Post by speedway_history on Jan 17, 2009 23:17:02 GMT 1
1..The Swindon team is now complete. With the new points limit in place, did you ever consider dropping Leigh Adams in favour of a more balanced team, or was that never on the cards?
I won't say it was never on the cards, we did discuss it, but we had to consider everything and Leigh brings so much more to the team than points. He's always willing to help the riders if they want advice or to borrow equipment. We had a conversation about it, we had to think about it, but in the end we're happy with having Leigh.
2..It's been reported that Swindon were against the new points limit. Would would it have been for you, ideally?
Ideally, we'd have liked a 42.5 limit, but realistically the imbalance last year had to be addressed. We understood that something needed to be done. There was a lot of discussion and a 41.5 limit was discussed. That would've been cool. Or even a 40.0 limit would've been okay.
3..Do you agree that costs in the elite league need to be cut for the good of the sport, and do you think getting rid of the GP riders is the most sensible way to do this, or do you have other ideas?
The money is getting out of hand. The costs are escalating ridiculously. There's so much money going out it's unbelievable and not covered by takings through the turnstiles. Being on the other side of the fence these last couple of years has been a real eye-opener. But why ban GP riders? They're the riders that are attracting the fans to the sport, so you could argue that they aren't expensive, since they're the ones bringing the fans in. For me, banning GP riders is a no go.
People are always asking how we get back to the crowds of the past and point to the crowds in Poland, but crowds are down in Poland and as Poland becomes more Westernised, with more things to do, will they continue to drift? It's going to be hard, if not impossible. All those years ago there wasn't much to do, but now there's so many other distractions for people and their money. But we'll keep trying.
4..With the new limit it was hoped that there would be a greater reduction for British riders. Would you have supported that if it had been tabled?
I don't know if a reduction is required now. It was introduced a few years ago to help British riders get work, but now there's no British riders struggling to find rides. Matt Ford said a while ago that it was no longer relevant and the more I think about it the more I agree. You look at Eastbourne and they've got a two point head start on everyone. That's not a whinge, it's a fact and fair play to Eastbourne.
5..There doesn't seem to have been much reported from the AGM, although we were led to believe the team GB manager's job was on the agenda. Do you think Middlo's the right man for the job, or would you like to see someone else step in?
I'll tell you now, people who slate Middlo off are bang out of order and well off the mark. Middlo's the right man for the job. He has the backing of the riders and they respect him. He can only work with what's available and I don't think he's done anything wrong in the last few years, except replacing Stead with Louis for the final at Reading, which I don't think was the right move for the future. I'd like to be considered for the job one day in the future, but I know I've a lot to learn. I've learnt so much in these last few years at Swindon and appreciate how hard it is. It's easy for people to just slag Middlo off on the BSF, without understanding how hard it is. Middlo is the right man for the job.
6..Not so many years ago there seemed to be a wealth of British talent in the leagues. What happened?
A lot of them stick in their comfort zone in the Premier League. There's a lack of desire, hunger and ambition among a lot of them. You look at Carl Stonehewer; he was happy in the Premier League when he was in the GPs. But you look at Lewis Bridger at Eastbourne - he made the jump straight from the Conference to the Elite and is doing okay. We've got some good riders coming through, Edward Kennett has made huge steps forward last year and Danny King. But too many of the riders are happy in the Premier League. There aren't enough meetings for them in the Elite League, especially if they haven't got contracts in Sweden and Poland - Andrew Moore really struggled last season, but he kept going and did a job for us.
7..It must have been disappointing to lose three lots of silverware to the same team at the end of last year. Do you think Coventry were the better side, or should you have won?
I don't think Coventry were the better side. If anything they were the better team. Now, I took a lot of criticism for things I've said about the final, people saying that it's down to me to instill team spirit and motivate. Have you any idea how hard it is to motivate the East Europeans? You just had to look in the pits, Coventry were a team, while we had individuals and Leigh Adams running around like a madman. I can only do so much and at the end of the day once they're out on the other side of the fence it's down to the riders. I can't turn the throttle for them, or ride the track for them. I don't think Coventry were a better side, but they were a better team.
8..Any chance of getting Damian Balinski back in the country next year?
I think Damian would help us out again if we get into trouble. But I'm fairly sure he'd only ride for Swindon; we have a great relationship with Leszno, what with Leigh and everything else. And we looked after him well when he was with us. But I don't think he'll ever be looking to be full time over here, since he seems to be in a comfort zone, happy riding for Leszno and in Sweden. But if we're in a bit of trouble I think Damian would help us out again.
