johnboy
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GATE PRICESHi all I have just been visiting the websites of the other elite league speedway clubs for 2009 and notice many clubs have all the same gate prices, I am unemployed and will find it very difficult to attend any home meetings, however I did notice that the Essex Hammers are offering a £10 admission fee for all unemployed with satisfactory proof also they have reduced rates on last year for the younger people and their concessions prices are £2 cheaper at a credit crunching £11. So why cant they do this at Eastbourne???? I would appreciate this issue being brought up with the management by one of the senior members of this website if possible because if the club done this I would attend weekly and probably many more besides.
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MrB
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Because they have a foward thinking promoter whereas we seem to have one that wants as much from the hardcore support as possible without the hassle of going out and getting new fans. This week B+H footie had a family day with adult tickets just 12 quid, last week they had an offer with coach travel to Luton and a match ticket for under 20 quid. Sadly I think you are banging your head against a brick wall with this, already this year we have seen our promoter wanting to scrap concessions altogether before backing down then introducing the pay for a seat charge! I know of many who no longer go because of the costs involved now.
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ray
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the attendances have shown it MrB , and will continue to do so . would think the number of season tickets this year will be an all time low as i know many who will now " go occassionally " and i am one of them . 
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emjay
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Likewise Ray. I go occasionally and hope to pick a meeting which will give me value for money. That is becoming more difficult. No doubt Mr BD will be moaning about the attendances before the season is very old. But the so called elite league is now a joke. Th best riders are elsewhere, and the teams seem to meet over and over again. As I have said many times, the elite and he premier should have amalgamated. This would have given more variety and hopefully better racing. Of all years, surely this was the time to do it. Sadly, i think the elite promoters labour under the delusion that they still have a superior product - yet the gates suggest otherwise. Supporters vote with their feet, while promoters keep their heads firmly in the sand. And these guys are business people???
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ray
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think we know the answer about promoters being business people emjay . business people don't indulge in fairy stories , flights of fantasy , and change what they think and want every five minutes . real business men provide what people want at a price they can afford . the product must be good as well as the service and consideration of their customers . customers should get what they want so they not only spread the word , they come back again themselves . if some of these so called promoters were in fans shoes for a change they wouldnot find things acceptable . if they cannot realise what they are doing wrong , or simply not doing what is necessary because they do not realise what is necessary , it's time they tried something else or got some one in that does know .
they work against eachother , the bspa and russell are hopelessly out of touch .these are the first things that need to be changed .
oh dear i'm having a rant again . i was a regular from the 50's saw the best of our wonderful sport , then people suddenly had many other options , speedway didnot respond and the sport nearly disappeared . please don't let that happen again
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johnboy
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Yes I agree with you rayjay on your comments, It would seem that the management can see no further than the end of their nose its a crying shame because I think speedway is a great sport and at present its about to take a real downward spiral at this so called elite league level, the fans are paying top dollar to see a lower level of speedway because most of the great riders that would make it elite are riding abroad. surely it makes sense to get ten or fifty or more people into the stadium at a reduced price than to leave them at home with their feet up and losing interest within this great sport, its bloody crazy.
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parker
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| ray wrote: | think we know the answer about promoters being business people emjay . business people don't indulge in fairy stories , flights of fantasy , and change what they think and want every five minutes . real business men provide what people want at a price they can afford . the product must be good as well as the service and consideration of their customers . customers should get what they want so they not only spread the word , they come back again themselves . if some of these so called promoters were in fans shoes for a change they wouldnot find things acceptable . if they cannot realise what they are doing wrong , or simply not doing what is necessary because they do not realise what is necessary , it's time they tried something else or got some one in that does know .
they work against eachother , the bspa and russell are hopelessly out of touch .these are the first things that need to be changed .
oh dear i'm having a rant again . i was a regular from the 50's saw the best of our wonderful sport , then people suddenly had many other options , speedway didnot respond and the sport nearly disappeared . please don't let that happen again |
Good post Ray having been a spectator through the 50's is a wonder you havent thought of bring back standardised bikes when it was down to the riders skill rather than money and expertise of an highly skilled engine tuner, when riders turned up with the bike strapped to the back of a car and a handful of spanners in a carrier bag.They were great days where did it go wrong?
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Eagle1971
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[quote="parkert Ray having been a spectator through the 50's is a wonder you havent thought of bring back standardised bikes when it was down to the riders skill rather than money and expertise of an highly skilled engine tuner, when riders turned up with the bike strapped to the back of a car and a handful of spanners in a carrier bag.They were great days where did it go wrong?[/quote]
......when the Weslake came out it all changed big time. I remember Mike Sampson, a very talented rider who averaged about six and a half, obtained himself a Weslake and then reeled off about four or five maximums in a row.
