Sheffield -V- Belle Vue POF Leg 1 Thursday 8th October

[Bagpuss]

17 minutes ago, Steve Irving said:

Couldn’t disagree more. You seem to be forgetting that 2 teams this year were at a severe disadvantage to the other 4 and that meant the league lacked any kind of fairness or integrity I’m afraid.

Someone made the point that other teams in the past haven’t been competitive but that’s just not the same is it. They had just as much chance as anyone else to build a side but blew it. Tough.

I get that and as a competition the Premiership needs a massive overhaul but I really don't think the season itself has been any worse than the last two or three , although I accept the bar is a low one.

We desperately need new teams and riders, less guests, less doubling up and a better fixture list. And for promoters to follow Mr Coleman. 

In the meantime congrats to Belle Vue, this title doesnt and shouldn't feel any different to any others.

[ouch]

What a night and what a hangover yesterday. Had a wonderful time celebrating with the lads in the Craven suite after a terrific season and a superb finish. More of the same next year please.

Just a note about Mark, yes he’s no Stewart Dickson or Rob Lyon but to achieve gold at domestic and international level again is no mean feat. 

[Bagpuss]

22 minutes ago, ouch said:

Thats a pretty poor statement from Doyle, hes either intentionally or unintentionally annoyed a lot of Ipswich fans by saying that. Can't believe he didnt enjoy winning the league last season so presumably means enjoying 2026 again but should have worded it better.

[ouch]

23 hours ago, mikebv said:

Me and my lad met up last night with eight others who also had only attended the PCMT and the GP's .

All had the very same reasons for our non attendance...

In no specific order ..

We mentioned the lack of atmosphere at the run of the mill meetings due to the half full stadium...

The lack of any threat to the Aces qualifying which renders the qualifiers easy to miss .

Monday nights not great for many to attend...

So few teams means zero variety...

Jason Doyle riding for Sheffield to help them qualify and Max Fricke sabotaging Kings Lynn's chances by riding in the qualifiers for Sheffield were also mentioned, as was the glaring fact that Nicolai Klindt has zero connection to BV, as one said to me, "try and sell that to a major TV company"...

(Well done Nicolai by the way, you Aces Legend!!😁)..

What was interesting as two of us discussed the UK Speedway issues four people, two couples, stood behind us said they had been listening and said they thought the same!!! They too were at their first meeting of the season..

You would think some surveys would be carried out via club Facebook pages wouldn't you to get some feedback as to the main reasons why, and why not, close followers of the sport attend, or don't, as the case may be ...

It was clear well over a thousand others were not regulars looking at the crowd size, with Sheffield having hardly anyone, (as is usual), there..

As for the night itself, all agreed the presentation was hugely better than we have previously seen, (is that a one off or is that the usual?), the PA system worked well where we were, the food and drink areas were quick and efficient, plenty of toilet facilities and the presentation kept momentum going in between races...

It certainly looked like a lot of planning had gone into the night to ensure a good impression for those who were non regulars, hopefully it can pay off early next season..

For a Friday I thought there would have been more kids watching, so maybe a "family area" would help? Ensuring they all can watch together? One "pen" would do it. Maybe at a Special Offer rate for the Adult, (kids are free on the South Side) with someone doing giveaways, face painting etc. .

In short, if they could deliver nights like this as "the norm" then UK Speedway would be wondering why they "only get 3,000", rather than it being a "bumper crowd" nowadays...

Speedway forum access

 

Well done to the Aces, the engine room, once again, delivered, and Luke Killeen certainly showed some real potential to go forward in his career...

Let's hope that far too long overdue reset is delivered this winter...

The product can attract decent crowds, the infrastructure around it, not so...

So you don’t attend due to other people not attending. 

It wasn’t a given that The Aces would qualify until part way into the season. Why did you not attend for those earlier meetings?

PCMT was on a Monday. Hope you enjoyed it. 

If you like variety just watch the other teams visit once, like the good old days. You would get your variety and the club would get five extra ticket sales. 

Jason didn’t help Sheffield qualify at all. Take his points away verses Kings Lynn and it would have been 2 points off the tigers and 2 to the stars, meaning Sheffield still qualify. Take his points off for the lions meeting and Sheffield would still have won the meeting.

All the TV deals done for the last 30 years have all been clinched whilst the guest system was in place. The guest system has been around for (what feels like) ever. Why is Nicolai so different to Jim McMillan guesting for The Aces in our most famous KO cup win in 1973? I do agree that a new signing should be allowed but with this site as evidence the majority of fans wouldn’t like it and prefer guests. 

There was a lady offering free face painting for kids and adults alike. 

The presentation was our usual apart from the flames near the start line. 

[Bagpuss]

22 minutes ago, ouch said:

Thats a pretty poor statement from Doyle, hes either intentionally or unintentionally annoyed a lot of Ipswich fans by saying that. Can't believe he didnt enjoy winning the league last season so presumably means enjoying 2026 again but should have worded it better.