Post by Deleted on Jul 13, 2010 20:42:18 GMT
CL was on his usual spot on Radio Suffolk tonight, talking about the future of the Witches, although TBF he didn't say anything definitely:
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p008qb3b/Stephen_Foster_13_07_2010/ about 1.34 into the programme after the news and sport,
and also this was in the Evening Star, and I have copied it courtesy of the Witches fans forum:
From Ipswich Evening Star, editor Mike Bacon
Chris Louis wore the Ipswich Witches race jacket with pride for more than 20 years. But today, as director of the club, he admitted to me, he has never felt so low, with the suffolk side bottom of the Elite League table and facing a possible relegation play off clash.
I spoke to Chris this week and have never heard him so forceful in his views of the current situation at Foxhall Stadium, yet upset about how the Witches of 2010 have performed.
"The club needs rebuilding and that's exactly what i'm going to do," he said.
"I'm frustrated and upset by what has happened on the track this season , but i'm determined we will not finish bottom of the Elite league.
"I want the fans to know, i'm planning for the future of the club right here, right now. And i can assure the fans, I'm ruling nothing in and nothing out. This is a blank sheet of paper and i'm going to look at the club from all angles. leagues, assets, riders, the lot. This season has simply been enough.
"Our asset base includes the top two riders in the current Grand Prix series, but that is no use to us. They (Hampel and Gollob) aren't going to ride for Ipswich in the foreseeable future.
"We need to rebuild our asset base. We need to rebuild the club."
The Witches don't have a meeting this week, but embark on a succession of home fixtures throughout the summer holidays, and with kids going free all summer, Louis hopes it will be the pick-me-up his side needs.
"I'm sorry, but no-one is going to tell me we are the worst side in the Elite League," he added.
"Yet we've suffered a reduction in averages from riders i didn't think it would happen to. Scott Nicholls and Danny King , with their attitudes and racing, have been superb for us and Linus Sundstrom has been a revelation.
"But the only way we were going to get Linus on board, and to make him see what a good club Ipswich is, was to allow him to ride just a few meetings for us. And i know he's enjoyed it, even if we wanted him to do more."
Ipswich need to finish off the bottom of the Elite league , or they could find themselves embroiled in a relegation play-off. Something Louis admits is not on the clubs agenda.
"We have six home meetings coming up and we want to win them all to pull away from the bottom of the League. I know the fans think we should chop and change the team, but trust me, it is just not as easy as that.
"There are very few riders available who want to ride in England, if they are not already with a club. We cannot change things willy nilly. I've learned a hell of a lot this season and i will learn from the mistakes i have made.
"I rode for the Witches for more than 20 years and i was passionate about it. I am still passionate about the club, very much so and that is why I am determined to get it right. Whatever it takes."
Whether Louis means the Witches could even move in to the Premier League isn't clear.
What is clear though, is that while fans rightly criticise the team's current predicament, Louis is already making plans.
A case of watch this space.
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p008qb3b/Stephen_Foster_13_07_2010/ about 1.34 into the programme after the news and sport,
and also this was in the Evening Star, and I have copied it courtesy of the Witches fans forum:
From Ipswich Evening Star, editor Mike Bacon
Chris Louis wore the Ipswich Witches race jacket with pride for more than 20 years. But today, as director of the club, he admitted to me, he has never felt so low, with the suffolk side bottom of the Elite League table and facing a possible relegation play off clash.
I spoke to Chris this week and have never heard him so forceful in his views of the current situation at Foxhall Stadium, yet upset about how the Witches of 2010 have performed.
"The club needs rebuilding and that's exactly what i'm going to do," he said.
"I'm frustrated and upset by what has happened on the track this season , but i'm determined we will not finish bottom of the Elite league.
"I want the fans to know, i'm planning for the future of the club right here, right now. And i can assure the fans, I'm ruling nothing in and nothing out. This is a blank sheet of paper and i'm going to look at the club from all angles. leagues, assets, riders, the lot. This season has simply been enough.
"Our asset base includes the top two riders in the current Grand Prix series, but that is no use to us. They (Hampel and Gollob) aren't going to ride for Ipswich in the foreseeable future.
"We need to rebuild our asset base. We need to rebuild the club."
The Witches don't have a meeting this week, but embark on a succession of home fixtures throughout the summer holidays, and with kids going free all summer, Louis hopes it will be the pick-me-up his side needs.
"I'm sorry, but no-one is going to tell me we are the worst side in the Elite League," he added.
"Yet we've suffered a reduction in averages from riders i didn't think it would happen to. Scott Nicholls and Danny King , with their attitudes and racing, have been superb for us and Linus Sundstrom has been a revelation.
"But the only way we were going to get Linus on board, and to make him see what a good club Ipswich is, was to allow him to ride just a few meetings for us. And i know he's enjoyed it, even if we wanted him to do more."
Ipswich need to finish off the bottom of the Elite league , or they could find themselves embroiled in a relegation play-off. Something Louis admits is not on the clubs agenda.
"We have six home meetings coming up and we want to win them all to pull away from the bottom of the League. I know the fans think we should chop and change the team, but trust me, it is just not as easy as that.
"There are very few riders available who want to ride in England, if they are not already with a club. We cannot change things willy nilly. I've learned a hell of a lot this season and i will learn from the mistakes i have made.
"I rode for the Witches for more than 20 years and i was passionate about it. I am still passionate about the club, very much so and that is why I am determined to get it right. Whatever it takes."
Whether Louis means the Witches could even move in to the Premier League isn't clear.
What is clear though, is that while fans rightly criticise the team's current predicament, Louis is already making plans.
A case of watch this space.