Nicholls to dump the Elite League?

[admin]

It seems it's far from certain that the global superstar will be riding in the Elite League next season:

www.speedwayworld.tv/en/news/a9543?SID=b282d9d644f5e26c07d9e23dbd02d885

Wouldn't that be the irony to end all ironies, the betrayal to end all betrayals, if the global superstar, who only gets into the GPs year after year through his nationality (and begging), were to dump on the Elite League?
The global superstar, unlike riders like Jason Crump, owes everything to his nationality.

[schumi]

That could backfire badly. Both his Polish and Swedish teams have dropped out of the top league, and his future here is far from assured. There will certainly be a lot of changes for him next year.

[Deleted]

Oct 31, 2008 12:18:56 GMT @schumi said:

That could backfire badly. Both his Polish and Swedish teams have dropped out of the top league, and his future here is far from assured. There will certainly be a lot of changes for him next year.

Maybe he's going Premier League

[Genghis]

Oct 31, 2008 12:33:51 GMT @paulco said:

Oct 31, 2008 12:18:56 GMT @schumi said:

That could backfire badly. Both his Polish and Swedish teams have dropped out of the top league, and his future here is far from assured. There will certainly be a lot of changes for him next year.

Maybe he's going Premier League

Hopefully for Berwick.

[Deleted]

Surely droppng the not so Elite League & getting himself signed up for the top leagues in Sweden & Poland can only improve him?

Races on fixed days, not charging all round europe for 6 months

Add a few starts in Russia to boost the coffers..........

Seems a bit of a no brainer for any top rider at this time.

[schumi]

Do you know what I think? I think this is just in case he doesn't get what he's asking for, then he can say he chose to give X league a miss. He's reportedly asking for around 1.3m zl in Poland, along with Kenneth Bjerre - that's almost what Nicki and Greg are paid. Now compare Nicki and Greg's scores to Scott's in Poland, and see who's worth it more. Isn't Nicholls' Polish average somewhere in the region of 6 points? His team were relegated last year, and he's not been announced in any squad so far.

And as for Sweden, well, he's out of a job with Hammarby dropping down. Looks like Vargarna may be showing an interest in him, but the team have stated they will not bankrupt themselves when signing riders. And if Nicholls is asking for too much, he might find his services are no longer required. The state of Swedish speedway is just as volatile as it is here, only the clubs that do have the money seem to have made their plans already. Nicholls has not yet been signed, but all the top riders have been snapped up already.

Whatever he decides to do is up to him, but I do think he (or any rider) should show some allegiance to his home country over others. Are there any other top line riders who don't compete in their home league, Richardson aside?

[Deleted]

Nov 4, 2008 11:59:07 GMT @schumi said:

Whatever he decides to do is up to him, but I do think he (or any rider) should show some allegiance to his home country over others. Are there any other top line riders who don't compete in their home league, Richardson aside?

Cant agree with you Schumi, i dont think Scott has any more of an obligation to the British league than any overseas rider, the BSPA dont seem to actively promote the use of Britions, as proved by the current league champions having no brits in their side, so why should Nicholls feel its down to him to show allegiance. However considering how much of a struggle the GP's are for Scott, and factoring in his poor scores in other leagues, it could be a huge mistake for him to not ride in the Elite, where he performs so well.
I wonder if his comments are more to do with his displeasure at being forced out of Coventry, maybe even Crump's decision is partly down to him being forced out of a championship winning team, and expected to lead a poor team. Its very easy for us to overlook what a major pain in the arse all the constant 'moving around' must be.

[schumi]

Nov 4, 2008 12:47:48 GMT @hatcham said:

Cant agree with you Schumi, i dont think Scott has any more of an obligation to the British league than any overseas rider, the BSPA dont seem to actively promote the use of Britions, as proved by the current league champions having no brits in their side, so why should Nicholls feel its down to him to show allegiance.