Colin Richardson had one. He was untouchable in one meeting with a maximum, switched back to his two-valve for the second half and was easily beaten in his heat not making the final.
That's when it all changed for me.
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ray
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the original JAP , mind you there was an attempt some years ago to have a standardised speedway bike . there were test runs at sheffield , but it all faded away . also remember vic duggan's bike , named " the duck ". weird high handlebars , but mainly the asset was the bike was so light . parts of the frame had holes drilled out , kinda honeycombe , and a new lightweight alloy was used on other parts . but then the ESO and all kinds of other stuff , neil street with the first 4 valve machine which became standard on all makes of bikes . funny remembering that , can't remember what i had for breakfast today , or even if i had any 
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sussex bulldog
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We appear to have strayed off topic again. Now I don't mind but we shall have complaints again  
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Kevin54
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Interesting to see that Wolves, according to the Speedway Star, are introducing a concessionary rate for anyone who is unemployed, presumably on production of proof.
Are our promotion doing anything to help?
No, they are going to charge £1.00 extra if you want to sit down 
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samthepalaceman
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So is there any student rates as I, a 16 year old surely cannot be charged full adult price?
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sussex bulldog
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| samthepalaceman wrote: | | So is there any student rates as I, a 16 year old surely cannot be charged full adult price? |
Concessions which includes OAPs are £13.00 - rather more than the £10 offered by Wolves.
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ray
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as posted previously many of those who do not sit in the grandstand take their own chairs . this may well include some season ticket holders . should they get a reduction of £1 if they do so ? will the management decide to try and charge people taking their own chairs in --- hardly dare to after all the time this has been happening surely ?! i have bought my fishing chair and put it in the car boot . anyway with no stewards who is going to collect the entry fee into the grandstand ?!  the entry prices have been stated , so there is no entry fees available other than those
announced we must presume .   that it has come to this .
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Kevin54
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| samthepalaceman wrote: | | So is there any student rates as I, a 16 year old surely cannot be charged full adult price? |
According to DaveA on the other site, if you hold a student card you will qualify for a concession on the entrance charge, which will be £13.00.
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parker
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| ray wrote: | as posted previously many of those who do not sit in the grandstand take their own chairs . this may well include some season ticket holders . should they get a reduction of £1 if they do so ? will the management decide to try and charge people taking their own chairs in --- hardly dare to after all the time this has been happening surely ?! i have bought my fishing chair and put it in the car boot . anyway with no stewards who is going to collect the entry fee into the grandstand ?! the entry prices have been stated , so there is no entry fees available other than those
announced we must presume . that it has come to this . |
Rest assured Ray they have Stewards for the Grandstand
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ray
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well i and others just won't pay . see my posts on their credit crunch . y'now they are gonna lose money , not save it . don't need to sit there anyway , if the weather is too bad to sit outside
in my nice chair i won't go . depending on how things go i will select matches . lot of others say the same including kevin . programme takings will be down . now a matter of principal , they only want our money , have no consideration . they are not gonna get a lot of it , not now the way they are treating , or mis-treating us . why do they have to be like this , it is so uneccessary , we could all have pulled together
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sussexbulldog
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| ray wrote: | well i and others just won't pay . see my posts on their credit crunch . y'now they are gonna lose money , not save it . don't need to sit there anyway , if the weather is too bad to sit outside
in my nice chair i won't go . depending on how things go i will select matches . lot of others say the same including kevin . programme takings will be down . now a matter of principal , they only want our money , have no consideration . they are not gonna get a lot of it , not now the way they are treating , or mis-treating us . why do they have to be like this , it is so uneccessary , we could all have pulled together |
Ray I have read what you and others say.
Whilst I can see where the anger comes from it might be a choice of paying up or finding that the nearest speedway is at Lakeside.
I don't agree with the way BD goes about things but he is the one who provides the speedway in Sussex.
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ray
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that is why i am still going to give it a try . anyway i can only support eagles . if the team are ok , i will be ok , but will still select matches . not going to every poole or lakeside match . probably only see other teams once . have to see . i am going inspite of all this , but the bully boys will get from me what i decide to give . of course i want eagles to survive and give us wonderful speedway .really believe the boys are worth supporting , some have become friends . i respect and admire them , which is more than i do the so called management . well last year sanity returned eventually , just hope it does this year .
went to wimbledon for about 27 years , been here 17 .so i don't exactly give up quickly
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samthepalaceman
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| Kevin54 wrote: | | samthepalaceman wrote: | | So is there any student rates as I, a 16 year old surely cannot be charged full adult price? |
According to DaveA on the other site, if you hold a student card you will qualify for a concession on the entrance charge, which will be £13.00. |
Poo, they don't give them out at secondary school
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ray
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packing my satchel for saturday morning sam . i went to a special school , had to be sent there by a judge
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ashfordeagle
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We've been going to Eastbourne since Canterbury stopped and have been season ticket holders for the past 5 years, BUT NOT THIS ONE.
