British Speedway - A Race to the Play-Offs - NDL Edition

Our final installment of predictions for the remainder of 2023 sees us dip our toes into the National Development League, which happens to have no further fixtures planned for August, so September becomes a pivotal month in the race for top 2.

The first planned fixture will see the current table toppers Oxford Chargers take on Kent Royals. Oxford are in a rich vein of form at the moment, unbeaten at home this season, and it's difficult to currently pick any holes in their 1-7. Kent have shown real improvements, but their away form is still their Achilles Heel, and it's difficult to imagine them getting anything from Oxford.

Next up is a very intriguing clash in the race for top 2, as Belle Vue Colts, fresh from a home and away double against Workington, take on Leicester Lion Cubs. Belle Vue are another side who are very strong at home, only failing to hit 50 points once - funnily enough last time out against Workington. They have Smith, Pearson, Hagon, Hodder and Marson in a more than competitive top 5, and they'll need to be on the top of their game against a strong Lion Cubs side. I think Belle Vue will take the victory on the evening, but Leicester will be looking at Joe Thompson, Boughen, and most probably a guest for the injured Dan Thompson to see them over the line for the BP, which they currently lead by 12. I think Leicester will do it.

Leicester Lion Cubs then return to action at home to Workington, where they are usually so dominant. Workington have been beset by injuries and lack of form this season, so I see Leicester taking this comfortably, knowing a top 2 position could be on the line. They are down by 11 on aggregate, but again, only once this season have they been restricted to less than 51 at home. 

Kent will take on Edinburgh Academy, and at this stage of the season, it's more about pride than success, but it will mean a lot to these riders.  Morley and Ablitt have formed a strong top end partnership, and particularly at home, Tom Woolley has been more than able in backing up. They have been massively impacted by injuries to Kingston and Naylor, but given the right guest option, I think they can overcome Edinburgh.  Edinburgh themselves have injury concerns, with Roynon and Spooner still sitting on the side-lines, and appear to have a long tail away from home. I fancy Kent to take the 2 points, but Edinburgh to pick up the BP, which they lead by 15.

Mildenhall will also ride Workington, and they have now lost the services of Josh Warren for the remainder of the season, Sam Woolley checking into the void. Led by Bowtell and Complin, they have more than enough available in the top 5 to see off a Workington side, picking up all 3 points in the progress after their victory at Workington.

Edinburgh return to home ways to take on Mildenhall in a clash that could go either way. Wood and Simpson will be more suited to Armadale, and a crucial battle could be between Parker, Richardson and Woolley at reserve for each side. There will be some interesting battles between Bowtell, Complin, Hook and Clegg, that's for sure. I fancy Edinburgh to nick this, but the BP is hanging in the balance with Mildenhall leading by 7. I'm just going to shade Edinburgh for this, purely because of Simpson at reserve.

It's sure to be an emotional time for the Berwick Bullets as they come to the tapes for the last time in 2023, and we do not know when the Bullets will return having already declared they won't be back in 2024. They come up against  what will be an in-form Belle Vue, who should be coming here off the back of 5 victories. I'm sure everybody would love Berwick to say goodbye with a win, but with the form and injuries that have decimated their season, even traditionally poor travellers Belle Vue should come away with a win and the bonus point.

The last scheduled fixture left will be Oxford vs Edinburgh, and from reading previous comments above, I cannot see this going any other way than a home win. Oxford already hold a 25 point lead on aggregate, and this should be a formality for them.

There are just 3 fixtures left to be scheduled, one of those being Workington in their final league fixture of a comeback year, as they will take on Kent. It's been a tough season for Workington, but I see them finishing with a bang and a home victory. It's a stark difference to the track at Kent, and given the problems both teams have encountered with injuries, I can see Workington pulling this off. Can they take the bonus point? 10 points down, I think its a tough task, but 3 home wins by more than 10 give me confidence in them.

The final 2 fixtures both see Leicester Lion Cubs at home, so lets start with potentially what should be the easier of the 2. A clash with last year's finalists, Mildenhall. Having already won at West Row earlier in the season, I sense the Cubs will keep the pressure on and win comfortably at home.  

