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LATEST NEWS ~ DECEMBER 2007
RUMOURS QUASHED
By David Crane, Cambridge Evening News ~ Saturday 29th December 2007
Mildenhall have quashed rumours linking a return to the fens for former favourite James Brundle as the club continues to rebuild their team from scratch for next season. The 21-year-old won an abundance of Conference League honours in a three year spell at West Row and was also part of their first Premier League team in 2006. He returned to parent club King’s Lynn this year but has been overlooked for a team berth for next season, sparking speculation of a possible Mildenhall return.
But Tigers team manager Laurence Rogers has ruled out any interest in the Norfolk-based youngster. “I have not spoken to James about returning to Mildenhall and he is not a rider we have approached or are currently pursuing,” said Rogers. “I have a good relationship with James but I am not sure that a move back to West Row at this stage would be beneficial for us or for his career.”
The Fen Tigers are left with only one surviving member of their 2007 side, reserve Mark Baseby, as another week of transfer activity has seen the departures of Tomas Suchanek and Paul Fry. Ambitious target Steve Boxall is also out of the equation after signing for Elite League side Belle Vue. Suchanek, who held the track record at one stage during last season, has joined team-mate Tom P. Madsen at Reading, while veteran racer Paul Fry is also set to move elsewhere, according to Rogers.
Rogers said: “Tom and Tomas both proved very good signings for us last year but while we are sorting out the top end of our team, we were not in a position to thrash out a new deal for them. Tom said that he found us to be a very well run club with great supporters and he is a solid acquisition for the Racers.”
Mildenhall have announced details of season tickets, which are now on sale. These are priced at £246 (adults), £189 (concessions) and £42 (under 15s), with shareholders entitled to a 10% discount. Application forms can be obtained from the official website: www.mildenhallspeedway.com
ANXIOUS SUPPORTERS
By David Crane, Cambridge Evening News ~ Saturday 22nd December 2007
Mildenhall supporters are growing anxious as captain Jason King is the latest rider to turn down a return to West Row for next season. The popular 23-year-old, who spent three years with the Fen Tigers, has agreed to join Newcastle where he will be moving his base from Kent to next year. King, who is also believed to have been approached by Redcar, admitted the switch came down to basic economics. He said: “It ultimately came down to travelling costs. I would have ended up making a 300 mile round trip each week and it wasn’t financially viable. I have ridden at Newcastle about three times and have done reasonably well there. It is hard to be leaving Mildenhall as I have enjoyed some great memories with them but I feel this move is the right one.”
Fans have already seen their hopes dashed for returns of Shaun Tacey, Kyle Legault, Chris Schramm, Tom P Madsen and former track record holder Paul Lee. But team manager Laurence Rogers is continuing to stress that it remains early days in terms of team building and has admitted he is in talks with some former favourites. He said: “Our hopes of building a side predominantly of assets is not going to materialise but there are a lot of riders still available and I have made several offers. I’ve had talks with a couple of ex-Mildenhall favourites and I’m sure fans will have a good idea who they may be. There has been rumours linking us to Andreas Bergstrom and I can confirm we have had some discussions with him. It will come down to his availability and travelling as he also rides in Sweden and getting him fixed up with work.”
The Fen Tigers have so far acquired their two reserves Mark Baseby and James Cockle, as well as adding Dane Jan Graversen to their asset base and he is likely to be the team’s third heat leader. The club was in the same position 12 months ago when they had announced three signings by the Christmas period.
WORK COMMITMENTS RULE OUT PAUL LEE
By Mildenhall Speedway ~ Saturday 15th December 2007
Mildenhall’s hopes of enticing their former track record holder , Paul Lee, into making a return to Fen Tigers colours in 2008 have been thwarted –due to his busy work commitments. Team boss Laurence Rogers gained permission from parent club Sheffield to talk to the rider and came close to talking him into being a Tiger next season, “Paul and I had a very frank discussion and I made him an offer he wanted to seriously think about. He spoke to several of his sponsors and his employer and was sorely tempted having been given encouragement from them. But his employer has some very big plastering contracts next year and Paul does not want to let him down.”
