Hello...anyone out there?

[headmistress]

:'(Lets keep it going.

I predicted early in the season that our licence might become Wimbledon's door to the premier, through our acquired connections. Time has proved I was wrong and not only are we unlikely to fly next year, but a proud London club with ambition is again defunct.

I am pleased to report our local paper the Herald Express which rarely reports on our beloved pastime, had a back page article today on keeping the Falcons' dream alive. It basically repeated that which was said elsewhere.

I think there has been general murmuring this year about Gospeed and what they have made out of the Falcons in our last year and especially the End of Era meeting (what WAS the attendance? - No-one seemed to have their abacus handy and if 2,800 it was faulty - ask for your money back).

The fact that Terry Russell has said his company are actually taking out the same finance they injected back at the outset of 2005 is entirely commendable and I for one thank him for his input and look forward to the future for his involvement.

I thought David Short's comments in the Star very interesting, especially our French connection!

I am suffering severe withdrawal symptions - my 2 children are off at uni and I am sorting through my loft and garage. Have found autographs of Scott Autrey and Ivan from 1973 I forgot I had though.

Sorry for ramble, but someone has to keep things going.

Bit late, but Craig (Mini Nevs) did a fantastic job at the last meeting - very well orchestrated. Thank you, you really added to the occasion.

[Nevs]

headmistress said:

:'(Lets keep it going.



I am pleased to report our local paper the Herald Express which rarely reports on our beloved pastime, had a back page article today on keeping the Falcons' dream alive.



I thought David Short's comments in the Star very interesting, especially our French connection!



Bit late, but Craig (Mini Nevs) did a fantastic job at the last meeting - very well orchestrated. Thank you, you really added to the occasion.

With regards to the Herald Express did they report the Falcons as well as they did Ivan Ms shop front window being demolished while he was sat there?



Must get my hands on last weeks Speedway Star tomorrow to see what David had to say.

With regards to Craig he wants to get into Hospital Radio for next season to pass the time and continue his music and we have made a few enquiries-but would appear he is possibly too young.


Once they answer the phone we will know more-only been through their website so far.

Boring as hell aint it mate with no speedway-Totally lost this end

[squibby]

I also recognise that without GoSpeed there would not have been any Exeter Speedway in 2005 and we must thank them for that.

As for just taking back what they put in finance-wise, ask yourself this - who pocketed the profits from the End of an Era meeting? I would estimate the crowd as being around 5,000, so the gate receipts must have been at least £65-70,000, even allowing for those who paid less than the adult entry charge of £15 per head.

Even after deducting prize money, appearance money etc etc, there must have been a very tidy profit which, unless someone wants to correct me, I assume went to GoSpeed. So, they have done very nicely out of their season's involvement with the Falcons.

All of this left me with a bitter taste in the mouth when I stated my opening paragraph in this post.

I am optimistic about Haldon. I think we have an excellent chance of getting approval for the track there and look forward to doing what I can to help make it become a reality.

[slipslider]

Yup, Go Speed probably made a fair return for their investment, but I reckon that is one of their reasons for promoting speedway. We would probably have been watching falcons flying over the Haldon trees this year without their input. Its something of a mental balancing act - to assess whether there would have been speedway without them and whether their profit was more than acceptable - but for me it was worth it to have another season at the CG, to see the promotion trying to put together a competitive team and to witness a truly memorable End of Era meeting. I think these factors must 'go into the mix' when we ponder over the Go Speed 'investment' After all they were never going to be benefactors - more like speculators !

[nigel]

Nevs, Craig could maybe speak to Rod Cork (timekeeper) as he knows Doug Parish who works in hospital radio. He may be able to put you in touch.

[wealdenwillie]

Hope Haldon gets the go ahead and the Falcons fly again. I'm a long time exile from the Westcountry, and my one memory of Haldon is seeing a line of Hurricane fighters parked there in 1940. I think it was a sort of satellite field for the RAF airfield at Exeter. So the team could be the Haldon Hurricanes. But I hope they keep the Falcons name, wherever they ride.

[Ivan.m]

This post will probably get deleted,but i must share with you my last memories of Haldon.I cant remember if it was 1978 or 1979 but my dear ol' Dad took me to a long track meeting (which was excellent) and suddenly developed a very bad guts ache.After searching for a toilet everywhere he decided to try and make it back to Newton Abbot.I would never believe that an 11.59 cc Vauxhaul Viva could do 105 m.p.h,but it did,with my ol' boy shouting 'Christ!' all the way home!!
LOL. when we got home,he dissapeared into the loo and things come out both ends.
I laughed me head off,only to get the same bug the following day,spewed up at school,and got sent home in agony. ;D ;D
Teach me for laughing at the ol' boy ;D ;D

Roll on Haldon