The final clash, a home fixture which was curtailed last week due to the rain, with the Lion Cubs leading 17-13 against the Oxford Chargers. Leicester know this will be tough and have to maintain the same aggression they did that evening. Expect them to be fired up, and take the victory of the hard charging Chargers.  Oxford lead by 11, and I think they will hold onto the bonus point, giving us a predicted final table as below:

1. Oxford 28

2. Leicester 28

3. Belle Vue 24

4. Mildenhall 19

5. Edinburgh 16

6. Workington 12

7. Kent 11

8. Berwick 2

Oxford will shade the top position on points difference but its sure to be 2 hotly contested legs for the Grand Final, and meetings surely not to be missed. It's a really tough one to call, but I'm going to back 2 home wins, with Leicester to just nick it on aggregate. Maybe Ashton Boughen could be the difference riding at his Championship club in the NDL?

Whatever happens, it's been another fantastic edition of the National Development League, and hopefully one which will go from strength to strength in 2024.

For now, have fun at the speedway, and of course any feedback, get in touch.

Nathan

British Speedway - A Race to the Play-Offs - Championship Edition

Well, off the back of my Premiership edition of the play off race, it's time for me to pen my thoughts on an exciting conclusion to the Championship season.

We already know the first 5 teams to make it to the Play-Offs: Poole, Oxford, Glasgow, Redcar and Scunthorpe. Now it's all about who will pick up that final 6th place, and also who will finish top and earn the right to choose their 2 teams in a new, reshaped play-off picture.

The next fixture coincides with our next meeting of the week as Plymouth take on Edinburgh, a contest between 2 sides who have been ravaged by injuries this season. Plymouth, without Dan Thompson, Dan Gilkes and Ben Barker, take on Edinburgh, missing Lasse Fredriksen, in a crucial fixture. James Pearson has been a vital signing at reserve for Plymouth, but with Kyle Howarth withdrawing from the Sheffield fixture this evening, this fixture now looks much tougher than it should be. Even with home track knowledge, I see Edinburgh edging this, and taking the 2 points.

Poole Pirates take on Birmingham on Wednesday, and with the greatest respect to Birmingham, I see nothing more than a comfortable home victory and 3 points for Poole. 

We then have to wait until the following Tuesday evening to see Plymouth back in action, taking on Berwick - another fixture between injury ravaged sides. This time, I believe Plymouth can pull a result, a back-to-fitness Kyle Howarth plus the right guests will see them pick up a couple of points.

Oxford take on Scunthorpe the following evening, and its hard to see anybody taking points from Oxford at home, such is the dominance they have shown. With the aggregate points evenly balanced at 45-45, I see Oxford taking the full 3 from this.

Birmingham versus Plymouth next, and I see Birmingham having the capabilities to ride well at home. Just Sedgmen, Troy Batchelor and particularly Alfie Bowtell can salvage this for Brum, and with a top guest in for Nick Morris, I can see them cruising to 3 points after their victory at Plymouth.

Friday 8th September looks a busy evening, starting with Edinburgh against Plymouth. I see Edinburgh picking up a vital 3 points in the race for 6th, off the back of their predicted victory at Plymouth this coming week.

Glasgow also ride Oxford, and this is pivotal in the race for top spot, and I sense Glasgow will be too strong, even for Oxford, at home. Oxford do hold an important 14 point lead in the race for the BP, and I fancy Oxford to still pick this up. 

The evening will finish with Scunthorpe against Berwick, and this will be one way traffic, based on the terrific home advantage Scunthorpe have built for themselves. The full 3 points will be taken here.

Berwick will then take on Plymouth at the tail end of the week, and this is hard to call. Most probably at this point, the 2 teams will have nothing to play for and injuries will be taking their toll on the side. I fancy the Berwick riders giving their fans something to cheer about, they will take the victory on the night and the extra point for the BP.