“Reluctantly he has made a decision not to commit to a team spot next year but has told me that if we hit any problems during the season then he would be willing to help out. He is very well respected at Mildenhall and the fans would have loved to have seen him back and one sponsor had already indicated that if he was in the side he would back him.”
Paul said, “ I spent all night thinking about it and to be honest couldn’t sleep at all. I love my speedway and love Mildenhall so it was a hard decision to make but I am earning good money from my job and my boss is golden and with the work he has contracts for next year I do not want to let him down. I am not turning my back on the sport and had already talked with my sponsors about perhaps starting riding again mid-season anyway. But I have told Mildenhall that if they hit any problems then they must give me a call.”
So the Fen Tigers search for riders for 2008 continues and with asset Chris Schramm on his way to the Elite League with an announcement due from the club he has signed for due soon and Shaun Tacey snapped up by rivals King’s Lynn, there is no concrete news as yet on that front. Rogers comments, “I have spoken to a whole host of riders and await answers off several of them. There is no panic and all I can ask is that the fans remain patient. Simon Barton is now back from his business trip to India and we met up on Saturday, hours after he stepped off his plane after a delayed flight back, in Walsall when he went to watch his football team Leeds there. I brought him up to date on where we were with the team building. Neither of us is unduly worried that we have so far only named three riders. We hope to tie up what is happening with Jason King over the next few days and I all but agreed a deal with another rider we are after on Saturday night. I have lots of ‘irons in the fire’ and will be working on these as soon as possible.”
The club are running three training schools over the next three months on Saturday January 19th, February 16th and March 15th. They will be between 11 and 3 on those dates with tuition and instruction from former Fen Tiger legends Robert Henry and Richard Knight. The cost is £35 per session including insurance and bookings are being taken as there will be a maximum number of places available. As it is the first session was only advertised on the British Speedway Forum and on the Mildenhall website on Monday last week and already the first session on January 19th is almost full up. There are some places left for January and the sessions in February and March are quickly filling up,“ says Laurence Rogers, “the sessions are open to 250’s and 500’s and to all-comers. Bookings can be made by e-mail to laurencerogers@blueyonder.co.uk or by phoning 07801 429304.”
“In addition there will be some demonstration races in the evening Quad meeting on each of those dates and the training school attendees will be used in those if they so wish. The Quad meeting starts at 6pm with gates open at 5pm with admission set at £8 adults, £6 concessions and £2 for the 5-15 age group.“
The club are still also working hard on attracting new advertisers and sponsors and still hold out hopes that a team sponsor can be found. Additionally the successful Shareholders scheme is open and available to anyone wishing to support the club in this way and interested parties can contact the Club’s Communications Officer Steve Dolby on 07876 142501 for details.
One new area available for backing in 2008 is each rider’s Fen Tigers body colour. Fans or sponsors can back the rider of their choice with their name being displayed on the back of the race jacket and each sponsor of these will receive a signed replica jacket from their sponsored rider. This will cost £100 per rider and interested parties can contact Laurence Rogers by e-mail on laurencerogers@blueyonder.co.uk or by phoning 07801 429304.
TACEY LATEST TO FALL THROUGH THE TIGERS NET
By David Crane, Cambridge Evening News ~ Saturday 15th December 2007
Mildenhall are stressing to their supporters to remain patient after seeing their team plans thrown into disarray in a busy few days for the club. The Fen Tigers have been forced to release Shaun Tacey, just two weeks after announcing that he had verbally agreed to return for a third season, because he could no longer to commit to home race-days on a Sunday, and has now joined local rivals King’s Lynn. Coupled with losing targets Kyle Legault and Chris Schramm, it’s been a week to forget for the West Row outfit.
Team manager Laurence Rogers said: “The situation with Shaun was unfortunate but I am glad he has got fixed up elsewhere quickly. Chris looks likely to go to an Elite League club which is frustrating as I had long chats with him and it seemed he was going to be sticking with Premier racing. But we will not stand in his way if that is what he wants to do. Kyle had two offers and I advised him to take the deal with Birmingham because it was too good to turn down. We simply couldn’t match it and the future of the club is paramount. I appreciate it must be frustrating for fans but we need to remember that only 12 months ago the club faced an uncertain future.
