What should we talk about today?
The world according to Kirkey
What has the epic conclusion to the 2022/23 Vanarama National League got to do with the legendary authors Dame Agatha Christie, Sir Arthur Conan-Doyle and Raymond Chandler? Stay with me for the full ninety minutes, plus added time, a wedge of extra time, and penalties, and I’ll reveal all. But first, I’d like to take … Read more
I’ve changed jobs, partners, and invariably my mind. I have flip-flopped on politics, places to live, and even giving parental advice to my kids. But change my football club? Never! According to the National Human Genome Research Institute, “DNA sequencing refers to the general laboratory technique for determining the exact sequence of nucleotides, or bases, … Read more
The word “promotion” is defined as an attempt to make a product or event popular or successful, especially by advertising. I’ve met many speedway promoters and their remit would appear to be much wider, albeit this principal business outcome reigns supreme – getting folk through the turnstiles on a regular basis and encouraging them to … Read more
With the opening round of this year’s ten round world championship hitting the shale in Croatia in a few days’ time (29th April), I was fortunate to catch up with the British contingent of GP stars – three times world champion, Tai Woffinden (32), plus Robert Lambert (25) and Dan Bewley (23), now truly international … Read more
Allegedly, when asked “How do you become a millionaire?” Sir John Madejski – the former chair of Reading Football club – replied, “Start off with five million and buy a football club.” Speedway may be in a different financial league to most upper tier football clubs, but nonetheless certain parallels can be drawn in terms … Read more
Two hunters are out in the woods when one of them collapses. He doesn’t seem to be breathing and his eyes are glazed. The other guy whips out his phone and calls the emergency services. He gasps, “My friend is dead! What can I do?” The operator says, “Calm down. I can help. First, let’s … Read more
The late, great, footballer, Jimmy Greaves, is credited with coining the phrase – “It’s a funny old game!” The same can be said about speedway as club fortunes can often experience glory one season, then gloom the next. Peterborough fans will testify to that in recent years. With the often unpredictable nature of rider averages, … Read more
Typically, a speedway rider has a choice of two primary modes of headgear: the skid lid and the customary sponsor’s baseball cap. But what if – metaphorically speaking – the choice is far wider; where influence, interest and inspiration provide a greater variety of choice. There was only one way to solve this riddle — … Read more
The philosophy of identity has been the subject of unceasing debate since the origin of humankind. If you are so minded, you can read the classical scholarly accounts, including the marathon poem ‘The Odyssey,’ understood to have been penned by Homer around the eighth century BC, which, amongst other things, connects with the notion of … Read more
Does speedway really deliver the full customer experience? In terms of the on-track action, spectators are treated to around 15 minutes of full-blooded, adrenalin-charged entertainment. But what of the remainder of the spectacle, and how better can promoters exploit the lulls in between the action to ensure that additional revenue streams are maximised and that … Read more