SteveLyric2 Posted Tuesday at 01:09 PM Report Share Posted Tuesday at 01:09 PM Oxford's issue (if it is indeed an issue) in stepping up is with the costs and security of tenure of the stadium. Poole's issue, other than those previously aired, is also stadium-related, especially with the passing of Clarke Osborne! Poole Stadium Ltd (plus all the other companies registered at Wimborne Road) now has only one active director - Mrs Susan Osborne! It'll be interesting to see if she wishes to carry on? As I understand it there is still 14 years left on the Stadium lease with the Council so it just means more short-term uncertainty requiring clarification before any major speedway changes or decisions are entered into. All clubs have a different base cost to run speedway - owning or renting the facilities; costs of same; level of sponsorship; attendance levels; other income streams; costs of riders etc etc. Thats why its not a simple question of 'operating at a higher level just to suit the minority'! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikebv Posted Tuesday at 01:49 PM Report Share Posted Tuesday at 01:49 PM (edited) 1 hour ago, Bagpuss said: Couple of things, you are only going to entice clubs up with a TV deal which would help cover those increased costs and as far as I'm aware there is very little difference between the two leagues in terms of admission. At the end of the day the whole idea of competitive sport is to be as good as you can be, or it should be anyway. I agree, but UK Speedway is, at best, tenuously, a competitive sport.. Hence Richard Coleman, (and others before him), have seen both the obvious flaws in the cunning plan, but also the (actually unique), raw emotion and excitement the actual on track product can bring... Sorting the off track infrastructure will be key, (as he knows), to any significant growth as running a business like you did in the 70's simply doesn't work anymore if you want investment from companies who are modern and advanced in their thinking... The brand image of the brands you link with nowadays is as important as your own, as any negative publicity for them can damage your reputation too... "Guilt by association" being the key.. UK Speedways image, and the optics of its leadership team, will, i would suggest, 100% have prevented sponsorship from companies wanting to come on board over the past decade and more.. A modern thinking, fit for purpose, dynamic board of directors is just a fundamental basic given nowadays in business... Edited Tuesday at 01:51 PM by mikebv Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Irving Posted yesterday at 08:28 AM Report Share Posted yesterday at 08:28 AM On 9/28/2026 at 7:15 PM, Aries said: Yeah I was a bit late with that admittedly. Should have done it in April. The perfect response to a snivelling Troll. Fair play 👏🏻 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
topaz325 Posted yesterday at 12:03 PM Report Share Posted yesterday at 12:03 PM 20 hours ago, SteveLyric2 said: Oxford's issue (if it is indeed an issue) in stepping up is with the costs and security of tenure of the stadium. Poole's issue, other than those previously aired, is also stadium-related, especially with the passing of Clarke Osborne! Poole Stadium Ltd (plus all the other companies registered at Wimborne Road) now has only one active director - Mrs Susan Osborne! It'll be interesting to see if she wishes to carry on? As I understand it there is still 14 years left on the Stadium lease with the Council so it just means more short-term uncertainty requiring clarification before any major speedway changes or decisions are entered into. All clubs have a different base cost to run speedway - owning or renting the facilities; costs of same; level of sponsorship; attendance levels; other income streams; costs of riders etc etc. Thats why its not a simple question of 'operating at a higher level just to suit the minority'! Agree so many clubs have different operating models, ie some have large company backing or major sponsors whilst others rely on private backers. Also as already stated the difference in rents on grounds can vary too, along with varying crowd numbers not forgetting the ever increasing running costs such as medical cover , insurance and rising fuel prices. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aries Posted 23 hours ago Author Report Share Posted 23 hours ago (edited) This made me think we’re coming up to a year since our happiest hour for many a year, quickly followed by our darkest when we headed in to the winter not knowing whether we even had our club to support anymore. This time around, we go in to the dark winter months knowing we’re in very safe hands, WILL be coming to tapes next March, having our track upgraded, a GP to look forward to, and the promise of a much more competitive team in 27. Been a whirlwind 12 months and a huge rollercoaster of emotions, but bring on 27. Edited 22 hours ago by Aries 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WookieboyDon Posted 16 hours ago Report Share Posted 16 hours ago I know some were suggesting Freddie Lindgren might be an option, but he has just announced he will be riding again for Region Varde in Denmark. Alongside his Polish commitments (seems he might be leaving Lublin and possibly dropping to Ekstraliga 2) I’m not sure he’d want to do GB as well, whether down to regulation or wanting to spend more time with family. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aries Posted 8 hours ago Author Report Share Posted 8 hours ago From Today’s Star Track: Ipswich chairman Richard Coleman has big plans for Foxhall’s first ever SGP event and he admits that it begins with delivering track improvements. ”In 2027 , to have the biggest Speedway event that has ever been held at Foxhall is going to be quite something. It’s really important for Ipswich, the club, the Town, and the wider Suffolk region. We are already getting a lot of engagement from local businesses and projects that want to be involved. Hopefully we can deliver a great event next year”. ”What this does, is it allows us to spend money on the track that would be hard to justify just for club events. We want to get the racing to a very high standard at Foxhall, so we’re going to be making a lot of changes to the track surface. ”We’re going to change the shape a little bit, change the camber and improve the whole racing element of it”. ”To those asking questions about the track, I say reserve your judgment. The Foxhall track that you see today, will not be the Foxhall that you’ll see at the GP next year”. Playoff defeat and 2027 plans: News that the Witches will host the 2027 Great Britain GP softens the blow of their play off exit, as club bosses Richard Coleman and Andrew Chisholm now turn their attention to winter track work at Foxhall, as well as building a strong Premiership side. Hurry awaits news on the duo’s plans for next years team. He said “ Now it’s time to regroup and it’s down to Richard and Andrew what they want to do for next year. Let’s see what 2027 brings”. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aries Posted 7 hours ago Author Report Share Posted 7 hours ago (edited) On 9/29/2026 at 2:09 PM, SteveLyric2 said: All clubs have a different base cost to run speedway - owning or renting the facilities; costs of same; level of sponsorship; attendance levels; other income streams; costs of riders etc etc. Thats why it’s not a simple question of 'operating at a higher level just to suit the minority'! Absolutely, and the reason one league doesn’t/Wouldn't work. The business models across the board are vastly different. Having said that, I’d put Poole in the Premiership category with a positive in most of those things you mentioned. We all had it rammed down our throats for years that Poole had the best attendances, the best sponsors, therefore the “turbo twins” and the best riders. What changed? Have you no longer got the same level of sponsors you used to have? Or do the Ford’s no longer have the same drive and ambition as they used to have and are now happy to top up their pension fund in a lower tier? Not a criticism of them by the way, their business up to them what they do with it. Edited 6 hours ago by Aries Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ouch Posted 4 hours ago Report Share Posted 4 hours ago 18 hours ago, Aries said: This made me think we’re coming up to a year since our happiest hour for many a year, quickly followed by our darkest when we headed in to the winter not knowing whether we even had our club to support anymore. This time around, we go in to the dark winter months knowing we’re in very safe hands, WILL be coming to tapes next March, having our track upgraded, a GP to look forward to, and the promise of a much more competitive team in 27. Been a whirlwind 12 months and a huge rollercoaster of emotions, but bring on 27. One thing I noticed with this photo is the lack of club colours worn by the fans. Are Belle Vue out of date sporting the various merchandising options available from the club shop? Are the days of the anorak and scarf done after nearly 100 years. I’ve never attended without my club colours and tbh quite like how we all present as a solid unit behind the lads. A tip for the witches social media team going forward is to have a photo including the riders and with some fans on their feet applauding and supporting their team to create an atmosphere within the picture. I do get that you have to get the right camera angle to present a fuller stand rather than straight on with a load of empty seats in view. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikebv Posted 3 hours ago Report Share Posted 3 hours ago 3 minutes ago, ouch said: One thing I noticed with this photo is the lack of club colours worn by the fans. Are Belle Vue out of date sporting the various merchandising options available from the club shop? Are the days of the anorak and scarf done after nearly 100 years. I’ve never attended without my club colours and tbh quite like how we all present as a solid unit behind the lads. A tip for the witches social media team going forward is to have a photo including the riders and with some fans on their feet applauding and supporting their team to create an atmosphere within the picture. I do get that you have to get the right camera angle to present a fuller stand rather than straight on with a load of empty seats in view. They wear the club shop!!! They wear the club sho-o-op!!!.. Those Belle Vue supporters... They wear the club shop!!! 