My priority is to sort out our two heat leader positions and I’m in heavy negotiations with a number of riders. I’m keeping a close eye on the availability of Elite League riders looking to drop down. I have spoken with Steve Boxall and we would be among a number of clubs interested in talking to him further should he stay at Premier level.”
Last year’s captain Jason King is close to agreeing terms with the Fen Tigers again and the club are believed to have received approaches from two other clubs for his services.
King said: “An offer is on the table but I am seeking my options in sponsorship to help out with travelling costs and will speak to promoter Simon Barton on his return from holiday next week to discuss further details.”
KNOCK BACK FOR FEN TIGERS TEAM BUILDING
By Mildenhall Speedway ~ Monday 10th December 2007
Knock back for Fen Tigers as Legault signs for Birmingham and Tacey has to request move to midweek track – but team building continues. Mildenhall’s hopes of bringing 2007 No. 1 Kyle Legault back to West Row next season were dashed with the announcement that the popular Canadian Champion had agreed terms with Birmingham. The club had tried to match the financial offer he had received with the help of sponsorship but the offer he had was one he simply could not turn down. Legault is disappointed he is not back as a Fen Tiger and says that he owes a lot to the club and team manager Laurence Rogers for what they did and they supported him in 2007. He has gone on record as saying that Mildenhall is and always will be a club close to his heart.
He commented, “I would have loved to have been back at Mildenhall next year as I simply love the place, the track and the people. I cannot praise them enough for how they supported me. In particular I must thank Laurence (Rogers) as he helped me in so many ways and was a big influence on me and I hope that he will consider being involved with me when I reach the big time and become a Grand Prix rider. I had two other clubs after me but the deal I have been given at Birmingham is a really good one and it was difficult telling Laurence of my decision. In fairness to him he realised that and has wished me all the best for next year except when I ride against him! Thanks to everyone who sponsored me at Mildenhall and to everyone who supported my GP bid by buying my merchandise. I made many friends there and I look forward to popping down to see them when I have a free Sunday.”
Team boss Rogers took the news with a bit of sadness but knows now he has a hard battle to replace the likeable Canadian, “ Kyle kept me informed at all times as to what was going on and we had several frank discussions especially when the choice of going into the Elite League or staying in the Premier came up and he knew what my thoughts were. My only hope was that the package we had put together, kindly backed by some sponsors and supporters, would prove sufficient. But when he lost his Toyota van backing and had a knock back on a potential bike sponsor I knew we were up against it. In the end he had two good offers on the table that I tried to match but in the end couldn’t.”
“The future of the club comes first and the head ruled the heart in the end and I had to sadly admit defeat in my quest to have him back in our colours. It means I have a tough task in recruiting a replacement and I am in talks with a rider who might just fit the bill and I am awaiting his response to our offer.”
If the loss of Legault as not enough the Fen Tigers team boss received a text at the weekend that also hits the team planning. Having agreed terms for the return of Shaun Tacey for 2008 whilst he was on holiday and announcing his capture at the Christmas party , he is now out of the equation after all. Rogers explains what has happened, “Tace and I agreed terms whilst he was away on holiday and with his agreement to do so announced him at the party and in the press. Nothing was actually signed as that was difficult with him in Egypt to do so. What has annoyed me is someone on the Speedway Forums poking their nose in saying that he hadn’t signed anything, which although correct was not the true case as we had a verbal okay and paperwork would have been signed last Saturday. Someone has said that we ‘jumped the gun’ in announcing this and I take exception to this as it was a gentleman’s agreement between Shaun and I.”
“To clear things up the reason why he can’t sign – not that he doesn’t want to – is that his eldest son Vanns has decided he wants a grass track bike and gear for Christmas and has decided he really wants to do it and naturally they only do grass meetings on Sundays, ruling him out of riding for us. In the text he sent me he says that he hasn’t taken this decision lightly as he so wanted to stay at Mildenhall and that he was truly sorry. I am gutted at losing him as I think he had a good season last year and was a great team man.”
