Soundbites: 9th October 2006

Nicholls	Topinka

"I want to make it quite clear that we, as a club, have no problems whatsoever with Scott Nicholls. We have a professional relationship with Scott, which has always been kept separate from personal issues, as it is with all of our employees. That is the case for all of us, including Colin Pratt, who from day one has chosen not to interfere with the private lives of his partner's daughter and our captain, although obviously being aware of their relationship. We all know that young people can and do make mistakes, but everyone involved will be given our full support. What has happened will in no way affect the club and our continued quest for honours either this season or beyond. We are aware of immediate speculation and can confirm that both Scott and Colin will be with us next season and, if anything, they will have an even stronger working relationship."
Avtar Sandhu's response to the season's biggest talking point so far

"I have had an input into who will be taking my place and with Chris (Holder) not available my next choice was Jason (Doyle), he is a good friend of mine and over the years he has had some great races here, I'm sure he will do us a great job"
Tomas Topinka selects King's Lynn's guest for Wednesday's KO Cup final

"Friday's meeting should be another exciting and entertaining match. We enjoyed the better of it in the first two matches, but then Scunthorpe came down here last time and went away with the victory. We are determined to avenge that defeat and we think we have a good chance. But it would be great for the team if we had a big crowd to cheer us on."
Plymouth promoter Mike Bowden looks forward to the KO Cup final with Scunthorpe

"We got stuck into it from the start which was excellent. It's not easy to pull back that many points in that format of competition but we showed real determination to finish the season with something to show for it. There was a great atmosphere, a decent crowd and when you have a night like that it gets everyone buzzing again."
Jon Cook on Eastbourne's qualification for the Craven Shield final

"If I didn't think I was going to become world champion, I wouldn't be doing it. It's no good coming second - winning is what it's all about."
New British Under 15 Champion Joe Haines

"Things hadn't gone very well for me this year at Stoke and when they let me go I was grateful to Workington for giving me the chance to stay in the sport for two more months. I wanted to finish my career on a high and I suppose I couldn't have asked for a better way to bring the curtain down on 25 years in speedway."
Fours hero Alan Mogridge

"Our aggregate victory over Glasgow has shown that our side is up there with the very best and now we are focusing on defeating Sheffield in similar fashion. Naturally we are looking to establish as big a lead as possible in Tuesday's first leg on our own circuit to take with us to Yorkshire for the return."
Martin Newnham on the Islander's title hopes

"British speedway needs to stand up for itself, but not only are we the poorest (in terms of money paid to riders) of the three main leagues (Poland and Sweden being the others), but we are now also being put under pressure by Russia. I know, for example, a rider was recently offered £4,000 just for travel expenses to Russia. So the Russian league is beginning to cause problems, and so is the Czech Republic. For example, Oxford seemed to have Lubos Tomicek missing every other Wednesday. In particular, these secondary leagues should not be dictating to us."
Matt Ford

"We are a good away team, as we have proved many times this season. During the season when the chips were down, the riders responded with a positive attitude and pulled off some great results. Our aim is to go there and bring the trophy home for our fans."
Reading manager Jim Lynch on tonight's final

"I wish I knew what will happen in the winter ahead. I really do. I can imagine the questions going through my head about my future and to be honest with you, I don't believe I am sitting here now. I retired gracefully and that was my intention, I often wonder what I am doing here. I wish I had the answers for everybody. My main concern is for my children in Australia. I left Australia in a hurry in April and I have to get back there and see what's happening back home."
Todd Wiltshire

This article was first published on 9th October 2006