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aries Posted 3 hours ago Author Report Share Posted 3 hours ago 49 minutes ago, mikebv said: They wear the club shop!!! They wear the club sho-o-op!!!.. Those Belle Vue supporters... They wear the club shop!!! Can you PLEASE STOP QUOTING HIM FFS 🙄 This is where the ignore function fails massively 🙄 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arnieg Posted 3 hours ago Report Share Posted 3 hours ago 53 minutes ago, mikebv said: They wear the club shop!!! They wear the club sho-o-op!!!.. Those Belle Vue supporters... They wear the club shop!!! To be fair it is a cut above most track shops Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikebv Posted 3 hours ago Report Share Posted 3 hours ago 4 minutes ago, Aries said: Can you PLEASE STOP QUOTING HIM FFS 🙄 This is where the ignore function fails massively 🙄 Apologies.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikebv Posted 3 hours ago Report Share Posted 3 hours ago 2 minutes ago, arnieg said: To be fair it is a cut above most track shops Birmingham were always a club with a high number of "colour wearers"... I think an elderly demographic is the underlying key.. If you attend football now it is mainly kids and the middle aged and above who wear club colours... With many of those circa 16 - 40 not wanting to be seen dead in a replica top... A decent money earner for the clubs though I would think.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveLyric2 Posted 2 hours ago Report Share Posted 2 hours ago (edited) 4 hours ago, Aries said: Absolutely, and the reason one league doesn’t/Wouldn't work. The business models across the board are vastly different. Having said that, I’d put Poole in the Premiership category with a positive in most of those things you mentioned. We all had it rammed down our throats for years that Poole had the best attendances, the best sponsors, therefore the “turbo twins” and the best riders. What changed? Have you no longer got the same level of sponsors you used to have? Or do the Ford’s no longer have the same drive and ambition as they used to have and are now happy to top up their pension fund in a lower tier? Not a criticism of them by the way, their business up to them what they do with it. Its been well documented that in their final Premiership/Elite seasons - having won the titles several times - Poole took a big hit financially. Crowds dipped on Thursdays, sponsors changed. stadium rental/costs increased (and Matt was moving temporarily to France). Fans were asked what level of racing and what race night they preferred - the answer was Championship on Wednesdays. So be it! At the time MF stated it was 30% cheaper to run in the Championship than the Prem. A greater variety of fixtures/opponents also appealed to the fans who continued to attend in good numbers - especially as Poole continued to track successful, winning teams, all built within the same points limit as everyone else - no rules broken, no super wages paid!. In the background was - and still very much is - the long term future of Poole Stadium, Council owned and until recently leased to Clarke Osborne's Gaming International company. (CO passed away in August leaving his widow as the sole Director of Poole Stadium Ltd) Its understood they still have 14 years left on the lease. With all Councils under pressure to generate more house building, everyone is waiting for some clarification as to the stadium's future.... No club no matter how successful or otherwise, will take a major step into something that is going to cost significantly more when its traditional home maybe under threat - or at the very least requiring firm clarification. Edited 2 hours ago by SteveLyric2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel Smith Posted 2 hours ago Report Share Posted 2 hours ago 1 hour ago, mikebv said: They wear the club shop!!! They wear the club sho-o-op!!!.. Those Belle Vue supporters... They wear the club shop!!! They're all 90yrs old, They're all 90yrs oooooold, These full kit w@nkers, They're all 90yrs old. 🤪🤪 Point being, neither image is attractive to the potential younger audience Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ouch Posted 30 minutes ago Report Share Posted 30 minutes ago Richard made a point about the tribal nature of the Polish fans and it was something to work on over here. He’s also touch on the fact social media should be improved, both frequency and content. I know how he feels when dealing with the BSPL cartel as I get the very same with the many cartelesq members on here. We will push on though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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