Plymouth Devils & Manor Delta.

[stevieb]

Hi Nevs old chap, doing well thanks and best wishes to you and yours.

[jay3012]

It was the track I was meaning not the actual stadium squibby. I just meant width of track, air fences etc so we could have held some of the top events there we were certainly given the impression that was on the cards and a stand named after Colin. Is it not possible to resurrect any of the Westpoint or haldon deals. They were on the right lines with the wheels centre surely with cycling at its most popular for years now after the Olympics it's worth looking at again. With Westpoint holding concerts again and new silencers on the bikes noise and traffic wouldn't be such an issue. Could anything be done where the current cycle speedway and bmx tracks are? I have to say the cycle speedway looks great there well done to whoever is involved with that. anything out at Stewart's site opposite crealy or out at greendales? There must be some places struggling now that would be glad of the income where as before they didn't need speedway maybe they would now.'

[tonyl]

I have been watching this thread with interest, but have not rushed to comment. I now think its time to clarify some popular misconceptions. First I must point out that although I'm a director of ManorDelta Ltd I am not commenting in an official way but as a long time fan who like everyone else wants the Falcons back.
Lets start by getting rid of an urban myth. Colin Hill did not leave £500,000 for the continuation of Exeter Speedway. He certainly wanted the Falcons to have a new home, but the word speedway did not appear in his will. Colin's bequest was that of his ManorDelta company to eight of his friends whom he asked to carry out his wish of establishing a new stadium at Westpoint for which he had set aside funds. Some of those friends have tried to fulfil his wish, other decided to opt out. Colin's hopes of going to Westpoint seemed to be a done deal, and his last great wish was to announce it before he died. We did, and this in hindsight was a great mistake, as a planning application had not yet been entered. The showground management demanded a public meeting be held at Clyst St Mary village hall at which we received a great deal of vocal abuse. I understand that there were some extremely infuential individuals present who brought pressure to bear on the Westpoint executives and this combine with negative views eminating from the East Devon DC planning dept caused a sharp change of policy at the showground. As far as I am aware this has not changed. This is also why ManorDelta now has a policy of not announcing its plans until the paperwork is done.

Following Colin's death there was a long period of probate so no funds were available from his estate. Exeter Speedway would have closed then, but for Terry Russell who stepped in under the misguided belief that both Westpoint and Colin's money would be made available to him. In fairness to Terry he discovered this before the season started but still gave us a full season in which he lost a considerable amount of money. Yes he did recoup this on the last night, but we had a great night.

When Terry withdrew Alan Trump attempted to set up a deal with the Jockey club for Haldon racecourse. You can read all the details of that in David Short's letter in today's Speedway Star. and yes ManorDelta is still on good terms with the Jockey Club, but the costs of providing proper stadium facilities in the present fincial climate are beyond our reach.

As Squibby has said there is currently no prospect of ever building a new track within the boundaries of the City of Exeter. I know because I was invited to a meeting with the Chief Planning Officer when the situation was discussed in great depth. Many years ago Colin looked at various sites on Marsh Barton but the price of the land was absolutely astronomical. I should also point out that Colin also explored all the sites that have been suggested in this tread. All were turned down for various reasons, usually due to access or for 'environmental reasons'. Also you can forget anything that falls within East Devon, they just don't want to know speedway. And please don't say you just need a track in a field. Believe me there is so much more to it that that.

And so we come to Plymouth. Colin was first and foremost a businessman. He was always on the lookout for good business opportunities and possible new venues. A couple of times he even came close to switching the Falcons away from Exeter altogether following difficulties with the rugby club in the nineties. What has happened at Plymouth is a business decision. Anyone who has savings knows that the banks are not offering much in the way of interest just now. So what ManorDelta has done is invest in Plymouth Speedway. It does not mean that the Falcons are dead, just that Plymouth is a track that is up and running and has the potential to be huge success. Seemond and his consortium have sound ideas for improving facilities and putting on a good show. We all know that Seemond is a showman through and through. And success at Marsh Mills could aid a proper Falcons return.

Those of you who know me are aware that I have only ever supported one team, the Falcons. Since 2005 I have not been a regular supporter at any track. In fact one year I saw more meetings in Poland than I did in the UK. A couple of years ago I was on the verge of giving up altogether. Then Matt Bates launched his idea for the Retro Falcons, and suddenly everyone was showing an interest again. Finding a new site is the hardest task I've ever faced, but I still feel the glass is half full, not half empty. Terry Russell said to me on the last night ' I'm a businessman, I leave the sentiment to you'. OK I'm happy with the sentiment, I'm never going to be a businessman, but I realise that you need business tactics if we are going to get our Exeter Speedway back. Here is a chance to ensure that at least we have speedway in Devon. I feel we should take. At least I have been able to clarify a few points.

[squibby]

Thanks very much for that full and frank post, Tony. I for one appreciate you taking the trouble to go into such detail. Hopefully, everyone else will too !