I've packed the deckchairs, downloaded the programme and will sit on the 1st/2nd bend instead of the grandstand.
I really am struggling to be motivated for the coming season, and if we do not ride very well, I can see myself missing a few meetings and if it does not improve and with a 100 mile round trip, this could be our last season at Eastbourne.
I hope I am proved wrong.
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ray
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ashfordeagle you have said what so many of us think . looking forward to seeing team ride and the management taught a lesson , but i won't hold my breath . arrogance is accompanied by ignorance . yes season tickets down , programme sales even more now we do not need them , and attendance in grandstand down , all those who meet for after meeting drinks there --- so will bar takings . they really have no idea of the anger and disappointment they are causing with the fans . attendances will be down . we will be selective of the matches we come to see . no other club is so blind and deaf to those who pay for the speedway . everyother team in the elite is doing , or at least trying to do , something to keep the club and the fans together . a lot of us are reaching the end of our tethers , which is why we have not bought season tickets this year .
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Hebbs
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Ray & Ashford Eagle I feel exactly the same. Like you I have been supporting the Eagles for many years, since 1969 for me.
I feel like we are being taken for fools when they sign people like Dryml, pretend it is a good signing, and then to top it all issue a threat to Simon Gustafson that Dryml could take his team place! Has Simon upset Bob or is he more expensive than Dryml? The cost of attending goes ever upwards and we are meant to swallow all this nonsense.
Some have said on previous threads that those who don't attend all the meetings are not true fans. If we were not Eagles through and through we would just walk away. But we care so much we hang on each year hoping things will improve.
Over the last couple of years I have picked the meetings that I attend, and the problem with this is that with all the disruption from the Grand Prix, the guest riders, and the use of rider replacement, you give it a miss more often than you go. When people start picking & choosing meetings revenue must plummet.
Sorry to go on but I feel both sad & angry with what has happened to our club and my favourite sport. 
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ray
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hebbs , we are kindred spirits , everything you say is felt and echoed by so many of us . in the past i have had critisism of not being a true supporter , so why am i and you , plus all those others still here , why do we still care so much , why do we feel the hurt and disappointment , and now frustration , why do they treat us with distain , we are their lifeblood . they are almost like lemmings . so we will see how it goes , going to some other track and supporting them is not an option . thank you for your post and support , much appreciated .   
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samthepalaceman
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At least PnP is free, maybe only time I turn up to watch Dryml ride. Pfft... paying £15 to see 6 mediocre riders and Davey (slightly above mediocre), I'd rather make a 4 hour round trip to Poole every week
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speedy dan boy
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interesting reading all the posts,surely everyone on here cant be wrong about the state of affairs leading up to the new season.Complete farce,with the way press coments are coming out,and this from a man where his company is turning over 20million odd pounds!!!with 50+ employees to look after including ex rider olly tyva(cant spell his name)!! It defies beleive that a man can run a very successsful company but comes out with press releases like he has!!
On a more positive note this mug will still support any team eastbourne put out ,i still think we can look forward to the one bright light in lewis bridger having a good season and if denis arrives i think we will be ok
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sussexbulldog
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I shall be there on Saturdays as well but not on any other days.
I shall be at P & P but unfortunately will miss Dean's testimonial and the Poole meeting so I will have to wait until 28th March for my first real fix.
I am not going to have room for a chair in my boot as I have to carry lots of client files and books. As I cannot stand for long I will reluctantly pay £1 to sit in the stands. It sounds as if I might have plenty of choice as to where I sit.
With the absence of parking stewards, I shall try and arrive early so that I can park where I can get out easily before making my 100 mile trip home after the meeting. I imagine that parking is going to be absolute chaos.
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ray
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david bring your chair on saturday if you can and i'll keep it in my boot for you . failing that the fisherman's chair i bought is very comfortable , cost £6 . i will get one for you , and keep it in my boot with mine . let me know
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sussexbulldog
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| ray wrote: | | david bring your chair on saturday if you can and i'll keep it in my boot for you . failing that the fisherman's chair i bought is very comfortable , cost £6 . i will get one for you , and keep it in my boot with mine . let me know |
Thanks Ray, that is very kind. I had plenty of room in the old Volvo but not a lot in the Astra. I dumped my old chair so if you get me one I will give you the cash when I see you.
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emjay
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Hadn't heard about the absence of parking stewards. That'll be a bit of a nightmare - always assuming there will be enough cars to cause a nightmare. So is parking free ?
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sussexbulldog
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As far as I am aware the parking charge will still be collected in the roped off lanes at the two huts.
A parking steward received an email telling him that his services were being dispensed with to save money.
The stewards were unpaid but received free admission.
It seems the other parking stewards are being retained.
