Scunthorpe 2026

[Marky_Mark]

55 minutes ago, Fozzie4388 said:

Can see it now "We've scoured the globe for riders by no one could commit to the schedule so The Scorpions are delighted to announce Nathan Ablitt and Simon Lambert as the final 2 Scorpions".

 

Nathan Ablitt being announced tomorrow 

Edited yesterday at 08:05 PM by Marky_Mark

[thebaron]

At long last I am able to join the debate and re-access this Forum. Taken ages for me to recover my login details.

I'll start by saying that Nathan Ablitt is the announcement tomorrow. Nothing at all against Nathan he was really unlucky to miss out last season, so it will be interesting to see how he can pick things up. 

But overall I have concerns about this Scunthorpe line-up ?. Obviously the BIG signing is Pickering but he looks very much a loan gun. Looking at the other teams, there is not one where I see us going away and managing more than 35 points very often ?. We also look suspect at home. Pickering looks guaranteed six rides every match. 

There must be more to this than meets the eye, what with Pickering's average reportedly dropping in May a couple of points ? So the intention is to make changes it seems.

With still one place to fill 4pts+ can we fit in Declan Kennedy ?. I cannot understand why we invested in Declan last season if we do not bring him back this season. The second season is always the dividend, he's ridden the tracks, understands the British set-up better and he was actually making decent progress. 

Same with Zaine Kennedy always competitive, great to watch, became a bit of a go to rider for other teams as a guest. But looks as though he's missed out this season ?

Are we planning to pancake the averages in the first month to bring Stevie Worral back ?.

Far from convinced by the line-up as it stands too many questions than answers.

 

Edited yesterday at 08:24 PM by thebaron

[Onthafence]

38 minutes ago, thebaron said:

At long last I am able to join the debate and re-access this Forum. Taken ages for me to recover my login details.

I'll start by saying that Nathan Ablitt is the announcement tomorrow. Nothing at all against Nathan he was really unlucky to miss out last season, so it will be interesting to see how he can pick things up. 

But overall I have concerns about this Scunthorpe line-up ?. Obviously the BIG signing is Pickering but he looks very much a loan gun. Looking at the other teams, there is not one where I see us going away and managing more than 35 points very often ?. We also look suspect at home. Pickering looks guaranteed six rides every match. 

There must be more to this than meets the eye, what with Pickering's average reportedly dropping in May a couple of points ? So the intention is to make changes it seems.

With still one place to fill 4pts+ can we fit in Declan Kennedy ?. I cannot understand why we invested in Declan last season if we do not bring him back this season. The second season is always the dividend, he's ridden the tracks, understands the British set-up better and he was actually making decent progress. 

Same with Zaine Kennedy always competitive, great to watch, became a bit of a go to rider for other teams as a guest. But looks as though he's missed out this season ?

Are we planning to pancake the averages in the first month to bring Stevie Worral back ?.

Far from convinced by the line-up as it stands too many questions than answers.

 

Very confusing as to why neither Kennedy boys are back. 
 

Declan for his first season did well and was only going to get better. 
Zaine was one of the only shining lights last season for the scorpions.

from what I’ve heard with Zaine is that he was initially given a team spot and then was told the spot was no longer his. 
 

thus far the scorpion side looks very concerning. After receiving the wooden spoon last season, it looks almost like there going for it again this season. 

[thebaron]

2 minutes ago, Onthafence said:

Very confusing as to why neither Kennedy boys are back. 
 

Declan for his first season did well and was only going to get better. 
Zaine was one of the only shining lights last season for the scorpions.

from what I’ve heard with Zaine is that he was initially given a team spot and then was told the spot was no longer his. 
 

thus far the scorpion side looks very concerning. After receiving the wooden spoon last season, it looks almost like there going for it again this season. 

If what you say about Zaine is correct ? then looks out of order.  I hope he gets fixed up elsewhere and is back to prove a point. Same with Dec if he misses out. Pickering is going to be very busy in all our fixtures. But he lacks support unless someone steps up big time - Luke ?. I see the idea with MPT he is very capable around Scunny. But...and there always is one can he stay fit ?. 