Of the final scheduled fixtures, as it stands, Redcar take on Glasgow, and with the form showing by the Redcar lads, in particular Erik Riss, I see Redcar taking this, but Glasgow to take the vital BP in a close contest.

This will then leave the 2 fixtures postponed from Friday evening just gone, as Edinburgh look to host a double header against Poole and Birmingham. For me, Poole win easily, taking the 3 points. As for the other fixture, this is much tighter, but I sense Edinburgh will nick this at home, easily taking the BP after their big win at Birmingham.

So, where does this leave us? This is my predicted table below:

1. Poole 35

2. Oxford 34

3. Glasgow 29

4. Redcar 25

5. Scunthorpe 23

6. Edinburgh 15

7. Birmingham 10

8. Berwick 7

9. Plymouth 4

For me, Poole will take the obvious options, and select teams where they will be more successful. They will have won at Scunthorpe and Edinburgh and thus will pick these. This leaves possibly a group of death involving Oxford, Glasgow and Redcar, and what a group this promises to be.

I can see a final between the top 2 in the league of Poole and Oxford, and I am certain this will prove to be 2 fantastic fixtures to end the season.

As always, I'm sure opinions will be totally different and I would love to hear your feedback and thoughts. But there's no doubt that the Championship Play-Offs - and the way they are constructed - are sure to be a great end to the season.

For now, enjoy the read, and the NDL predictions will be coming very shortly.

Nathan

British Speedway - A Race to the Play-Offs - Premiership Edition

Welcome back, and tonight I've decided to put controversial topics on the back burner and look ahead to what will be an exciting climax to the Play-Offs in all 3 leagues. I plan to cover all 3 leagues throughout the coming week before I make my trips to Oxford and Cardiff.

I will start in the Premiership, and I make no excuses for starting with my beloved King's Lynn and their performance at home to current Champions and table toppers, Belle Vue. This was our Cup Final in essence, a night to be remembered for a long time. The local hero returned, promising to put smiles on the faces of fans and by God that is what he did. 

A scintillating display which included Robert Lambert stalking and passing Dan Bewley in Heat 6, followed by a winning Heat 15 ride. Stone last out of the start, he blasted round Bewley, followed up by diving under Brady Kurtz to take the win for both himself and King's Lynn. You wouldn't believe we were bottom of the league, but instead fighting for the Play-Offs, but this is what happens when you have been deprived of that winning feeling for the majority of the season. You cannot forget the influence and performances of Simon Lambert and Anders Rowe though. Both scoring 13+1 from 7 rides each was a major catalyst for this victory.

But anyway, back to the Premiership Play-Off race, and a quick look at the 12 remaining fixtures - 6 of which will hopefully be finished before the end of August. Here is a link to help you on your way: https://britishspeedway.co.uk/2023-premiership-table-fixtures-results/  

We begin at Leicester this evening with a massive fixture against Sheffield. Leicester appear to be in freefall at the moment after a winning streak of 8 matches earlier in the season. Sheffield won't be happy after losing both match and bonus point at Peterborough last time, and with Woffinden, Douglas and former Lion Kyle Howarth leading the charge, I fancy Sheffield to take all 3 points.

Bank Holiday Monday sees an early start at Belle Vue as they take on Leicester. Belle Vue off the back of defeat at King's Lynn, and Leicester packed full of ex-Belle Vue riders, I see a Belle Vue win, but Leicester to sneak a BP, already leading by 14. 

Wolverhampton host Sheffield, and I sense the home team will be looking to improve on recent home performances, where they have appeared to struggle. With this being the first leg of the B fixture, I'm going home win.

King's Lynn travel to Leicester, buoyed by their first victory since June. However injuries will play a big part, and with a lack of replacements for what appears 3 riders, Leicester will be dominant and take all 3 points.

Thursday's racing sees King's Lynn on their travels again, this time to Sheffield, but with a wider range of guests to choose from. I don't think this will change much, and just like all season, Sheffield will put in a dominant performance to take all 3 points. 