[i]This post has been edited in the light of further facts[i]
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ray
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will get you the chair as promised , david .may even have it saturday . folds up really small , we can try it in your car , if you cannot fit it in i will keep it in mine for you .
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emjay
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What a disgusting way to treat volunteers - some of whom had had many seasons of service. The arrogance of some of these decisions defies belief.
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ray
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yes emjay , their ignorance and arrogance are truly amazing . there is no need for this , so much for loyalty , respect and trust . as posted already , they will only get from us what we chose to give . even those that have never felt this way before must surely notice what little concern and consideration they show us . we need them for our eagles , but they need us too , we will willingly give , but we will not be taken advantage of . what a great pity it has come to this , as for the stewards, how will this save them any real savings , will they attend now every week , but now pay , the same can be asked of the rest of us . we have sorted the problem of paying extra for a seat , and the cost of the programme , the riders will be supported and paid , but they will lose out on both of these .
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sas
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I like many others on here have been attending Eastbourne speedway for many many years but i just can't understand the real venom that is coming across on here. Ok so some of the volunteers have been told that their services are not required this year and I can understand their disappointment with this decision, but is it the standing in the car park they will miss or the free entry to the meeting?
I don't sit in the stands and can again understand that people are upset about the newly introduced charge but I am surprised that this charge wasn't brought in a long time ago in line with the stock cars where there has always been a charge.
Denis Gizatulin/Lukas Dryml - Yes there are major problems at the Home Office with the new immigration rules that are being introduced which is affecting all job visa applications from non EU countries and there is a big back log in this area. Maybe you don't like Mr Dryml but give the guy a break and wait and see what kind of performance he puts in. What if and it may be a big if, he does come good and is riding better than other team members whoever they are, you would be happy to leave out the on form rider and retain the under performer would you? I think not.
As for the Edward Kennett saga well what can you say. Maybe Mr Dugard hasn't dealt with it in the best way but I can understand his views on this. Coventry are renowned for going to arbitration in a bid to get riders at 'bargain' prices and no doubt they will again now. I don't personally believe Edward has ever had any real commitment to Eastbourne and in that case he is not really an asset except in monetary terms.
These are difficult times for all of us and unpopular decisions have to be made at times like this. I personally think all Mr Dugard is trying to do is keep speedway at Arlington. Maybe we don't agree with all his decisions but he is a successful business man afterall.
I like many others will have to choose very carefully which meetings I can attend but I will be there whenever I can and the team and the club will have my full support this season as they always do which ever riders are in the team.
Come on guys lets just get behind the team and the club and just wait and see how things go. If it all goes pear shaped then we can start shouting, of course it is unlikely anyone will listen but hey some things never change. Speedway is so unpredictable with injuries as we have seen in the past so we just don't know what is going to happen. Just remember this is a sport for enjoyment so enjoy it.
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sas
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Sorry guys I think I may have posted my last comments under the wrong section but all the topics seem to blend into one big whinge anyway.
Happy racing 
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sussexbulldog
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Excellent post SAS
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sas
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Oops I think I have mixed up my Drymls sorry
mod note
Have changed it for you
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ray
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not altogether suprised at a different opinion sas , and i can understand , and agree to a certain extent . but what sums up the majority of posts is the following ---- if a hand of friendship is held out most of us will take it .if a hand is asking for help , it will be given by the majority , but if the hand holds a big stick ---- we can do neither .
consideration and friendliness will draw us close , but bullying will turn us away . 
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speedy dan boy
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AGAIN A VERY FAIR POST BY SAS
I have no problem with the team,whatever team they put out is ok by me, and to be honest if Denis does make it and watching Lewis progress we should have a fair season.
The thing i dont agree with is the way they are going about their business.It seems very petty to me that someone who has offered their time over the years to be a steward is all of a suden just discarded.I WASNT a steward but surely the club could offer them say free admission for 6 meetings or offer half price admission for all the ir hard work in the past.Also fom my point of view i have offered and sent the club emails to help in anyway i can overthe winter and also put some ideas forward but apart from martin kidly returning an email to me saying he would look into it i have heard nothing which is frustrating.Also i dont totally agree that Kennett never had the club at heart, and his attitude and passion have never been in doubt for me.but like you say SAS lets get behind the riders for the 2009 season.
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parker
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| sussex bulldog wrote: | As far as I am aware the parking charge will still be collected in the roped off lanes at the two huts.
