Bowden hits out at Devils 'rumours'
PLYMOUTH Devils chairman Mike Bowden is insisting he will not sell the city speedway club unless he gets the right offer.
Bowden, also the Plymouth promoter, said he has put too much work into the Devils just to walk away from the club.
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He is also fuming over 'speculation and rumours' surrounding a consortium's interest in buying Devils – and wanted to put the facts straight after his riders threatened to strike before Friday night's meeting against Berwick.
Bowden, who built the Devils with basically his bare hands, issued a statement as rumour piled upon rumour about the possible takeover of the club and the state of its finances.
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Bowden said: "I would like to clarify the position regarding the pay dispute with the riders on Friday evening as there are so many rumours at present regarding this club.
"The problem came about because Plymouth had five away meetings and, due to the host clubs not forwarding payment to me within the stipulated seven days along with the loss of meetings through rain offs and only one home meeting taking place during the month, the club was left short of funds.
"Once this was explained to the riders, they understood the position and were given payment for three meetings out of the club funds to address their grievances."
Bowden was also clearly upset about the takeover speculation.
Members of the consortium say they have the financial backing to buy the Premier League club, but the deal is being held up because they have yet to meet with the governors of St Boniface College, who hold the lease for Plymouth's circuit, St Boniface Arena.
The consortium want everything done and dusted before the British Speedway Promoters' Association annual meeting in November because they have to declare that the team will be running next season.
Bowden said: "There has been a lot of speculation regarding the takeover of Plymouth Speedway.
"There have been discussions with members of the proposed consortium, but no firm proposals have been agreed to take over the club and no money has changed hands.
"I would like to clarify my position as there have been so many inaccurate rumours and speculation about this matter.
"I am not prepared to give up Plymouth Speedway unless the right offer comes along and money is put on the table.
"Also, any sale would have to meet terms and conditions which are acceptable to me."
He added: "I started Plymouth Speedway back in 2006 and since then we have transformed a basic rugby pitch into an arena which is the home of one of the best supported Premier League tracks in the country.
"I am not prepared to just walk away after all the hard work that I have put in over the past seven years.
"The public do not realise what is entailed in running a Premier League speedway meeting.
"The home promoter has to pay the wages of both teams, but when a team rides away from home, the visiting promoter has to make up any shortfall in the wages of his own riders over and above the basic rate and several Plymouth riders are on agreements way above the basic figure.
"Also, there have been additional problems caused by two sponsors pulling out of deals with our riders due to the current economic situation."
Comments
by Mickey
Tuesday, September 18 2012, 7:16PM
“I wish this man would just sell up and leave the club to someone who shows respect to the supporters who actually pay towards the riders wages & provide outstanding entertainment at times! I admit, do not frequent the SBA like I used to because of the arrogance shown by the gentleman who appears oblivious to supporters opinion! The time when Mr.Bowden stuck 2 fingers up at supporters shows the utter contempt he has for the paying public and he's so ignorant that it's these people who actually keep the club alive!! Yes, he might of started the club from scratch and people will be eternally grateful but 6 years have now passed and nothing apart from a lick of paint here and there has changed at the SBA! There is little regard for peoples Health & Safety, and the facilities are dreadful! I just wish Mr. Bowden would wake up and smell the coffee and allow someone who is professionally minded both in running a speedway club and that includes 'MARKETING'! Does the promotion not realise why the support is down? It's because of the poor media, the poor facilities and to top it off, the latest revelations of riders not being paid!! Think about Mr.Bowden, do I really want to turn up and support the Devils when knowing the entrance fee will be going into YOUR pocket and not the loyal riders?? The support is still there, but will not return until the current promotion is long gone, and that means, Lock Stock and Barrel!! Please do the honorable thing and pass over the Devils to someone who actually cares about the riders and the supporters and who will make the Devils a success, now and in the future!!!!”
by mcjosu
Tuesday, September 18 2012, 4:59PM
“This smacks of Dan McCauley and Argyle and Drakes Island, and SHG and the land of Plymouth Argyle.
"it's my toy and you are not going to play with it"
The value of the club is based on it's current trading profit and loss and assets, not a figure in someone's mind, that is not financially sound, nor aceptable, to prospective purchasers.
I wonder if the 5 away clubs are aware they did not pay on time?”
by digger51
Tuesday, September 18 2012, 8:56AM
“Paying riders who ride for Plymouth is down to Mike Bowden, the buck stops with him, he can blame who ever he likes and he is very good at doing that, but it's all down to him to pay his employees, if he is so good at running the club he should know that.”