At the same time, Peterborough will be hosting Wolves and this will be much tighter. Peterborough hit top form against Sheffield and look a far better outfit than the team who lost by 22 only 4 weeks ago. I'm putting my neck on the line, and Peterborough take the win and the 3 points, leaving Wolves empty-handed.

Monday 4th September also sees a full schedule, and hopefully not many Cardiff hangovers, as the race for the top 4 really hots up. Wolverhampton face Leicester, and again, another fascinating and crucial meeting for both teams. Wolves took the win at Leicester, and I don't see much difference here, with Wolves hitting some form at the right time to take the points. 

Peterborough against Sheffield again after the 53-37 home win previously, and Peterborough could be coming into this meeting after 2 wins on the bounce. With Tarasenko and Wojdylo at reserve, I see another Peterborough win. Sheffield only lead by 6, and although I think they keep it tighter, I still believe Peterborough will take all 3 points.

Finally, King's Lynn take on Ipswich in a local derby. King's Lynn may have their tails up looking for a final home victory of the season, but again, I sense injuries and lack of suitable guests will play their part here.  Sayfutdinov, Doyle, King and Riss will all go well round Lynn, and I have them to win and take all 3 points.

The last meaningful fixtures will take place on Thursday 7th September, and they are big fixtures again. Peterborough will take on Leicester, a grudge match for many reasons. Peterborough could be flying by this point, and I take them to win the meeting, but the BP is far out of reach and Leicester will take this crucial point.  

The final fixture will be Sheffield versus Wolves. Sheffield will win this comfortably in my opinion. The bonus point, I think, will also go the way of Sheffield, but very narrowly.

So where does this leave us in the race for the top 4? I have the following;

1. Belle Vue 43

2. Sheffield 38

3. Wolves 38

4. Leicester 34

5. Ipswich 34

Look how tight it could be!! I have Sheffield to pip Wolves by points difference to take 2nd. Ipswich will succumb to the same fate and just miss out on the Play-Offs, and in my opinion, deprive us of the best top 2 partnership of the league in the Play-Offs.

I'm ready to be shot down but its looking like Belle Vue vs Leicester and Sheffield vs Wolves in the Semi Finals, and maybe a repeat of the 2022 final. We shall know for certain in the next 2 weeks, but its looking like a tremendous climax to the 2023 season.

Please leave me your feedback, I hope you enjoy the read. And remember - enjoy your speedway wherever you may be, and keep attending your local track as your support is vital to these clubs.  

Finally, if you see a middle-aged man with a topknot at Oxford or Cardiff, come and say hello! I love meeting new people and talking speedway.

Nathan

 

The Future of the British Final - What can we do?

Its been another action packed week in the world of British Speedway and I don't think we can ignore the events surrounding the British Final at the National Speedway Stadium in Manchester this past week.

Firstly, congratulations to Dan Bewley who claimed back to back wins in the competition, and a ride of true scintillating Dan fashion off bends 1 and 2 to decide the winner very early in the race.  Steve Worrall, who now claims the number 16 race jacket for the Grand Prix at Cardiff, what an experience it will be for Steve to take his place alongside riders like Bartosz Zmarzlik, Martin Vaculik and Leon Madsen.  Ben Barker, probably never fancied for a podium position, but took full advantage of tricky track conditions, conditions which he really revelled in.

And well done to the rest of the field who got on with racing, against the odds on a track which had took some heavy rainfall just prior to commencement, and got on with the task ahead.  It probably wasn't the best spectacle in the world, but full credit to everybody involved in the meeting.  You won't see many sports where the Meeting Steward will roll his sleeves up, broom in hand, and help prepare the track for racing.  Full credit to Phil Morris.

But we cannot ignore the lead up to the meeting, the riders pulling out, forcing competitors to take late notice bookings to ride in the meeting.  We shall come to Richie Worrall soon, suddenly becoming everybody's favourite rider for his outspoken views, but lets just focus on the others.  Lewis Kerr pulled out injured late on, having just come back from a broken collarbone, I messaged Lewi in the morning to wish him good luck.  He informed me that he had aggravated his collarbone lifting his bikes into his van for the meeting.  Lewi is a proud man, and has probably come back much earlier than some expected, and wouldn't take this decision lightly.  He has a full schedule still ahead of him with Sheffield and Oxford, and needs to protect the long term as much as the short term.  He won't have made this decision on a whim, he wants to be British Champion as much as the next man.