The parking stewards received emails telling them that their services were being dispensed with to save money. The stewards were unpaid but received free admission. |
As far as I am aware the only Parking steward not retained for this season is Kevin54 who has been a steward in one form of another for the club for the past 30 years. No reason was given just an email from Mike Belleby say his services were not required this year. Obviously after all that time Kevin's understandably disappointed to be dropped. Know Kevin he will continue to follow the Eagles selecting his meetings carefully. As for the Parking, normal services will be in operation as before as far as I am aware. Sas I agree with your post and as one of the Stewards the Free admission was an incentive to do this task in fact when they were short of stewards that was the carrot dangled in front of us. It would be a blow to lose that opportunity to follow the Eagles every week and personally having lived locally for my early years Eastbourne was my team and still is, although Lakeside is now quicker travelling for me If I my "employment"was terminated I would because of travelling expenses etc have to give serious thought into whether on the ocassions I could afford to go to speedway whether Lakeside might be financially better for me, but not necessarily more enjoyable.
Agree we should get behind the team after all its not a bad side Shame Eddie left and reading his article today in the speedway star the bit "I have nothing against the fans of Eastbourne- I've always had a good reception when I@ve gone there" I thought we held him in high esteem, He was ours,like Floppy the local lad made good but when I read the bit when "I've gone there" didnt really sound like the club was totally in his heart maybe just the way I read it. But good luck to him at Coventry. Just to get back on thread I wonder what incentives will be offer through the season to encourage more spectators particularly on Sky nights?
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ray
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bearing in mind my previous post where i was under the impression , as were others , all the car park stewards were dismissed , will it not be safe after all to have " a pee behind a tree ". am relieved [ no ,not in THAT way ] there will still be stewards in the car park . it would have lead to chaos sometimes at least . not much of a financial saving though , one less steward not paying admission . as others have said , such petty and pathetic ideas-- again .
yes entirely with the team , but have little trust or respect for the way the management are behaving , including " the porkies " they tell us .but am still grateful to them for another season of the eagles . so chair and racecard in hand i will attend most of the time . cold , wet and windy evenings i will give a miss though , but so often it is too hot to sit in the grandstand anyway .
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sas
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I don't mean to be controversial but if that is the case regarding the parking stewards could it be because of Kevin54's strong opinions?
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ray
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quite possibly , but then parker is no shrinking violet , he has a mind and he speaks it , respect that . oops BD is very strongminded too , if he reads this he might have parker sacked !
certainly BD is not ameniable [ to say the least ] to those who criticise him , even disagree with him . something obviously went wrong between him and his son -in- law , the rental of the stadium to the proposed national league team we are told meant the juniors did not enter the league . BD is very supportive of some , mainly and gratefully eagles speedway , but the opposite on certain other matters and people should he take a dislike to them . but that is people , we are all different.kevin speaks his mind too and his posts are appreciated . me ? i'm a wimp !
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Kevin54
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| sas wrote: | | I don't mean to be controversial but if that is the case regarding the parking stewards could it be because of Kevin54's strong opinions? |
Charmed, I'm sure
If it was opinions then I think I would have been promoted to chief flag steward, or something else, as I started a thread here, and "next door", saying we ought to give BD some credit for what he has done over the years
No sas, it was yet another example of management bull**** that I objected to, not the loss of "free entry" as you allude to.
Bellerby could not be honest and say they had decided that they had enough stewards, that would be an acceptable, if disappointing explanation.
Instead it was worded such that it implied that it was a cost saving decision, if the club are so desperate for my £15.00, then things must be desperate; what next?, a mid season rise of, say 50p/£1.00 on the entrance fee?
Perhaps I do have strong opinions, that is why this forum is so good, we don't all follow the party line like sheep, but we do also give credit where credit is due, and I have said it before without BD and the other members of his family there would not be a club to follow in 2009, I just hope there will be one next year.
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ray
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well said kevin , keep your posts coming . loyalty has to be earned , and is a two way thing . those that do not give it cannot expect to recieve it . we support our team , they support us in their performances . we appreciate BD giving us the chance for both . best to leave it at that .
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parker
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| sas wrote: | | I don't mean to be controversial but if that is the case regarding the parking stewards could it be because of Kevin54's strong opinions? |
Sas I doubt BD knows anything about Kevin being made redundant so to speak he leaves Mike Belleby to sort out Stadium H&S Requirements and I doubt he actually knew Kevins name. Kevin couldnt actually make the Staff meeting a few sundays ago due to prior commitments that probaby lost him his position it could have happened to anyone. Sure we've strong opinions regarding Eastbourne Eagles as you probably have Over the years we've seen a steady decline in our sport and club and we've all had our say on how savings could be made, ways of promoting the club everything to put it right, we are passionate about the Eagles. We also Know that without the Dugard Family Speedway would have disappeared from the Sussex scene long ago even if we dont always agree with his actions.