As I have said I do not see this Scorpions team looking like this at the end of May. I usually say "I dont like changing". But from this far out I have to say I think we will have to.😳

[SteveLyric2]

7 minutes ago, thebaron said:

If what you say about Zaine is correct ? then looks out of order.  I hope he gets fixed up elsewhere and is back to prove a point. Same with Dec if he misses out. Pickering is going to be very busy in all our fixtures. But he lacks support unless someone steps up big time - Luke ?. I see the idea with MPT he is very capable around Scunny. But...and there always is one can he stay fit ?. 

As I have said I do not see this Scorpions team looking like this at the end of May. I usually say "I dont like changing". But from this far out I have to say I think we will have to.😳

Didn't someone say that the Kennedys weren't coming over this year?

[Youhave2minutes]

LAMBERT

Edited 3 hours ago by Youhave2minutes

[Marksman]

Godfrey said it himself on the 360 speedway podcast, he thought all the clubs who were bringing foreign riders in "is bizarre" when Alfie Bowtell and Lambert are out of a job.

Hard to think the guy is the chairman of the BSPL.

There's a thought for 2027 actually instead of growing the sport we could close the Championship to British riders only.

[TTT]

Wouldn't worry about Scunny's side because it's going to get ripped up when Picko gets a proper GSA.

[Biffa]

Doesn’t the team have to ride so many matches before changes are allowed? Sure this was a rule before but not sure if it’s now scrapped. 25% of matches before a change is allowed rings a bell🤷‍♂️

[Fozzie4388]

4 hours ago, Biffa said:

Doesn’t the team have to ride so many matches before changes are allowed? Sure this was a rule before but not sure if it’s now scrapped. 25% of matches before a change is allowed rings a bell🤷‍♂️

That's never been a rule has it? There was a rule at one point that you couldn't make a change after 75% of your fixtures but no idea if that still exists.

[Marky_Mark]

So who would you all pick as your final rider? Several available that rode last season that would still fit with the points left available.

Bastian Borke

Alfie Bowtell

Declan Kennedy

Paul Starke

Jason Garrity

Simon Lambert

 

[SteveLyric2]

39 minutes ago, Marky_Mark said:

So who would you all pick as your final rider? Several available that rode last season that would still fit with the points left available.

Bastian Borke

Alfie Bowtell

Declan Kennedy

Paul Starke

Jason Garrity

Simon Lambert

 

Paul Starke

 

[Biffa]

44 minutes ago, Fozzie4388 said:

That's never been a rule has it? There was a rule at one point that you couldn't make a change after 75% of your fixtures but no idea if that still exists.

I know the 75% one exists as it affected Redcar last year with Erik Riss. Not sure about the other rule 🤷‍♂️ but think if it had been brought in it was to stop the possible re declarations occurring when a situation like Josh Pickering’s average drop comes about. 🤷‍♂️. Where’s all the knowledge when you need it 😂

[Youhave2minutes]

22 hours ago, Marky_Mark said:

 

Nathan Ablitt being announced tomorrow 

How bad is Lambert got to ride before he’s dropped.

Edited 3 hours ago by Youhave2minutes

[Youhave2minutes]

22 hours ago, Marky_Mark said:

 

Nathan Ablitt being announced tomorrow 

Oh well, if it’s a must

Edited 3 hours ago by Youhave2minutes

[gmuncie]

2 hours ago, Biffa said:

I know the 75% one exists as it affected Redcar last year with Erik Riss. Not sure about the other rule 🤷‍♂️ but think if it had been brought in it was to stop the possible re declarations occurring when a situation like Josh Pickering’s average drop comes about. 🤷‍♂️. Where’s all the knowledge when you need it 😂

2025 rulebook there was no minimum amount of matches that I can see but there was a deadline after 75% of a clubs matches.

There also used to be a rule that if you reintroduced a rider that was in your team the year before that didn’t start the year in your team this needed special dispensation but can’t see that in the rulebook now either  (albeit it’s 120+ pages so might have missed it) 

[Tosh1218]

On 1/28/2026 at 7:09 PM, Fozzie4388 said:

Can see it now "We've scoured the globe for riders but no one could commit to the schedule so The Scorpions are delighted to announce Nathan Ablitt and Simon Lambert as the final 2 Scorpions".

Mr Negative is at it again

[Ian68]

Terrible looking side got bottom of the league written all over it

[Ian68]

Terrible looking side got bottom of the league written all over it 

[Ian68]

Terrible looking side got bottom of the league written all over it 😪