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Some words from Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches promoter Chris Louis as he announces that he will stepping down and selling the club.

“It is with a very heavy heart that I have to inform our fans that I will be stepping down from the club ahead of the 2026 season. Following a meeting on Thursday I have informed my fellow Premiership promoters of my intention to sell the club.

“The Ipswich Witches have been a part of my entire life, from running around the trees on the terraces with a Coke can on my left foot, to being a proud member of the side including winning the title in 98, through to promoting the side and another title in 2025. Through the great times and the tough times, the riders, fans, sponsors, staff and my wife Julie have been right behind me. There are too many to name here, but we did it together and that’s what has made my time with the Witches so very special. Every conversation that I have had to inform those people in the club of my decision, has been with a tear in my eye. They have all been so supportive and I consider each and every one a friend. I will be working tirelessly over the coming months to ensure that I leave the club in safe hands.

“Dad and I have put in 77 years between us, and it has been a privilege to continue the Tiger’s legacy. I hope, perhaps, through the Tiger’s Academy I can continue in the sport in the future. I want to thank every rider that has represented the Witches in my time, either riding with, or for me. There have been so many of you that have given your all for the club, but I have to mention Danny (King) and Ritchie (Hawkins), who have gone above and beyond and supported me throughout. Ritchie will also be stepping aside but he has asked me to thank you all for your support and he will be sending his own message soon.

“Every sponsor that has been so loyal, not only to the club, but to me personally. You have all played such a big part and I have to give another special mention to Guy Nicholls not only for his support through the Tru7 Group but also his help and advice, you will never know what a big part he has played in our most recent success. Thank you to everyone that has put so many hours in to making our club what it is. I wish I could mention you all by name and I will endeavour to add more detail in the coming weeks. Some things no longer align for me, and unfortunately it is time to step aside, but I leave the club and the sport with so many great memories that will last forever. Thank you.”

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6 minutes ago, szkocjasid said:

Last year it was suggested on here that the majority of clubs wanted to race twice home & away in the league, but it remained once home & away due to Oxford racing in all 3 leagues.

Now if that was true, wouldn't clubs be pushing for twice home & away in 2026 now Oxford are no longer in the Prem?

Apparently not as it's the same as last year 1 home meeting then nothing for 2 weeks fans got to go with that 

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28 minutes ago, Bandit59 said:

Apparently not as it's the same as last year 1 home meeting then nothing for 2 weeks fans got to go with that 

or in some cases 4/5 weeks

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2 hours ago, Bandit59 said:

Apparently not as it's the same as last year 1 home meeting then nothing for 2 weeks fans got to go with that 

 

1 hour ago, Normski said:

or in some cases 4/5 weeks

So, despite fans saying "the sport is dying, something has to be done" and "we want more fixtures", it's the same old same old.  Promoters don't seem to want to listen and are, basically saying "all is well with the sport". Head in the sand continues from them.

Some teams will finish their fixtures in July/early August and some will struggle to get their fixtures in by the end of October.

It's pathetic.

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12 minutes ago, StevePark said:

 

So, despite fans saying "the sport is dying, something has to be done" and "we want more fixtures", it's the same old same old.  Promoters don't seem to want to listen and are, basically saying "all is well with the sport". Head in the sand continues from them.

Some teams will finish their fixtures in July/early August and some will struggle to get their fixtures in by the end of October.

It's pathetic.

The trouble clubs have is that only the diehards want 2h2a the floating fan doesn’t actually care about this and in some cases see this as a negative.

I can’t remember the exact figure but from memory Edinburgh announced that back when it was 2h/2a the crowd for the second time a club visited was down something like 15% on average from the first.

The sad thing being most clubs now don’t have enough diehards to break even so if clubs are potentially losing money per match this being made up with sponsorship etc then less matches is a better financial model for clubs. 

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1 hour ago, StevePark said:

Some teams will finish their fixtures in July/early August and some will struggle to get their fixtures in by the end of October.

It's pathetic.

only 1 team in the top league will be affected though, the rest are in the playoffs ....

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1 hour ago, gmuncie said:

The trouble clubs have is that only the diehards want 2h2a the floating fan doesn’t actually care about this and in some cases see this as a negative.

I can’t remember the exact figure but from memory Edinburgh announced that back when it was 2h/2a the crowd for the second time a club visited was down something like 15% on average from the first.

The sad thing being most clubs now don’t have enough diehards to break even so if clubs are potentially losing money per match this being made up with sponsorship etc then less matches is a better financial model for clubs. 

Catch 22 ,not having regular fixtures does not promote the sport and even diehards drift away with irregular fixture lists.Speedway overall is not in a good  place in GB. IMO

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7 hours ago, Bandit59 said:

Apparently not as it's the same as last year 1 home meeting then nothing for 2 weeks fans got to go with that 

The BSPL do not appear to consider the views of fans and this is a  contributing factor for the current failing state of British Speedway and why the people in charge have largely been a catalyst in it's continued decline and it is still going on.

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2 hours ago, SteelShoe said:

The BSPL do not appear to consider the views of fans and this is a  contributing factor for the current failing state of British Speedway and why the people in charge have largely been a catalyst in it's continued decline and it is still going on.

One issue when taking the 'fans views', is that if you put one fan from each club from the top 2 divisions into a room, you'll likely end up with 13 or 14 different views!!

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4 minutes ago, SteveLyric2 said:

One issue when taking the 'fans views', is that if you put one fan from each club from the top 2 divisions into a room, you'll likely end up with 13 or 14 different views!!

No I don't think you would, you only have to read comments on bsf to realise that most fans have similar views on the state of British speedway.

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1 hour ago, SteveLyric2 said:

One issue when taking the 'fans views', is that if you put one fan from each club from the top 2 divisions into a room, you'll likely end up with 13 or 14 different views!!

Didn't them in charge a few years back sugest a fans forum type thing, where a fan from each club would take forward comments/suggestions from fellow fans to them in charge, but can't remember if anything happened 

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