That's fair enough - it's what debate's about, after all.
However, Scott's situation is different to Lee Richardson's in that Lee has already secured his place in Sweden and Russia. Not too sure about Poland, but I'd think Czestochowa will be wanting him back - he was a very good rider for them last year, and they missed him in the play-offs.

Scott, however, is yet to sign anywhere (well, not too sure about Russia, but certainly not Sweden, Poland or the UK). All I'm saying is he could very well find himself in a situation where he's not offered a place in ANY of the leagues. You're probably right in that he was aggrieved by being dropped by Coventry, and I can't say I blame him, but his whole demeanour this year hasn't been that of a happy rider, and his average reflects that in all of his leagues.

Maybe I'm wrong, but I don't think he should be burning any bridges. Us speedway fans are a fickle bunch, and if he says he's going to drop the UK he might well find there's no way back in for him if he wants it in the future.

[Deleted]

Nov 4, 2008 13:00:48 GMT @schumi said:

Nov 4, 2008 12:47:48 GMT @hatcham said:

Maybe I'm wrong, but I don't think he should be burning any bridges. Us speedway fans are a fickle bunch, and if he says he's going to drop the UK he might well find there's no way back in for him if he wants it in the future.

I would be surprised if Scott's comments are any more than a veiled threat Schumi, but if he did choose to give the Elite a miss, you may well be right about him struggling to get back in, and If Nicholls Crump Andersen and Jonsson were all to depart it would surely impact on other top riders like Adams.

[admin]

Having read the article in the Speedway Star the global superstar makes a point of not knowing what will emerge from the BSPA AGM breeds uncertainty and this talk of perhaps ditching the Elite League seems partly pre-emptive. Last season the massive points limit reduction in the Elite League and Coventry's subsequent team building decisions nearly saw the global superstar sitting on the sidelines. He doesn't want to be facing that again.
Who knows what will emerge when the drinking is done at the BSPA AGM? Toogood is already talking of "drastic action" to secure the present and future of the sport. It is possible - unlikely, perhaps, but possible - that Grand Prix riders will be eliminated from the Elite League. And if that happens and his begging is successful where would that leave the global superstar regarding British speedway?
But our beloved First Lady makes a very valid point. The global superstar's position in Poland and Sweden is far from secure.
His Polish club were relegated and face an uncertain future, while his Swedish club has filed for bankruptcy. It is becoming clear that the Polish clubs want to avoid a financial meltdown and are looking to rein in costs, with Atlas Wroclaw already stating that the global superstar is demanding too much (the figure quoted is around 1.5m zloty). For all his elevated status among British fans, the global superstar has never really performed well in Poland.
And with Swedish speedway seemingly in the midst of a cash crisis, will he be able to find a club willing to take on a rider who has hitherto never performed that well?

[Deleted]

It has been confirmed that Scotty is in the GPs next year.
At the Eastie do he said that he is going to give the GPs one more go next year and if he does not do any better and become a challenger for the title he may not do it again.

[Deleted]

Don't know why he's bothering next season then, lets face it, he ain't going to be a challenger in 2009 let along 2010.

[Deleted]

Nov 9, 2008 9:54:00 GMT @stevec said:

It has been confirmed that Scotty is in the GPs next year.
At the Eastie do he said that he is going to give the GPs one more go next year and if he does not do any better and become a challenger for the title he may not do it again.

Think Nicholls might find himself blowing out completely if he is not careful.If he decides to give EL a miss through choice his chances of getting a team place in Europe isnt great,his team in Sweden is broke and his team in Poland has been relegated.

[Deleted]

He's pricing himself out of the Polish and Swedish markets anyways. So he'll be back looking here.

[admin]

Nov 10, 2008 9:23:33 GMT @harry said:

He's pricing himself out of the Polish and Swedish markets anyways. So he'll be back looking here.

That's probably because continual charity entry to the GPs has left him thinking he's a whole lot better than he actually is. His average was poor in Sweden, dismal in Poland and dropped in the UK, in spite of the Elite League being demonstrably weaker in 2008.
He seems to be demanding compensation commensurate with a top class rider and that's something he isn't.