I won't say it was never on the cards, we did discuss it, but we had to consider everything and Leigh brings so much more to the team than points. He's always willing to help the riders if they want advice or to borrow equipment. We had a conversation about it, we had to think about it, but in the end we're happy with having Leigh.
2..It's been reported that Swindon were against the new points limit. Would would it have been for you, ideally?
Ideally, we'd have liked a 42.5 limit, but realistically the imbalance last year had to be addressed. We understood that something needed to be done. There was a lot of discussion and a 41.5 limit was discussed. That would've been cool. Or even a 40.0 limit would've been okay.
3..Do you agree that costs in the elite league need to be cut for the good of the sport, and do you think getting rid of the GP riders is the most sensible way to do this, or do you have other ideas?
The money is getting out of hand. The costs are escalating ridiculously. There's so much money going out it's unbelievable and not covered by takings through the turnstiles. Being on the other side of the fence these last couple of years has been a real eye-opener. But why ban GP riders? They're the riders that are attracting the fans to the sport, so you could argue that they aren't expensive, since they're the ones bringing the fans in. For me, banning GP riders is a no go.
People are always asking how we get back to the crowds of the past and point to the crowds in Poland, but crowds are down in Poland and as Poland becomes more Westernised, with more things to do, will they continue to drift? It's going to be hard, if not impossible. All those years ago there wasn't much to do, but now there's so many other distractions for people and their money. But we'll keep trying.
4..With the new limit it was hoped that there would be a greater reduction for British riders. Would you have supported that if it had been tabled?
I don't know if a reduction is required now. It was introduced a few years ago to help British riders get work, but now there's no British riders struggling to find rides. Matt Ford said a while ago that it was no longer relevant and the more I think about it the more I agree. You look at Eastbourne and they've got a two point head start on everyone. That's not a whinge, it's a fact and fair play to Eastbourne.
5..There doesn't seem to have been much reported from the AGM, although we were led to believe the team GB manager's job was on the agenda. Do you think Middlo's the right man for the job, or would you like to see someone else step in?
I'll tell you now, people who slate Middlo off are bang out of order and well off the mark. Middlo's the right man for the job. He has the backing of the riders and they respect him. He can only work with what's available and I don't think he's done anything wrong in the last few years, except replacing Stead with Louis for the final at Reading, which I don't think was the right move for the future. I'd like to be considered for the job one day in the future, but I know I've a lot to learn. I've learnt so much in these last few years at Swindon and appreciate how hard it is. It's easy for people to just slag Middlo off on the BSF, without understanding how hard it is. Middlo is the right man for the job.
6..Not so many years ago there seemed to be a wealth of British talent in the leagues. What happened?
A lot of them stick in their comfort zone in the Premier League. There's a lack of desire, hunger and ambition among a lot of them. You look at Carl Stonehewer; he was happy in the Premier League when he was in the GPs. But you look at Lewis Bridger at Eastbourne - he made the jump straight from the Conference to the Elite and is doing okay. We've got some good riders coming through, Edward Kennett has made huge steps forward last year and Danny King. But too many of the riders are happy in the Premier League. There aren't enough meetings for them in the Elite League, especially if they haven't got contracts in Sweden and Poland - Andrew Moore really struggled last season, but he kept going and did a job for us.
7..It must have been disappointing to lose three lots of silverware to the same team at the end of last year. Do you think Coventry were the better side, or should you have won?
I don't think Coventry were the better side. If anything they were the better team. Now, I took a lot of criticism for things I've said about the final, people saying that it's down to me to instill team spirit and motivate. Have you any idea how hard it is to motivate the East Europeans? You just had to look in the pits, Coventry were a team, while we had individuals and Leigh Adams running around like a madman. I can only do so much and at the end of the day once they're out on the other side of the fence it's down to the riders. I can't turn the throttle for them, or ride the track for them. I don't think Coventry were a better side, but they were a better team.
8..Any chance of getting Damian Balinski back in the country next year?
I think Damian would help us out again if we get into trouble. But I'm fairly sure he'd only ride for Swindon; we have a great relationship with Leszno, what with Leigh and everything else. And we looked after him well when he was with us. But I don't think he'll ever be looking to be full time over here, since he seems to be in a comfort zone, happy riding for Leszno and in Sweden. But if we're in a bit of trouble I think Damian would help us out again.