Rory Schlein had a nasty spill at Berwick on Saturday evening, forcing him to miss the rerun of heat 15 with a twisted knee.  Rory has been riding with numerous niggles this season, and again, would only pull out as a last resort.  Craig Cook, also pulling out through injury, loves riding Belle Vue.  Only a year ago, he took the bronze medal and I'm sure would have loved another stab at being the Cardiff wildcard.

What can we say about Richie Worrall?  Love him or hate him, and I truly love him, spoke his mind live on BSN cameras on the streamed meeting between Glasgow and Plymouth.  The first astonishing comment was that he was never asked to do the British Final?  Should a rider be asked?  This should be the centrepiece for any British rider and an honour.  It does beg the question though that, are riders like Tai Woffinden and Robert Lambert asked, or just assumed they won't ride?  But why would Richie say no, he must have strong feelings to pull out of such an event.  He coined the phrase, "the British lightweight final"  He didn't agree with it, even down to the draw itself.  Personally, in my opinion, they should draw from 1-16, and pull named riders from a bag.  For example, the first name out of the bag goes at number 1, 2nd ball at number 2 etc.  It does feel like riders further down the alphabetical list are being penalised for beginning with a W.

He went on to say, to be World Champion you have to win 10 rounds.  Fair point.  Now, I don't think anybody is suggesting we have a 10 round British series, but should we follow suit with Poland and have a 3 round series?  It not quite as laughable as you think.  He stands with Scott, Nicholls I presume, and mentions other riders who have questioned the identity of the British Final.  He talks about a product, and that is exactly what it is.  Products need to change over time to keep it more appealing to the audience.  Opal Fruits became Starburst, Marathons became Snickers, why can't a British Final become a multi round series?

The sport needs to generate a revenue, as he points out, otherwise what is the point?  I applaud Richie for standing up to authority, if he doesn't do it, then who does?  The riders need to drive change, otherwise nobody will.

I have pointed all this out, but I am a classic fence sitter.  So much so, I will be picking splinters out of my derriere for months to come.  But I am open to change, and actually thinking about it, why wouldn't this be more exciting?

So much so, I am also willing to attempt to drive change.  I am in the midst of a proposal which I will be sending to the powers that be.  I have obtained documents, and basic research, to support my argument.  I'm not saying my proposal is the "way forward" nor do I expect it to be approved or even fully considered but I am not a fan who sits on social media moaning about anything and everything, without putting my neck on the line trying to achieve a better future.  As fans, speedway is in our blood, and we want a perfect future, but 1 man's perfect future isn't the same as another.  Its called an opinion, we can all have one.  But why, as fans, can we not attempt change, it's what I'm attempting to do.  If some of it comes off, fantastic, but if nothing comes of it, at least I've tried and I can hold my head high.

But thank you Richie, you can hold your head high, as a mainstay figure of the sport attempting to force change, kudos Richie, kudos.

As always, I would love to have some feedback, positive or negative, I take it all on board, and try to improve myself.  I hoped you enjoyed the latest episode with Chris Morton.  Some early technical difficulties but what a man Chris is, a living legend in British Speedway.  Check out the pinned posts on our Facebook page to donate to charity for Mort's Mighty Mission in aid of the Speedway Riders Benevolent Fund, a cause myself, Rob and Cain support whole heartedly ourselves and a fantastic charity.

Finally, best wishes for a speedy recovery to our Friend of the Show Nicolai Klindt who had a terrible crash in Poland this weekend.  He's been in fantastic form and certainly didn't deserve his season to end in this way.  We look forward to seeing you back in 2024 Alan!

For now, enjoy your speedway, wherever you go, and remember to support your local club, they need you.  Hopefully back next week as long as Richie Worrall keeps entertaining us.

