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Post by admin on Nov 2, 2016 0:07:10 GMT
Guess the 2016 headlines (answers on a postcard):
Said Chapman: “We are realistic and realise that nothing is going to change overnight and that it will take a bit of time. We’ve got a five-year plan and I’m confident we can get to where we want to be within that time scale." 2015
"Elite League promoter Chris Van Straaten, the current vice-chairman of the British Speedway Promoters’ Association, said: “I was extremely encouraged by the atmosphere amongst the eight Elite League clubs. As a league we are delighted by the success of the draft system and there are now certain riders who are ready to move into the main body of teams, so for the Tier 1 reserves they will now get an EL average after four meetings. They will start the season on a converted average from the PL, but they will start the season at reserve even if this is in excess of a top five rider.” Premier League representative George English, also a member of Management Committee, said: “We are pleased to implement the introduction of a British rider in the No.7 spot and we can confirm Heats 2 and 4 are protected so the No.7 riders will meet each other at least twice per meeting. It’s pleasing to have the stability of all 13 clubs remaining with us and we retain the League Cup and Knockout Cup competitions, as well as our very successful major shared events.” 2015
"Everybody else was very positive in wanting to run, and as usual there was a very harmonious atmosphere. Naturally, as always, there were areas of heated debate, but that’s what democracy is all about, and we have come to solutions which suit the majority. We are very happy with the way the AGM has progressed. We have tried to correct items which were wrong, having listened to the views of supporters, and we all feel positive about 2015 and beyond." 2014
"There has been an atmosphere of reality which has led to changes in team structure and league membership. I am saddened to acknowledge that Peterborough have resigned their position in the top league and that their owners have chosen to leave the sport." 2013
"In summary, BSPA Chairman Alex Harkess said: “After a very difficult season economically we have experienced some wonderful competitions that have gone to the last few races before the Championships have been decided. The play-off Finals were a resounding success and brought fresh impetus to the League Championships. It is encouraging that all members of British Speedway are looking forward with enthusiasm to the 2013 season" 2012
"BRITISH Speedway chairman Alex Harkess has hailed a ‘positive and harmonious’ AGM of all Elite and Premier League clubs." 2011
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Post by Deleted on Nov 2, 2016 7:50:08 GMT
god knows but i can see the premier product being weakened because the elite is not sustainable in it's current format
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Post by admin on Nov 3, 2016 15:15:18 GMT
Well here it is:
"This was probably the best AGM I’ve been to in all my time in the sport. There was a genuine desire to try and change things and secure the future of league racing in the UK. I certainly think we have done that and I’m very excited about the months ahead."
No winners I'm afraid so it'll be a rollover in 2017.
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Post by davet on Nov 3, 2016 17:00:50 GMT
Am I missing something? The combined brainpower of the BSPA spend 3 days deciding to rename the leagues to something pinched from the FA and to tinker with team building strengths- and this hailed as "the biggest revamp of the sport in modern history...."
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Post by rodders on Nov 3, 2016 19:29:03 GMT
I am so overwhelmed with excitement I am going back to again. Also well p***** off that historical training track Rye House now in Elite League or whatever they now choose to call it.
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Post by chrise on Nov 3, 2016 20:04:31 GMT
Renaming the league's is only a cover up to disguise the weakened product. Still major question marks concerning Belle Vue, Leicester and Workington. God knows what Rye House are thinking about.
The only thing that's certain is that these changes will not pull in any extra punters.
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Post by admin on Nov 3, 2016 20:31:56 GMT
BRITISH Speedway is ready to bounce back in 2017 – after the biggest revamp of the sport in modern history.
Club bosses have spent three days voting through plans to restructure league racing in the UK which sees both Rye House and second tier champions Somerset taking the plunge with promotion to the top flight.
And there’s good news for fans of troubled Leicester and Belle Vue with both clubs, who boast a rich heritage, ready to come to the tapes again – and at the top level.
Workington are expected to take their place in the Championship, but this is subject to confirmation.
