Post by Deleted on Oct 2, 2009 18:30:07 GMT
Top talk with Mick Bratley Oct 1 2009
Apparently, I am told, this is the first season in our history where we have not had a postponed meeting during the league campaign because of rain. So this is something of a record-breaking season! We have a club chaplain and I have used him regularly for good weather, a fact that he has reminded me of nearly every time I see him. It would be good to complete the set with two home inaugural Midland League matches against Coventry and Wolverhampton. This Midland League competition is something of a trial and if successfully attended it could be part of a regular-season schedule although not necessarily in seven man round robin format. I personally would like to see some variety, as I am sure you would, and perhaps a 4TT including another team could be organised for 2010.
Welcome then this evening to the management, riders and supporters of the Coventry Bees. Always welcome visitors to the showground and probably still smarting a little following their Elite League play-off defeat by Swindon & I hope somewhat their Midland League home reversal to the Panthers in early September
Although it has been good to have no round of meetings here at the showground, that in itself has brought us some problems in so much as it has been awful long time since we have held a meeting here. It is almost like we are starting another full campaign. Much has been said in the press recently about a Super Elite League or blueprint for the future and unfortunately I think that's all that will happen, much been said about it. Bob Dugard has said recently that the GPs have killed his business. Well, yes he's right but no one put a gun to his head and told him he had to hold his meetings on Saturday, but, in his defence, that is the night his supporters want to see racing, much in the same way as ours prefer Friday but the GP and many other FIM events held at weekends have made this nigh on impossible for the elite league.
The super league would no doubt involve running on Saturdays when there are no GPs and that unfortunately won't be of any use to clubs such as us who have also availability issues at the weekend. The East of England Showground is a very busy venue these days, so what is the answer? I've always thought that Wednesday and Thursday should be fixed nights for Elite League racing with only an A fixture and their teambuilding limit of 45 to bring the top guys back to British Speedway. Monday night sky televised meetings would still be in operation. Yes that would probably be good for us but I'm not sure other tracks would have the availability of their venue. Additionally, some tracks have agreements in place with their landlords to undertake a minimum number of fixtures and this format would leave then a number of fillers to organise if they were not successful. What is the solution then? I'll hold my hand up, I don't know and I suspect nor does anyone else, which is, I believe, the single most worrying thing for our sport as we head to wards the next decade.
Enjoy the meeting
(virtually word for word)
Apparently, I am told, this is the first season in our history where we have not had a postponed meeting during the league campaign because of rain. So this is something of a record-breaking season! We have a club chaplain and I have used him regularly for good weather, a fact that he has reminded me of nearly every time I see him. It would be good to complete the set with two home inaugural Midland League matches against Coventry and Wolverhampton. This Midland League competition is something of a trial and if successfully attended it could be part of a regular-season schedule although not necessarily in seven man round robin format. I personally would like to see some variety, as I am sure you would, and perhaps a 4TT including another team could be organised for 2010.
Welcome then this evening to the management, riders and supporters of the Coventry Bees. Always welcome visitors to the showground and probably still smarting a little following their Elite League play-off defeat by Swindon & I hope somewhat their Midland League home reversal to the Panthers in early September
Although it has been good to have no round of meetings here at the showground, that in itself has brought us some problems in so much as it has been awful long time since we have held a meeting here. It is almost like we are starting another full campaign. Much has been said in the press recently about a Super Elite League or blueprint for the future and unfortunately I think that's all that will happen, much been said about it. Bob Dugard has said recently that the GPs have killed his business. Well, yes he's right but no one put a gun to his head and told him he had to hold his meetings on Saturday, but, in his defence, that is the night his supporters want to see racing, much in the same way as ours prefer Friday but the GP and many other FIM events held at weekends have made this nigh on impossible for the elite league.
The super league would no doubt involve running on Saturdays when there are no GPs and that unfortunately won't be of any use to clubs such as us who have also availability issues at the weekend. The East of England Showground is a very busy venue these days, so what is the answer? I've always thought that Wednesday and Thursday should be fixed nights for Elite League racing with only an A fixture and their teambuilding limit of 45 to bring the top guys back to British Speedway. Monday night sky televised meetings would still be in operation. Yes that would probably be good for us but I'm not sure other tracks would have the availability of their venue. Additionally, some tracks have agreements in place with their landlords to undertake a minimum number of fixtures and this format would leave then a number of fillers to organise if they were not successful. What is the solution then? I'll hold my hand up, I don't know and I suspect nor does anyone else, which is, I believe, the single most worrying thing for our sport as we head to wards the next decade.
Enjoy the meeting
(virtually word for word)