Havelock sacked

[schumi]

If this isn't true we can all blame Stressed (again). Post on the Redcar forum:

Glyn has just spoken with me and confirmed that he had a very tough decision to make, with crowds down so much compared to last year he had to make a financial decision and unfortunately I can confirm that Gary has been sacked.

Glyn has added that this is nothing to do with commitment or scoring but a financial decision that he needed to make sooner rather than later to ensure the club continues.

There will be an official press release following tomorrow.

Personally as I have known Havvy since his days riding at Poole and of course running his website, I am gutted to have to post this news.

[marron]

It is true, expect a press release later.

[schumi]

LATEST NEWS JULY 2008

GARY HAVELOCK STATEMENT
By Redcar Speedway ~ Friday 4th July 2008
Redcar Bears boss Glyn Taylor has had to make the toughest decision of his promotional career as he considers the economics of running speedway at the South Tees Motorsport Park by releasing club captain and Bears' number one rider Gary Havelock.

'I would stress that this is not a knee-jerk reaction. I have had discussions with my team about the implications of keeping the sport going for the foreseeable future on Teesside by cutting our cloth accordingly in light of the downward shift in attendance’s and current cost pressures. I put a proposal for an adjustment in the pay structure and if Gary had accepted that then he still would have been earning a higher than average return. I was put in a position with his refusal that I felt that I had no choice for the survival of the club. I know everyone will join me in thanking him for his contribution to the relaunch of speedway and I wish him well for the future.'

Glyn is in the process of re-declaring the Bears team with the sports authorities barring a change of heart by the former World Champion or a financial proposal to assist with Havvy's costs by interested parties.

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Significant part of a newspaper report, from www.gazettelive.co.uk

“I signed a contract with Glyn at the start of the season and he said it was no problem,” said Havelock, “and I budget my season on the contract that has been agreed.

“Now he asks me to take a 30-40% pay cut and I can’t afford to do that - I’ve got a wife and kids and outgoings. At the end of the day a contract is a contract.

“I’m in shock to be honest. But one thing’s for sure - I’m not withholding my services because I love this club and there’s no other club I want to ride for.

“I’ll be taking advice from my solicitor and every meeting I don’t ride in, I’ll be suing him for loss of earnings.”

[marron]

Seems to me as though Havvy has been asked to take the biggest percentage cut and it wouldnt surprise me if he was the only one to be asked as nobody has mentioned anything about the other 6.

Havvy has a wife, kids, house which he has to support and taking a 30-40% wage cut is bonkers for anyone. It would totally cock up his budget which he did at the start of the season and i would have refused the offer too.

[marron]

Havvy is indeed the only one being asked to cut his wages which is bang out of order in my opinion.

Should have split the cost cutting accross the whole 1-7.

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Not wishing to wade through all the pages on the BSF, can anyone tell me why Havelock was riding yesterday?
Was it just a cynical ploy to get more money into the club, or a publicity stunt?

[Deleted]

possibly just one big game of chicken, Havelock thinking they'd never get rid of me or Taylor thinking Havvy wouldn't see his local club do to the wall

[marron]

Havvy rode on Saturday because there was a bus load of Bears fans going to Workington which had been fully booked for weeks. So instead of having a number 1 out of the CL, Havvy said he would ride.

Glyn and Havvy are now sitting down, talking about the way forward.

[marron]

Havvy is back now after Glyn and Havvy sat down and talked.

The fans and a sponsor (thanks to Steve Harland) have come forward to support Havvy.

[Deleted]

I predict he had a guarantee every meeting but now he's simply on points money.

What's shocked me about the whole event is that Redcar's future appeared safe with the recent selling-off of Proctor as an asset and assistence from another club (I really hope Mildenhall can find a similar deal) yet it still appears an undecided future for the Bears.

[marron]

Proctor hasnt been sold, seems one of the management has been telling porkies to fans.

Investors apparently came in with offers aswell as Swindon and Belle Vue but god knows what has happened to that.

Havvy will still be on the same deal i think, someone has come forward to pay him what Glyn wont for the rest of the season.

[Deleted]

I see. I hate to be damning but I didn't think Taylor was the ideal bloke for the position. It seems in Speedway at the minute you need to have endless pockets you haven't got much chance.

Shame though because the amount of hours Taylor must have put into Redcar in it's earliest beginnings.

[marron]

Yeh, shame Glyn hasnt made it work but with no outside business interests it wasnt the best situation to be in.

Hopefully he will still have some role to play if someone comes in.

[schumi]

From: www.gazettelive.co.uk

HAVVY is back! Reinstated skipper Gary Havelock marked his return to the Redcar Bears side with a stunning 16-point haul as they went within a whisker of snatching a shock win at Workington.

The former world champion and England captain was dramatically sacked after Thursday’s home win over Scunthorpe in a cost-cutting measure.

He initially agreed to make one final appearance at Derwent Park on Saturday night, but has now been restored to the team for the remainder of the season.

He has agreed the reduced pay rate offered by promoter Glyn Taylor, with his wages topped up by sponsors and supporters paying into an SOS (Save Our Skipper) fund.

Havelock was cheered every time he passed the large band of TLS Bears fans on the back straight at Workington on Saturday night.

And, after roaring to four race wins - including one as a tactical double - and a third place, he parked his machine in front of the travelling Teessiders to thank them for their support.

“It’s fantastic to know there are people out there prepared to do that,” said Havelock of the generous and immediate support for the SOS fund.

“Hopefully it’s a situation which helps everyone. It helps Glyn out, I still get paid and the fans are happy because I’m still riding for the Bears.

“The reaction and the support I’ve had from fans in the area since Thursday has been amazing. I’ve not had one negative comment and it really makes a big difference. Redcar is the only team I want to ride for.”