“The news was tempered slightly when I met with Jason King at Brighton where he was riding in the Indoor meeting on Sunday. We had a long chat and in principle agreed a deal but he has asked for a few days to speak to some of his sponsors before coming back to me. This was the first real chance we had to talk as he had been in Florida on holiday and I now await his reply.”
“I have also been in constant contact with Chris Schramm about coming to Mildenhall this year and he was awaiting the BSPA conference before giving him his answer. With doubling up between the leagues stopped this year this took away an option he was considering and he was left with choosing between riding in the Premier and Elite League. We had a deal almost agreed and at one stage last week it looked favourable that he would choose the Premier and be at Mildenhall but by the weekend he had though long and hard about it and wants to give it a go in the Elite League. Naturally I am disappointed but respect his decision and will be assisting him in talking to tracks.“
“I am looking at all the options open to us to build our side for the new season and keeping a close eye on who has not secured an Elite League place and may consider a switch to the Premier League. All I can say is that I am certainly keeping the telephone company profits up and as soon as I have news on the team front I will be releasing it straight away. As you can imagine it is not an easy task and Simon Barton and my hopes of having a team of almost all Mildenhall assets is not going to happen this year – but we will get there as I almost looking at several possible new assets to join the club. All I can say to the fans is to be patient. It is still early to be getting teams sorted and I have several irons in the fire!!”
FEN TIGERS TEAM BUILDING RACE
By David Crane, Cambridge Evening News ~ Saturday 8th December 2007
Cambridgeshire-based James Cockle and experienced racer Shaun Tacey have joined Mildenhall as the club leads the race in team building for next season. 21-year-old Cockle, who lives in March, almost joined the Fen Tigers 12 months ago but opted out when uncertainty surrounded the future of the club and joined Sheffield, where he endured a dismal campaign.
Team manager Laurence Rogers said: “We wanted an experienced rider at reserve to partner Mark Baseby and looked at various options and spoke with a few riders. James rode well in a couple of meetings for us as guest last season and was enthusiastic about coming to Mildenhall. I was very impressed by his commitment. He became disillusioned at Sheffield and I noticed things about him that we can work on to improve. A close track will be good for him and we aim to rekindle his form that he showed with Glasgow for a couple of years and get him back to his best. He has no respect for reputation and I’m sure will prove to be a shrewd capture on a 3.68 average.”
Tacey returns to West Row for a third successive year after returning to form last season which banished memories of a dismal 2006 in which he was sacked. The former captain, who comes in on a 5.44 average, brings passion, motivation and vast experience to the team. Rogers said: “Shaun is always there for everyone and is a massive team man. His performance at Birmingham in our last meeting was one of his best of his career and to have him back on board is a big plus. He turned down a couple of better financial offers, which did not come through the club, because he was very keen to be back with us.”
The pair join Mark Baseby and Jan Graversen, who looks set to see his average reduced to seven points. Canadian Kyle Legault now faces a straight dilemma of Elite or Premier League racing following new regulations, and Rogers believes the cult star will stick with Premier for at least another year despite losing some crucial sponsorship backing.
ROGERS RELISHING FEN TIGERS' HARD START TO SEASON By David Crane, Cambridge Evening News ~ Thursday 6th December 2007
Mildenhall have landed the ‘group of death’ as they will start the 2008 campaign against three of last season’s most successful teams. The Fen Tigers will face neighbours King’s Lynn, holders of the Trophy and KO Cup, arch-rivals and reigning league champions Rye House, as well as big city club Birmingham, led by former boss Graham Drury. But despite the tough draw, the West Row promotion are embracing the fixtures as it will ensure bumper attendance’s and red hot atmosphere.
Team manager Laurence Rogers said: “It’s a dream start for us as it will give us three big crowds to look forward to. We had a good record against King’s Lynn last season and I know we can build on that. The Trophy campaign will start on March 23, a week after our opening fixture which we are finalising the details on. We also face Young Shield winners Redcar in the KO Cup first round.”
Meanwhile, promotion and relegation has been introduced into the sport for the first time and could mean Mildenhall becoming an Elite League club if they finish in the top four and win a series of one-off meetings. Rogers said: “I voiced my concerns in the Cambridge News last week and haven’t changed them. We would need a very large incentive and backing to move up and I know there are quite a few other Premier League clubs who would not want it.”
