EXETER FALCONS SUPPORTERS CLUB
This page is for the Supporters Club and any articles published  are sanctioned 
by Chairman Gordon Ward

 

SUPPORTERS CLUB MEETING
TUESDAY 27 MAY

The next supporters club event will be at The Cat & Fiddle Tuesday 27th May 7.30pm Start.

Chairman Gordon Ward is anticipating another bumper attendance. " Despite the fact that this is the third season that the fans have been without a team of their own to watch interest in the sport remains high locally." he explained. " Our winter meetings have been extremely well attended and plenty of Exeter supporters will be going to Cardiff''s Millennium Stadium at the end of June to cheer on former Falcon Chris Harris in the British Grand Prix. I am hopeful that lots of fans will come along to the Cat and Fiddle for our next club night."

Ward expressed concern that reports have appeared indicating that the club would be holding a meeting on 5 May, Bank Holiday Monday.

" I don't know where this idea came from but it is certainly not correct as many of our members will be watching live speedway in different parts of the country that day."
 

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Allen Trump Update by Gordon Ward

Gordon has just completed a mini tour over the weekend which took in Coventry v Wolves on Friday, Stafford Rangers v Torquay United on Saturday afternoon and Stoke Potters v Redcar on Saturday night.

On Friday night Gordon caught up with Allen at Coventry (attached photo) and he asks to reassure the Exeter faithful that the planning process is still ongoing and that he remains both committed and confident of a successful outcome and that the Falcons will fly again.

Reminder about Cardiff.......


The supporters club are also going to be running coaches to Cardiff for the British Grand Prix on June 28th.

Considering the huge rise in the cost of fuel over the past year the prices per seat are very reasonable at just £15 per seat (For the coach seat not a seat at the meeting itself) 
To book your seat on a coach or for further details contact Gordon on 01803315307 / 07971799824
 

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SUPPORTERS CLUB MEETING
WEDNESDAY 5th MARCH

The next supporters club event will be at The Cat & Fiddle Wednesday 5th March 7.30pm Start.

Guest Speaker to be announced once finalised

Anyone wishing to either join or renew their membership can do so by either contacting a committee member at the next meeting or by post to :-

Robin Playsted (secretary),
Noirmont, 
23 Eastfield, 
West Hill, 
Ottery St Mary, 
EX11 1XN  

The cost of membership is as follows and remains the same as last year.

Adults £3, OAP's £2,Children £1

Why not join the supporters club for that small amount and show your support for The Falcons?- a small price to pay-Adult membership is about the same price as a pasty at Cardiff-The pasty lasts ten minutes-membership lasts a season. 

Talking of Cardiff.......

The supporters club are also going to be running coaches to Cardiff for the British Grand Prix on June 28th.

Considering the huge rise in the cost of fuel over the past year the prices per seat are very reasonable at just £15 per seat (For the coach seat not a seat at the match meeting itself) 
To book your seat on a coach or for further details contact Gordon on 01803315307 / 07971799824
 

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SUPPORTERS CLUB AGM MONDAY 4th FEB 2008
 

Report 

“Peregrinner Pontificates!”

The AGM

The AGM was over in record time as Sir John Evans rattled through the agenda.

No new offers of help were forthcoming to serve on the committee.

Thanks were given to Robin Playsted for his role as Secretary and Treasurer.  

Allen Trump  

The latest information is as follows: - 

  • The planning application did not go in December as originally planned. 

  • This NEW planning application will be submitted within the month.  

  • He met with the Jockey Club last week and they have given us the green light for the new position and they have reaffirmed their continuing support for the project. 

  • No additional resistance from English Nature.

  • No additional resistance from the Highways Agency.  

  • The track has had to be moved about 400 metres meaning this is a NEW application.  

  • The track will now be approx 290 metres long.  

  • We have kept the grandstand but have had to reduce the terracing on the 4th bend.  

  • Our target remains March 2009 to resume racing.  

  • We hope to join the Premier League.  

  • Teignbridge will are treating the letters of support for the 1st application as letters and indications of support for the 2nd application.

  • The mood is positive but we have not crossed the line. Keep the faith and the battle continues.

Nick Simmons  

A testimonial meeting for Nick Simmons will be held at Newport on Sunday 16th March 2008.  

Nick himself will not be riding but he has asked Jason Crump who will make a late decision.  

Chris Harris, Chris Holder and Leigh Lanham will all be there.  

The meeting will start at 1:00 p.m.  

James Easter  

James spoke well and had a lot to say – we must invite him back again next year.  

He started watching speedway back in 1953 and his earliest memory is from Caister Road in Great Yarmouth where Cyril Crane went crashing through the fence.           

He now lives in Ipswich and his early memories there include Goog Hoskin and Jack Unstead.  

