GTSSC AGM and Promotion
Q&A
Posted 10/01/05
Glasgow Tigers Speedway Supporters Club held
their AGM at Firhill tonight combined with an opportunity to question
the promotion. My recollection of what was said, and of matters raised
is as follows; -
A decent turn out heard exactly how much the supporters
club had raised for the Tigers in the past season through various
social events, the 50/50 draw and the fuel fund. A new Committee was
elected although office bearers remain the same and no doubt the supporters
club will issue their own confirmation of the full details in due
course. The only real significant change is in membership fees with
the meeting agreeing to the Treasurers suggestion that for the coming
year the membership should be; - Adult £4, Concession £2
and youngsters £1.
After a short interval the promotion were then put
in the firing line for a question and answer section which was carried
out in good humour. The following is merely my interpretation and
recollection of points that were raised.
- Premier League
Pairs. This is the first such event to come
North in 15 years and the promotion are confident that it will be
a success. The meeting will be on the 26th June at 3pm. Admission,
in lines with all such events, will probably be more expensive with
admission possibly around the £13 mark (concessions £7,
juniors £4). It does not seem likely that it will get National
coverage but they are trying to get coverage on STV and BBC Scotland.
Those who hold car park season tickets will be asked to park elsewhere
for this event as the extra space will be needed at the stadium.
They will be calling for volunteers before the event to spruce the
stadium up.
- Ashfield Stand.
There is a meeting later in the week on this and they expect to
have the seating deck in shortly. The speedway need the stand to
be operative and it will be.
- First Meeting.
This is provisionally expected to be Edinburgh in the Spring Trophy
on 13th March.
- Concession Prices.
Glasgow will definitely NOT be following Newcastle's example of
withdrawing concession entrance prices and have no intention of
doing so in the future either.
- Sponsorship.
Nothing has been completed with regards to team sponsorship as yet
although they are hopeful that it will once again be the Travel
Inn Tigers next season. A couple of additional sponsorship avenues
are also being actively investigated. A deal has been struck with
the Travel Inn over room deals for the team for next season.
- Team Manager.
Stewart Dickson will continue as Team Manager for the Premier Trophy
matches. This will be reviewed and if it is felt not to be successful
they will then look at possibly offering it to an ex-rider. People
like Eric Boocock are out of Glasgow's range price wise (although
Stewart did offer to entice people with a bus pass for his busses!)
- Assets.
David McAllan is still to secure a place for next season, realistically
the only Glasgow asset still actively looking for a spot. The promotion
would still like to add James Cockle to the asset base during the
course of the next season.
- Cockle Ban.
No decision has been made but it seems likely that Gary Beaton will
be given an opportunity to ride at reserve in the two Spring Trophy
meetings and two Premier Trophy meetings that James Cockle will
miss.
- New Signings.
The promotion accepted that James Birkinshaw is a bit of a gamble
but feel the change of track may suit him and expect him to do well
round Ashfield although he may struggle initially away. Matthew
Wethers was, like Birkinshaw, strong at home last season and scored
many points from reserve but again has potential. He made it clear
when he knew there was no place for him at Edinburgh that he wanted
to ride at Glasgow. Being a Sunday track definitely hampered Glasgow
in some of their signing attempts.
- Riding Order.
Nothing has been decided but Stewart is thinking along the lines
of Matthew at number 2 with George with Birkinshaw at 3 and Bentley
at 4 to try and negate teams bringing in late tactical's at Ashfield.
- George's Engines!
A deal has been struck whereby Graham Jones is looking after Georges
engines and the emphasis will be more on regular servicing this
year rather than waiting for them to blow and then fixing them.
George will be running Jawas and GM's this year although possibly
more on the GM's.
- Ross Brady.
Selling was always an option but they also considered that he is
relatively young and if he were to continue to ride for the next
10-12 years Glasgow will benefit from loan fees in excess of £1000
each season he is out on loan. Returning to Glasgow at some future
date has not been ruled out but reading between the lines looks
unlikely.
- BSPA Conference.
Stewart attended and at the pre-conference meeting there was a 10-4
split in favour of scrapping the ludicrous tactical ride rule. However
at the Conference only Glasgow and one other team voted against
it for whatever reason therefore it was carried. Helmet colours
are also to be more fluorescent this year.
- Sky Deal.
This is the last year of the Sky deal but as speedway provides the
third highest sport viewing figures on the channel the BSPA are
confident the deal will be renewed. It is still unlikely however
that the Premier League will be featured. Premier League clubs do
get a small slice of the Sky money - around £2200 compared
to £52000 for the Elite league clubs. Every time they are
on Sky, home teams can expect to rake in £10000 and away teams
£7500.
- Ian Steel.
All promoters felt the time was right for change and although the
Berwick result acted as a catalyst it had been getting discussed
for some time. There had been no resistance from Ian on the decision.
Stewart accepted that it could have been handled better on the day
but when it was suggested that press reports he had been sacked
should have been refuted and a statement issued that Ian had resigned,
the message was that the promotion felt the truth preferable to
telling a lie. Throughout the discussion ALL members of the promotion
emphasised that the tremendous amount Ian has done for the club
over the years should never be belittled and he deserved great credit
for that.
- Stuart Robson/Rye
House. There is a promoters meeting scheduled
for the 2nd February and the Rye House team will probably be on
the Agenda. they are keeping a close eye on the situation and as
far as they are aware the team has not as yet been approved.
- Track.
Work will start on the track either the last week in January or
first week in February.
- Grand Prix Weekend.
Fixtures have not been finalised yet but hopefully Glasgow will
be at Sheffield the Thursday prior to the Grand Prix and Newport
on the Friday.
Apologies for the length of this piece I have merely
tried to put down everything I remember.