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MrB
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| samthepalaceman wrote: | | Kevin54 wrote: | | samthepalaceman wrote: | | So is there any student rates as I, a 16 year old surely cannot be charged full adult price? |
According to DaveA on the other site, if you hold a student card you will qualify for a concession on the entrance charge, which will be £13.00. |
Poo, they don't give them out at secondary school |
Copied this from the BSF....
| Quote: |
The King’s Lynn Stars Management team have announced that for the first time ever they will extend their concession admission rate to include 16 and 17 year olds. Club promoter Buster Chapman explains the reason for this offer ‘After the great response we had from the introduction of the lower priced programme we looked at what other ways we could help our fans in these economically challenging times. We noticed that there is a big step for a 15 year old fan paying £4 for a ticket and then turning 16 and paying the full adult price of £12. Some 16 and 17 year olds are eligible for the concession rate because they are students but not all of them, for example those that have decided to enter into apprenticeships or full time work, hopefully this offer will encourage them to keep on coming to speedway’.
Speedway tracks around the country seem to be doing what they can to help their fans this season ‘Scunthorpe recently claimed to be offering ‘the best racing at the lowest prices’, I feel that title actually applies to quite a few clubs in the Premier League who are pro active in finding ways to improve the entertainment value, I believe these clubs will not only keep their fans in these challenging times but will also attract new ones’.
Summary of the £9 concession rate which is only available with the following types of ID:
Disabled people (Photo ID plus social security book)
Senior citizens aged 65 and over (Photo ID)
Students (only valid NUS cards accepted)
16 & 17 year olds (Photo ID) |
Interesting bit in bold... PL wants to attract new fans, EL want as much as possible from the hardcore!
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MD
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I don't think all elite promoters are just take take take from the hardcore, I dont even think Bob is, he just has to keep the sport going in Sussex and I feel thats the job he has set out to do this year. I was up at a track yesterday(not in Sussex) to do some testing and I spoke to 3 different promoters from 2 tracks, 2 of them wanted to bring the cost down to £10 per meeting (I didnt talk to the other about Ticket sales etc) but it seems that this can not be done for one reason or another. Mostly I guess, the big problem is that it would be a huge gamble to bring the cost of entrance down so much and if the crowds did not go up to cover the loss of the extra £5 then clubs would fold pretty quickly. so unless extra funding for the clubs could be brought in first to cover the loss if the crowds stayed the same, this was pretty much a no go for this year at least. I can understand the point made to be honest but it did give me food for thought that this was on the minds of the people who run the sport. I think we need to just get through one more season of hardship (pretty much as we will all have too in our personal lives in this time) and live in hope that when we see an upturn in the world we may have brought through some of the new forward thinking promoters and even attracted a few new ones for the (we hope) many years ahead.
Just my thoughts....
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samthepalaceman
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Thank you for that Mr B but the price increase of £10 is quite ridiculous from 15-16. Annoyingly I will miss the testimonial meeting but I don't think I will attend many meetings at all this season unless I get a part time job, thought of applying to Shelley's but I would only want to work in the hut on the 4th bend so I can actually see the race
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ray
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even hardcore [ fans ] can crumble . hope parker keeps us advised
of the attendances .
sam see you on one of the bends , in our chairs . will outnumber those in the grandstand .will be there tomorrow , and deano's farewell --- after that just have to wait and see .
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samthepalaceman
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Haha doubt it. May turn up to PnP tomorrow around 1ish if my dad gives me a lift.
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ray
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might as well sam , it's the only freebie we're gonna get this year
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citrus
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sham all this whinging cant anyone look further than their own noseswithout bd love him or hate him we woudnt have a team to watch respect is due aboutb time some showed it
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sas
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Thoroughly agree with both MD and citrus. Get behind the team, get behind the club and hope for a good, injury free season.
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speedy dan boy
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sorry this time cant agree with citrus,sas.
ill support the team 100%
BUT
FOR ME THE CLUB HAS LET ITS SELF DOWN.This will be the 1st season that we will be driving to Eastbourne with mixed emotions.Instead of being really keen for the 1 st match to start i find myself thinking after this close season why the hell we should make the drive if the club doesnt want to help its self.The DUGARD FAMILY ARE GREAT PEOPLE but sometimes i wonder if the success of their company has either gone to their heads and wont listen to anyone,or they are to busy to run speedway properly .either way the club is not being run as a top elite league club should.this has to be addessed.
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ray
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on the button spd .but i and others have acknowledged that without the Dugard Dynasty there would be no speedway , no eagles , and there never would have been . but we are prepared to help , i am raising funds for the club through the supporters club , but we do not like being bullied or lied to . if these things bounce off your backs , that is your choice . if you read the posts fully you will see we are behind the team , our noses are just fine as is the view from them .
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citrus
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has anybody thought to email bbc south east see if we can get sme coverage there if not i will
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ray
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good idea citrus , please do . our prevous aide was ken burnett with itv southern , who has his own website and used to record our home matches until bobby , for some reason , barred him . itv
, local , was still visiting us last year
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parker
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| citrus wrote: | | has anybody thought to email bbc south east see if we can get sme coverage there if not i will |
Do you not feel that Management would or should have done that already.