The aggregate bonus point has been scrapped and teams now winning away will earn three points, a ruling that would not have favoured Mildenhall last season who struggled on their travels. Rogers said: “It takes away some of the tactical elements for the team manager but it could well work in our favour if we can improve our away form as I think it will hit those like King’s Lynn, Rye House and Sheffield who have big home track advantages.”
The Premier League has been boosted to 17 teams with Scunthorpe and Reading joining.
FEN TIGERS 2008 ADMISSION PRICES
By Mildenhall Speedway ~ Monday 3rd December 2007
Mildenhall Speedway promotion have set their admission prices for the 2008 season with only one increase on last year. Promoter Simon Barton said" Unfortunately we have had to increase the adult admission to £13 for the first time in 2 years but have frozen the concession and Under 15 prices as per the 2007 rate at £10 and £2 respectively.
2008 Prices;
Adults £13 ~ Concessions £10 ~ Child £2 ~ Programme £2
BONUS POINT SCRAPPED
By BSPA ~ Monday 3rd December 2007
BRITISH Speedway bosses have scrapped the aggregate bonus point – in a bid to encourage more away wins.
A home win will be rewarded with two-points, but an away win is now worth three, with the traditional point for a draw.
Birmingham manager Graham Drury said: “For teams to be successful now they have to win away from home more and not rely too much on home advantage.”
PREMIER LEAGUE CHIEFS
By BSPA ~ Monday 3rd December 2007
PREMIER League chiefs have revealed how the team that finishes top will be declared champions – before going into the play-offs.
The play-off system will now be used to establish a winner to meet and Elite League club in a promotion and relegation decider.
Newcastle boss George English said: “Hopefully this keeps the traditionalists happy and it means the league and play-offs are now completely separate issues.”
FEN TIGERS SEASON TICKETS
By Mildenhall Speedway ~ Monday 3rd December 2007
Mildenhall Speedway are please to announce that Season Tickets for the 2008 campaign are now on sale and application forms will be available Tonight at the Supporters Club Christmas Party at West Row from Club Administrator Steve Dolby and via the Official Website.
The prices have been set and the club are to offer Child Tickets again for the 15 and under age catergory due to various requests from Supporters.
All Season Tickets are valid for Premier League, Premier Trophy and Knockout Cup matches only which will be a minimum of 21 home meetings in 2008 and represent great value for Money with the additional discount for all Share Holders
Prices
Non Shareholder Shareholder
Adult £246 £222
Concession £189 £171
Under 15 £42 £38
Application forms are available to download and print off on our homepage in Adobe PDF format, if you need Adobe Acrobat Reader to open you can also download this FREE direct from Adobe using the link also on our homepage. Any problems please email our webmaster.
MOUTH - WATERING START TO 2008 FEN TIGERS CAMPAIGN By Mildenhall Speedway ~ Sunday 2nd December 2007
The draw for the opening Premier Trophy campaign for the Mildenhall Fen Tigers brings some mouth-watering clashes, as does the Knock-Out Cup 1st round. Mildenhall have three tough opponents in their Premier Trophy group in East Anglian rivals King’s Lynn, 2007 League Champions Rye House, and beaten Young Shield finalists Birmingham. Promoter Simon Barton though is overjoyed by the draw, “We couldn’t have asked for a better start to the 2008 season than having these three clubs coming to West Row. It will give us some healthy attendances to kick-off the new season –and that can’t be bad!”
“We have also drawn Young Shield winners Redcar in the K O Cup and this will be another clash we will be looking forward to. Looking at the calendar and with an early Easter this year we are hoping to arrange a suitable opening fixture on Sunday March 16th before going into the Premier Trophy campaign on Easter Sunday the following week on the 23rd. Laurence is looking at various options for the opening meeting and we will announce this as soon as possible – but what a mouth-watering start we have to look forward to!”
