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Post by Deleted on Jan 10, 2008 21:56:29 GMT
Don't be bashful in asking just Oxford fans to contact the GRA Oxonian if required either Oxonian.
Obviously people would have to be careful in their correspondance to the GRA to help Oxford's cause, but you know 99% of speedway fans (maybe make that 60% of BSF) would be more than capable putting a few sentences together and forwarding them onto the GRA to show that they to want the sport to continue at Cowley and do/would visit the stadium to watch speedway there which in turn would contribute to GRA profits.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 23, 2008 15:56:29 GMT
PRESS RELEASE
Oxford Speedway has today received the news it was dreading as notification came from the Greyhound Racing Association that league speedway will not take place at the Cowley Stadium in 2008.
Confirmation was received in a telephone call made by GRA Managing Director Clive Feltham, who called Councillor Bob Timbs to inform him of his decision. He said that the GRA had made their decision and the decision was not reversible. Clearly this has come as a massive blow to the campaign to maintain speedway in Oxford in 2008. Feltham declined the opportunity to talk to supporters groups to further explain his decision.
In outlining his reasons for the decision, Feltham outlined a number of factors which led to the decision. Firstly not enough people were coming into the stadium to make it worthwhile for the GRA to open up the stadium and the lack of revenue was leading the GRA to lose money of speedway. He felt Oxford needed to run in a higher level of speedway to ensure that the required people entered the stadium. He also claimed that the GRA had been let down by recent promoters at Oxford with bills being left unpaid. While declaring that the stadium would not be made available for league racing in 2008 he did not discount the running of major meetings in the stadium, saying that he was willing to talk about any proposals regarding this.
Oxford Speedway had been given a deadline of Thursday 24th January, the date of the Conference League Promoters meeting to have an agreement in place with the GRA. With this deadline now here an extension to this deadline has been requested from Peter Toogood, the Chairman of the British Speedway Promoters Association who will seek this extension on behalf of the club tomorrow. It is however felt that even if an extension is granted this is unlikely to lead to Oxford being able to enter a league in 2008.
On hearing the news, Andrew Smith MP has written to the GRA requesting an urgent meeting to discuss what options there are which would maintain the sport and Councillor David Rundle, the portfolio holder for leisure on Oxford City Council has also expressed his support.
Commenting in the news SOS spokesman Chris Brown said “Clearly this is devastating news and puts us in a position where is looks almost certain that Oxford will not race in 2008. We have not given up the fight though and while it looks an impossible position, the fight will go on. We will work to ensure that should Oxford not take to the track in 2008 then we can secure a long term future for the club. Whether this be at the Stadium or at another venue remains to be seen but the GRA while being clear there will be no speedway in 2008 appear to have not ruled out speedway taking place in future years.”
In closing the door to league speedway in 2008, Feltham did dismiss the idea that speedway would be replaced by stock cars, commenting that Oxford Stadium had no plans to introduce stock cars at Oxford.
Brown also added “it is important that we continue the fight to see the club continue. SOS will continue its fundraising throughout 2008 to ensure we are creating a fund to allow the sport to continue in the future. We cannot let our Diamond anniversary to pass without celebration and we will work to ensure we celebrate this important anniversary”
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Post by Deleted on Jan 23, 2008 18:37:12 GMT
An extremely sad day for all at Oxford Speedway. While the fight goes on I think the realist in says that we have to look to 2009 and beyond to see the Oxford Cheetahs take to the track
Like any club who is reliant on a landlord you are 100% at their will. The GRA have decided that speedway is not wanted at Oxford in 2008 and other than pressure through local politicians there is little we are able to do about it
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Post by Deleted on Jan 29, 2008 23:52:31 GMT
Sadly we received another blow to our survival chances today when the intervention of local MP Andrew Smith failed to gain any progress with the GRA. Mr Smith did receive a call from Clive Feltham from the GRA but sadly he re-iterated the GRA's position on 2008 and declined the opportunity to meet to further discuss how any progress could be made to attempt to save speedway at Oxford in 2008
So while the fight goes on to be honest we are running out of options
It is hoped that a meeting of Oxford fans can take place in the Oxford Town Hall sometime during the middle of February where the local councillors can feed back any progress they have made. Should this meeting happen we will of course extend a invitation to the GRA
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Post by Genghis on Jan 30, 2008 12:59:58 GMT
Sadly we received another blow to our survival chances today when the intervention of local MP Andrew Smith failed to gain any progress with the GRA. Mr Smith did receive a call from Clive Feltham from the GRA but sadly he re-iterated the GRA's position on 2008 and declined the opportunity to meet to further discuss how any progress could be made to attempt to save speedway at Oxford in 2008 So while the fight goes on to be honest we are running out of options It is hoped that a meeting of Oxford fans can take place in the Oxford Town Hall sometime during the middle of February where the local councillors can feed back any progress they have made. Should this meeting happen we will of course extend a invitation to the GRA Hmmm, it's really not looking good.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 6, 2008 14:39:10 GMT
Very sad to see oxford close down and not even with a fight going to have do something else with my summers from now on.