One man he had many rows with over the years was John Berry.

“He was the kind of man you hated as a person but admired as a businessman.”  

He particularly remembers his times with John Louis and Tony Davy.  

1972 was a great year when the first gate was 17,500 people and they averaged 8,500 over the Season.  

There was much more beside these few notes and I hope others will add their memories on the Forum.   

Report by Peregrinner.

 

Photos from the AGM


© Slawomir Drozdzalski
Nick Simmons 


© Slawomir Drozdzalski


© Slawomir Drozdzalski

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SUPPORTERS CLUB MEETING 4th DECEMBER

Mini Report

Another good supporters club evening with Allen again 100% emphasising his allegiance to Exeter and the supporters for the future outlining his plans.

Allen stated that he is hopeful of taking a major step forward in the club's bid to move to Exeter Racecourse this month and that the Falcons are aiming to submit their new planning application for a track at Haldon Hill to Teignbridge District Council some time in December.

He also told fans at the meeting that the  topographical survey of the site had now been completed and that the application could be made in the next few weeks. We now know where and how we can put the stadium on the new site and we are ready to finish off drawing the plan of the track and grandstand.

It was also wonderful to see that he also has other backing and was presented with a cheque from Colin Hills Estate and as Allen said I hope Colin is looking down and smiling tonight - or words to that effect.

Peter Oakes was also very forthright in his views regarding young British development and had many thoughts to convey

Especially nice to see one of the most Exeter faithful families celebrating (The Herds-hope I spelt that right-If not I apologise [Nevs Words]) Their young lad, who used to be at every meeting years ago in reigns aged about 2, coming along and celebrating his 18th birthday tonight with everyone and three generations of the family there, How time flies-and shows how much Exeter speedway means to families over the years. Many happy returns young man and welcome to the adult world Neil. Apologies if I have the names wrong.

A very reassuring and very enjoyable evening all told.

Peregrinner's supplementary report.

Allen Trump on:-

Haldon Hill:-  

TOPOGRAPHICAL SURVEY IS COMPLETE
The survey has gone to the architect for the addition of the Grandstand & Track Layout. Hope is to get the planning application in by the end of December. “This has now become a crusade for me”

 Promoters Conference:-  

Have you seen TENKO or those Japanese War Films?
I would rather have been in a Jap POW camp than attend the promoters conference.

Peter Oakes:-

“Probably more Exeter than myself”

 Peter Oakes on:-

Haldon:-

We have a brilliant opportunity here. We will make sure we do everything we can to get Speedway back in Exeter. (Editors note: like the use of the word we, he obviously still holds Exeter in great esteem).  

On youth speedway:-

All the youth involved need help from all.  

Team Great Britain :-  

We need to have a strong international side if we are going to grow the sport at grass roots level!
I would have included Edward Kennet a year earlier.
I would have included Simon Stead a year sooner.
We had no chance of winning so we should have given the younger riders a chance.
Denmark had no chance a few years ago so gave their younger riders the opening. They lost, but look at them now.

Brilliant to be there live and listen to many of the comments.

Great Evening enjoyed by all.

Photos from the evening courtesy of Slawomir Drozdzalski

Guest Speaker Peter Oakes with Allen Trump.


© Slawomir Drozdzalski

Outgoing 2006 Beat the Starter Champion Phil Batho presenting 2007 Champion Rob Doran with the trophy.


 © Slawomir Drozdzalski

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SUPPORTERS CLUB MEETING 30th October

The supporters club meeting at the Cat & Fiddle was well supported by over 100 supporters including many Plymouth supporters who were complimented by Allen Trump on being one of the best supported clubs in the country.

Guest speakers were Allen Trump and Tony Steele.

Allen gave a brief overview of the situation ref Exeter and had a Q&A session with the supporters.

Tony Steele then had his Q&A session which included the “We will no longer be friends” tirade with Danish star Nicki Pedersen , the subsequent downpour of beer all over the referees box and the numerous calls the next day from friends and people he knew saying “I am not your friend any more”, he had now idea what was going on until he saw the replay on TV later that week.  

Another subject touched upon was refereeing and how he felt that referees today needed to be strong because the pressures of refereeing are great.  

On the subject of the GP’s he said he may well be back on the scene.

This is only a brief overview and many thanks to Nigel for the report he would also like to thank Allen and Tony for their Q&A sessions  

The inter club skittles challenge trophy  presentation. Exeter defeated Plymouth both home and away and the photo shows Ashley Taylor (Plymouth) presenting Rob Doran (Exeter) with the annual trophy


© Gordon Ward

The Next Meeting will be the 4th December at the Cat & Fiddle 19:30 start 

 

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Supporters Club Meeting Presentations
 
All Photos © G Ward

 

 

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