FEN TIGERS NAME FOUR RIDERS SO FAR
By Mildenhall Speedway ~ Sunday 2nd December 2007
Fen Tigers name four riders so far—and aiming to have side sorted soon. Following the BSPA annual conference where the rulings for the 2008 season were agreed , the Mildenhall Fen Tigers have announced over half their side for next season. Hot on the heels of the announcement of new young Danish whiz-kid Jan Graversen and promising reserve Mark Baseby, the Fen Tigers announced two more names for their 2008 side at their Christmas party on Sunday night. Back will be the popular Shaun Tacey, who had a solid season and was on top form in the closing weeks of the 2007 campaign. The Mildenhall asset put behind him a miserable 2006 season to win the fans over and his help and support to his team mates made him a must have addition to the 2008 side.
Joining them will be locally based rider James Cockle who was on the verge of joining the club last year but in the end went on loan from parent club Glasgow Tigers to Sheffield Tigers –and will now be a Fen Tiger. The March based rider had one guest appearance for Mildenhall last year against Newcastle in May and included two good heat wins in a 7 point return and this is the form he hopes he can achieve in 2008 on a regular basis.
Team Manager Laurence Rogers believes that he can prove a shrewd capture, “I had been talking to and looking at several options to use alongside Mark Baseby at reserve and it was that performance against Newcastle that kept reminding me of what he was capable of. He was known as the “Legend Killer” at Glasgow and won that title from taking the scalps of several top Premier League riders and I want to get him back to that type of form. I already have a good relationship with him and I know that there are areas of his preparation and riding that I can work on to get the best out of him and I think we have made a shrewd capture. He was all but signed last year but when some uncertainty over what was going to happen at Mildenhall he chose to go to Sheffield. In all honesty that didn’t really work put for him but he is so bubbly about coming to Mildenhall and I think he will be a solid scorer for us.”
“Having Tace back was a must. I know that several tracks were interested in him—although we never had one direct approach for permission to speak to him!! But I think he won the West Row faithful over with some good displays after his nightmare 2006 and his presence in the pits is something I knew we needed to maintain. He was always there with the loan of his bike when any of his team mates needed one, was there getting things sorted if anyone had any trouble and I know that if I need a special ride off him all I have to do is to walk up to him with a certain look on my face and he knows what I am asking for and simply says ‘ok boss –I know what you are going to say!’ He is a great team man and is an important signing for us”
“With a new 41.5 total points limit and with Jan Graversen now assessed on a 7 point rather than an 8 point average from the new rulings introduced I have used 19.12 leaving me with 22.38 to fill the final three slots in the side. I know roughly two of the three who fit in with that but the final place is one I am giving great thought to. We are talking to several riders who fit the bill and with one we all but there with agreeing terms and just need to dot the i’s and cross the t’s and hopefully that one will be signed and sealed in the next few days.”
“We will know more about what is happening with Kyle Legault now the conference is over and he can see what direction things are going at Elite League level and whether any club will come in and buy him from Sheffield. By the way the new rulings for 2008 are set out his hopes of being able to maybe double up in both leagues are now not a possibility with this avenue closed. It looks like a straight decision over jumping into the Elite League if a club comes in for him or staying for another year in the Premier League. I know what my personal advice to him would be and that is not purely a selfish thing as we would love to have him back at Mildenhall and I have already spoken to Neil Machin at Sheffield about this. I think he really needs another year at Premier League level before he makes the move but that is down to him in the end. He has a great following and a lot of respect at Mildenhall and I think another year with us would be beneficial. Whatever he decides I will respect and will support him in any way I can as we developed a good rapport and worked well together and when he makes the Grand Prix, which he will, I would be there to help him in whatever way I could.”
“So there is a lot of talking and decision making to do over the next week or two and then hopefully Simon Barton and I can announce our full side for the 2008 campaign.”
BRITISH SPEEDWAY AGM REPORT
By BSPA ~ Sunday 2nd December 2007
POOLE Speedway co-promoter Matt Ford, one of the most successful bosses of the modern era, has given the new era of British racing his seal of approval. Ford, who admits he will be forced to release either Bjarne Pedersen or Jason Crump on Monday, believes the bigger picture was the most important consideration during the sport's AGM in Coventry over the last four days. The Elite League points-limit has been reduced to create more parity between the clubs - but that inevitably means the likes of Poole, Swindon and champions Coventry will be forced to shed riders.
