Sheffield Vendetta Against Edinburgh Continues
The extraordinary vendetta waged against Edinburgh by the Sheffield promotion is continuing. Things have been simmering for some months with Sheffield being unable to accept their elimination from the Premier National Trophy, effectively at the hands of Monarchs and subsequently their loss of the Premier League Cup semi-final. This has lead to unpleasantness in the pits, snide accusations of rule bending, and attempts to have an Edinburgh rider thrown out of the Fours finals. Now the latest twist involves Peter Carr being banned from Owlerton.
The bad feeling appears to be just with the Sheffield promotion and has not extended to the riders. Indeed, Sean Wilson was invited the Scottish Open in July and participated in the classic final with Peter Carr, Carl Stonehewer, and David Walsh. Also Wilson and André Compton appeared in Peter Carr's Motor Show.
The starting point was probably the selection of the best loser from the Premier National Trophy qualification groups. Edinburgh finished second to Newcastle in the Northern Group while Sheffield were runners' up to Swindon in the Central Group. Edinburgh's record was superior in every respect, they won more matches lost fewer matches, had a better race points difference. Yet Sheffield were so confident of taking the place that it was announced over the tannoy at Owlerton that Sheffield were set to qualify before Edinburgh had even finished their group matches. Neil Machin, ignored the adage that when you're in a hole, stop digging! He continued to argue the case and came up with the most implausible script that seriously embarassed most Sheffield supporters and that was undoubtably laughed off by the BSPA who confirmed Edinburgh as the wild card qualifiers.
Next came the Cup semi-final. There was a lot of accusations of tyre tampering in the pits at Armadale by Louis Carr. This was principally aimed at Peter Carr. This never went as far as a formal protest or paying a protest fee but continued as backchat and innuendo. These allegation were subsequently splashed over the Sun's sports pages. This was despite the draconian new tyre laws being in effect at the time and Sheffield failing to put their money where their mouth is and back up their jibes by paying a protest fee and having a tyre examined by the Speedway Control Board.
The focus shifted to James Grieves for the second leg of the semi-final. James's continuing rib injuries ment that he missed the Sheffield away leg and the Glasgow home match the following day. Paul Pickering deputized at Owlerton and scored a modest nine points from six rides. Sheffield whined about this! Twenty four hours later, Mick Powell scored a 15-point maximum against the other Tigers. Glasgow did not moan however despite their former captain costing them the bonus point and probably the match.
The 'aggro' continued on the following Sunday at Peterborough where James Grieves attempted a comeback. He was subjected to all sorts of harrassment by the Sheffield promotion who tried to have him excluded prior to heat 1. This poisonous atmosphere in the pit was probably a contributary factor in the flare-up involving Sean Wilson and Jesper Olsen later in the meeting.
On to the Premier League Riders' Championship at Owlerton saw another 'dispute' at the pit gates involving the Carr brothers. The upshot is that a 'kangaroo court' by the Owlerton stadium owners acting on 'advice' from Neil Machin have banned Peter Carr from Owlerton unless he is booked to ride. Former Sheffield rider Derrol Keats was also banned following an unrelated incident.
Sheffield have won three major Trophies so far this year: the Premier League, the Premier League Fours, and the Premier League Riders' Championship. Their promotion appear unable to accept defeat with good grace. When their current team is broken up by the points' limit for next year, Sheffield would be well advised to get back into the habit of losing. They have had plenty of practise over the years!
As for the unpleasantness, it is surely time to call a halt before it gets out of hand. Sheffield could yet encounter Edinburgh in the Young Shield final. They could also face each other in the Premiership at the start of next season. So it is time for Neil Machin and Louis Carr to stop behaving like spoilt children every time they fail to win a Trophy. Maybe that is a bit too much to ask!