The leagues have been rebranded Speedway Great Britain (SGB) Premiership and SGB Championship – and promotion and relegation has been introduced with the leagues coming closer together.
The winners of the Championship play-offs will race the Premiership’s bottom club to decide who rides in the 2018 SGB Premiership.
The same rules and race format, last year’s PL programme, will apply to both leagues – that means tactical rides are available when 10-points down from heats 5-12.
The injury rider-replacement rule will also now be in place in both leagues.
And the season will start with Knockout Cup meetings at both levels before the launch of the exciting new leagues.
All riders will now have one average, based on Premier League figures, for team building purposes with a 50-point limit for the top division and 40 for the Championship.
It means riders who only raced in the Elite League last season will see their average increased by a factor of 1.4 to bring them in line with Premier League averages.
The only difference in team building rules between the leagues is that Championship clubs must include a British youngster with a three-point average.
And in a bid to help young riders get team spots, any rider who hasn’t achieved a three-point average will come in on a minimum of 2.
No team changes will be permitted in either league after July 31.
The British Speedway Promoters’ Association also intend to work with the new Gerhard engine after a visit to the Switzerland base of the GTR. This will reduce costs for riders with engines typically needing a fraction of the servicing of other engines. More details will follow once the arrangement is concluded.
Promoters feel this dramatic revamp was necessary in a financially challenging climate – and whilst chairman Keith Chapman admits there is an element of cost cutting there is plenty for fans and sponsors to be excited about.
He said: “This was probably the best AGM I’ve been to in all my time in the sport.
“There was a genuine desire to try and change things and secure the future of league racing in the UK. I certainly think we have done that and I’m very excited about the months ahead.
“Every promoter acknowledged something had to be done after some very difficult times for the sport – now we’ve done something and I’m looking forward to a bright future.”
Vice Chairman Rob Godfrey said: “I believe we have achieved a total restructuring of British Speedway.
“We have created leagues which are sustainable and have a structure with promotion and relegation and the same rules.
“Now we have rebranded the sport, it’s time to deliver.”
SGB PREMIERSHIP 2017: Belle Vue, Coventry, King’s Lynn, Leicester, Poole, Rye House, Somerset, Swindon, Wolverhampton.
SGB CHAMPIONSHIP: Berwick, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Ipswich, Newcastle, Peterborough, Redcar, Scunthorpe, Sheffield, Workington* (*subject to confirmation).
Two home, two away, top four into play-offs.
KNOCKOUT CUP DRAW:
PREMIERSHIP: Preliminary: Somerset v Leicester. 1st Round: Rye House v Swindon, King’s Lynn v Leicester or Somerset, Wolverhampton v Coventry, Belle Vue v Poole.
CHAMPIONSHIP: Preliminary: Peterborough v Redcar, Workington v Newcastle. 1st Round: Scunthorpe v Peterborough or Redcar, Glasgow v Workington or Newcastle, Berwick v Ipswich, Edinburgh v Sheffield.
MAJOR EVENTS VENUES:
BRITISH FINAL: TBC PREMIERSHIP RIDERS’ INDIVIDUAL: Belle Vue. PREMIERSHIP PAIRS: Rye House. CHAMPIONSHIP RIDERS’ INDIVIDUAL: Glasgow. CHAMPIONSHIP PAIRS: Somerset. CHAMPIONSHIP FOURS: Peterborough.
MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE: Keith Chapman (Chairman), Rob Godfrey (Vice-Chairman), Chris Van Straaten, George English, Colin Pratt.
BSPA
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Post by admin on Nov 3, 2016 20:37:24 GMT
I am so overwhelmed with excitement I am going back to again. Also well p***** off that historical training track Rye House now in Elite League or whatever they now choose to call it. They get Swindon in the cup and we get Redcar, say no more!
