Proper or pantomime? Fair or unjust? Scintillating or exasperating? The playoffs have been part of speedway hierarchy since 2002 and have often had a habit of causing division across the terraces, especially when the top of the table team fails to be crowned champions. But is this sporadic criticism fair, and are the playoffs vital for the longevity of speedway, as the leisure and sporting sectors are squeezed by a more discerning public? My quest to answer these questions ─ and more ─ started in earnest at the epicentre of the 2023 Sports Insure Premiership: Owlerton Stadium, Sheffield. From there, my race across the country concluded in Wimborne Road, Poole, where the Championship cavalcade reached its climax, at which point I compared the title winning technicalities with another elite sport – Rugby Union.
Chris Holder was adamant in relation to the current structure, “They are good and add a bit of excitement to it all. Everyone knows that at the end of the season it’s all about the playoffs. I like it – adds a bit of tension and controversy.” He was pumped to be part of this season’s showdown, adding, “I’ve been involved a few times with Poole and there is always that bit of added pressure; you don’t want to let anyone down. Something extra is always given in the playoffs.” Fellow Tiger, Kyle Howarth, agreed, “You work all year for this, and to get to the final is an extra buzz.”
Team manager, Simon Stead, continued with the upbeat narrative, “They create the excitement and exposure that speedway needs to get in front of as many people as possible. There is no doubting that the bigger crowds are drawn by the playoffs.” Simon pragmatically added, “On some occasions, clubs can be almost reliant on those big attendances to finish the season in the black.” Reflecting on the often rough justice of the shootouts, he was more profound: “You would have to say that the winner over the course of the season – like we were last year – deserves to win it, because they sustained form during the full season. But we all know how it’s going to be decided, so I don’t think you can have any complaints come the end of the season, even if you are top of the pile.”
Before entering the Witches’ camp, I was keen to hear what the pundits had to say as they prepared for the imminent live TV broadcast. Having discussed the mechanics of the playoff system earlier in the day with Scott Nicholls, he gave a firm endorsement: “It’s exciting, isn’t it? I had an argument with someone about it only a moment ago! I used your example of football’s World Cup Final. I’ve never looked at it that way before and it makes a lot of sense.”
In a nutshell, since this premier sporting event is dubbed the greatest show on earth, why shouldn’t domestic speedway harness this incredible energy, especially in the modern era when spectators have a swathe of other entertainment choices on offer? He continued, “I do like the idea that the league is literally a qualification process to get to the grand final, and I think if you reword it in that way, it creates a different spin. I’ve already bought into that idea – we just need to sell it now!”
Nonetheless, Scott couldn’t ignore the elephant in the room – what about the team finishing top of the table? “I think there should be some form of acknowledgement, but we are geared for TV, and the playoffs provide a massive crescendo.” On the riding side, Scott was graphic: “It’s an emotional roller-coaster – you are either on a massive high, or a mega low, especially if you are in the last race ─ as I was at Glasgow (and fell off) – and cost your team a place in the final!”
Turning to Kelvin Tatum, he is also a paid-up member of the playoff fan club, albeit he fully agreed with Scott that some form of recognition for the team that headed the pack during the qualification process should exist, concluding, “They bring a certain theatre and drama to it all,” adding a key point that may have been lost in the mists of time, “I can remember that, in the early days of TV coverage, we sometimes missed the meetings that actually decided the championship.”
The Ipswich contingent was just as supportive, with team boss, Richie Hawkins, highlighting the convincing economics: “Our main focus is getting to the final as the larger attendances make a big difference to the budgets for next season.” Emil Sayfutdinov captured the thrill of being involved in one sentence: “Fighting for gold is such a great feeling.” Meanwhile, guest Chris Harris – as enthusiastic as ever – found himself in a somewhat perplexing situation: “It’s nice to be in the final, although a shame it’s not for my club. I helped Ipswich get here, now I’ve got to stop them winning!” Adding that speedway was – at times – “A funny old sport,” he nevertheless thought that a rule change may be long overdue. Contending that the playoffs are essential for the sport, he qualified this assertion: “There are pros and cons. You can finish top and lose it in the playoffs, but if it’s simply about winning the league we need more teams, as there aren’t enough meetings.”
