InTheDeepStuff Posted 10 hours ago Report Share Posted 10 hours ago (edited) Duplicated Edited 8 hours ago by InTheDeepStuff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InTheDeepStuff Posted 9 hours ago Report Share Posted 9 hours ago Sheffield’s last two matches have shown that R/R at home and guests away for Jack Holder aren’t brining in the points he would have scored. If they look to replace Jack Holder and possibly Jye Etheridge what points would they have to play with? Wonder if they might go down the route to try and make team more solid down lower end and try find two riders to do that (easier said than done I know) say Charles Wright and a.n.other? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RS50 Posted 9 hours ago Report Share Posted 9 hours ago 17 minutes ago, InTheDeepStuff said: Sheffield’s last two matches have shown that R/R at home and guests away for Jack Holder aren’t brining in the points he would have scored. If they look to replace Jack Holder and possibly Jye Etheridge what points would they have to play with? Wonder if they might go down the route to try and make team more solid down lower end and try find two riders to do that (easier said than done I know) say Charles Wright and a.n.other? Wright and Kerr? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4thbender Posted 8 hours ago Report Share Posted 8 hours ago On 7/15/2026 at 1:29 PM, noaksey said: 3 things can happen Sheffield can either get sponsorship.and investment externally, they can accept that Speedway in 2026 has to be owner funded or they can pack up No doubt they've done their best to arrange the first one and are still trying, the second one is ongoing which leaves..... And like the rest of the paying public, are you just going to sit there and watch it happen?...or will you join the small minority that is determined to make their voices heard and force change in the "corridors of power"? If so, sign the petition NOW: https://c.org/bdpftrNZdQ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4thbender Posted 8 hours ago Report Share Posted 8 hours ago On 7/15/2026 at 1:19 PM, mikebv said: Tell me who has shown you the 2027 plan??? This was marked "Top Secret"... Tell you what, Mike, let's not wait for the Promoters' Association to reveal their secret plan which, let's face it, will just amount to the same old same old, let's make our voices heard and do something about it right now. Sign the petition NOW: https://c.org/bdpftrNZdQ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4thbender Posted 8 hours ago Report Share Posted 8 hours ago On 7/15/2026 at 1:54 PM, Hawk127 said: Is it a reality that the sport in this country can no longer afford to run at the top level because the lack of major broadcaster airing the sport to a wider audience, the falling level of income from punters, owners and sponsors meaning financially it is simply not enough to cover the outgoings. A new business model needs to be adopted that allows clubs, after financial scrutiny, to run at a level which is affordable. I am sure most people would rather see tracks remaining open and providing a level of team racing given that the alternative could be that the venue closes with little chance that the relevant club will ever make a comeback. At this stage we have journeymen using the top league to top up incomes whilst plying a far more lucrative trade in the likes of Poland. Good luck to those riders who can afford to do that as no doubt the investment required in terms of machinery etc is far higher giving the demands imposed by the Polish clubs. The UK scene does not currently have the right finances in place to compete or even offer like for like terms and the sport needs a measured adjustment in order that it has a future and one day can offer/attract the calibre of riders that compete solely in mainland Europe. You've hit the nail on the head. Speedway has bred a generation of avaricious riders who want to have their cake and eat it: they want to earn their bread and butter in the UK leagues and chase the Polish Zloty to put the jam on top. This faces the British authorities with the dilemma of having to dance to the Polish tune when trying to plan the home fixture list. This cannot go on. It's robbing British speedway of all its precious resources. We, the paying public, have to demand radical change in 2027 or we'll lose our sport forever. There is a demand for action that we the supporters have to make clear to the powers that be. Sign the petition NOW: https://c.org/bdpftrNZdQ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LisaColette Posted 7 hours ago Report Share Posted 7 hours ago 1 hour ago, RS50 said: Wright and Kerr? Been said multiple times that Kerr isn't interested in signing in prem. He only prepared to guest. Also he didn't have a great experience at Sheffield last season? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikebv Posted 7 hours ago Report Share Posted 7 hours ago 1 hour ago, 4thbender said: Tell you what, Mike, let's not wait for the Promoters' Association to reveal their secret plan which, let's face it, will just amount to the same old same old, let's make our voices heard and do something about it right now. Sign the petition NOW: https://c.org/bdpftrNZdQ Commend your passion and enthusiasm... But completely unworkable... Teams cannot afford to pay riders for "exclusivity", hence DU'ing is the glue that is holding UK Speedway together... Maybe an "Elite League" of eight, five rider teams, could be something to sell to TV and engage the punters?.. DU'ing would still be needed though... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InTheDeepStuff Posted 6 hours ago Report Share Posted 6 hours ago 38 minutes ago, LisaColette said: Been said multiple times that Kerr isn't interested in signing in prem. He only prepared to guest. Also he didn't have a great experience at Sheffield last season? Or the time he rode for them before, we all remember emailgate when he was given the boot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InTheDeepStuff Posted 3 hours ago Report Share Posted 3 hours ago 6 hours ago, RS50 said: Wright and Kerr? Sheffield will need to get there combined average back to 37 (currently GSA 38.66) so reduction of 1.66 of Jack Holder and say Jye Etheridge’s average. Charles Wright is a good shout as imagine will Be wanting more meetings now making comeback for Redcar not sure if it’s his converted Championship or last years Premiership average that will be used? Was wondering if Jake Allen might be able to be squeezed in as the second change would be an improvement at number 6 and was unlucky that injury stopped his Sheffield Premiership team spot after 1 or 2 meetings last time. Both of those might be just too high but no point just brining in Wright if not going to strengthen reserve berth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Jacobs Posted 2 hours ago Report Share Posted 2 hours ago 7 hours ago, RS50 said: Wright and Kerr? Simon Lambert and Cameron Heeps? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4thbender Posted 2 hours ago Report Share Posted 2 hours ago 4 hours ago, mikebv said: Commend your passion and enthusiasm... But completely unworkable... Teams cannot afford to pay riders for "exclusivity", hence DU'ing is the glue that is holding UK Speedway together... Maybe an "Elite League" of eight, five rider teams, could be something to sell to TV and engage the punters?.. DU'ing would still be needed though... I think you're missing the underlying truth: the only thing that is unworkable is continuing as we are. Damian Bates' press release on Monday hinted at the unspoken truth that speedway is on the road to extinction without a major change of direction (and he should know). A league of eight is barely any better than a league of six and 'doubling up' in any of its guises is never going to engage a new generation of supporters or sell itself to TV. The ONLY solution is root and branch change and a new (more meaningful) approach to European engagement on OUR terms, NOT Poland's. The solution to all the world's greatest problems is ALWAYS seen by many as unworkable. The challenge for speedway's survival is to MAKE IT workable... or watch it die! Believe me, there's no alternative. Sign the petition NOW: Petition · Survival of British Speedway Racing in 2027 and beyond - United Kingdom · Change.org Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikebv Posted 1 hour ago Report Share Posted 1 hour ago 29 minutes ago, 4thbender said: I think you're missing the underlying truth: the only thing that is unworkable is continuing as we are. Damian Bates' press release on Monday hinted at the unspoken truth that speedway is on the road to extinction without a major change of direction (and he should know). A league of eight is barely any better than a league of six and 'doubling up' in any of its guises is never going to engage a new generation of supporters or sell itself to TV. The ONLY solution is root and branch change and a new (more meaningful) approach to European engagement on OUR terms, NOT Poland's. The solution to all the world's greatest problems is ALWAYS seen by many as unworkable. The challenge for speedway's survival is to MAKE IT workable... or watch it die! Believe me, there's no alternative. Sign the petition NOW: Petition · Survival of British Speedway Racing in 2027 and beyond - United Kingdom · Change.org A league of eight works fine in Poland, Sweden and Denmark... 56 riders with several "subs on the bench" to replace any injured riders.. Bottom line is the UK cannot afford "one rider one team"... And the riders DUing couldn't afford to run with just one salary... Far too much to unpick now for the sport to become anything more than it is in the UK... Too many challenges to overcome, with too many different needs and wants from those who run it, and those who compete in it.... If you were launching Speedway in the UK next year, and all the promoters of the new clubs got together to write the operating model to follow, and someone came up with the current way of working, it would, quite rightly, be laughed out of the room.. I doubt it is by choice the sport in the UK is ran the way it is.. Necessity is more likely the reason, I would suggest . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikebv Posted 1 hour ago Report Share Posted 1 hour ago 29 minutes ago, 4thbender said: I think you're missing the underlying truth: the only thing that is unworkable is continuing as we are. Damian Bates' press release on Monday hinted at the unspoken truth that speedway is on the road to extinction without a major change of direction (and he should know). A league of eight is barely any better than a league of six and 'doubling up' in any of its guises is never going to engage a new generation of supporters or sell itself to TV. The ONLY solution is root and branch change and a new (more meaningful) approach to European engagement on OUR terms, NOT Poland's. The solution to all the world's greatest problems is ALWAYS seen by many as unworkable. The challenge for speedway's survival is to MAKE IT workable... or watch it die! Believe me, there's no alternative. Sign the petition NOW: Petition · Survival of British Speedway Racing in 2027 and beyond - United Kingdom · Change.org A league of eight works fine in Poland, Sweden and Denmark... 56 riders with several "subs on the bench" to replace any injured riders.. Bottom line is the UK cannot afford "one rider one team"... And the riders DUing couldn't afford to run with just one salary... Far too much to unpick now for the sport to become anything more than it is in the UK... Too many challenges to overcome, with too many different needs and wants from those who run it, and those who compete in it.... If you were launching Speedway in the UK next year, and all the promoters of the new clubs got together to write the operating model to follow, and someone came up with the current way of working, it would, quite rightly, be laughed out of the room.. I doubt it is by choice the sport in the UK is ran the way it is.. Necessity is more likely the reason, I would suggest . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4thbender Posted 1 hour ago Report Share Posted 1 hour ago 3 minutes ago, mikebv said: I doubt it is by choice the sport in the UK is ran the way it is.. Necessity is more likely the reason, I would suggest . Then why is Damian Bates publicly making heavy hints that if nothing changes by the end of the season, he's out? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Jacobs Posted 1 hour ago Report Share Posted 1 hour ago 46 minutes ago, 4thbender said: I think you're missing the underlying truth: the only thing that is unworkable is continuing as we are. Damian Bates' press release on Monday hinted at the unspoken truth that speedway is on the road to extinction without a major change of direction (and he should know). A league of eight is barely any better than a league of six and 'doubling up' in any of its guises is never going to engage a new generation of supporters or sell itself to TV. The ONLY solution is root and branch change and a new (more meaningful) approach to European engagement on OUR terms, NOT Poland's. The solution to all the world's greatest problems is ALWAYS seen by many as unworkable. The challenge for speedway's survival is to MAKE IT workable... or watch it die! Believe me, there's no alternative. Sign the petition NOW: Petition · Survival of British Speedway Racing in 2027 and beyond - United Kingdom · Change.org I too commend your passion, but cannot sign a petition I’m unable to agree with. Demanding a specific approach will cut no ice with the promoters. Indeed, it’s almost impossible to demand anything because they don’t view the paying customer as anything other than a source of income - as the Sheffield begging bowl press release has proved. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Jacobs Posted 1 hour ago Report Share Posted 1 hour ago 10 minutes ago, 4thbender said: Then why is Damian Bates publicly making heavy hints that if nothing changes by the end of the season, he's out? He tried to get out after the 2025 season, but then continued because of a lack of interest - so it’s no surprise he’s ready to bale again. The question is, what’s been done differently at Sheffield for this season to try to make the whole product more attractive … and if some things have been done, why haven’t they worked? The press release might say or imply lots of things, but there’s no detail or substance - just the usual British speedway opacity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4thbender Posted 40 minutes ago Report Share Posted 40 minutes ago 14 minutes ago, mikebv said: A league of eight works fine in Poland, Sweden and Denmark... 