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Post by Deleted on Nov 3, 2016 21:21:54 GMT
I am so overwhelmed with excitement I am going back to again. Also well p***** off that historical training track Rye House now in Elite League or whatever they now choose to call it. They get Swindon in the cup and we get Redcar, say no more! to be honest i've been all up for premier but looking at the elite format now we should have gone up (new format can't be that more expensive). panthers must be losing 1000s with missing local derbies against lynn coventry leicester whether because panthers are running on a sunday we're not allowed to go elite (or ged and co actually looked in to it) i don't know but panthers would have had a lot more punters thro gate
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Post by admin on Nov 3, 2016 22:10:43 GMT
They get Swindon in the cup and we get Redcar, say no more! to be honest i've been all up for premier but looking at the elite format now we should have gone up (new format can't be that more expensive). panthers must be losing 1000s with missing local derbies against lynn coventry leicester whether because panthers are running on a sunday we're not allowed to go elite (or ged and co actually looked in to it) i don't know but panthers would have had a lot more punters thro gate The Elite was the place to be but not in its former guise. That has now been addressed but we're in the unattractive Northern Championship instead of the Southern Premiership. Wonder how the forum would have reacted had they known the detail? I guess the panel had a good idea of these changes (Rathbone had attended a British Speedway Promoters’ Association (BSPA) meeting earlier in the day, but could not divulge the proposals which had been discussed by the sport’s bosses - from ET). They weren't just thought up this week.
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Post by Bigcatdiary on Nov 4, 2016 9:12:42 GMT
They get Swindon in the cup and we get Redcar, say no more! to be honest i've been all up for premier but looking at the elite format now we should have gone up (new format can't be that more expensive). panthers must be losing 1000s with missing local derbies against lynn coventry leicester A few years ago we had derbies against Lynn and Coventry and the Frost era were reporting losses of up to 6 figures per season, some people have short memories. Leicester are being reported to have debts of 60k and Belle Vue at least twice that, the running costs of Elite call it what you like are 3 times the amount of the old premier and you have to factor in for every home their is an away match to come out of the kitty as well, so one home has to pay for two matches. The basic answer is riders are paid too much which is why I rather suspect the top EL riders will miss the UK 2017 season, it looks like some housekeeping is going to be done this year and in reality not before time.
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Post by admin on Nov 4, 2016 9:30:55 GMT
They get Swindon in the cup and we get Redcar, say no more! to be honest i've been all up for premier but looking at the elite format now we should have gone up (new format can't be that more expensive). panthers must be losing 1000s with missing local derbies against lynn coventry leicester whether because panthers are running on a sunday we're not allowed to go elite (or ged and co actually looked in to it) i don't know but panthers would have had a lot more punters thro gate With the Premiership now looking more attractive (and probably not that much more expensive to run?) and losing the "Elite" tag that was a millstone round its neck, I agree that we should have moved up. Probably Sunday is now Panthers millstone?
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Post by admin on Nov 4, 2016 9:32:58 GMT
to be honest i've been all up for premier but looking at the elite format now we should have gone up (new format can't be that more expensive). panthers must be losing 1000s with missing local derbies against lynn coventry leicester A few years ago we had derbies against Lynn and Coventry and the Frost era were reporting losses of up to 6 figures per season, some people have short memories. Leicester are being reported to have debts of 60k and Belle Vue at least twice that, the running costs of Elite call it what you like are 3 times the amount of the old premier and you have to factor in for every home their is an away match to come out of the kitty as well, so one home has to pay for two matches. The basic answer is riders are paid too much which is why I rather suspect the top EL riders will miss the UK 2017 season, it looks like some housekeeping is going to be done this year and in reality not before time. Frost's losses were much more complicated than that, that I do remember.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 4, 2016 9:42:41 GMT
to be honest i've been all up for premier but looking at the elite format now we should have gone up (new format can't be that more expensive). panthers must be losing 1000s with missing local derbies against lynn coventry leicester A few years ago we had derbies against Lynn and Coventry and the Frost era were reporting losses of up to 6 figures per season, some people have short memories. Leicester are being reported to have debts of 60k and Belle Vue at least twice that, the running costs of Elite call it what you like are 3 times the amount of the old premier and you have to factor in for every home their is an away match to come out of the kitty as well, so one home has to pay for two matches. The basic answer is riders are paid too much which is why I rather suspect the top EL riders will miss the UK 2017 season, it looks like some housekeeping is going to be done this year and in reality not before time. You will lose vast sums paying the likes of Pedersen (I heard 4k from one source 4.5k from another) a meeting. Knowing what the top Prem riders earn(£100 a pt and there's not that many) that's a huge difference. I know some riders have vans and other things chucked in though, but when Frost was here Panthers riders all had new vans (paid by him) so it's hardly surprising panthers lost the vast sums. Looking at the Elite now & how they've set it up, wage bills would be cut... all it is, is a touch better than the lower Prem, so Elite clubs will will be paying roughly Prem points money.