Before I took to the terraces I grabbed a few words with Premiership Chief Executive Officer, Phil Morris, for his take on proceedings: “Having originated in America in the NBA and NFL it fits well within a modern sport.” However, he accepted the grievances of some fans. “I do understand the frustrations. I was team manager of Birmingham when we finished top and lost to Poole in the final.”
The fans braving the inclement weather shared the same conclusion. As a means of determining the ultimate champions, the playoffs are superior. Ipswich supporter Steve summed it up as, “Brilliant. You can’t fault them. I know we scraped in but it’s fantastic to be here!” Fellow Witches, Sheila and Sam, were also fully paid-up converts, adding, “It gives a whole new meaning to the sport and it’s very exciting!” Home fans were just as convinced, although David and Helen pointed out that the showcase events had been fractured due to the weather, reinforcing the need for speedway to conclude the playoffs before October. Echoing Bomber, David pointed out, “Riders should be cup-tied.” Tiger Lee had returned to the sport after a sabbatical of sixteen years, in part due to the allure of the playoffs. In conclusion, Jack provided the final ingredient: “It’s tough and challenging, but it adds extra juice to it all!”
At Wimborne Road, the overall view of the system was positive, although there were some vital considerations. Adam Roynon, there on duty with BSN, asserted “It’s been a drawn-out occasion which must be looked at for next season. And maybe there need to be two sets of trophies.”
Pirates’ manager, Neil Middleditch, reflected on the times the playoffs had gone in his favour, albeit was quick to point out when they hadn’t. “It provides momentum to the very end of the season, whilst a league format could mean it’s all over in August.” Neil’s astute observation emphasised the importance of every league match, and in some cases, every heat. Just think back to the herculean performance of Peterborough this season when ─ with seemingly nothing to race for ─ they defeated Leicester, unexpectedly grabbed the bonus point, and opened the playoff door for rivals Ipswich.
Home skipper, Richard Lawson, enthusiastically declared, “It’s amazing to be involved. You are the cream of the league, and both sets of riders have done their jobs to get here; not simply gone through the motions.”
The views of the fans I spoke to on the night reflected a firm positivity towards the end of season highpoint, although some still sought credit for the table toppers, typified by Graham, who has supported the Pirates since 1961. “I still think there needs to be some significance placed on topping the league.” Sean and Lisa simply branded the spectacle as, “good fun!”
Interviewing speedway newbie and Rugby Union aficionado Peter Carter, drawn in by the magic of the shoot-out at the OK Corral, that eventually saw Glasgow Tigers triumph, I was keen to hear his take. Mulling over his enjoyable shale experience, he outlined the similarities between both sports in determining the championship. “The English Premiership is settled via a playoff process with the final usually held in late May at Twickenham in front of a near capacity crowd of 82,000. The majority of supporters come from the two teams involved, which makes for a fantastic atmosphere, with no fan segregation.” Continuing, he added, “I think as a means of determining the Rugby Premiership title, the playoff system adds an exciting end to the season. It also raises the profile of the game again after a long season that may otherwise just fizzle out, especially when one team has run away with the league element.” The financial side was shared too, “It provides considerable income generation for the clubs involved, particularly if they reach the Twickenham final. This is vitally important in a competition where three topflight clubs have gone bust in the past two years.” Terminating our conversation, Peter concluded, “I’ll be back!” Another speedway convert wooed by the playoffs.
A welter of scientific evidence exists concluding that elimination events raise an athlete’s game and often produce incredible performances that can defy the ordinary rules of competition. For example, research undertaken at the University of Wollongong, New South Wales, in 2016, examined the psychology of optimal performance within the parameters of “flow” and, uncannily referenced a crucial part of a speedway machine, “clutch.” The former is aligned to “letting it happen” whilst the latter engages with “making it happen,” – surely a metaphor for the playoffs, irrespective of where a team finishes in the qualifying process? And as an epic example of this fact, who will ever forget reserve Richard Hall’s stellar ride for Peterborough Panthers, beating Charlie Gjedde of the Reading Bulldogs in the penultimate race of the 2006 Elite League Playoff Final second Leg, that paved the way for triumph by the narrowest of margins, so wonderfully captured by the genius commentary of the late great Nigel Pearson. I know that I never will!
The bottom line? The playoffs are overwhelmingly more loved than loathed and perfectly complement the drama that defines speedway!
©Ian Kirke 2023 & all photographs.
@ianjkirke