Ipswich Witches 2026

[Aries]

Edited 11 hours ago by Aries

[ArthurRudge]

But I will say I am glad the sale of Ipswich has gone through and I wish all the Witches supporters all the best in the coming seasons 

[Aries]

Seems they’re gonna be selling season tickets too. Wonder if we’ll manage to top Sheffield’s buy 10 get none free?

😁

[ArthurRudge]

brennan @ no1 for the witches? 

 

[GeneralMelchett]

1 hour ago, ShanoXtra said:

My point was though, you cannot write a whole statement about basically ‘make speedway great again and we want to bring new fans into the sport’ and then take a dig at another sport, if I were a darts fan (which I’m not) I would read that statement and think F U and make sure to stay clear of speedway, as someone in a position of his, you need to be more media versed to writing segments online.

Chris L has not left the witches in good hands as he promised if the new owners class it as a “rescue mission”.

If these people fail, they have no loyalty to Ipswich and will just fold the club, whereas John and Chris has attachments to Ipswich and you would like to think wouldn’t have folded it(although by the sounds of it Chris almost did).

I don’t know the future obviously but I’m just saying let’s keep it honest and not get too excited. One poor financial season and all the comments about supporters being in their mind will be forgotten when their business comes first.

I was pondering this just this AM - at some point CL would have ‘retired’ anyway and was there a natural successor in the family to take over - the answer is probably no!

I wonder if this is perhaps the start of a more professional era for the league and perhaps the sport in the U.K. - I won’t hold my breath but let’s hope so for all our sakes! Of course in 20 years we might be moaning it’s all gone too far and the elite league has gone the same way at the PL in football! 
 

for now the witches come to the tapes in 2026 which I was always confident they would! 
 

wont lie going to miss Doyley and Emil!! 

[Hamish McRaker]

I think your team should be ok, it wont be a lame duck side like Birmingham and Oxford were. Having mostly Uk-based riders who want to be there has now become the key thing. Having Doyle would have been a big boost but maybe don't rule it out later in the season.

Sayfutdinov wasn't going to stay forever, 3 years was a good stretch and it was time to move on. I think the loss of Dan Thompson is the major one, and will bring the title to Leicester.

If you look at KL, i dont like the balance of their side, if they lose Fricke for any reason, they're in trouble. If i were a KL fan i'd be permanently on edge.

[dontforgetthefueltapsbruv]

1 hour ago, Hamish McRaker said:

So that'll be Monday 23 March, i'd presume

And the winner is!

[topaz325]

 Next big news must be a major sponsor ?

Edited 11 hours ago by topaz325

[dontforgetthefueltapsbruv]

1 hour ago, Aries said:

Interesting there’s no quotes from Louis in either of those statements. 

Surely that's the way it should be?

Despite the frustrations and worry over delays there is one thing that has been in my view a positive and unusual for speedway 

The transaction has been conducted in a professional and rightful way

No one speaking out of turn, blaming another party or getting one up by making comment for selfish gain

Hopefully in time Chris will make a further statement to clarify his position and answer some of the questions many people still have

Some things may however be better left unsaid 

[GeneralMelchett]

7 minutes ago, dontforgetthefueltapsbruv said:

Surely that's the way it should be?

Despite the frustrations and worry over delays there is one thing that has been in my view a positive and unusual for speedway 

The transaction has been conducted in a professional and rightful way

No one speaking out of turn, blaming another party or getting one up by making comment for selfish gain

Hopefully in time Chris will make a further statement to clarify his position and answer some of the questions many people still have

Some things may however be better left unsaid 

Agreed this isn’t his moment - why do people not understand a few basics here 

[ouch]

 

“we need you to tell your friends and family about this great sport and club.”

Great idea but I don’t have the heart to tell him about fans reaction to this kind of request.
I’m looking forward to some new methods of promotion as the current ones have been done to death.

[Aries]

19 minutes ago, dontforgetthefueltapsbruv said:

Surely that's the way it should be?