Said Ford: "The top clubs in the Elite League have done this in the best interests of the sport in general. It's a case of short term pain for long term gain in my view. The imbalance within the Elite League last season could not continue and we all believe these measures, however strong, will bring us a more competitive league next season. Speedway is a fantastic product and we must all go out and tell people that. It's a great sport loved by many people who care passionately about it and we have a system in place where the Elite and Premier Leagues are now closer together which should help the process of promotion and relegation."
And on that subject, Ford - who specifically asked to issue a statement after the AGM to champion the new plans - has unveiled the process. "The bottom two teams in the Elite League will do battle to go into a final against the winner of the Premier League play-offs," said Ford. "The top four Premier League clubs will battle it out to meet the Elite League team in what should be an exciting final with a place in the Elite League on the line - can you imagine the excitement and tension!
"There is also a financial incentive for the Premier League team in that play-off to reach the Elite League - we can't call it a parachute payment because that's when a team gets relegated, this is the opposite! The Elite League was very close to welcoming a new member in the build-up to the AGM but that club ended their interest at the 11th hour. It's now attractive to Premier League clubs to make that move into the top flight. We will have some casualties, none more so than Poole Speedway, my own club. You know the rider who is leaving us and it's hard. Very hard. But we retain a belief that we are doing what is best for the sport.
Promoters need to stop thinking of themselves and move forward for the good of the sport. We will stick together. In recent years we have tinkered with the sport and that's not enough. Here we have a three-year plan and no team in the Elite League can afford to finish in the bottom two. Every match will matter and even now, as Poole co-promoter, I feel more pressure to get my team right."
THE PLAY-OFFS:
ELITE LEAGUE TITLE:
TOP FOUR
ELITE LEAGUE RELEGATION:
BOTTOM TWO, LOSERS TO MEET WINNERS OF PREMIER LEAGUE FOR PLACE IN ELITE LEAGUE 2009.
PREMIER LEAGUE TITLE:
TOP FOUR, WINNERS TO MEET LOSERS OF ELITE LEAGUE RELEGATION PLAY-OFF FOR PLACE IN ELITE LEAGUE 2009.
OTHER KEY ISSUES:
TACTICAL RIDE RULES UNCHANGED.
ELITE LEAGUE:
Champions Coventry will defend their title against Belle Vue, Eastbourne, Ipswich, Lakeside, Peterborough, Poole, Swindon and Wolverhampton. Reading have elected to move into the Premier League. Points limit: 38.85.
PREMIER LEAGUE:
The Premier League have welcomed Reading and have allowed Oxford a limited amount of time to try to secure a deal with their Cowley stadium landlords, the GRA for a return of senior racing to the city.
Scunthorpe have also been accepted, which means the League now has 17 certain starters, plus the hoped-for addition of Oxford.
The line-up reads:
Berwick, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Isle of Wight, King's Lynn, Mildenhall, Newcastle, Newport, Oxford, Reading, Redcar, Rye House, Scunthorpe, Sheffield, Somerset, Stoke, Workington.
The Premier League points limit has been voted in at 41.5.
MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE:
Sheffield's Neil Machin has decided to end his time on Management Committee, and has been replaced by the vastly-experienced Alex Harkess of Edinburgh. Pete Toogood remains Chairma! n for a fourth season, with Wolverhampton and Redcar chief Chris Van Straaten staying as vice-chairman, and other members Colin Pratt (Coventry) and Dave Pavitt (Isle of Wight) keep their seats.
COMPETITION INFO:
ELITE LEAGUE KNOCKOUT CUP:
PRELIMINARY ROUND:
Wolverhampton v Ipswich
QUARTER-FINALS:
Lakeside v Peterborough, Eastbourne v Wolverhampton or Ipswich, Poole v Swindon, Coventry v Belle Vue.
PREMIER LEAGUE KNOCKOUT CUP:
PRELIMINARY ROUND:
Scunthorpe v Sheffield, Reading v Oxford.
