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VOLUME 73 NUMBER 36 8 COPPERGATE MEWS, BRIGHTON ROAD, SURBITON, SURREY, KT6 5NE EDITORIAL Telephone: (020) 8335 1113 E-mail: star@pinegen.co.uk Editor: Andrew Skeels Assistant editor: Tony McDonald News and feature writers: Paul Burbidge, Peter Oakes and Phil Lanning Art editor: Mick Smith Production editor: Mark Frankham Front cover design: Jeff Davies CIRCULATION & SUBSCRIPTIONS Subscriptions manager: Dave Fairbrother Telephone: (020) 8335 1113 (9 am-2.30 pm) E-mail: subs@pinegen.co.uk Or visit www.speedwaystar.net and click on the subscriptions link. SUBSCRIPTION RATES UK (52 issues): ......................................£128 UK (26 issues): ........................................£65 UK (13 issues): ........................................£33 EUROPE (52 issues): ............................£144 EUROPE (26 issues): ..............................£74 USA (52 issues):....................................£164 USA (26 issues):......................................£84 REST OF WORLD (52 issues) ................£174 REST OF WORLD (26 issues): ..................£89 DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS www.exacteditions.com/speedwaystar ADVERTISING Advertising manager: Mick Hooker Office: 01279 771125 Mobile: 07957 814639 E-mail: coveadv@gmail.com ACCOUNTS Accounts manager: Marina Abbott Telephone: (020) 8335 1104 E-mail: accounts@pinegen.co.uk Speedway Star is published by the proprietors Pinegen Limited. Printed by: Warners Midlands PLC Printers Distributed by: Seymour Distribution Ltd., 2 East Poultry Avenue, London EC1A 9PT. Registered at the Post Office as a newspaper © copyright 2024 Pinegen Limited Schroeck dismay at abusive fans NEWSDESK OXFORD boss Peter Schroeck admits he is “embarrassed” by the death threats received by Poole youngster Vinnie Foord. Wessex Marine Pirates’ reserve revealed in Speedway Star last week that Cheetahs’ fans had hurled abuse at him during the track walk prior to the KO Cup Final, first leg at Cowley. He admitted: “I had a few people tell me they were going to kill me.” The story escalated just hours before the second leg at Wimborne Road. The Bournemouth Daily Echo picked up the story, splashing it on their front, back and inside pages. Both teams had heard the threats and Schroeck was clearly dismayed by the shock outbursts. He said: “I didn’t like it when we did the track walk and I heard a few people shouting that sort of stuff out. WHY F BACK “We are talking adults, like my age, abusing a young lad. If they want to chat with him respectfully one-to-one…but not shouting out the way they did. “I don’t agree with that at all and I feel a little bit embarrassed about it, to be quite honest. “But I would say this is a minority of people. I won’t allow this to paint a bleak picture of Oxford fans as a whole. Our supporters have been sensational this season and since we came back in 2022. “It’s no different to what happened at Poole. We get stick at Poole. “However, it’s always a minority of people on both sides who obviously think they are entitled to do that. “Unfortunately, we are never going to stop that. It happens in all sports, it happens on social media every day. This is the world we live in now. People think it’s acceptable to have a go. “But now I would like to draw a line under it. In the heat of the moment we all say things. “Vinnie came over to me and said: ‘Hello, Pete’ and shook my hand. For me this issue is now done. “We all have our opinions. We are talking about an 18year-old boy in Vinnie. At the end of the day, he hasn’t got the experience, just the same as Jody (Scott). “We put these guys into teams now, into the big world of speedway, but they just haven’t got the experience of Scott Nicholls or Tom Brennan. “There will be times when things get a little bit out of hand. There might be decisions on track that supporters of teams don’t agree with. “I’m sure Vinnie didn’t go out to hurt anyone on purpose. I don’t like the behaviour when he’s walking around with his dad but that’s different. That can be dealt with in-house for the future. “With youngsters, they also have to be taught a bit of etiquette on how we have to conduct ourselves. Especially with TV coverage and thousands of people watching it across the world.” How the Bournemouth Daily Echo splashed the Vinnie Foord story boss Neil Middleditch had appealed for calm between the clubs. Schroeck is rightfully keen to draw a line under the incident and ensure that the rivalry between the clubs remains respectful for 2025. He added: “This is a healthy rivalry and nothing more. There’s no feuds. Our clubs get on very well, Middlo and I go back a long way. He said: “I think we do need some calm. The threats were extreme and something I’ve never experienced before. “I heard for myself on the track walk. There was also someone shouting to Vinnie: ‘Who are you going to kill tonight?’. It’s not just Vinnie saying it. I heard it, the entire team heard it. “We are two southern clubs, along with Plymouth, and there’s an excitement about our meetings. It must remain attractive and nothing more. We need to keep it real. We can’t get too carried away with aggro. “I even get the stick at Oxford. Probably 99 per cent of people are happy with what I do. But there’s always one person who comes up and thinks he knows better. He has to tell me what to do. “I know how to deal with that. I deal with it directly and in an honest manner. That’s my style.” In the day leading up to the second leg in Dorset, Poole “We’ve got a rivalry with Oxford which is great, they are fairly local rivals. But speedway has always prided itself on the good behaviour of its fans. This is obviously just a minority and hopefully never to be repeated.” Great Britain’s World No. 4 Dan Bewley also backed Foord. After seeing the Daily Echo story, he posted on X: “Never met or spoke to him but I’m a fan. Got a bit of a spark to his riding. Two purely racing incidents at Poole, the second of which the commentators were way off.” Report: PHIL LANNING 2 speedway star November 2, 2024
page 3