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Post by Bigcatdiary on Nov 4, 2016 12:35:55 GMT
A few years ago we had derbies against Lynn and Coventry and the Frost era were reporting losses of up to 6 figures per season, some people have short memories. Leicester are being reported to have debts of 60k and Belle Vue at least twice that, the running costs of Elite call it what you like are 3 times the amount of the old premier and you have to factor in for every home their is an away match to come out of the kitty as well, so one home has to pay for two matches. The basic answer is riders are paid too much which is why I rather suspect the top EL riders will miss the UK 2017 season, it looks like some housekeeping is going to be done this year and in reality not before time. You will lose vast sums paying the likes of Pedersen (I heard 4k from one source 4.5k from another) a meeting. Knowing what the top Prem riders earn(£100 a pt and there's not that many) that's a huge difference. I know some riders have vans and other things chucked in though, but when Frost was here Panthers riders all had new vans (paid by him) so it's hardly surprising panthers lost the vast sums. Looking at the Elite now & how they've set it up, wage bills would be cut... all it is, is a touch better than the lower Prem, so Elite clubs will will be paying roughly Prem points money. I see the first additional item not mentioned in the AGM statement came out today in the Chris Louis news on the BSPA site Louis said: “It brings a commonality in terms of team building in both leagues and then the conversion figure will be adjusted in May when they are both up and running and we can see what it is. “It was a team building formula, it’s simple and it works, and that’s why they are going to Premier League averages so that everything is done the same way. So it's 1.4 at the moment but is going to be changed in May
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Post by admin on Nov 4, 2016 13:13:12 GMT
You will lose vast sums paying the likes of Pedersen (I heard 4k from one source 4.5k from another) a meeting. Knowing what the top Prem riders earn(£100 a pt and there's not that many) that's a huge difference. I know some riders have vans and other things chucked in though, but when Frost was here Panthers riders all had new vans (paid by him) so it's hardly surprising panthers lost the vast sums. Looking at the Elite now & how they've set it up, wage bills would be cut... all it is, is a touch better than the lower Prem, so Elite clubs will will be paying roughly Prem points money. I see the first additional item not mentioned in the AGM statement came out today in the Chris Louis news on the BSPA site Louis said: “It brings a commonality in terms of team building in both leagues and then the conversion figure will be adjusted in May when they are both up and running and we can see what it is. “It was a team building formula, it’s simple and it works, and that’s why they are going to Premier League averages so that everything is done the same way. So it's 1.4 at the moment but is going to be changed in May The first rule with all such things is that it's what the headlines didn't say that are as important as what they did. We know that this is the start of the change, and in best speedway practice, it'll be work in progress and tinkered with as required. At the end of the day, something drastic had to be done and they have, I'm just not sure where they want to get to? Re-branding is a good idea but not too difficult to think of Alan Partridge not being taken in by a Rover Metro.