Despite the frustrations and worry over delays there is one thing that has been in my view a positive and unusual for speedway 

The transaction has been conducted in a professional and rightful way

No one speaking out of turn, blaming another party or getting one up by making comment for selfish gain

Hopefully in time Chris will make a further statement to clarify his position and answer some of the questions many people still have

Some things may however be better left unsaid 

 

11 minutes ago, GeneralMelchett said:

Agreed this isn’t his moment - why do people not understand a few basics here 

Nope I’m sorry but we’ll agree to disagree here. I think it’s unusual. As an outgoing owner, and club legend, just a few words thanking a few people and introducing the new owners, get behind them etc. 

That may well still come at some point but then again, maybe he’s that pi$$ed off that he’s not interested in even doing that now he’s washed his hands of it all!

I was expecting something from him in the press release, that’s all I’m saying. 

[mikebv]

5 minutes ago, ouch said:

 

“we need you to tell your friends and family about this great sport and club.”

Great idea but I don’t have the heart to tell him about fans reaction to this kind of request.
I’m looking forward to some new methods of promotion as the current ones have been done to death.

Hey!

If it ain't broken, don't fix it.....

PS (Don't tell your friends how much it is to get in to watch a sport they probably have never heard of, until they have got there!!)...

[Aries]

New presenter, and new press officer too. 
 

BOTH current incumbents will be sorely missed. 

[Steve Irving]

5 minutes ago, Aries said:

 

Nope I’m sorry but we’ll agree to disagree here. I think it’s unusual. As an outgoing owner, and club legend, just a few words thanking a few people and introducing the new owners, get behind them etc. 

That may well still come at some point but then again, maybe he’s that pi$$ed off that he’s not interested in even doing that now he’s washed his hands of it all!

I was expecting something from him in the press release, that’s all I’m saying. 

Agree with you. Strange. 

2 minutes ago, Aries said:

New presenter, and new press officer too. 
 

BOTH current incumbents will be sorely missed. 

Crikey they’re all buggering off! Is the track man still there?

[Steve Irving]

28 minutes ago, GeneralMelchett said:

Agreed this isn’t his moment - why do people not understand a few basics here 

It’s pretty common practice!! Using the link earlier by arnieg 

https://www.sportcal.com/pressreleases/bsi-announce-acquisition-of-reading-speedway/
 

There’s a paragraph from outgoing promoter Pat Bliss. It’s pretty standard stuff. 

[GeneralMelchett]

10 minutes ago, Aries said:

New presenter, and new press officer too. 
 

BOTH current incumbents will be sorely missed. 

yes Kevin will be a big loss 

[GeneralMelchett]

14 minutes ago, Aries said:

 

Nope I’m sorry but we’ll agree to disagree here. I think it’s unusual. As an outgoing owner, and club legend, just a few words thanking a few people and introducing the new owners, get behind them etc. 

That may well still come at some point but then again, maybe he’s that pi$$ed off that he’s not interested in even doing that now he’s washed his hands of it all!

I was expecting something from him in the press release, that’s all I’m saying. 

Not a problem - I never worry or get angry at disagreements - for all we know there might be a gaggjng clause in place - it’s clear to me one of the reasons this took longer than many liked was - who - was buying -  a big entity who will have not cut corners to get it done quick! Lots of legal and diligence stuff I am sure! 

[Aries]

1 minute ago, GeneralMelchett said:

yes Kevin will be a big loss 

Almost irreplaceable I’d say. We know that from when someone else has tried valiantly to fill his shoes when he’s been missing for the odd meeting here and there. 
 

Henry too is an excellent press officer. 

[GeneralMelchett]

5 minutes ago, Steve Irving said:

It’s pretty common practice!! Using the link earlier by arnieg 

https://www.sportcal.com/pressreleases/bsi-announce-acquisition-of-reading-speedway/
 

There’s a paragraph from outgoing promoter Pat Bliss. It’s pretty standard stuff. 

20 years ago times move on - still think it’s not Chris time to comment in that particular statement.