FANS MUST K THURROCK FANS have been urged to join the fight to save speedway at Lakeside/ Arena-Essex – and action needs to be taken before next Monday (November 4). Buoyed by the success of campaigners at both Coventry and Peterborough, where plans to build houses at Brandon Stadium and the East of England Showground have been turned down, Thurrock Hammers Limited (THL) have appealed to fans to add their voices to influence the site owners, Google, to include speedway in their redevelopment plans for the area. THL, formed by three longtime fans and club officials – Mark Sexton, Ian Smalley and Russell Keetch – was incorporated with a mission to restore speedway to the Thurrock area following the sale of the Arena-Essex Raceway for housing. Director Sexton said: “We have been working hard to save speedway in Thurrock since 2019 and occasionally we need the help from fans and now have an urgent call for action. “Our campaign is based on local and national policies for the protection of sporting facilities at risk from development. Policies have been successful in defeating applications to develop Coventry Stadium and Peterborough’s track at the East of England Showground.” Global Infrastructure UK, a subsidiary of Google, splashed out £47 million last year to buy the 129 acres Arena-Essex site from previous owners London Strategic Land (LSL Partners) and want to build a Google Data Centre on the unoccupied land that has lain idle since the end of 2018. Under the guidance of Chick Woodroffe, the former landfill site had been turned into a stock-car arena in 1978 and six years later Chick joined forces with multi-track promoter Wally Mawdsley to also run ArenaEssex Hammers speedway there. The track closed down towards the end of 2018 after the late Woodroffe’s daughter and Hammers’ landlord, Lesley Wootten, sold the site to LSL Partners, who intended to build 2,500 homes there before abandoning its plans and agreeing to sell on to Google. “We cannot avoid the conclusion that our detailed objections to the 2,500 homes scheme had a part to play in the decision to abandon it,” added Sexton. A consultation process, which ends next Monday, is already underway and they are asking what people want to see on the land. Planning advisor Brian Connolly, who has also been working with campaigners at Coventry, Peterborough and Rye House, said: “We need to tell them but we don’t have much time. We welcome this opportunity but to save speedway in Thurrock, it is vital that as many people as possible take an active part to make their wishes clear.” One contentious feature of Google’s description of the Arena-Essex site is that it is described as ‘a former chalk quarry’ without any reference to its speedway or stock-car use and its history as an important motorsports venue for 40 years. Connolly explained the urgent need for fans to rally round the club at this time: “Without speedway’s voice being heard, it will forever be argued that speedway should be removed from the site and, if it is, that no replacement facilities should be constructed.” Thurrock Hammers Limited has submitted a comprehensive response to the consultation and have appealed to Hammers fans and all speedway followers to complete Google’s questionnaire either by mail (no stamp needed) to Thurrock Data Centre, FREEPOST SEC Newgate UK LOCAL or the form can be completed online: www.thurrockdatacentre.co.uk and click on the online questionnaire link. Connolly went on: “Importantly, just saying ‘we want a track’ won’t work, so it is vital that a proper planning and policy basis is set out for retaining speedway. “Planning and policy points must be included in responses so, to simplify the process, we have prepared a short version which we urge supporters to copy and adapt. “The most important part is the answer to question one. This is, in effect, the first step in the planning process and it is vital that proper planning reasons are given to justify speedway at Arena Essex. “This will make the process easier and should take no more than 15 minutes. “Fans should include details of their own experience, how they feel about the loss of speedway in Thurrock and work with us to save speedway in the area. “Anyone wanting further information or guidance should contact us at: mark@thurrockhammers.com. THURROCK Hammers Limited are offering fans guidance in how they can help their fight to ensure speedway can return by completing the detailed questionnaire about the future of the Arena-Essex site. They are fighting on various fronts, especially on the basis of the following questions posed by the developers: Question One: Do you have any comments on our early proposals for Thurrock Data Centre, including the potential design and layout? Question Two: Do you have any information about the local area and local environment which you suggest we consider? Question Three: Do you have any ideas you would like to share about how we could support local community initiatives? Question Four: Do you have any thoughts on how our proposals could deliver recreation and amenity improvements in the areas around the lake? Question Five: Are you aware of any local organisations or schools that might be interested in partnering with Google? Lakeside Hammers, who raced at all three levels over the years, had a proud record of integrating with the local community after the speedway club appointed a community liaison manager in 2009 and Thurrock Hammers Limited insist they are interested in partnering with Google to carry on its community work and to deliver new added community value. Question Six: Please leave any further comments or suggestions you have here. Thurrock Hammers’ website – www.thurrockhammers.com – provides an easy-to-follow guide to answering the questions as well as important information responses with a link to the Thurrock Data Centre consultation pages. Mark Sexton, who went on local radio to talk about the matter on Friday, confirmed: “We need our fans, and speedway supporters from all over the country, to respond and help us continue our fight to see racing return to the area.” Report: PETER OAKES Cairns agrees a Polish deal WILL CAIRNS, the most sought-after teenager in British speedway, has not yet confirmed where he will be racing in the UK after he turns 16 on June 29 next year. But the youngster, who impressed for Belle Vue Colts at National League level – he was bosses Steve Williams and Graham Goodwin’s rider of the year (pictured right) – and on numerous guest appearances in 2024, has decided where he will begin his career in Poland. Zielona Gora last week announced the signing of Cairns for their Under24 Ekstraliga side. November 2, 2024 speedway star 3

