Alan's Advices at the
STARS Night
Posted 29/10/05
The following notes are merely our recollection of comments made by
Alan Dick for those unable to attend the STARS meeting.
It is in bulleted format for ease of posting - and hopefully
reading
- Alan starting by confirming the club is not exactly in
the strongest position financially but there were two new problems
adding to their concerns
- Glasgow are 5 years into their agreed 15 year lease at
Ashfield. However, written into the lease was a 2 year break clause
which either side could exercise. Ashfield AFC have chosen to exercise
this due to the possibility that the ground may be saleable for
housing. The two year period of notice means Glasgow would be out
in July 2007.
- Ashfield AFC have indicated they would be happy to take
the speedway with them to their proposed new ground (more on the
location later). However whether speedway would be granted planning
permission for the new location is another matter.
- The issue of housing on Ashfield is not quite as clear
cut as some may think. What is referred to as the 'Canniesburn fault'
runs through the centre green and therefore any high rise building
would not be permitted although houses along the lines of those
already built off Finlass street behind the third and fourth bends
probably would.
- There have been four complaints submitted with regards
to noise, these coming from the new houses at the back of the third/fourth
bends. Unfortunately it is irrelevant that the speedway was there
first.
- Glasgow have appealed against the results of the noise
tests via consultants, another additional cost for the promotion
to bear, and Alan says they are confident that these problems can
be overcome and that Glasgow can ride PL at Ashfield next season.
Again it would involve extra expense in the form of sound barriers
of some sort.
- The issue of dust has also been raised as an environmental
issue, hence the reason the track appeared over-watered at times
last season.
- Assuming the noise and environmental problems can be sorted
out, Glasgow City Council have no problems with the speedway continuing
but it must be within the permitted curfew hours. This means that
racing would have to be completed by 7pm on a Sunday and therefore
all racing next season would be 3pm tapes up.
- Although the licence to run speedway at Ashfield is currently
suspended this would be reversed immediately once noise and environmental
issues had been addressed. the Planning Department of the council
would make this decision.
- In response to a suggestion from the floor, Alan stated
the consultants employed by Glasgow had recommend they do not offer
hospitality etc to those who complained in case this was seen as
a bribe. The promotion are aware of the parties who have made the
complaints.
- There is no specific contingency plan for next season
if Ashfield falls through although the promotion are open to suggestions
as they are finding it difficult to identify suitable sites in the
West of Scotland and would welcome any suggestions. They have spoken
with various Junior football clubs and would obviously also speak
with Shawfield if the need arose. Alan again repeated they were
confident the problems at Ashfield could be overcome.
- At this stage it was disclosed the proposed new site for
the Ashfield Juniors ground was at St Augustine's Playing Fields
in Milton.
The same problems could be encountered from nearby housing but with
a new ground it would be easier to minimise the noise and dust problems
by building high bankings, planting trees and bushes etc. In addition
the track could be 'covered' all the way round in the same way Shawfield
is, minimising the noise and dust.
- It is hoped that the promotion will have word from the
council 'soon'. It is certainly anticipated by the end of November.
- The promotion hope to be in a position to issue season
ticket renewals in mid-November, some of the monies received from
these advance sales will be used to settle creditors from this season
as well as helping towards next.
- There was a meeting in Rugby on Wednesday when Glasgow
gave notice of their intention to run next season but the league
itself is in 'one hell of a mess' financially, the financial situation
being described as 'dire'.
- Already lost to the Conference League next season are
Wimbledon, Sittingbourne, Armadale and Oxford whilst most PL clubs
see next season as a 'last chance' for the current format. With
at least 6 clubs in the same position as Glasgow the long term future
of the PL looks gloomy.
- Alan's feeling is that we could be looking at one main
league in 2007 and a Conference League with no middle ground
- At least six PL clubs are in the same position as Glasgow
financially with Isle of Wight looking doubtful for next season
and Berwick swithering over whether they will run or not. Only Kings
Lynn, Sheffield and Workington are thought to have made a profit
this season.
- In response to a question from the floor on TV coverage,
it was advised that PL clubs currently get £3000 each from
the Sky TV deal. The EL figure has been closely guarded but is understood
to be in the region of £100,000 before additional payments
for individual meetings are made.
- There is a strong possibility that the PL will go down
the EL route of play offs next season as the play offs would be
shown live on TV and the PL clubs get additional sums of money accordingly
plus increased exposure. Leaving aside the personal opinions of
the play offs, the clubs have to look at the financial implications
of the play offs in addition to the perceived larger crowds.
- In reply to a question from the floor, Alan confirmed
that Glasgow had now been paid in full for Emiliano Sanchez's transfer
to Hull and that he was now an asset of the BSPA.
- To Glasgow's knowledge, no PL club have as yet signed
any riders in contrast to last season. There is talk of a pay policy
being introduced in the PL so that promoters would have an idea
of costs of every meeting in advance but the feeling is that this
would be difficult to police.
- The feeling is that the points limit will definitely reduce
from the current 45 with a possible introduction of each club having
one rider over 8.5 points.
- In response to a question from the floor Alan advised
that the most reliable place to get up to date information on the
Tigers was the Hotline although reliable information could also
be obtained from the Speedway Star or the official
club website.
These comments are merely our recollection of what was
said and we have tried to put them across without personal bias.
They are by no means comprehensive.
Apologies for the length of the piece but we merely wanted to get
as much information as we could recall over to fellow fans unable
to attend.
If anyone else present spots any errors or omissions their
comments would of course be welcome!
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