bryn
Reserve
Posts: 39
|
Post by bryn on Oct 7, 2009 15:53:43 GMT
Yes just to let you know that, as I quite often do, today I received a phonecall from Waggy who asked to be remembered to all of you who helped and/or supported him at Cowley during his period at the helm. As we always do we discussed the good times of which there were many, and the bad times, of which there were a few. Whilst he has no involvement whatsoever with the sport nowadays, he still retains many, many fond memories. He, like I, still keeps a close eye on the progress made, or otherwise, of riders of that era.
Bryn
|
|
|
Post by johnw on Oct 8, 2009 11:00:28 GMT
Thanks for this update on Waggy, Bryn. He was unjustifiably criticized by many so called speedway supporters across the country. To most of us at Oxford he was like a breath of fresh air and was certainly the most proactive of our many recent promoters. Some of us thought a dream ticket for an exciting promotional team would have been "Waggy & Wiggy". What do others think?
Regards John W
|
|
|
Post by robpeasley on Oct 10, 2009 11:50:56 GMT
Thanks for this update on Waggy, Bryn. He was unjustifiably criticized by many so called speedway supporters across the country. To most of us at Oxford he was like a breath of fresh air and was certainly the most proactive of our many recent promoters. John, I agree, Waggy put in so much effort to promoting at Oxford. I really enjoyed my speedway during this three-year period, at both EL & CL level - there was rarely a dull moment. The 2005 CL league championship was what Waggy deserved for his commitment at this level. I'm also grateful for the opportunites I was given by Waggy - to write for the Speedway Star and to team manage Oxford at Belle Vue. Bryn, please pass on my best regards. All the best Rob
|
|
|
Post by scott on Oct 11, 2009 0:40:58 GMT
Ask Greg Hanthingy about Nigel Wagstaff and you'll get a truer picture of what Wagstaff was about!
While I respected he tryed his best at Oxford ultimately he struggled cause he couldn't really afford to do it, accumulated many debts which is the reason why he isn't seen at any speedway track in recent times.
I feel Waggy falls into the same category as messrs Horton and Aarron Lanney in that although I'm sure they genuinely wanted to do well at Oxford their ineptitude caused mainly by a lack of funds had a massive bearing on the current defunct state of Oxford speedway.
The year the Purchases wanted to drop into the PL but wern't allowed to in order to keep the (D)elite League going also ultimately was a nail in the coffin.
Don't like to sound doom and gloomy but I can't stomach people praising up a dodger like Wagstaff who put people in muddles cause he couldn't pay his bills and made a big contribution to Oxford speedways eventual demise!
|
|
|
Post by robpeasley on Oct 11, 2009 20:02:41 GMT
Scott, I don't know about Greg Hancokk, but I've spoken to both Travis McGowan and Craig Branney in the last month and both have no problems with Waggy.
When I was chatting to Harry Branney (Craig and John's dad) at Northside, he said how much Craig enjoyed it at Oxford - probably more so than at any other club he's ridden for. The Branney boys were both fully paid up at the end of the 2005 season, as were all the riders for their Conference League appearances.
All the best Rob
|
|
|
Post by browny on Oct 12, 2009 19:57:37 GMT
Having lost contact with Waggy other than Xmas cards over the last few years I have spoken with him quite a lot recently while getting some DVD's he was after. The last time being a couple of days ago.
He was no doubt very fond of his time at Oxford and remember we were more succesful under him for a few seasons before and certainly since. I would deny he played a part in the ultimate closure of Oxford, don't deny Horton that claim, he and he alone ruined Oxford in my opinion
|
|
|
Post by scott on Oct 14, 2009 18:09:24 GMT
Horton certainly put the final nail in the coffin that is obvious but messrs Wagstaff and Lanney helped to push the club down the slippery slope to oblivion in my opinion cause the stadium owners in the end grew tired of struggling speedway promotions and the lack of continuity!
Though I'd give anyone that tryed to run Oxford speedway credit cause I'm sure it was a hard job!
I still live in hope that the speedway will be back at Cowley sooner rather than later!
|
|
|
Post by JohnPhelan on Nov 14, 2009 15:29:10 GMT
Nigel Wagstaff wasn certainly a colourful character, and there was no shortage of interesting stuff going on while he was in charge!
It's very easy to point the finger at who caused the club's closure, and its not a shock to hear all post-Purchase promotions being held wholly or partly responsible. Colin Horton is the favourite target of most Oxford fans, but lets not forget who actually withdrew from negotiations for running in the 2008 season. It was this that saw the club finally killed off, and the promoter cleared off instead to run a shiny, high-profile Elite League club in the Midlands. The promoter who earned himself universal praise for getting an Oxford CL side to rise like a Phoenix from Horton's ashes, and who subsequently announced to the Oxford faithful that a PL side would run at Cowley in 2008 is the real villain of the piece. Don't blame Wagstaff, Lanney or even Horton. Oxford was doomed from the moment Mr. Trump did a deal with Mr. Sandhu at Coventry.
As a result, I'm hardly unique in being one of those that has largely lost interest in speedway. I began to watch the GP series on TV in 2009, but didn't bother after about 6 of them. I didn't watch any Elite League meetings on tv, though will admit to watching a televised PL meeting early in the season. I've not seen a live match since the last meeting at Oxford, and when I had the chance to go to a match at Somerset back in July, I honestly couldn't be bothered. After my enforced two year break, I wouldn't want to guarantee that I'd go again if the sport was to return to Cowley. I occasionally check out the Speedway GP, BSPA and Oxford websites, but only rarely.
Shame really.
|
|
|
Post by browny on Nov 22, 2009 18:28:21 GMT
Oh no, not another threat threatening to report us to the Police. What are on earth are you going on about ?
Now we have all been warned, don't anyone dare disagree with the poor soul because YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED !
Thanks for that, just what this forum needed ! I will wait nervously for the knock on the door regarding me disagreeing with a Private Dancer 5 years ago. I'd be more worried about what my wife thought I was doing with a Private Dancer ;D
As for speedway at Oxford under the ownership of the GRA. Not a chance I am afraid, for whatever reason they will not have the sport back. The reasons are NOT commercial common sense reasons that is for sure. They still have a alterior motive and whether they want speedway or not there is still a determination to ensure they cannot bulldose the place and make a fortune from doing so
|
|
|
Post by browny on Nov 23, 2009 17:53:13 GMT
Seems the Police are on the way to me.
Had a call from someone tonight who had got my mobile number in devious ways telling me that the Police were aware of my crimes and unless I apologised for "physically damaging my character" however someone might do that, then the Police would be contacting me.
Anyone know what I have done so I can at least try to understand ??
|
|