Dudley v Isle of Wight

[Czech Hero]

Its where they started when they were in the CL, AL or NL, which ever it was named in those days, if you give the public a better product you can see why they drift away, when you drop your standards, not that I think the standard of racing is a lower standard, its still speedway.

True PP, it's still speedway to a die hard such as yourself, but where are the draws in the NL? By that I mean the bums on seats riders that tempt the casuals to part with their hard earned? Most PL teams have at least one. Poor old IOW are from having any.

[mustbemad]

The Isle of Wight population is only about 133000 and a lot of them are over 60 so I think even if they went EL they would probably still not get large crowds.  If you are a Speedway fan on the IOW you would probably go and watch whatever league they are in.  It seems they rely on good weather bringing out the holiday makers. All things considered I think they have done a mammoth job to keep going as long as they have. As a fan I would rather see a meeting like last nights than nothing at all....   

[Czech Hero]

The Isle of Wight population is only about 133000 and a lot of them are over 60 so I think even if they went EL they would probably still not get large crowds.  If you are a Speedway fan on the IOW you would probably go and watch whatever league they are in.  It seems they rely on good weather bringing out the holiday makers. All things considered I think they have done a mammoth job to keep going as long as they have. As a fan I would rather see a meeting like last nights than nothing at all....   

I know people on the Island that have supported the club both via their pockets and the turnstiles and they won't go because in their opinion the club did the dirty on them by going NL out of the blue. Obviously there are members on here that know more about the situation down there than I do, but you have to remember that to some people watching bikes go round and round isn't enough to make them part with their cash.
The 3 times we went to Smallbrook, 2004-5-6, the crowds were really quite healthy, I would say at least once as many as we get on average. Good viewing and even seating by the starting gate if you wanted it. having said that though, each time was during the main holiday weeks and they did advertise it pretty well.

[guestie8]

Thing is if they dont support it through thick and thin, it will shut down and then its unlikely it will re-open.
I would support them whatever league.

[Peter Preece]

Ditto

[spinking]

And I will agree totally with Guestie and Peter on this one, for me speedway is about 4 riders going to the tapes and racing, I can never understand people who say I am  not supporting my team if they drop down a league, I support the team not the league.

[Gerry1875]

I would support Birmingham Speedway whatever league they was in, Just like i have followed Birmingham City FC through thick and thin, When its in your blood you want whats best for your team, sometimes we don,t always get the best, and being a Blues fan i probably know that more than most, but after 41 years of dedication, and thousands of pounds spent, I aint giving up yet, the same will go for the Brummies, but one thing i will guarantee is if Birmingham Speedway or Birmingham City Football Club where to finish tomorrow i,d be done with the sport, I have no Interest in anyone else apart from the 2 mentioned teams, Only time i would consider going to watch speedway again would be if HACKNEY were to make a come back(and thats unlikely to ever happen ), reasons being its where i was introduced to speedway by my late father, even though i am bought up as a Brummie my birthplace is the East End, and i always have had a soft spot for the place...As for going to watch Coventry, Wolves , Dudley , Stoke or whoever forget it, I,d rather have lunch with Ben Barker, yes thats how much i,d rather watch another team

As for the IOW  a big shame to see the team especially reduced to the rubble we witnessed the other night, how their supporters wish they could turn back the clock and see the likes of Chris Holder again, but the fans should keep faith as once its gone its gone

[Brian Buck]

These postings raise a few interesting points. Cradley Heath supporters have turned out in force to welcome their team back - and good for them that they have done so - but would this have been the case if in 1994 the Cradley Heath Promotion had said "We have outbid Barratts and bought Dudley Wood Stadium off Pugh and the Bridgwaters but we have no cash left now, so have had to sell all our riders and will be dropping down to the Third Division?"

That's all hypothetical of course, but the chances are that a high percentage of supporters would have turned their back on the venture - not because they were disloyal but because the idea would have been put into their heads that they were going to be offered an inferior product. In the same way, Birmingham supporters didn't support the move to Bordesley Green in 1985. The primitive state of the stadium was a contributory factor I agree, but the main reason I think, was the drop down to the Second Division and the replacement of the Division One team with a collection of older riders past their best.

It is quite likely that many Isle of Wight supporters are taking the same view and deciding that they are not going to pay to watch poorer stuff. In this view they are mistaken, and I think the Dudley followers will agree that National League racing is entertaining and very watchable, but how to get that message over is the problem.

[Deano]

Interesting point you bring up about Cradley Heath Brian. When I was watching them in 94 and 95 they were at the bottom of the league and their attendances were really suffering.

[judystambouly]

TBH, this is the first time I have watched NL( following the Heathens I mean) and I have to say the standard of the matches I have seen so far have been quite good, If God forbid we ever had to drop down to NL I'd rather that than no speedway at all!!!

[Gerry1875]

, If God forbid we ever had to drop down to NL I'd rather that than no speedway at all!!!

Well said Jude, 

[Czech Hero]

TBH, this is the first time I have watched NL( following the Heathens I mean) and I have to say the standard of the matches I have seen so far have been quite good, If God forbid we ever had to drop down to NL I'd rather that than no speedway at all!!!

It's definately worth a tenner.

[spinking]

It's definately worth a tenner.

That is how much it costs at top line Polsih speedway meeting plus you get a free complimentary bag of  nuts as well, nut that were very crunchy as Airedale and Junior found out.

[barry whyte]

Spinny meetings in Poland have to be cheaper than the UK, cos ,the average wage is a lot less, hence  the reasons why there are so many Poles in the UK, cos they can earn better money doing unskilled work here than doing skilled work at home, rant over

[dingle]

Spinny meetings in Poland have to be cheaper than the UK, cos ,the average wage is a lot less, hence  the reasons why there are so many Poles in the UK, cos they can earn better money doing unskilled work here than doing skilled work at home, rant over

Must be worth it, some crowds at these meetings put our football league one attendances to shame (Spinny should know) Oh yes the West midlands have left those days far behind them, thank god