Post by schumi on Aug 3, 2008 21:22:51 GMT
For anyone who doesn't visit the Poole site regularly, there's a feature on there where Matt can give feedback on fans queries. I've taken a couple of interesting points and highlighted the things which stood out to me. Certainly food for thought - what do others think?
Poole teams in recent seasons appear to have been devoid of British riders and you alluded to previously the importance of bringing riders through from the Academy league so do you see the way forward where you would be going for British riders in the future-
"I would love to have British riders. I would love to have 7 of them rather than having to worry about many of the issues that you have when you have foreign riders, when you have to get involved in accommodation, flights, vans and often mechanics and so clearly it is a more expensive line to follow with foreign riders that British ones. But, we have to accept we are not an Eastbourne. We are not a track that is in the woods miles away from the nearest houses. We cannot practice here so when it comes to a rider, who, say Edward Kennett, Lewis Bridger those types of rider that when they are at the age of signing for clubs they have had the opportunity to ride and learn their trade at tracks like Sheffield, Eastbourne, King's Lynn. Which is why you'll see those tracks signing the majority of those sort of riders. Peterborough once had it. They used to have the facility for practice and training and crikey look at the riders that they brought through - Oliver Allen, Simon Stead, David Howe there were lots of them. They had about five or six all at one time that they developed but now they don't have that option as they don't have the practice facilities that are needed to sustain this development. And now they are in the same position as us. We live in a town centre where clearly we cant have practice. There are other restrictions of course, and that is if I was able to use the stadium I would be charged a full rent even just for practice session. So whilst there are the financials simply the biggest issue is we cannot avail ourselves of practice because we are so close to a school, we have residents just 50 metres away. So unfortunately when these youngsters are taking the sport up they are going to the Eastbournes etc who provide them with the education, training and practice and rightly they get first call on the top talent. I can tell you though that we do try and we will always be there or thereabouts. I can truthfully say that we were in the market for Lewis Bridger when Lewis came here but it didn't quite work out then we were in the running for Tai Woffinden, he came here and availed himself of after meeting practices and we were very close to getting Tai but again it didn't quite work out. So to finish the question I would love to have a team full of Brits because it would be more cost-effective for the club but unless we can offer some form of training here I can't see the day happening when we came be in the position to sign them, for the Adam Roynon's, Josh Auty's and the likes are all being snapped up by the clubs that bring them on.
This feedback is intended as a two-way medium, so is there anything you want to say back Matt? - "Well I did hear that there was rumour on the coach to Cardiff that riders hadn't been paid for 12 weeks well I would just like to say that I can guarantee that I am the only promoter in British speedway that has paid his bills totally on time and that my riders have been paid right up to Swindon on the 20th June and I am still awaiting for three lots of money, so where these rumours come from I do not know, they are frustrating more than anything but I guess it is kind of one of those things you have to deal with. So to the gossipmongers amongst you hold your heads in shame saying things like that about the club.
Poole teams in recent seasons appear to have been devoid of British riders and you alluded to previously the importance of bringing riders through from the Academy league so do you see the way forward where you would be going for British riders in the future-
"I would love to have British riders. I would love to have 7 of them rather than having to worry about many of the issues that you have when you have foreign riders, when you have to get involved in accommodation, flights, vans and often mechanics and so clearly it is a more expensive line to follow with foreign riders that British ones. But, we have to accept we are not an Eastbourne. We are not a track that is in the woods miles away from the nearest houses. We cannot practice here so when it comes to a rider, who, say Edward Kennett, Lewis Bridger those types of rider that when they are at the age of signing for clubs they have had the opportunity to ride and learn their trade at tracks like Sheffield, Eastbourne, King's Lynn. Which is why you'll see those tracks signing the majority of those sort of riders. Peterborough once had it. They used to have the facility for practice and training and crikey look at the riders that they brought through - Oliver Allen, Simon Stead, David Howe there were lots of them. They had about five or six all at one time that they developed but now they don't have that option as they don't have the practice facilities that are needed to sustain this development. And now they are in the same position as us. We live in a town centre where clearly we cant have practice. There are other restrictions of course, and that is if I was able to use the stadium I would be charged a full rent even just for practice session. So whilst there are the financials simply the biggest issue is we cannot avail ourselves of practice because we are so close to a school, we have residents just 50 metres away. So unfortunately when these youngsters are taking the sport up they are going to the Eastbournes etc who provide them with the education, training and practice and rightly they get first call on the top talent. I can tell you though that we do try and we will always be there or thereabouts. I can truthfully say that we were in the market for Lewis Bridger when Lewis came here but it didn't quite work out then we were in the running for Tai Woffinden, he came here and availed himself of after meeting practices and we were very close to getting Tai but again it didn't quite work out. So to finish the question I would love to have a team full of Brits because it would be more cost-effective for the club but unless we can offer some form of training here I can't see the day happening when we came be in the position to sign them, for the Adam Roynon's, Josh Auty's and the likes are all being snapped up by the clubs that bring them on.
This feedback is intended as a two-way medium, so is there anything you want to say back Matt? - "Well I did hear that there was rumour on the coach to Cardiff that riders hadn't been paid for 12 weeks well I would just like to say that I can guarantee that I am the only promoter in British speedway that has paid his bills totally on time and that my riders have been paid right up to Swindon on the 20th June and I am still awaiting for three lots of money, so where these rumours come from I do not know, they are frustrating more than anything but I guess it is kind of one of those things you have to deal with. So to the gossipmongers amongst you hold your heads in shame saying things like that about the club.