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VOLUME 73 NUMBER 36

8 COPPERGATE MEWS, BRIGHTON ROAD, SURBITON,

SURREY, KT6 5NE

EDITORIAL

Telephone: (020) 8335 1113 E-mail: star@pinegen.co.uk Editor: Andrew Skeels Assistant editor: Tony McDonald News and feature writers: Paul Burbidge, Peter Oakes and Phil Lanning Art editor: Mick Smith Production editor: Mark Frankham Front cover design: Jeff Davies

CIRCULATION & SUBSCRIPTIONS Subscriptions manager: Dave Fairbrother Telephone: (020) 8335 1113 (9 am-2.30 pm) E-mail: subs@pinegen.co.uk Or visit www.speedwaystar.net and click on the subscriptions link.

SUBSCRIPTION RATES UK (52 issues): ......................................£128 UK (26 issues): ........................................£65 UK (13 issues): ........................................£33 EUROPE (52 issues): ............................£144 EUROPE (26 issues): ..............................£74 USA (52 issues):....................................£164 USA (26 issues):......................................£84 REST OF WORLD (52 issues) ................£174 REST OF WORLD (26 issues): ..................£89

DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS www.exacteditions.com/speedwaystar

ADVERTISING Advertising manager: Mick Hooker Office: 01279 771125 Mobile: 07957 814639 E-mail: coveadv@gmail.com

ACCOUNTS

Accounts manager: Marina Abbott Telephone: (020) 8335 1104 E-mail: accounts@pinegen.co.uk Speedway Star is published by the proprietors Pinegen Limited. Printed by: Warners Midlands PLC Printers Distributed by: Seymour Distribution Ltd., 2 East Poultry Avenue, London EC1A 9PT. Registered at the Post Office as a newspaper

© copyright 2024 Pinegen Limited

Schroeck dismay at abusive fans NEWSDESK

OXFORD boss Peter Schroeck admits he is “embarrassed” by the death threats received by Poole youngster Vinnie Foord.