Nathan

"Victim of the Numbers Game." What does it mean?

Another interesting week in British Speedway, and a topic of debate has come about, purely through my own inquisitiveness, but partly because a phrase which is thrown around like confetti seems to appear with alarming regularity.

This week, Chris Harris was sensationally released by Leicester Lions, a national treasure, the epitome of British Speedway, and a rider who has given such fantastic service for 25 years, let go due to being "a victim of the numbers game."  

This has been going on for a number of years, and some examples of this have been easily accessed, Jason Edwards, Mads Korneliussen, Todd Kurtz, Dan Thompson, Kyle Bickley have all fell victim, and in most cases, their success has been their downfall.  How can we have a sport where a rider being so successful causes them to become a victim?

Who can forget Ellis Perks at Rye House in 2017? Performing above and beyond anybody's expectations, 1.5-2 points on top of his average, and how is this dealt with, a sacking!!! A victim of the numbers game!! How can this be right?

Back to Chris, and as detailed today in his release, where he vowed to speak out after serving the sport in this country so proudly, for so long, that he could no longer keep quiet, and was on the brink of jacking it all in.  How can this be?  He never wanted to leave Leicester, but became a victim of this system that has effected so many riders in the past, and now it seems, even those elite riders are not prone to the system.

I must play devil's advocate, and remember this is still a business as well as a sport.  Stewart Dickson has to make decisions which will help the team in the long run.  A spell in the play-offs is an obvious money earner with the tv rights, and the big crowds that come with it.  The situation with Nick Morris, plus the signing of Troy Batchelor had forced his arm.  A 1-1 change was off the table, and a 2-2 change comes with the obvious "numbers game" patter.  But has this improved Leicester greatly?  A lot would argue no, but I blame Nick Morris for this, simple.

I hate this.  I hate this with a passion.  A sport dictated by numbers.  A sport that penalises riders for being too good.  Erling Haaland would never be dropped from Manchester City because he is too good, Michael Jordan was never released from Chicago Bulls for improving, and Roger Federer never banned from a tournament for beating everybody.  The system is completely floored, and to a point, we, or even I, don't have a simple answer to resolve this.

Should we follow the squad systems, where the successful stay successful, and the weak are always fighting at the bottom, those with money win, and those without struggle season on season.  I don't know.  There will be opinions up and down the country, and I would love to hear those opinions, lets formulate this into some form of proposal where we can fight for those with 5.00-7.00 averages because its these guys who are in danger.

Dan Thompson, one of the brightest prospects arguably in British Speedway, couldn't even get a Championship spot this season upon commencement, and why?  Because his average didn't fit.  What a farce, a joke!! A victim of his own success.  Thankfully he is now signed up in all leagues, although as I write this, he has crashed at Ipswich this evening and has a dislocated shoulder, so we send him our best wishes for a speedway recovery.  What an eventful season he has had, through no fault of his own.

I move on, but would love to hear thoughts on averages, are they the best format?  What can we change it to?  Get in touch and we may talk on the show about this matter.  Its reaching a climax in speedway that needs addressing soon, we can carry on with victims.

For now, enjoy your speedway this week, wherever you may be, and remember, support your local club, they need you!!!!

Regards

Nathan

Are the fans killing off British Speedway?

It's been a while since I last penned my views on current affairs in British Speedway, but I have felt compelled over the past few weeks to pick up the laptop again, and string a few sentences together, and bring my views and opinions to a wider audience.

Round the Boards goes from strength to strength, and along with the support of Rob and Cain, we are always looking to improve, ways of making the product much better, and attracting a wider audience.  A bit like speedway, or speedway riders, we make mistakes along the way, but as long as we learn from these mistakes, we will become a better version of ourselves tomorrow, than we are today.

This is part of the reason I write today, and the comparison above, is kind of a point I am trying to make.  Speedway riders make mistakes, nobody is perfect.  Indeed this week, I hear Richie Worrall in an interview reveal the reason for his poor performance at Peterborough was down to a genuine mistake.  When they changed his back wheel, probably to turn the edge round, the wrong sprocket was refitted, something which was not picked up until after completion of the meeting.  He openly admitted this, but all the same, a mistake that could happen in any walk of life, in any job.