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ray
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" would " who knows ?! " should " obviously . this gulf between " them and us " really gets in the way . but right now there is nobody we can really talk to it seems . we rightly thank the Dugards , we owe them our eagles speedway . it is in their blood and an integral part of their lives , as it is with us . but they in turn need us , without us they couldnot run it . so we need eachother . maybe if /when martin gets involved we will be able to talk to eachother in a friendly and civilised manner . supporters club could help in this , as they are now doing .
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MD
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| ray wrote: | | this gulf between " them and us " really gets in the way . but right now there is nobody we can really talk to it seems . |
Its always been like that at Eastbourne Ray, you know that, thats why we end up with Brown nosed sheep like DT and DaveA acting as if they own the net because they have a contact with the management.
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MrB
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| MD wrote: | | ray wrote: | | this gulf between " them and us " really gets in the way . but right now there is nobody we can really talk to it seems . |
Its always been like that at Eastbourne Ray, you know that, thats why we end up with Brown nosed sheep like DT and DaveA acting as if they own the net because they have a contact with the management. |
Carefull MD or you may earn a ban!
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ray
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yes , you are right unfortunately . remember len silver , but then with the boys , now men , back with eagles it was a honeymoon period . the racing on the track , the atmosphere in the pits , who was not happy . obviously with the silvers both leaving there had to be a change . jon cook , never approachable , not really informative , but when he was gone we realised what we had lost . that cannot be denied . brimson and hagon for one year each , neither had the experience and knowledge necessary , but their hearts were in the right place .now nobody seems to be there to take certain parts from bobby . nobody is good at everything . trevor , well think we have covered that subject fully already .
so for this season the supporters club will likely be the only line of communication .as already posted , if martin decided to step up to the plate there would be a new era .
as for those two daves , bottom feeders , a--- lickers . invertibrates [ in case anyone isn't sure it means without a spine ] makes you
really appreciate how special other people are .
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Kevin54
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| citrus wrote: | | has anybody thought to email bbc south east see if we can get sme coverage there if not i will |
Citrus, these ideas have been done to death, along with suggesting inviting representatives of the local media, radio and TV to be guests of "Management" to a hospitality evening.
Naturally any ideas the supporters came up with fell on deaf ears
They prefer the easier option of trying to screw the last penny out of the existing supporter base, rather than go out to encourage new supporters when they could; now the chickens have come home roost
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ray
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unfortunately this has been the case , but go for it citrus , you may have the magic touch .
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sas
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I am really confused now. What exactly is it that is peeing a few of you guys off so much. Every topic seems to end in one big whinge, it seems that just about everything to do with Eastbourne speedway seems to upset you. The management, the team, the cost. Do you really think putting posters up will make any difference to attendances? As things are right now people are more likely to stick to things they already know about rather than spending their cash on new things. I personally would only go along to a new sport or activity if I had a friend or acquaintance who already went and was introducing me to that sport. If I am in a different part of the country during the summer I will attend a speedway meeting in that area but only because I am already a speedway fan.
As for the cost of things, I would love to be able to attend a meeting for £5 - £10, but it just isn't going to happen. With Arlington being out in the country that makes it more difficult to attract new people too unlike the city based stadiums. The stock cars are suffering too and the attendances for that are even worse than the speedway. Those meetings used to be packed even the mid week ones.
As for the management not keeping us informed what do you actually want them to tell you? The team finances aren't really our business are they. So long as we have a team that gives their all to Eastbourne during the season then that is all I want to see. We all know of the financial losses over the years and should be happy that we still have a sport to go and watch and I'm not just talking about at Eastbourne.
To make speedway more attractive to new supporters we need to be looking at those at the top who are running the sport and some of the ridiculous decisions that they make.
It is great to have forums like this for people to express their opinions but come on. I had a friend looking through this with me who doesn't follow speedway and her view was that reading some of the comments made makes the sport look a joke. She said if that is what the 'established supporters' are saying why would anybody new want to go.
perhaps the problems are with the sport in general and not with Eastbourne.
U
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speedy dan boy
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SAS i think you are missing the point my friend!!
EVERYONE ON HERE is going to get behind the team ,theres no problem with that and as you say we are lucky to have the Dugards and their backing.everyone knows that,but when it comes to running the club are you saying you are happy at the way its run?IF YES is your answer the club is only going to go one way.I dont like knocking Bob but some of his antics pre season have been bizarre to say the least.But maybe you are right in your views SAS, maybe its me thats a bit peeved as it took me ages to write and send a long email to Bob with offers of help and ideas(before i sent i made sure i had people willing to help out the odd weekend in pre season) but got nothing back (thats wht maybe im a bit peeved and will calm down eventually!!! also phoned plumpton race course to see if we could bring maybe a bike and rider down for one of their winter meetings but heard nothing from the club.I want the club to be forward thinking like poole ,lakeside and peterbrough but they just dont see it.