Wessex Marine Pirates’ reserve revealed in Speedway Star last week that Cheetahs’ fans had hurled abuse at him during the track walk prior to the KO Cup Final, first leg at Cowley.

He admitted: “I had a few people tell me they were going to kill me.”

The story escalated just hours before the second leg at Wimborne Road. The Bournemouth Daily Echo picked up the story, splashing it on their front, back and inside pages.

Both teams had heard the threats and Schroeck was clearly dismayed by the shock outbursts.

He said: “I didn’t like it when we did the track walk and I heard a few people shouting that sort of stuff out.

WHY F BACK

“We are talking adults, like my age, abusing a young lad. If they want to chat with him respectfully one-to-one…but not shouting out the way they did.

“I don’t agree with that at all and I feel a little bit embarrassed about it, to be quite honest.

“But I would say this is a minority of people. I won’t allow this to paint a bleak picture of Oxford fans as a whole. Our supporters have been sensational this season and since we came back in 2022.

“It’s no different to what happened at Poole. We get stick at Poole.

“However, it’s always a minority of people on both sides who obviously think they are entitled to do that.

“Unfortunately, we are never going to stop that. It happens in all sports, it happens on social media every day. This is the world we live in now. People think it’s acceptable to have a go.

“But now I would like to draw a line under it. In the heat of the moment we all say things.

“Vinnie came over to me and said: ‘Hello, Pete’ and shook my hand. For me this issue is now done.

“We all have our opinions. We are talking about an 18year-old boy in Vinnie. At the end of the day, he hasn’t got the experience, just the same as Jody (Scott).

“We put these guys into teams now, into the big world of speedway, but they just haven’t got the experience of Scott Nicholls or Tom Brennan.

“There will be times when things get a little bit out of hand. There might be decisions on track that supporters of teams don’t agree with.

“I’m sure Vinnie didn’t go out to hurt anyone on purpose. I don’t like the behaviour when he’s walking around with his dad but that’s different. That can be dealt with in-house for the future.

“With youngsters, they also have to be taught a bit of etiquette on how we have to conduct ourselves. Especially with TV coverage and thousands of people watching it across the world.”

How the Bournemouth Daily Echo splashed the Vinnie Foord story boss Neil Middleditch had appealed for calm between the clubs.

Schroeck is rightfully keen to draw a line under the incident and ensure that the rivalry between the clubs remains respectful for 2025.

He added: “This is a healthy rivalry and nothing more. There’s no feuds. Our clubs get on very well, Middlo and I go back a long way.

He said: “I think we do need some calm. The threats were extreme and something I’ve never experienced before.

“I heard for myself on the track walk. There was also someone shouting to Vinnie: ‘Who are you going to kill tonight?’. It’s not just Vinnie saying it. I heard it, the entire team heard it.

“We are two southern clubs, along with Plymouth, and there’s an excitement about our meetings. It must remain attractive and nothing more. We need to keep it real. We can’t get too carried away with aggro.

“I even get the stick at Oxford. Probably 99 per cent of people are happy with what I do. But there’s always one person who comes up and thinks he knows better. He has to tell me what to do.

“I know how to deal with that. I deal with it directly and in an honest manner. That’s my style.”

In the day leading up to the second leg in Dorset, Poole

“We’ve got a rivalry with Oxford which is great, they are fairly local rivals. But speedway has always prided itself on the good behaviour of its fans. This is obviously just a minority and hopefully never to be repeated.”

Great Britain’s World No. 4 Dan Bewley also backed Foord. After seeing the Daily Echo story, he posted on X: “Never met or spoke to him but I’m a fan. Got a bit of a spark to his riding. Two purely racing incidents at Poole, the second of which the commentators were way off.”

Report: PHIL LANNING

2 speedway star November 2, 2024

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