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Post by Bigcatdiary on Nov 4, 2016 16:57:25 GMT
I see the first additional item not mentioned in the AGM statement came out today in the Chris Louis news on the BSPA site Louis said: “It brings a commonality in terms of team building in both leagues and then the conversion figure will be adjusted in May when they are both up and running and we can see what it is. “It was a team building formula, it’s simple and it works, and that’s why they are going to Premier League averages so that everything is done the same way. So it's 1.4 at the moment but is going to be changed in May The first rule with all such things is that it's what the headlines didn't say that are as important as what they did. We know that this is the start of the change, and in best speedway practice, it'll be work in progress and tinkered with as required. At the end of the day, something drastic had to be done and they have, I'm just not sure where they want to get to? Re-branding is a good idea but not too difficult to think of Alan Partridge not being taken in by a Rover Metro. It needed changes and it's now clear they have drawn a line under the top riders and rebranding speedway more in line with what they and the supporters want. This will reduce costs because it's clear a lot of the more expensive riders won't want to play and everyone will be free to double up and with the EL adopting the PL race format it means easier rides so they can legitimately offer less points money. If they had put the EL and PL on different race nights it would have been even better but we live in hope. I would also say that allowing all riders to do both leagues could restrict the amount of riders bothering with some of the other leagues abroad like Poland etc.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 7, 2016 8:55:13 GMT
The first rule with all such things is that it's what the headlines didn't say that are as important as what they did. We know that this is the start of the change, and in best speedway practice, it'll be work in progress and tinkered with as required. At the end of the day, something drastic had to be done and they have, I'm just not sure where they want to get to? Re-branding is a good idea but not too difficult to think of Alan Partridge not being taken in by a Rover Metro. It needed changes and it's now clear they have drawn a line under the top riders and rebranding speedway more in line with what they and the supporters want. This will reduce costs because it's clear a lot of the more expensive riders won't want to play and everyone will be free to double up and with the EL adopting the PL race format it means easier rides so they can legitimately offer less points money. If they had put the EL and PL on different race nights it would have been even better but we live in hope. I would also say that allowing all riders to do both leagues could restrict the amount of riders bothering with some of the other leagues abroad like Poland etc. dick do you think its a forgone conclusion that all riders would ride prem instead of champ , surely somebody like harris could earn more money doing champ than prem eg if he rides prem less meetings at 160 per point , or he rides champ ( screws a promoter to 120 per point ) where he has easier rides and a lot more meetings .If it's true that prem teams are only allowed 2 d/uppers i can see teams struggling to fill ,what you think
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Post by rodders on Nov 7, 2016 14:03:23 GMT
Speedway for me has never been the same since going Second Division. As there seems no ambition from either Management or fans to aspire to anything else I suppose it never will be again. I still go to meetings but most of those who hold a similar view seem to have voted with their feet and have decided not to go anymore.
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Post by Bigcatdiary on Nov 7, 2016 14:17:21 GMT
It needed changes and it's now clear they have drawn a line under the top riders and rebranding speedway more in line with what they and the supporters want. This will reduce costs because it's clear a lot of the more expensive riders won't want to play and everyone will be free to double up and with the EL adopting the PL race format it means easier rides so they can legitimately offer less points money. If they had put the EL and PL on different race nights it would have been even better but we live in hope. I would also say that allowing all riders to do both leagues could restrict the amount of riders bothering with some of the other leagues abroad like Poland etc. dick do you think its a forgone conclusion that all riders would ride prem instead of champ , surely somebody like harris could earn more money doing champ than prem eg if he rides prem less meetings at 160 per point , or he rides champ ( screws a promoter to 120 per point ) where he has easier rides and a lot more meetings .If it's true that prem teams are only allowed 2 d/uppers i can see teams struggling to fill ,what you think The money in the Championship isn't as good as the Premiership having said that I suspect most of the UK riders would do both if they could, it's infinitely easier and a lot less hassle to have one set of equipment and ride most nights in the UK than have multiple machinery all over Europe and spend a lot of time in airports and hotels, I should think the costs are prohibitive when you factor in vans and mechanics as well not to mention wear and tear on the rider. A lot say the money in Poland is very good but the horror stories of not getting paid or messed about are quite commonplace,if they restricted the Premiership to Monday's, Wednesdays and Thursdays only and Championship to everything else the power balance would automatically shift to promoters as their would be more riders than places with the added bonus of no more missing double uppers for either league. i would be surprised if many riders earn £100 plus per point in the Championship, the odd rider maybe but the norm definitely not, they just don't have the budget. It's also clear that clubs are offering more than they can afford which is why we get the Belle Vue, Leicester and Plymouth stories most years.