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ray
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think you and us are wasting our time trying to explain to sas why we feel the way we do . if he or she cannot understand that by now in such behaviour to , and total unconcern for the people who do care , we realise we live by a different code of ethics , and possibly on another planet . good try guys , something about banging heads qagainst a brickwall ?!
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sas
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I do understand where you are all coming from and the frustration but I think the problem is Bob Dugard is pretty much old school and I really don't think it is very likely things are going to change now. He is what he is and has always been that way.
Yes it is encouraging to see so many people trying to help push the sport and the club but if they aren't going to take you up on your ideas and offers to help then there isn't much you can do. It seems a shame hearing so many of you getting wound up over it. All we can do really is try and introduce and encourage friends and colleagues to give the sport a chance but speedway is one of those things you either love or are indifferent.
I don't doubt for one minute that you will all be at as many meetings as you can as will I and will support the team through good and bad as you have done in the past. Your passion for the club is obvious.
All we can do now is hope that the club and the sport can survive these dodgy times and if the people running it choose not to listen to the supporters then that is their choice. You can only bang your head against a brick wall for so long.
Enjoy it while you can .
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parker
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| sas wrote: | I do understand where you are all coming from and the frustration but I think the problem is Bob Dugard is pretty much old school and I really don't think it is very likely things are going to change now. He is what he is and has always been that way.
Yes it is encouraging to see so many people trying to help push the sport and the club but if they aren't going to take you up on your ideas and offers to help then there isn't much you can do. It seems a shame hearing so many of you getting wound up over it. All we can do really is try and introduce and encourage friends and colleagues to give the sport a chance but speedway is one of those things you either love or are indifferent.
I don't doubt for one minute that you will all be at as many meetings as you can as will I and will support the team through good and bad as you have done in the past. Your passion for the club is obvious.
All we can do now is hope that the club and the sport can survive these dodgy times and if the people running it choose not to listen to the supporters then that is their choice. You can only bang your head against a brick wall for so long.
Enjoy it while you can . |
I think thats a fair assessment
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ray
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i'll buy some asprins -- a big box , and get my old army helmet out of the loft . sometimes wish i had kept my rifle too !!
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Kevin54
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| sas wrote: | I do understand where you are all coming from and the frustration but I think the problem is Bob Dugard is pretty much old school and I really don't think it is very likely things are going to change now. He is what he is and has always been that way.
Yes it is encouraging to see so many people trying to help push the sport and the club but if they aren't going to take you up on your ideas and offers to help then there isn't much you can do. It seems a shame hearing so many of you getting wound up over it. All we can do really is try and introduce and encourage friends and colleagues to give the sport a chance but speedway is one of those things you either love or are indifferent.
I don't doubt for one minute that you will all be at as many meetings as you can as will I and will support the team through good and bad as you have done in the past. Your passion for the club is obvious.
All we can do now is hope that the club and the sport can survive these dodgy times and if the people running it choose not to listen to the supporters then that is their choice. You can only bang your head against a brick wall for so long.
Enjoy it while you can . |
I'll second Parkers' comment, sas, but it is galling when you read ideas that would not cost a fortune to implement, but seemingly nothing gets done.
A point in question;
My children go to Parkmead school, one mile from the stadium.
According to a parent, whose husband is one of the governors, the club have been approached on a couple of occasions to see whether they would donate tickets to a meeting as a raffle prize.
The answer was no on one occasion, and they did not bother to reply on another
A small point maybe, but poor PR, it could have resulted in "new" fans, but they were not prepared to do it.
Unfortunately this seems to be the mindset, Lakeside, Poole, Swindon; they are prepared to go out to obtain a wider audience, this is something we should have done, even more so given the geographical location of the track.
Now, I fear they have missed the boat for this season, god forbid that this will be there swansong.
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sas
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If it alll goes wrong at least you guys on here will know you did your best to help promote Eastbourne speedway with your ideas and offers of help. If they decide not to take you up on this there isn't much more you can do about it. At least the rest of us supporters do appreciate what you have all tried to do. I know some of you think I don't but believe me I really do. Maybe now is the time for you just to enjoy the racing and not worry about what is out of your control.
Oh and ray I am a she.
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ray
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am not suprised sas , inspite of not agreeing with your initial post , thought it ladylike and polite .
think we all agree now it is totally frustrating trying to help those who are too ignorant and arrogant to accept it . sign of little minds and utter absence of common sense .
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emjay
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And when clubs go down - as some surely will this year - the promoters will blame the lack of supporters.
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ray
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if they promote as we support they wouldn't go broke . assume BD manages to run his other buiness concern better than this .
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