HOUSEKEEPING - posted 27 January 2012

It will probably come as no surprise to readers to learn that Spokesman-Online is reaching its capacity.  Our daily updates on all the news and views, coupled with the sheer volume of pics on the site means something has to give!

In the next couple of weeks we'll be doing some progressive housekeeping so we can free up some more space in readiness for the exciting new season to come.  So if you want to keep any particular page, story or statistics, can we suggest that you save it or print it off in the next few days before we start our clean-up.

New season fast approaching - can't wait!

SANDWELL SAVED FROM OBLIVION - posted 13 January 2012

Reports that Sandwell cycle speedway club has been saved from oblivion is welcome news indeed.  With only 30 clubs listed in the current Cycle Speedway Directory, the sport can ill afford to lose any club, let alone one with Sandwell's reputation and tradition.

In our New Year Message, we highlighted what can be achieved by the sport coming together to work in a spirit of enthusiasm and cooperation.  By all accounts, the Sandwell revival is an excellent example of people doing just this - for the the greater benefit of the sport.

Of course, there's a long way to go.  While Sandwell's immediate future has been secured, there's still much to do to ensure the club's medium and long term viability.

In contrast to Sandwell's upturn in fortunes, there are worrying reports coming out of Essex that the county's only cycle speedway club is struggling to survive.  Judging by the enthusiasm shown by their delegation (Keith Brooks, Caroline Kruger and Phil Repman) at last weekend's South-East regional meeting, they won't let the club go down without a fight but they face an uphill struggle.

Sadly their track at Shrub End recreation ground is in need of major renovation (the hardcore sub-base is showing through the surface making the circuit dangerous) and they need a new injection of fresh talent to rejuvenate the club - but what they need most is some help.

With a shrinking membership, initiatives such as the 24 marathon recently undertaken by Swindon, are out of the question.  With local authorities dramatically cutting back on leisure grants, Colchester certainly have their backs to the wall.

Perhaps British Cycling could offer some positive support, not by bailing out the club, but assisting it to seek grant aid or local commercial support.  In a couple of weeks time, the sport will gather at the Eaton Hotel in Birmingham to discuss the long awaited development plan.  Let's hope high priority can be given to maintaining present clubs and investing in local facilities.

Together it can be done.  Together it must be done.

2011 - A RECORD BREAKING YEAR FOR TEAM SPOKESMAN - posted 4 January 2012

2011 will go down in cycle speedway circles as one of the best in years - the ground-breaking Worlds in America, televised British final, launch of the cycle speedway-specific level two coaching programme, continued expansion of women's racing, club development and stabilisation initiatives stating to impact, facility improvements - the list goes on and on!

2011 has also been an amazing year for Spokesman-Online.  Twelve months ago, we really thought interest in cycle speedway's favourite website had peaked.  How wrong could we be!

Latest figures released by our website providers confirm that 2011 was a record breaking year for Spokesman-Online.   In the past twelve months a staggering 319,753 visits were made to the site, up 24% on the corresponding 2010 figure.  That's an amazing additional 62,350 visits in the year. 

We also celebrated the two busiest days in the website's history when over 1,500 individual visits, all from separate URLs, were made on 25 and 26 April, as readers across the world logged on to read all the latest news from the World championships in the United States.

Amazingly 926,461 visits have now been made to the site - a truly remarkable record that many full-time business sites would be very proud of.

We have said it many times before but it's worth repeating.  Spokesman-Online is a remarkable team effort.  Without the dedicated contribution of our talented and enthusiastic contributors, reporters, photographers and statisticians, Spokesman simply wouldn't exist - not forgetting of course our loyal readers, many of whom log in every day of the year to keep up to date with all the latest cycle speedway news, views and gossip.

2012 promises to be a great year for cycle speedway.  Hopefully, the foundations laid over the past six months will provide a firm base to build on and Olympic year will be one to savour, not just for all sports' lovers but for every cycle speedway follower too.