YeOldPitGate Posted yesterday at 02:24 PM Report Share Posted yesterday at 02:24 PM 11 minutes ago, mikebv said: As was always going to be the ultimate outcome from around two decades ago... Short term decision making , after short term decision making, after short term decision making... Years of.... No Leadership, No Strategy, No Vision, and No Growth Plan.... A perfect scenario to deliver precisely what we have today... No surprises though, as what we have today has been called out as the only outcome possible, on here, for years.... You can only presume therefore, that the Promoters didn't see the obvious only outcome of their year on year actions..? Which, given they are the ones trying to sort out the current self inflicted situation, doesn't exactly fill you with confidence does it? I think it was longer ago than that Mike in my view it started when Penhall retired, then Lee went off the rails, followed by the sad losses of Carter and Sanders in fairly short succession you had four of the biggest names gone in a few years and it just seemed to be the start of the downhill slide. I was speaking to one of my oldest friends the other day and we were talking about the year when Lynn had Bob Schwartz leading us and I don't think we won a match all year as we were so weak but like now no help was given to strengthen up. New greats did appear in Crump and T Rick and the Sky millions as we all know that was the golden opportunity to reset and stop the rot but was wasted by the short sightedness of those at the top who thought the golden goose would last forever and the number one's at the time hoovering the trough clean and once said trough was empty most left the UK for the new full trough of Poland. I would love to see a new crop of young Americans come through in the Penhall, Moran's. King, Hancock and Hamill mould the test match's against the USA were brilliant back in the day but sadly other than Steve Evans efforts the USA are in an even worse place than us which really does take some effort to achieve. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikebv Posted yesterday at 03:48 PM Report Share Posted yesterday at 03:48 PM (edited) 3 hours ago, YeOldPitGate said: I think it was longer ago than that Mike in my view it started when Penhall retired, then Lee went off the rails, followed by the sad losses of Carter and Sanders in fairly short succession you had four of the biggest names gone in a few years and it just seemed to be the start of the downhill slide. I was speaking to one of my oldest friends the other day and we were talking about the year when Lynn had Bob Schwartz leading us and I don't think we won a match all year as we were so weak but like now no help was given to strengthen up. New greats did appear in Crump and T Rick and the Sky millions as we all know that was the golden opportunity to reset and stop the rot but was wasted by the short sightedness of those at the top who thought the golden goose would last forever and the number one's at the time hoovering the trough clean and once said trough was empty most left the UK for the new full trough of Poland. I would love to see a new crop of young Americans come through in the Penhall, Moran's. King, Hancock and Hamill mould the test match's against the USA were brilliant back in the day but sadly other than Steve Evans efforts the USA are in an even worse place than us which really does take some effort to achieve. For me the "big drop" started when the GP's meant weekend matches still got planned in even though ”star men" would clearly be missing... Meaning Guestfests became the norm, and not the exception... Good news for the clubs though as they didn't have the highest earners to pay, but bad news for the fans... Then Poland kicked in and meetings got arranged when the riders could be there, rather than when the fans could be there, or, even more Guesfests took place knowing riders wouldn't be there.... Add in dozens of third rate journeymen foreigners taking the places of fourth rate UK lads (who could have developed into third rate riders and maybe even more), and you delivered an ever dwindling offer to an ever dwindling fan base.... It was quite telling to read in a recent Speedway Star about the signing of Zach Cook for Poole, and how his Polish contract will impact his appearances... His Promoter said that they would do their best to work around his Polish commitments when Poole are away riding at a weekend track, however, "some clashes will be inevitable", but "the most important thing is he will be available for every Poole home meeting"... So, I presume, a guest will come in when he cannot be there, or RR is used.. Some things never change in UK Speedway it seems... Edited 23 hours ago by mikebv 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The White Knight Posted yesterday at 04:13 PM Report Share Posted yesterday at 04:13 PM 2 hours ago, mikebv said: As was always going to be the ultimate outcome from around two decades ago... Short term decision making , after short term decision making, after short term decision making... Years of.... No Leadership, No Strategy, No Vision, and No Growth Plan.... A perfect scenario to deliver precisely what we have today... No surprises though, as what we have today has been called out as the only outcome possible, on here, for years.... You can only presume therefore, that the Promoters didn't see the obvious only outcome of their year on year actions..? Which, given they are the ones trying to sort out the current self inflicted situation, doesn't exactly fill you with confidence does it? WOW!!! I had to check Mike - I thought it was Sir Keir Starmer posting. 