What Next For Great Leighs?

[Posts: 327Joined: 01 Apr 2003, 14:47]

This is what Alan Lee has to say about the matter in tomorrow's Times

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/ ... 533222.ece

Very good piece, but Julian Muscat according to the byline.

[Posts: 609Joined: 24 Nov 2007, 23:44]

Is the guy who owned Leighs, John Holmes, the same john Holmes I seem to recall appearing in films of a riding nature?

As far as I'm aware, he was Gary Linekers agent, and CEO of SFX Sports, one of the worlds leading sports management companies.

Darren - AngloGerman
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'The Hungarian's going hell for leather' - Jim McGrath

[Posts: 3743Joined: 04 Sep 2002, 13:19Location: Swindon]

Darren,

Not the same man so far as I'm aware - Linekers agent spells his name Jon.

The Great Leighs man made his money in property and is usually referred to an 'Essex entrepreneur'. Which is approximately what the press used to call Terry Ramsden when they were being polite.

[Posts: 1405Joined: 03 Jan 2008, 21:49Location: Lowton,Cheshire]

I thought he was a 70s Porn Star who died of Aids.

[Posts: 8335Joined: 22 Dec 2007, 19:24]

Has seemed to me that the owners / people in charge did not have a clue from the start. I'd call it amateurish, but that would be unfair to amateurs.

All those delays opening, I believe they fell out with builders, putting a stand in the middle so that punters can not see the racing, having the judges position in a place he could not see the finishing line properly, opening the course when the place is a mud bath.

Administration might be a good thing for racing. Get someone in who will not agrivate, who knows what he is doing, and you might get a decent enough racecourse.

The track itself, might be a good one, if taking out what surrounds it. But what matters if there is one less racecourse? There is too much racing anyway in my opinion.

Mark

[Posts: 891Joined: 13 Dec 2008, 08:29Location: Hereford]

Many errors have been made evidently but it would be a shame to lose the track and I hope the project is continued. It's a fair race track and has already staged some competitive races and attracted trainers from a far such as Mike De Kock running horses like Royal Vintage can't be a bad thing.

[Posts: 1897Joined: 06 Dec 2003, 19:04Location: Luton]

folks , its a cert that either Northern or Arena or a combo of both will buy it , so sit back and relax , racing will resume there in a short while


Just unfortunate for Mr Holmes and team to fall on hard times , it was a damn good try

all to look forward to


Ricky

[Posts: 6Joined: 03 Jan 2008, 21:21]

Ffos Las's opening is only six months or so away, so let's hope that any potential new investors there aren't put off by the Great Leighs situation.

The controlling interest in Ffos Las is owned by a successful civil engineer (and racehorse owner) and - to date - all looks good for the project to be up and running in good time for the opening meeting.

I wonder if any of our existing courses might be in financial trouble?

[Posts: 3943Joined: 03 Sep 2007, 22:56Location: Milton Keynes]

I wonder if any of our existing courses might be in financial trouble?

Yes undoubtedly - I have already predicted at least two courses will fold this year, although I have to say Great Leighs wasn't top of the list for me.

I think Ffos Las will have few problems getting the work complete - it is how they manage to run it as a racecourse that will be interesting

[Posts: 637Joined: 06 Jan 2008, 18:49Location: Northern England]

Build a dog track dog track their like they did at Dundalk, plus have a rehoming centre on site for those they want too rehome afterwards...

[Posts: 1135Joined: 18 Nov 2008, 06:19]

Oh dear, Yorkshirepud, next you'll be suggesting building a glue factory and a Pedigree Chum depot. Far better to provide a care home for retired bookies, do you not think?

[Posts: 2145Joined: 14 May 2001, 19:05]

It seems bookmakers are going a shade of odds on that the place is finished as a racecourse.

I can't see how anyone is ever going to able to make it pay as a racecourse - it still needs loads of money spent on it to provide racegoers with decent facilities. who would want to throw good money after bad? Ffos Las is a much better bet to succeed.

Adding greyhound racing is a total non-starter. They're closing stadia these days, not opening them, and anyway, Romford's not that far away.

[Posts: 1405Joined: 03 Jan 2008, 21:49Location: Lowton,Cheshire]

Ive actually got myself a hotel booked for the opening meeting at Ffos Las.

I am staying in Llanelli for £35 for one night which is good enough for me.

At least Ffos Las in turf and dual purpose.