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Post by admin on Nov 7, 2016 15:06:10 GMT
Speedway for me has never been the same since going Second Division. As there seems no ambition from either Management or fans to aspire to anything else I suppose it never will be again. I still go to meetings but most of those who hold a similar view seem to have voted with their feet and have decided not to go anymore. Personally I used to like what Frost & Mahoney served up at the EoES, buggered if I know why I moaned so much, that's just the way I am I suppose? It's been naff ever since tbh so I tend to agree although I'm probably looking at it from different angle or two than your good self? As it stands at the minute, I'm struggling for transport so may become one of the absent myself anyway. Given Panthers struggles over the last 3 years, I could see the point in sitting tight in the PL under the old format until the EL sorted itself out but our action and silence under the new format is disappointing. At the forum Dick said "I raised the EL question and it's clear that the management are sticking with PL because the supporters and maths don't make EL viable." - Surely Rathbone knew that there wasn't going to be an EL? He may not have been able to say but would have known what a pointless question that was? (not a go a you Dick, just highlighting the context of the question) If the @200 attendees had been asked "Do you want to be a member of the southern Premiership or northern Championship?" that response would have been interesting.
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Post by admin on Nov 7, 2016 21:55:29 GMT
WOLVERHAMPTON co-promoter Chris Van Straaten believes “exciting times” are on the horizon following major changes to the sport.
Wolves will go down as the last winners of the Elite League, and Van Straaten feels the re-branding which will now see them compete in the SGB Premiership was long overdue.
He said: “I’ve tried for the last few AGMs to drop the title ‘Elite’, because it has opened us up to a certain amount of ridicule. For understandable reasons, there have been top riders missing from the UK so it was time to drop the ‘Elite League’ tag.
“I’m glad we’re retaining the three-league system, because I was never in favour of the concept of one big league.
“Hopefully the ladder, which is important for the development of British youngsters, is easier to climb with the changes that have been made.
“There are a lot of positive things to come out of the AGM, and it’s also nice for Wolves fans to now go to Rye House and Somerset in an official capacity.”
BSPA
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Post by chrise on Jul 4, 2018 16:35:05 GMT
Renaming the league's is only a cover up to disguise the weakened product. Still major question marks concerning Belle Vue, Leicester and Workington. God knows what Rye House are thinking about. The only thing that's certain is that these changes will not pull in any extra punters. Well Dry House have bit the dust. Don't like to say I told you so and I feel for the fans. So much for Buster reinventing the sport ! Wonder if BT will drop the TV coverage ? Supposed to be 8 teams for Premiership coverage.
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Post by Hodgy on Jul 4, 2018 21:23:30 GMT
Bad news. Really don’t understand why Rye House stepped up, even Len knew it was never a realistic business option. Appears the new regime didn’t know much about Speedway and the impossible obstacles it brings. Unfortunately, more will follow. It’s an out of control mess.
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Post by admin on Jul 4, 2018 22:09:15 GMT
Bad news. Really don’t understand why Rye House stepped up, even Len knew it was never a realistic business option. Appears the new regime didn’t know much about Speedway and the impossible obstacles it brings. Unfortunately, more will follow. It’s an out of control mess. Financial sweeteners I guess followed broken promises and getting caught up in the FRN fiasco. Reminds me of Frost saying it was head over heart when he took over the club. 2010 was a watershed moment that just allowed the mafia to continue to wrech the sport to the out of control mess it is. It's no surprise that Rathbone said that Frost warned him about the mafia, we know what happened next although he seems to have their measure now.
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