Allen Trump's Comments

[Deleted]

Disappointed to read on the BSPA site that Allen Trump is having doubts about the anticipated return of the Cheetahs to the Premier League next year.

With the greatest respect to the Conference League, a club with the history and facilities of Oxford, should be gracing a higher league and attracting crowd levels to allow them to do so.

Has the previous promotion pissed off enough people in the area so they will never return, or is there a way to bring them back?

[admin]

Previous promotions, plural.
Oxford speedway had been mismanaged on a heroic scale for some time before the Trump takeover. That the Wagster period started the rot, Lanney's heart might've been in the right place, but he had neither the resources nor the wit to turn things around and the Horton period was just a disaster from beginning to end.

[Deleted]

kevh said:

Disappointed to read on the BSPA site that Allen Trump is having doubts about the anticipated return of the Cheetahs to the Premier League next year.

With the greatest respect to the Conference League, a club with the history and facilities of Oxford, should be gracing a higher league and attracting crowd levels to allow them to do so.

Has the previous promotion pissed off enough people in the area so they will never return, or is there a way to bring them back?

Agree with you Kev . Clearly the CL is not where a club of Oxford's history should be languishing . But if the dont run in the Premier League next season - then i really fear for their future .

[admin]

The Conference League just isn't going to be that big a draw for supporters of a club like Oxford. Maybe a case of speculating to accumulate - betting that more fans will turn up for a higher grade of racing, but with Oxford's recent history, I guess Trump is playing it safe.

[Genghis]

I think Allen's comments have been taken from his piece in this week's Oxford programme, and have ended up as somewhat out of context. In full:


"I had an interesting chat with Len Silver last Friday and I was pleased to hear how keen other Premier League clubs are to have Oxford upgraded in any new structure. There was a word of caution though in what Len was saying in terms of running costs. As a promoter that runs both Premier and Conference speedway at Rye House, Len is able to give his view on the viability of both leagues and there's no doubt that we've got a way to go to achieve the income to finance Premier League. To get things into perspective our attendances would need to increase by around 300 people per week and Sponsorship etc needs to be in the region of £2,000 per home meeting or £55,000 per season."


I'd say we got 50-100 of those 300 people on Sunday night - it was the first time the programmes had sold out (something Allen Trump was most apologetic about, and promised the print run will be upped to prevent a repeat).

I'd say crowds have already gone up by 200-300 since the return at the start of July, and to increase by another 300 by the end of the season is a distinct possibility.

Also, the new track shop was in place on Sunday (run by some balding chap called Peasley) and this is now another good source of income for the club.

I'd very glad that Allen Trump is being frank and honest with the Oxford fans, and telling us exactly what is needed for PL Speedway to break even.

By the time we reach the CL play-offs, I think we could well be hitting the figures that Allen wants.

I think he will run PL next year - but he won't go in blind, which I consider to be a good thing.

All the best
Rob

[Deleted]

I don't think anyone is under any illusion about the massive task that Mr Trump has takn on. But there is a definite mood of optimism on the terraces, the crowds appear to be returning, the cheering and smiles of delight at the entertainment provided are obvious. It is a big hill, but I think that Mr Trump has the nouse needed to proceed up it making safe economic decisions to secure Oxford for the future.
Although many of Oxfords woe's are rooted with the Waggy era, I do believe IF lady luck had been kinder then perhaps Oxford would still be a force to be reckoned with.
I however am eternally grateful that Waggy introduced me to the ways of Conference League racing, a league as I continuously say would surprise many a hardened Elite league speedway follower.
fog

[Deleted]

I love watching Conference League racing, but must admit I haven't managed to get to any matches this season for various reasons, despite being within walking distance of Cowley Stadium. I can promise my support next season however, whichever league the Cheetahs find themselves and can say how grateful I am to Mr. Trump for his rescuing of the club, even if I have yet to witness a meeting he has promoted as of yet!