FANS INVITED TO SHAPE THE PIRATES FUTURE

Club owner Matt Ford has revealed that the 2019 season proved to be the most difficult financially in his 21 years at the helm of the club, explaining "The change of race days from Wednesdays, our night for 50 years or more, to Thursdays had an impact on crowds. We are all creatures of habit and had got used to speedway on a Wednesday, myself included. It was not something I wanted to happen but the league chose to go with Mondays and Thursdays to avoid other international commitments.

 

"We took on a new main team sponsor, No1 Carpet Cleaning, which I can confirm has gone into liquidation owing the club a substantial amount of money – around 75 per cent of the agreed fee for 2019. After a highly successful 2018 where we saw the Pirates crowned Champions we  had hoped for an increased level in Season Ticket sales. Unfortunately although tickets went on sale as early as December, sales dropped by 20% on the previous year. Likewise gate receipts for home matches have been down 20-25% and as much as 50% lower when the club ride live on television.

 

"I have also listened to many supporters express opinions over the lack of varied opposition within the Premiership which currently has just 7 teams represented.

 

"That has led me to ask a few questions and I am therefore seeking feedback from the supporters to the questions list below. We are seeking feedback via email ONLY to info@poole-speedway.com by 8pm on Monday (14th October), so that we can consolidate the thoughts and opinions which will then help us determine how best to take the club forward in the future."

 

"I would emphasise however, that although the club still remains for sale, we are only prepared to do that should the right offer be made and it is the intentions of the current management team to still be running the club in 2020 with my son Dan taking a more hands-on role and becoming far more involved in a move that I feel certain will benefit the club. He is very keen to be  more active and his ideas to take the club forward, on a day-to-day basis and on the promotional side, are probably better than mine now, although I will be keeping an eye on certain aspects and staying heavily involved in team building."

 

"The questions that I would like you, the supporters, to consider are:

 

a) Would you prefer to see us ride in a league with more opponents and if so, how important is the level to you?  -  As an example, the Ipswich one-to-seven that came to us for the play-offs had six riders who also compete in the Championship.  We automatically see the championship  as a lower level but in reality many riders are competing in both leagues.
     
b) How much of an issue has the change of race day been to you and people you know? Specifically, how much has it impacted on your ability to attend? How many people do you know who have been unable to attend due to the change?
and, finally,

 

c)  how can we improve things to make the stadium more appealing?   I ask that bearing in mind that our stadium is rented and that means the speedway club take nothing from the sales of refreshments. While I would love to give everyone plush new surroundings like Belle Vue, what we have is what we have and that’s not a criticism of the landlord or anyone else, just the facts. I am sure we will see a certain amount of development of the site over time, including some social housing, and I see that as a positive if it means we are going to obtain a new stadium within the same grounds as part of that package.

 

So, please let us know by email as soon as possible, because it could be that your points need further review or a response and this medium will make it easier for us to get back to you should we need to clarify any further points.