BEN’S BLOG: ‘Helping Wimbledon Stadium’

[dropcap]H[/dropcap]owdy, Blog! What news with you? Well, rather than listening to everyone else’s moaning and finger-pointing, let’s get on with trying to create a bit of action ourselves.

Yesterday, I wrote to the horseracing power-brokers, that are Nick Rust and Rod Street. Mr Rust, Head of the BHA, and Mr Street, being Head of Great British Racing.

Rather than looking around and seeing bystanders making unlucky and pretend-sympathy-faces‎, in Greyhound Racing’s direction, let’s see if they actually want to put their hands in their pockets.

Horseracing isn’t having much fun at the moment, and the corporate Levy dodgers, should only be asked to look in the direction of The Dogs, to see where it will all end up. But at least the horses have received SOME levy. Also, at the heart of their sport, the foundations are made of the super-wealthy, royalty, and those who are supremely priveledged, through having extra-wealthy, well-placed, and posh mummys and daddys. I think they could all do with reflecting on how well it has ACTUALLY gone for them, and now give their little-brother, The Dogs, a bit of needed help.

The other people I would like to see step up, are all of the loud-mouth finger-pointers, who joined together to help drag Warfumstaw Dogs down. Whilst they spent their time, either gibbing in for free, or not paying because they owned 1/8th of a dog that ran 5 years ago, betting on Betfair, rather than using the Tote or on-course bookies, and stopping off for a pint and a kebab, on the way home, because it was 20p cheaper, now it will be a pleasure to see them offer some of their infinite wisdom, and wealth, from the endless winners they loved telling everyone they had backed. EVEN THE UNPLEASANT PUNTERS MUST NOW MUCK IN.

Here is my letter. Let’s hope we get a positive response!

Good afternoon Messrs Rust and Street,

I hope you are both well.

I am writing to you regarding the plight of Wimbledon Dogs.

If a Crowd Funding site, or some kind of other funding was trying to be organised, would you be able to offer your assistance, to your little brother, Greyhound Racing?

Wimbledon, despite being almost dilapidated, is enjoying still excellent crowds on Friday and Saturday nights.

It is home to the Derby and the last Greyhound track with a London postcode.

With a refit and 2016 facilities it would certainly attract far higher crowds. The success of other tracks, with so many six-pack young people attending, is proof to this.

Greyhound Racing is a unique experience and a great and traditional British attraction.

I would like to find out what it would cost to refurb the track and build the flats. And I am so confident, I would like to invest in the project with my own money.

Mr Street, there was talk in the RP, last year,‎ about you having some kind of racing hedge-fund in the pipeline. This would be both an asset-backed and profitable project for you to be involved in (the track makes a good profit now, even though it is in such a state). Your name would also always be remembered as the man who saved Greyhound Racing in London.

Mr Rust, you are rightly squeezing The Firms balls. We are all cheering you on! Can you not help The Dogs too?

Can you please put your weight behind this and even offer some horseracing funding towards the project? Dog-racing and the horses have traveled arm-in-arm for generations now. However, without a proper Levy, for the dogs, they may sadly part company soon. Are you not inextricably linked?

Kind regards,

Ben Keith
(Star Sports owner)

Over and out, B x