Friday nights STARs event in the Alan Rough Suite at Firhill was a well attended and very enjoyable affair. Kelvin Tatum and Chris Morton provided the stories of times past, as well as giving us a good insight into the machinations of the sport at the top level (Morton works for the Belle Vue promotion and Tatum provides commentary for SKY.) Belle Vue promoter and and third man at Glasgow Gordon Pairman rounded out the trio of guests, and was in himself, great value...........
Prior to proceedings getting underway, Alan Dick made some announcements. Some we were eager to hear (re: sponsorship, rider announcements, future of Ashfield), but the news that David McAllan will probably never ride again was a tough one to take. His recovery from a spinal injury suffered at the last league meeting of the season has been slower and more complicated than had been hoped. His current aim is to recover a semblance of life quality and notions of riding again are probably the furthest thing from his mind. A benefit night has been arranged (as far as I know, check here for more details), as well as a benefit meeting which will be arranged for some point next season. I'll do a post tomorrow night about David, just a wee piece really to say thanks for the entertainment he provided to this spectator over the summer months and recall some of his blinding rides and unlucky scrapes.
Anyway.............The Aussies are back, with Shane Parker, Trent Leverington and Robert Ksiezak returning for another season in Glasgow. It looks like a balanced side this season, and announcements regarding the rest of the squad will be eagerly anticipated.
A new sponsor has been secured, and it's a big one. Buildbase, who sponsor Coventry in the Elite League, as well as various riders in Scotland, have come on board and hopefully will provide a fine partnership with the club.
As regards the proposed developments in and around Ashfield, no solid news as yet, but some of the noises coming from the council are quite encouraging. The club have another year at Ashfield guaranteed anyway, so any negative announcement in the new year should allow at least a modicum of time for the club to make plans. That said, it's still not an outcome anyone wants, and there is no guarantee they will find a suitable alternative.
Finally, a few items from the BSPCA conference. Average up to 41.5, league size up to 17, possibly 18 and a new promotion/relegation gimmick. The best thing about this is that it does away with the playoffs as a means of determining the league winners. Instead the playoffs will decide who gets to face a mullering off the bottom Elite league club. Don't expect to see the Tigers, Monarchs or any other PL club riding against the likes of Crump and Harris on SKY in 09. Even if most PL teams wanted to go up a league, it's doubtful they'd be a match for even the worst of the top flight.
Ok, cheers, see you soon...........
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