Arena Essex promoter Peter Thorogood has applied to the BSPA for permission to delay the Armadale leg of the Premier League Cup Final from Saturday 25th September to Saturday 2nd October. This will breach the deadline of 30th September for completion of the tie and will take place when the first round of the Young Shield Playoffs is due to be held.
The reason given is that Roger Lobb wants to go to his suster's wedding on the original day. This argument is ludicrous and if accepted will help ensure that speedway is not seen as a true professional sport. Imagine the fuss if Newcastle had applied to delay the FA Cup by a week because Warren Barton wanted to attend his sister's wedding!
Obviously Arena Essex want to field their strongest team although a Conference League rider in for Lobb would probably not be a major blow since Lobb only scored one point from four rides the week before last at Armadale. Edinburgh may also see advantage in having more time to get Brian Turner and Justin Elkins fit. However deadlines are deadlines. They are usually there for a reason. Shifting a match into October is alays going to be risky with the increased potential for a rainoff. This could have serious knock on implications for the Young Shield fixtures.
Apart from anything else, it will leave a big hole in the Monarchs' fixture list. It will also detract from the excitement built up by holding the two legs of successive days. People may have already made travel arrangements and if so will not appreciate a last minute switch.
I am sure that the vast majority want the fixture left where it is even if the Armadale public are denied the opportunity to see the 'Lobbster' in action.