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Post by Genghis on Feb 6, 2008 18:17:43 GMT
Very sad to see oxford close down and not even with a fight going to have do something else with my summers from now on. I somehow doubt you're even an Oxford fan.
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Post by schumi on Feb 6, 2008 18:22:07 GMT
Nor am I, but I still comment! Crikey, Genghis, are you trying to scare off those who are actually brave enough to face the barrage of swearing and abuse on this forum? If you read sandylane's posts you'll see he seems to be genuine.
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Post by Genghis on Feb 6, 2008 18:28:22 GMT
Nor am I, but I still comment! Crikey, Genghis, are you trying to scare off those who are actually brave enough to face the barrage of swearing and abuse on this forum? If you read sandylane's posts you'll see he seems to be genuine. Schumi - I apologise to SandyLane if I did come across a bit strongly, if they are actually an Oxford fan. However, I can't see any Oxford fan trolling in that manner at the moment. It's obvious that some people are doing a great deal to try to keep Oxford at Cowley. For instance, Chris Brown has addressed the local council, and all and sundry were trying to get in contact with the GRA, until they finally revealed to one of the councillors that they didn't want league speedway this year.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 6, 2008 19:21:49 GMT
Right time for a few facts and, to me anyway, sensible thoughts (and I don't intend to use any bad language even if tempted! ) 1. We have to accept that it is 99.999% certain that there will be NO speedway at Sandy Lane in 2008 and that includes any notion of "big" meetings. 2. As to future prospects of racing returning, well time will tell and both the SOS people and the Supporters Club will continue to work behind the scenes to try and do what they can to see that it does. 3. Speaking to Chris Brown of the SOS, he is indeed grateful to everyone who has given / offered the cause support including the local MP, City & County councillors, BSPA Chairman Peter Toogood (who really did work hard behind the scenes on Oxford's behalf and gave excellent advice despite not being able, ultimately, to help achieve speedway at the venue for this year, and various other people / promoters. The SOS do have a meeting planned I believe later this month and I'll update as and when I get confirmed details. Bryn Nor am I, but I still comment! Crikey, Genghis, are you trying to scare off those who are actually brave enough to face the barrage of swearing and abuse on this forum? If you read sandylane's posts you'll see he seems to be genuine. Schumi - I apologise to SandyLane if I did come across a bit strongly, if they are actually an Oxford fan. However, I can't see any Oxford fan trolling in that manner at the moment. It's obvious that some people are doing a great deal to try to keep Oxford at Cowley. For instance, Chris Brown has addressed the local council, and all and sundry were trying to get in contact with the GRA, until they finally revealed to one of the councillors that they didn't want league speedway this year.
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Post by schumi on Feb 6, 2008 19:28:31 GMT
Thanks Bryn. I think the reason there haven't been more replies is that it does seem like a hopeless situation, although certainly you shouldn't give up the fight. But we do appreciate the updates.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 6, 2008 21:06:04 GMT
Very sad to see oxford close down and not even with a fight going to have do something else with my summers from now on. I reckon that is a bit out of order meself, whilst I agree we may not have any speedway at Oxford this year, to say Oxford closed down without a fight belittles the efforts of the SOS & the supporters club. These guys have worked there arses off trying to save Oxford, and trite comments like that is rather ignorant imo. fog
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Post by Genghis on Feb 6, 2008 22:05:22 GMT
Very sad to see oxford close down and not even with a fight going to have do something else with my summers from now on. I reckon that is a bit out of order meself, whilst I agree we may not have any speedway at Oxford this year, to say Oxford closed down without a fight belittles the efforts of the SOS & the supporters club. These guys have worked there arses off trying to save Oxford, and trite comments like that is rather ignorant imo. fog Fog - that's what got me in a bit of a lather earlier this evening. Some people - one such example is Chris Brown - have really tried hard in their efforts to save Oxford.
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Post by schumi on Feb 6, 2008 22:14:34 GMT
*shudder* Seriously, I know it's a hard time for you guys, but I'm sure it wasn't meant that way.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 6, 2008 23:12:10 GMT
I reckon that is a bit out of order meself, whilst I agree we may not have any speedway at Oxford this year, to say Oxford closed down without a fight belittles the efforts of the SOS & the supporters club. These guys have worked there arses off trying to save Oxford, and trite comments like that is rather ignorant imo. fog Fog - that's what got me in a bit of a lather earlier this evening. Some people - one such example is Chris Brown - have really tried hard in their efforts to save Oxford. Absolutely, Chris and Colin P have led from the front, along with the rest of the gang working hard. I think it was an eye opener at the meeting last month to learn of the efforts, time & patience put in by these guys to save Oxford & then to read on here a comment (meant that way or not!!) like sandylane's really takes the piss. I'm all for free speech & opinions but be sure of the facts first. fog
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