FIRST ROUND:
Glasgow v Birmingham, Rye House v Newport, Somerset v Newcastle, King's Lynn v Reading or Oxford, Workington v Stoke, Scunthorpe or Sheffield v Isle of Wight, Edinburgh v Berwick, Mildenhall v Redcar.
PREMIER TROPHY GROUP STAGES:
GROUP 1:
Workington, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Berwick.
GROUP 2:
Newcastle, Redcar, Sheffield, Stoke.
GROUP 3:
Birmingham, Mildenhall, King's Lynn, Rye House.
GROUP 4:
Newport, Somerset, Isle of Wight, Reading.
*Promoted clubs, Oxford and Scunthorpe, are not permitted to enter due to potential fixture congestion.
SUPER 7EVEN:
A statement detailing the dates and venues of the 2008 Super 7even series will follow in due course.
ROGERS IS COOL ON PROMOTION ISSUE
By David Crane, Cambridge Evening News ~ Saturday 1st December 2007
Mildenhall will voice concern against any moves to introduce a promotion and relegation system into the sport when the matter is considered at this weekend's BSPA annual conference. Club promoters will be asked by BSPA president Terry Russell to discuss the thorny issue which has prevented speedway from rivalling major sports in this country. The system was proposed but never got off the ground in the early 90s and has been accepted as 'unworkable' a feeling shared by Fen Tigers team manager Laurence Rogers.
He said: I don't see it ever working for a club like ours. For instance, if we won the Premier League next season we could not afford to move into the Elite League, and we would not be the only team. Clubs need the resources to move up and although it will be given serious consideration, I don't think it will be accepted by the promoters.
News of the conference, which will give fans insight into any new rules and competition draws for next year, is likely to be released on Monday, and Rogers is hoping that the 40 points limit for team building remains. He said: Anything above 40 will be a bonus and give us points to play with, but anything below and I will need to redraft the team. I have all but agreed everything with a fourth rider and we could have all four riders signing their contracts in front of fans tomorrow.
We are putting together a support team for each rider which will ensure they are covered financially for most common items, such as oil, tyres and fuel. This kind of backing can be crucial to signing a rider as they look for more than the offer on the table, and by running it professionally I hope fans and small businesses will contribute and help us to flourish.
Fans will be treated to a free 'night at the dogs' tomorrow as greyhound racing is included in the £5 Christmas party and disco admission at Mildenhall Stadium from 7pm.
BRITISH SPEEDWAY AGM UPDATE
By BSPA ~ Saturday 1st December 2007
BRITISH Speedway will roar into an exciting new era next March - with bosses predicting more competitive Leagues and promotion and relegation. Elite League chiefs have introduced a new points limit to govern team strengths with the aim of providing a greater parity throughout the nine clubs. Champions Coventry will defend their title against Belle Vue, Eastbourne, Ipswich, Lakeside, Peterborough, Poole, Swindon and Wolverhampton.
Reading have elected to move into the Premier League. Transfer speculation will increase with the new limit of 38.85 as clubs look to build their side with the aim of reaching the top four, and the top-flight play-offs.
The Premier League have welcomed Reading and have allowed Oxford a limited amount of time to try to secure a deal with their Cowley stadium landlords, the GRA for a return of senior racing to the city. Scunthorpe have also been accepted, which means the League now has 17 certain starters, plus the hoped-for addition of Oxford.
The line-up reads:
Berwick, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Isle of Wight, King's Lynn, Mildenhall, Newcastle, Newport, Oxford, Reading, Redcar, Rye House, scunthorpe, Sheffield, Somerset, Stoke, Workington.
The Premier League points limit has been voted in at 41.5. Promotion and relegation between the top two leagues will be introduced, with further details to be revealed at the culmination of the conference on Sunday.
Sheffield's Neil Machin has decided to end his time on Management Committee, and has been replaced by the vastly-experienced Alex Harkess of Edinburgh. Pete Toogood remains Chairman for a fourth season, with Wolverhampton and Redcar chief Chris Van Straaten staying as vice-chairman, and other members Colin Pratt (Coventry) and Dave Pavitt (Isle of Wight) keep their seats.
The conference will end on Sunday, and a further statement, including the comments of chairman Toogood, will be issued that evening.
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