[rogero]

Tonyl

Brilliant!

My original posting was made in the right spirit and I agree with everything you have said. As a Plymothian that negotiated the old A38 every Monday for god knows how many years to support speedway via The Falcons, well done to Manordelta for giving their support to Plymouth!

At least there is a visible and tangible aspect to Colin Hill's legacy now and who knows where it might lead. I for one am delighted and grateful ... Colin loved his speedway and not just Exeter Speedway.

Your open, honest and informative posting should hopefully put a few complaints to rest.

I say again to Exeter people who love their speedway (but not at Plymouth), come on give Seemond, Manordelta , Colin Hill's legacy and the new promotion at Plymouth a chance and support please.

Thanks again Tony.

[jay3012]

I echo what squibby has said thank you Tony. I haven't bought the speedway star since the farewell falcons edition, I will buy it and read what David has to say with interest.

[idh]

Excellent post Tony many thanks for it.

I know you have been trying your hardest, even with my scatterbrain ideas please don't give up

Happy new Year

catch you soon

idh

[tonyl]

Thank you guys for the kind comments and greetings.

Rogero, I don't think you were in the minority when it came to journeying long distances to the County Ground before the coming of some decent road. I remember the A38 was a nightmare. Squibby and I were talking recently about how the proportions of fans differed those that came from within Exeter or from further afield. It would have been interesting to know what those proportions were. We used to get regular phone calls on Mondays asking about the weather. These , as I remember, ranged from Bristol, Exmoor, Barnstaple, Holsworthy, and darkest Cornwall as well the likes of Exmouth, Tiverton and Crediton, not to mention those who lived within sight of the track. I do wonder how many of those folk would still travel if we were running today, or whether they would stay home and watch Sky. I like to think they would have opted for the Falcons! Incidentally do you remember the Plymouth supporters used to sponsor a second half every year after PennyCross closed down.

jay3012 I'm not sure why I still buy the Star. After 50 years I reckon its habit as I don't know the majority of the riders.

Nevsy thanks for the MK story. That was tough few weeks as we went up every Tuesday afternoon and didn't get home until 3.30am, then up again for work. That little venture cost Colin Tony Olsson, and very nearly Exeter as well. Will tell you all the full story some time if you're interested.

idh I'm sure we'll get our indoor venue one day if the right numbers come up.

Finally for now you might like to know some of the things that ManorDelta have been doing quietly. We have helped out various former Falcons with sponsorship and also when they have been injured, sponsored various junior meetings, as well as The Ben Fund Bonanza last year and again this year. We are also planning to assist the Darren and Sharon Boocock Foundation which helps up and coming young British riders. The Boococks were killed in a motorcycle accident a few years ago. Darren's dad is, of course, Nigel who rode for Exeter in 1980. The scheme works with Marcus Williams, another ex Falcon who was paralysed in his first match with Exeter at Newcastle in 1983. We try and look after our own.

[martinben]

thanks for all your info its been interesting reading and i can see so much positives coming from this. It doesn't look like it now but we shouldn't give up hope, the key is too start attracting the youngsters back to the sport, too many people still see the sport as just a noise nuisiance, dirty polluting the environment which puts the authorities in a good position to keep turning down potential sites, also to Tony i met you several times at the county ground, my dad and i sponsored Ivan at the farewell meeting as well, just a question for you but has it ever been discussed about having a joint venture with plymouth speedway ie ground share or is that considered to be well out of the question...only asking or is it quite hard to get planning permission to hold 2 meetings a week, or is it just not something manor delta would be interested in, this has been done i believe in other sports such as football/rugby and abroad or would it just not work?

[tonyl]

Martinben, I look forward to meeting up with you again at Plymouth this summer. You are absolutely right with your comments regarding attracting a new audience of youngsters to speedway. I know Seemond is very aware of this and intends to do a lot of work with schools. I fear speedway is seen by many as an old fashioned sport along with wrestling and dog racing, and like all motorsport bad for the environment. This is untrue as lots of changes and improvements have been brought in since the County Ground closed but its still something the councils and planners must be made a aware of.
As regards ground sharing this isn't possible at Plymouth at the moment as their planning only allows one meeting a week. Hopefully this may change in future. National League Dudley Heathens ride all their home matches at Wolverhampton where they attract 1000 plus crowds, while Boston used to race at Kings Lynn so it could be done. I'm not sure this would be possible with two teams in the same league although Wembley rode their home meetings at Wimbledon in 1948 due to the Olympics be held at the Empire Stadium. I believe the idea is for an Exeter junior team to race when Plymouth have away fixtures on Fridays, as well as four heat junior matches after the main PL match. Again Seemond is keen to develop locally based riders much in the same manner as Colin Hill did with the Express & Echo Rangers and the Devon Demons. I think with the exception of Bobby Eldridge all the other members of the 2000 league championship side had ridden for Exeter junior teams at one time or another.