This takes me on to the recent World Cup in Poland, and my titled question, are the fans killing off British Speedway?  Now, I am fully aware that this could alienate, and even cause utter outrage amongst speedway fans, so why would I do it?  The reason, I need to express my opinion, and as we know, everybody has an opinion, and generally, nobody is either right or wrong.

Great Britain make it to the World Cup Final with a fantastic display against Sweden, Czech Republic and Germany, led superbly by the 3 GP riders, Tai Woffinden, Dan Bewley and Robert Lambert.  Tom Brennan gets a 2nd place in his only ride, and showed a glimpse of what might be to come in the future.  Then, there is Adam Ellis, and I very much hope he didn't go to sleep reading anything on Social Media after Tuesday evening.  "He's not good enough", "Why is he even there", "He'll never be good enough", these are all phrases I found during the meeting, and shortly afterwards.

Dare we forget, we have just made it to a World Cup Final, and yet "fans" can't take in the moment and enjoy our success.  We have to point fingers at individuals, pick holes in displays, and essentially hide behind a keyboard to personally attack riders, for whom have performed admirably in reaching the final, and deserve recognition for being part of this team, a team to be proud of.

Fast forward to the final, and we take Poland to the very last lap, in their own back yard, a display of sheer determination, and skill, to pick up the Silver Medal, a display which should make any GB fan proud of the achievements.  But, no.  Instead, its a finger pointing exercise, and somebody has to be to blame.  Step forward Tai Woffinden.  The abuse Tai has received since that final, is severely damaging, and makes you wonder why he would return to these shores to ride.  But he has returned, and why?  Because he is a proud man, proud to captain his country, proud to be a British Champion, and proud to be a 3 x World Champion.  So why can't we be proud of him?  Lest we forget, this was a world class field on show Saturday.  Poland had 3 GP superstars, including the current World Champion, a 4 x Polish Champion and a former Polish U21 Champion.  Australia had 3 GP superstars, plus a 2012 World Champion and a former World U21 Champion.  Denmark had 3 GP superstars, a 3 x World Champion and the current Danish Champion.  This was a top class field, and Tai may have taken the burden of responsibility for this but nobody was to blame, he scored 7 points in a top, top meeting, and thus helped GB to the Silver Medal.

Riders are by no means immune to criticism, but how many "fans" would speak to a rider face to face like they do behind a laptop, phone, tablet etc.  I would hazard a guess at none.

So, we move back to British Speedway, and there are so many points I could pick out, where fans feel the need to pick holes, far beyond opinions. The SCB, BSPL and promotions across the country come under heavy artillery fire from fans on a daily basis.  The weather, as it is at the moment, is one of huge debate.  Why have they called it off so early?  Why have they called it off so late?  And then there is the favourite of fans commenting on the weather which is only damaging to clubs, as you feed enough people, and all of a sudden, they don't want to risk it, because all of a sudden the average speedway fan has become Michael Fish.  And for some of us, we all know what happened to him.

I could really go on with so many examples of how "fans" are damaging this sport, but I'm not sure that some see beyond what they are doing too damage the sport.  Round the Boards has always been an escape for me, an adventure where we are both serious and light hearted at the same time.  We are here to promote a sport that we all care deeply about, and we want others to be the same.

All I can say to these speedway fans is, think before you write.  I have thought long and hard before writing this piece tonight, will it damage the sport?  No it wont?  But the fans are damaging the sport with their negative behaviour.  If you have criticism, make it constructive.  Nobody will stop you from helping if you can, and nobody will do it if you don't, so why not try and help with ideas.  If you think speedway is that bad, either walk away or step up.

Thank you for taking the time to read this, and I'm sure there will be divided opinions, but I am always happy to put my head on a parapet, and we appreciate all comments and feedback.

For now, enjoy your speedway, support your local team, and make memories.

Nathan