BSPL AGM 12th of Never

[cyclone]

IMO the Championship clubs have already agreed they are not prepared to sacrifice their existing structure, including their race nights.

None appear to be willing to  join the Premiership and who can blame them, given the shoddy treatment when the likes of Birmingham received little help in trying to assemble a competitive side.

Also the tv money received from Sky/Disney etc. never benefited CL clubs, so the potential demise of TV income doesnot  affect CL clubs.

So perhaps the choice for Premiership clubs is either apply for membership of the CL on existing CL terms, or continue to run in whatever form the 2026 Premiership becomes.  

[M.D]

15 hours ago, heathen52 said:

Why the heck don't they just bite the bullet and just go to 1 professional league ? it is going to happen sooner rather than later, I would have thought it would be far easier to attract a TV company with a league that has more teams in it. The BSPL is again showing that it has it's head in the clouds by postponing the agm and delaying the inevitable.

Because riders don't want this, they want the cash they get from doubling up so they can make it pay.

Riders are holding the sport to ransom and that is detrimental to the future of the sport in this country.

[mikebv]

6 hours ago, M.D said:

Because riders don't want this, they want the cash they get from doubling up so they can make it pay.

Riders are holding thes sport to ransom and that is detrimental to the future of the sport in this country.

To be fair...

Promoters expect riders to have two good bikes, even at NDL level, and to be available on "stand by" to guest at a moments notice whenever needed ...

Pretty much expecting them to be professional riders..

And it's the promoters that have meant doubling up is now a "must do", due to their lack of development of UK riders to create a greater supply than demand over the past two decades..

And all to win competitions that have so little reward and recognition...

What a truly ludicrous system!!!!l

 

[norbold]

If there is to be no more TV coverage, I think we should spare a thought for poor old Kelv having to make do on a smaller income...

[Fromafar]

7 hours ago, M.D said:

Because riders don't want this, they want the cash they get from doubling up so they can make it pay.

Riders are holding the sport to ransom and that is detrimental to the future of the sport in this country.

Mediocre riders making full time living out the sport.Something has to give.Doubling up for a lot of riders should be Speedway and a job outside the sport.

[1 valve]

13 hours ago, heathen52 said:

1. We currently have 14 which includes 1 that is for sale, so that would be the number.

2. Whichever racenight that suits that particular team best.

3. In the last 20 or so years only Belle Vue have stayed as a top flight club, all the remainder have spent time outside the top flight.

I hate to see any team close for whatever reason, Coventry and Wolves both closed through no Stadia not through lack of support, so the more teams the better for the sport as a whole.

As for racenights Poole have shown racing on a night that people prefer to attend can be the best solution for increased attendances, we are trying to save Speedway in the Uk and what Poland does should not dictate what is best for the Uk.

Standard of competition ? obviously the level would be reduced due to the lack of riders, but that should not detract from the racing entertainment provided, currently we could have Brady Kurtz racing against Sam Hagon (nothing against Sam) but with the reduced standard that difference should in theory be less.

  For goodness sake stop trying to hold on to something that has run it's course, in the early 1960's the top flight was down to about 5 teams, and the Provincial League had probably double that, the 2 Leagues amalgamated to form the British League (weaker standard but better) that is what needs to happen now, it does not need to be 7 man teams due to rider shortage, obviously not everyone will be happy least of all the riders, but this is a move that has to be made for the good of the Sport long term, the Sport has to put itself first and individual teams have to fit in with that.

 I have tried to answer your 3 questions as best that I can, their will be issues of course and it's not one answer that fit's every Team but by working together British Speedway can dig itself out of the hole that it finds itself in, and while we are at it why can we not find a Sponsor and Tv company that can support a British GP series with a round to be held at every Track ?, the Sponsor to provide prize money at every round and the TV company to pay for the rights at each track, or something along those lines.

Thanks for your reply and to be clear I personally am not trying to hang on to anything in particular only the hope that something will be done by the BSPA collectively to create a futureproof way forward for UK speedway. 
I see you are proposing to keep all 14 clubs "as is" whilst recognising that the number and quality of available riders will fall and suggesting five man teams being the way to accommodate the drop off whilst allowing clubs to race across a seven day week.

Whilst that, at first glance all looks plausible , the following needs to be considered,
- One league would remove doubling up causing an immediate reduction in the pool of riders.
- All Polish, Scandinavian, Many other foreign nationals and most Australian's will not ride in the UK
- No GP riders will be available - so no worry about Brady Kurtz or Dan Bewley riding against Sam Hagon.
- The number of riders available from those who rode this year will be around fifty - not taking into account  retirements and those possibly stepping up from development leagues.
- Given the above there would be sufficient riders for ten x five man teams. 
- It is highly unlikely that the majority of speedway supporters would see value in a league made up of 5 man teams and lower skills. although some will, the majority would see it as the death knell for UK team speedway.

To be clear, the above is not my personal opinion but the brutal facts regarding the numbers and overarching influences effecting UK speedway. There is a way forward but I remain to be convinced that the BSPA have the foresight and the courage to implement it and is something I sincerely hope I am proven to be mistaken. 
  

[CoffeeandTV]

3 hours ago, 1 valve said:

Whilst that, at first glance all looks plausible , the following needs to be considered,
- One league would remove doubling up causing an immediate reduction in the pool of riders.
- All Polish, Scandinavian, Many other foreign nationals and most Australian's will not ride in the UK
- No GP riders will be available - so no worry about Brady Kurtz or Dan Bewley riding against Sam Hagon.
- The number of riders available from those who rode this year will be around fifty - not taking into account  retirements and those possibly stepping up from development leagues.
- Given the above there would be sufficient riders for ten x five man teams. 
- It is highly unlikely that the majority of speedway supporters would see value in a league made up of 5 man teams and lower skills. although some will, the majority would see it as the death knell for UK team speedway.

To be clear, the above is not my personal opinion but the brutal facts regarding the numbers and overarching influences effecting UK speedway. There is a way forward but I remain to be convinced that the BSPA have the foresight and the courage to implement it and is something I sincerely hope I am proven to be mistaken. 
  

There was a recent post that showed there were 150 riders racing in the UK this year, how on earth do you think we'll lose 100 of them? That's not a fact, just you doom mongering. 

[singy13]

4 hours ago, norbold said:

If there is to be no more TV coverage, I think we should spare a thought for poor old Kelv having to make do on a smaller income...

mmmmm...errrrrrr!

[1 valve]

18 minutes ago, CoffeeandTV said:

There was a recent post that showed there were 150 riders racing in the UK this year, how on earth do you think we'll lose 100 of them? That's not a fact, just you doom mongering. 

Having removed the double counting of double up's there were 85 individual riders that finished the 2025 Premiership & Championship seasons. 
As well as excluding current GP, Ekstraliga & Ekstraliga 2 I also discounted (from a quality standard) a small number of riders who would be in a much lower class than those remaining from the current Premier & Championship teams. 
Far from "doom-mongering"  I am just pointing out the undeniable math of the situation should folk wish to continue down the one league argument they need to understand that it would result with at best, 8 possibly 9 teams in it.  Hence why the BSAP will not be considering one league as an option.