😉 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dontforgetthefueltapsbruv Posted yesterday at 04:19 PM Report Share Posted yesterday at 04:19 PM 30 minutes ago, mikebv said: It was quite telling to read in a recent Speedway Star about the signing of Zach Cook for Poole, and how his Polish contract will impact his appearances... His Promoter said that they would do their best to work around his Polish commitments when Poole are away riding at a weekend track, however, "some clashes will be inevitable", but "the most important thing is he will be available for every Poole home meeting"... So, I presume, a guest will come in when he cannot be there, or RR is used.. Some things never change in UK Speedway it seems... Should be no facility in those circumstances 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dontforgetthefueltapsbruv Posted yesterday at 04:22 PM Report Share Posted yesterday at 04:22 PM 3 hours ago, IainB said: By jove... I think he's got it 😂 Yeah I've got it - too many involved lack the ambition, ability and skills to promote and progress the sport 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
midlandred Posted 22 hours ago Report Share Posted 22 hours ago 2 hours ago, mikebv said: For me the "big drop" started when the GP's meant weekend matches still got planned in even though ”star men" would clearly be missing... Meaning Guestfests became the norm, and not the exception... Good news for the clubs though as they didn't have the highest earners to pay, but bad news for the fans... Then Poland kicked in and meetings got arranged when the riders could be there, rather than when the fans could be there, or, even more Guesfests took place knowing riders wouldn't be there.... Add in dozens of third rate journeymen foreigners taking the places of fourth rate UK lads (who could have developed into third rate riders and maybe even more), and you delivered an ever dwindling offer to an ever dwindling fan base.... It was quite telling to read in a recent Speedway Star about the signing of Zach Cook for Poole, and how his Polish contract will impact his appearances... His Promoter said that they would do their best to work around his Polish commitments when Poole are away riding at a weekend track, however, "some clashes will be inevitable", but "the most important thing is he will be available for every Poole home meeting"... So, I presume, a guest will come in when he cannot be there, or RR is used.. Some things never change in UK Speedway it seems... I always said it was OOFC that started the demise of UK speedway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TB1 Posted 21 hours ago Report Share Posted 21 hours ago 48 minutes ago, midlandred said: I always said it was OOFC that started the demise of UK speedway. I believe the start of doubling up in 2003 was the start of the demise. The ill fated British League Cup being the vehicle for this. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Racin Jason 72 Posted 21 hours ago Report Share Posted 21 hours ago 10 minutes ago, TB1 said: I believe the start of doubling up in 2003 was the start of the demise. The ill fated British League Cup being the vehicle for this. The original intention was just for British youngsters to gain top flight experience but self interest ruled and it became a free for all 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THE DEAN MACHINE Posted 19 hours ago Report Share Posted 19 hours ago 5 hours ago, mikebv said: For me the "big drop" started when the GP's meant weekend matches still got planned in even though ”star men" would clearly be missing... Meaning Guestfests became the norm, and not the exception... Good news for the clubs though as they didn't have the highest earners to pay, but bad news for the fans... Then Poland kicked in and meetings got arranged when the riders could be there, rather than when the fans could be there, or, even more Guesfests took place knowing riders wouldn't be there.... Add in dozens of third rate journeymen foreigners taking the places of fourth rate UK lads (who could have developed into third rate riders and maybe even more), and you delivered an ever dwindling offer to an ever dwindling fan base.... It was quite telling to read in a recent Speedway Star about the signing of Zach Cook for Poole, and how his Polish contract will impact his appearances... His Promoter said that they would do their best to work around his Polish commitments when Poole are away riding at a weekend track, however, "some clashes will be inevitable", but "the most important thing is he will be available for every Poole home meeting"... So, I presume, a guest will come in when he cannot be there, or RR is used.. Some things never change in UK Speedway it seems... The cook situation is interesting because he will need a visa to live and ride here and it will be the uk team who will sponsor his visa and yet he can just swan off to Poland whenever he feels like it a give the uk match a miss Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IainB Posted 19 hours ago Report Share Posted 19 hours ago 9 minutes ago, THE DEAN MACHINE said: The cook situation is interesting because he will need a visa to live and ride here and it will be the uk team who will sponsor his visa and yet he can just swan off to Poland whenever he feels like it a give the uk match a miss Just like his brother last season then. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THE DEAN MACHINE Posted 19 hours ago Report Share Posted 19 hours ago 1 hour ago, Racin Jason 72 said: The original intention was just for British youngsters to gain top flight experience but self interest ruled and it became a free for all I did ok financially out of the British league cup in 2003, riding meetings for wolves, belle vue, Poole and Eastbourne, replacing the top guys and getting a gaurentee each meeting for scoring very few points but I was no British youngster in 2003, I was 34 😂 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IainB Posted 19 hours ago Report Share Posted 19 hours ago Just now, THE DEAN MACHINE said: I did ok financially out of the British league cup in 2003, riding meetings for wolves, belle vue, Poole and Eastbourne, replacing the top guys and getting a gaurentee each meeting for scoring very few points but I was no British youngster in 2003, I was 34 😂 So it was you that started the downfall of British Speedway! Send him down👨⚖️👎🏻 😂 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THE DEAN MACHINE Posted 19 hours ago Report Share Posted 19 hours ago 1 minute ago, IainB said: So it was you that started the downfall of British Speedway! Send him down👨⚖️👎🏻 😂 Looks that way Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TB1 Posted 18 hours ago Report Share Posted 18 hours ago 2 hours ago, Racin Jason 72 said: The original intention was just for British youngsters to gain top flight experience but self interest ruled and it became a free for all From memory we were utter pony that year as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikebv Posted 17 hours ago Report Share Posted 17 hours ago 1 hour ago, IainB said: Just like his brother last season then. No! No! No!.... A cheap jibe..... As was explained at the time... It was the track shapes that were so different that meant he could ride over there, and not here.. Which meant he could turn a bike in Poland, but not on the tiny Costa Mesa type circuits we have over here... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveLyric2 Posted 9 hours ago Report Share Posted 9 hours ago 7 hours ago, mikebv said: No! No! No!.... A cheap jibe..... As was explained at the time... It was the track shapes that were so different that meant he could ride over there, and not here.. Which meant he could turn a bike in Poland, but not on the tiny Costa Mesa type circuits we have over here... When your Polish club pays all the medical costs of his surgery, and their 'advice' is to only ride on big smooth tracks then you do as you are told! It's not as if he avoided the track or the fans - he was there in the pits most weeks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old bob at herne bay Posted 9 hours ago Report Share Posted 9 hours ago Yup , NEW faces are needed right across the sport , from the promoters stadium owners sponsors the team managers and riders. Someone to capture the fans’ imagination for 2026 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, old bob at herne bay said: Yup , NEW faces are needed right across the sport , from the promoters stadium owners sponsors the team managers and riders. Someone to capture the fans’ imagination for 2026 And fans too.... It needs lots of "new faces" in the stadiums.... Even if only to replace the "old faces" who no longer go.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YeOldPitGate Posted 7 hours ago Report Share Posted 7 hours ago 9 hours ago, mikebv said: No! No! No!.... A cheap jibe..... As was explained at the time... It was the track shapes that were so different that meant he could ride over there, and not here.. Which meant he could turn a bike in Poland, but not on the tiny Costa Mesa type circuits we have over here... Plus don't forget Mike those polish tracks are like carpets compared to the pot holed ridden tracks in the UK. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Triple.H. Posted 5 hours ago Report Share Posted 5 hours ago 21 hours ago, YeOldPitGate said: I think it was longer ago than that Mike in my view it started when Penhall retired, then Lee went off the rails, followed by the sad losses of Carter and Sanders in fairly short succession you had four of the biggest names gone in a few years and it just seemed to be the start of the downhill slide. I was speaking to one of my oldest friends the other day and we were talking about the year when Lynn had Bob Schwartz leading us and I don't think we won a match all year as we were so weak but like now no help was given to strengthen up. New greats did appear in Crump and T Rick and the Sky millions as we all know that was the golden opportunity to reset and stop the rot but was wasted by the short sightedness of those at the top who thought the golden goose would last forever and the number one's at the time hoovering the trough clean and once said trough was empty most left the UK for the new full trough of Poland. I would love to see a new crop of young Americans come through in the Penhall, Moran's. King, Hancock and Hamill mould the test match's against the USA were brilliant back in the day but sadly other than Steve Evans efforts the USA are in an even worse place than us which really does take some effort to achieve. They won away at Swindon in the first part of a double header i remember Bobby Schwartz shaking the hand of Einar Kyllingstad to congratulate him on his 15pt maximum. It was a poor afternoon for Swindon as they got tonked by Oxford in the following match. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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