What can we say other than our continued and heart-felt thanks to all our readers and contributors for your wonderful support and enthusiasm.  It really does make all the effort worthwhile. 

2010 - A YEAR TO REMEMBER? - posted 6 March 2010

As the new season kicks into life at Wednesfield this afternoon, there is growing anticipation that 2010 could be an outstanding year for cycle speedway.

British Cycling and the Cycle Speedway Commission must lead from the front, so it is really pleasing to see more openness eminating from BC headquarters in Manchester.  The sport deserves to know what's going on, especially on key issues, so a recent explanation on a 'rival' website outlining the background behind cycle speedway's ommission for the Olympic Velopark, while disappointing, is welcome.
 
The speed with which the minutes of the recent Commission meeting were circulated to clubs is to be applauded - and publishing Newsletters online is a welcomed development.  Perhaps the day is not far away when minutes of Commission meetings are published online - something other cycling disciplines enjoy and a development in openness we at spokesman-online have advocated for a long time.

Let's all play a part, however small, in making 2010 a year to remember.

SPORT READY FOR CHANGE - posted 17 February 2010

The spokesman-online poll has raised many eyebrows.  Who would have thought there would be so much support for a name change - certainly not us.  With 358 votes cast in our five-day poll, 53% voted in favour of keeping the name cycle speedway while 47% suggested it should be changed.

We must admit that caught us by surprise.  Of course a snap poll is just that - a survey of opinion at a given time.  But what it does signal, is that the sport is ready for change.  Not necessarily the name but a whole modernisation and relaunch.  As one of our readers put it - cycle speedway is a Fifties sport, with a Fifties image and a Fifties name.  While we would not necessarily agree with this statement, it makes a poignant point.

Several readers have commented on the sport's poor public image.  Interestingly it's a point Commission chairman Colin Docker identified in his frank interview with spokesman-online.

"If you want to be taken seriously, then a good image is essential. You only get one go to make a good impression, and to sell the sport. You never know who is watching and what might happen if they are taken with the atmosphere of a well run meeting with people who “look the part“.  What sponsor would want to be associated with a scruffy team or facility?" he said.

Newly appointed media man Andy Whitehouse echoed those senitments.

"I do believe its about time there is a minimum level of attire.  I'm not saying a new kit every week but leggings held together with duct tape and the arse hanging out doesn't give any sport good promotion" said Andy bluntly.

But promotion is just one piece in the jigsaw puzzle. Behaviour, punctuality, sportsmanship, self-interest, competitiveness, commercialisation, funding, facilities, excellence, participation, openness, honesty and collective responsibility are equally important.

Let's hope our new look Commission takes this on board.  Cycle speedway has never realised its potential.  It needs to change.  Collectively we really can take this sport forward.  Hopefully the Commission, backed by British Cycling's expertise and members' goodwill, will show us the way.

2010 - THE YEAR OF CHANGE - posted 9 January 2010

The appointment of Andy Whitehouse to handle cycle speedway publicity is one of the most significant developments in years.  Take a bow British Cycling and Commission chairman Colin Docker. 

As Andy points out on our Viewpoint page, we should not expect overnight results but it's a bold and long overdue initiative.  It deserves total support.  It demands total success.

Reading Viewpoint over the past few days, there is a real feeling that cycle speedway is ready for change.  Whatever readers' personal views, the debate about the name change has been constructive and enlightening.  When someone of the status of Jimmy Varnish calls for the sport to ditch the speedway title, everyone sits up and take notice.

There have been calls to improve riders' clothing, its appearance, design and uniformity.  There have been calls to reinstate more discipline in the game.  There have been calls to modernise equipment, so building on the launch of the new 'sexy' Archie Wilkinson bikes.

Suddenly cycle speedway is thinking outside the box.

Premier League teams must lead the way, not only in embracing and adopoting change but leading it.  How good it would be to see the Premier League table appearing in the Sun, Daily Express - even the Times.  Sadly that won't happen if clubs continue to use parochial names. 

Who outside the near vicinity knows where Great Blakenham, Horpath and Wednesfield are - but who could fail  to identify with Birmingham, Ipswich Town, Leicester, Norwich, Oxford, Poole, Sheffield and Wolverhampton.