56 riders with several "subs on the bench" to replace any injured riders.. Bottom line is the UK cannot afford "one rider one team"... And the riders DUing couldn't afford to run with just one salary... Far too much to unpick now for the sport to become anything more than it is in the UK... Too many challenges to overcome, with too many different needs and wants from those who run it, and those who compete in it.... If you were launching Speedway in the UK next year, and all the promoters of the new clubs got together to write the operating model to follow, and someone came up with the current way of working, it would, quite rightly, be laughed out of the room.. I doubt it is by choice the sport in the UK is ran the way it is.. Necessity is more likely the reason, I would suggest . A league of eight works fine in Poland, Sweden and Denmark... ten years ago we had 21 teams over 2 leagues; we now have 15, with 2 or 3 teetering on the edge. See the direction of travel? 56 riders with several "subs on the bench" to replace any injured riders.. The list of registered riders on the BSL website runs to 249 names. Who ever suggested we haven't enough riders for 15 teams? Bottom line is the UK cannot afford "one rider one team"... Why not? And the riders DUing couldn't afford to run with just one salary... A 15-team league (subject to good organisation) could guarantee riders 40+ matches per season. How many do they need? Far too much to unpick now for the sport to become anything more than it is in the UK... We're not talking about making it anything more than it already is; we're just suggesting making the best of what we've got. Too many challenges to overcome, with too many different needs and wants from those who run it, and those who compete in it.... Wrong. There's only one challenge: business people who run the teams need to find ways to make sufficient revenue to make their teams a viable business proposition. If they could do this, there wouldn't be a problem. If you were launching Speedway in the UK next year, and all the promoters of the new clubs got together to write the operating model to follow, and someone came up with the current way of working, it would, quite rightly, be laughed out of the room.. Exactly. So why do we keep doing it? I doubt it is by choice the sport in the UK is ran the way it is.. Couldn't agree more... that's why we (the paying supporters) need to convince them of the need to change. We've no choice; if we, the real fans, want a sport in perpetuity, we should sign the petition NOW: Petition · Survival of British Speedway Racing in 2027 and beyond - United Kingdom · Change.org Necessity is more likely the reason, I would suggest . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4thbender Posted 18 minutes ago Report Share Posted 18 minutes ago 25 minutes ago, Roger Jacobs said: He tried to get out after the 2025 season, but then continued because of a lack of interest - so it’s no surprise he’s ready to bale again. The question is, what’s been done differently at Sheffield for this season to try to make the whole product more attractive … and if some things have been done, why haven’t they worked? The press release might say or imply lots of things, but there’s no detail or substance - just the usual British speedway opacity. Absolutely nothing has been done differently at Sheffield (or anywhere else!) this season. Einstein summed it up when he said that doing the same thing time after time and expecting different results is the definition of madness. Damian Bates and, I suspect, most of the promoters in UK speedway, can't seem to grasp that the only solution to getting better results lies in CHANGING SOMETHING... and the more radical the better! We're drinking in the last chance saloon and, mark my words, until they adopt a model like the one suggested in our petition - or something like it - we're sunk. Sign NOW at: Petition · Survival of British Speedway Racing in 2027 and beyond - United Kingdom · Change.org Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4thbender Posted 3 minutes ago Report Share Posted 3 minutes ago 50 minutes ago, Roger Jacobs said: I too commend your passion, but cannot sign a petition I’m unable to agree with. Demanding a specific approach will cut no ice with the promoters. Indeed, it’s almost impossible to demand anything because they don’t view the paying customer as anything other than a source of income - as the Sheffield begging bowl press release has proved. Presumably they'll want to extend their "source of income" as far into the future as possible. After all, bankruptcy is not a good look. They must have realized by now that the present modus operandi isn't working (Damian's press release says as much). They must also have realized that a begging bowl doesn't work either - nobody invests money in a losing cause. Which is why Damian's press release wasn't a begging bowl. It was an appeal for new ideas. Our petition, therefore, has a good chance of being heard by listening ears. In the final analysis it's always a good idea to be on the right side of the argument, so I am urging all real fans to get with the programme and support our petition: Petition · Survival of British Speedway Racing in 2027 and beyond - United Kingdom · Change.org Has anybody got any better ideas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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