributed to the decline in the sport as a creditable activity.
Failure to promote on a national basis, the me, me, me attitude of promoters and the inability to control the riders who are the tail wagging the dog has left what was once the second biggest spectator sport in this country an example of abject failure.
No one has any vision and the idea of working collectively for the benefit of all is beyond the comprehension of the promoters. Yes you can be grateful that speedway at Ipswich will feature in 2026 but it should never have got to this situation and whilst it is not in the public domain the reasons for JL throwing in the towel, it clearly has something to do with all of those on the top table and their attitude.
We will see, but for now some will feel it is better than nothing but until the attitude changes this may just be a temporary solution.

Too many promotions want too many different things from the sport..

For a good number, what we have today is perfection...

Affordable subsidising of their hobby either through another business they run, or money they take in renting out their track...

Many get to use and see pkenty of PL Heat Leaders, but don't need to pay them the same as their PL teams do...

And, those in the 2nd tier in can run at weekends if they want to, when, generally in the entertainment game, it delivers the best crowds, and just swap and change riders with each other, as and when some riders have inevitable clashes with Polish and FIM events....

Promoters can also decide to ride in whatever league can make them the most profit, given the lack of any decent prize money or publicity for winning either, so, once again, are quire content to keep things as they are...

In summary...

For many, the current structure ticks lots of their required boxes, therefore change isn't going to happen unless someone comes out with a huge sponsorship package, which would mean UK Speedway could then become relevant and authentic as a Team Sport...

However, given the often clearly demonstrated skill sets of so many within the "UK Speedway Bubble Echo Chamber", nothing will change, because it cannot...

[Gambo]

6 minutes ago, mikebv said:

 

...."Promoters can also decide to ride in whatever league can make them the most profit, given the lack of any decent prize money or publicity for winning either, so, once again, are quire content to keep things as they are..."

I don't think that is true as I believe the CL promoters refused the application of at least one PL club during the winter.

[Fromafar]

1 hour ago, mikebv said:

Too many promotions want too many different things from the sport..

For a good number, what we have today is perfection...

Affordable subsidising of their hobby either through another business they run, or money they take in renting out their track...

Many get to use and see pkenty of PL Heat Leaders, but don't need to pay them the same as their PL teams do...

And, those in the 2nd tier in can run at weekends if they want to, when, generally in the entertainment game, it delivers the best crowds, and just swap and change riders with each other, as and when some riders have inevitable clashes with Polish and FIM events....

Promoters can also decide to ride in whatever league can make them the most profit, given the lack of any decent prize money or publicity for winning either, so, once again, are quire content to keep things as they are...

In summary...

For many, the current structure ticks lots of their required boxes, therefore change isn't going to happen unless someone comes out with a huge sponsorship package, which would mean UK Speedway could then become relevant and authentic as a Team Sport...

However, given the often clearly demonstrated skill sets of so many within the "UK Speedway Bubble Echo Chamber", nothing will change, because it cannot...

It still all about Self Interest in the Sport.The sport will not progress while it is an expensive hobby for some Promoters.

[IainB]

12 minutes ago, Fromafar said:

It still all about Self Interest in the Sport.The sport will not progress while it is an expensive hobby for some Promoters.

100%, Until it's treated as a sports entertainment business instead of a tax write off vanity project nothing will ever change.

[Derrickn]

8 hours ago, RoundTheBoards said:

Meanwhile this Manchester City fan isn't getting his hair cut until they are cleared of all 115 FFP charges

That guy must have a bloody long neck.

[dontforgetthefueltapsbruv]

1 hour ago, Gambo said:

...."Promoters can also decide to ride in whatever league can make them the most profit, given the lack of any decent prize money or publicity for winning either, so, once again, are quire content to keep things as they are..."

I don't think that is true as I believe the CL promoters refused the application of at least one PL club during the winter.

People need to remember this when looking to lambast the Premiership for the ongoing situation 

Other options that may have been put forward were dismissed as the Championship wanted nothing other than the status quo