ITEM: So the big day came and went, and nothing really happened. King’s Lynn were told that they could loan Niels-Kristian Iversen for a third successive season, with no announcement as to whether they’d eventually have to buy him, despite an appeal by Peterborough that the rider had, effectively, put in a transfer request.
The usual way of doing things is that, when a rider asks for a transfer, he is made available to buy – Coventry have been forced to purchase riders under this “rule” in the past – but this latest decision by the BSPA flies in the face of precedent and logic. The decisions seem to have been made on the basis of who can afford to buy – the BSPA accepted that Troy Batchelor had effectively handed in a transfer request, and thus Swindon will have to buy him if they want to use him in 2013.
The decision on Hans Andersen has been bafflingly set aside for a month, perhaps in the hope that Andersen, who has maintained a steely and professional silence, can be talked into spending a year at Belle Vue, who desperately need a number one rider. The chances of that happening – when there’s the chance he could return to 2012 champions Swindon, are slim to none.
Swindon are still adamant they will not pay a transfer fee in the current climate, and who can blame them after being stung over Miedzinski last season? Why shell out money on a system that is built on such shaky ground?
The BSPA had an opportunity to firm up their regulations, and to ensure that all promoters - and riders - were committed to the status quo. As it is all they've done is create further confusion.
ITEM: One decision missing, either way, from the BSPA meeting was the fate of Ben Barker. Faced with an impasse, and with Graham Drury clearly getting nowhere, Birmingham owner Alan Phillips has stepped in to re-open negotiations with Coventry owner Mick Horton over the Cornish rider.
With Barker's duplicity clear for all to see, Coventry were faced with a tough decision - include a rider who has made himself very unpopular with once-loyal fans, and who clearly wants the easier life of riding for the Brummies, in their side, or forego some teambuilding points and look elsewhere. They chose to do the latter, and Grzegorz Zengota was so excited to sign for the Bees that he leaked the news himself on his Facebook page.
While the Coventry fans are fond of homegrown riders, and having only two in their side will be slightly odd, a choice between a super-keen, promising Pole and Barker is no choice at all.
As for the details of the transfer, I'd like to think they would include some kind of agreement to buy, especially now the rider has made his position at his parent club untenable with a series of fantastic allegations, but you never know. It's not as if you can count on the BSPA to back you up, is it?
ITEM: A strange fixture appeared in the UK calendar last week - the UK Speedway Series.
It would seem to be a series of individual meetings, along the lines of the SGP, but restricted to UK-based riders, possibly at Premier League level only, although much of that is supposition given their official site and Twitter feed reveals little to nothing.
It's a novel idea, and one that's been floated before, and 2013, the 85th anniversary of the first speedway meeting in this country, is an ideal time to start it.
There are dozens of exciting speedway riders in all three of our senior leagues who would provide fantastic entertainment at a fraction of the cost of going to a grand prix. That should be British speedway's USP - it's here, it's affordable, you never know quite what you might get.
Let's hope that the UK Speedway Series is all that and more.
ITEM: Now an idea, and a plea for some money. Not for me, you understand, although God knows we could all do with it, right? No, I'm wondering if there's the support out there to help out a young British rider in the National League...
You all know I'm a Coventry fan. And you should all know by now that I'm fully behind the National League adventure the Coventry Storm are embarking on this season. My idea is to raise some funds to buy some kevlars in team colours for one of the Storm.
Is it workable? We're talking about £500-£600, but I've already had a promise of £50 from one dedicated reader - surely between the rest of us we can do it?
Drop me an e-mail at alan.boon@gmail.com if you'd like to help. Every little bit would go a long way...
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