As those of you who frequent the forum are aware, that late yesterday afternoon Paul Rhodes stepped down from his role as president of the UKRA league with immediate effect.

After guiding the league to one of its most successful seasons with the help of Leon behind the scenes, Paul has attributed his reasons for stepping down to an ongoing health condition, meaning he can no longer cope with the stress and demands that the role commands of him.

After a discussion with Paul and later Leon about where they want the league to go heading into the next season, I extended an offer to help out with the running of the league, whilst keeping Paul involved in the role of vice-president (assistant manager), relieving the stress off his shoulders of making the tougher decisions and trying to keep the peace, but still being involved in an active capacity on the running of the league - which he has accepted.

Moving forward I can't see there being much change in the way things are run. I would like to get a proper FAQ up on the Starters Orders homepage eventually, expanding on what Paul has started over on his excellent website but that sort of stuff isn't my immediate concern.

As far as I know we are looking to start the second season of SO5 at some point in September. Quite when I'm not currently sure, as Leon has quite a bit of work on with improving TOM, to make it more accessible to the likes of league admins and race secretary's and generally all-round user friendly (I will be attempting to assist him with this).

Over the next couple of weeks I will be discussing potential rule changes behind the scenes, before presenting them to the forum for discussion. I think in recent times things have gone straight up on the forum with little or no prior discussion which results in things spiralling out of control.

In a few days time (once I've got a better idea of the tasks that lie before me) I will aim to put forward a 'jobsheet' of sorts, detailing all the things that need looking at and ideas that could possibly be implemented. Whilst you are welcome to contribute things to this 'list' I will not entertain any squabbling amongst the masses, and should this ensue the thread will be locked and all ideas will need to be emailed into me for consideration. I will also look at tidying up the forum to make it easier to navigate around, and have all important information in a clear format for all to see without much searching.

I am all for healthy debate and discussion amongst all participants of the league, but I feel at times it is very easy to overstep the mark when debating with other members, which overall can have a detrimental effect to those wishing to potentially engage in discussion get put off doing so for fear of being torn limb from limb.

I've prepared this the best I could but it has come straight off the top of my head, and my appointment for the role has come somewhat of a surprise, so please forgive me if I don't make total sense in my ramblings above - hopefully all will become clear in the next few weeks as we head towards another terrific season.

I look forward to working with the current league staff who between them did an excellent job throughout the previous season, and any newcomers we may pick up along the way.

I have the best interests of the league at heart and have been around since the very early days of Starters Orders 1. I know between some quarters I divide opinion, and along the way there is every chance I will do so again as you cannot please everyone. However what I do ask is that you try to work with me, and not against me and together we will drive the league forward into the next level.

Regards,
Jamie Taylor
UKRA League President

Welcome new Leader.....Hope u got u tin hat ready

Welcome Jamie all the best and Paul I hope you are ok its been good working with you and I am glad your still going to part of the team going forward.


Gray

Aren't presidents normally elected? I must have missed the vote.

Rule changes will be discussed behind the scenes and we are welcome to comment but you wont entertain what you perceive to be squabbling and then we need to email you?

Going with what the majority wanted seemed like a better policy.

really disappointed paul's left his role would like to thank him for a very successful season suppose this site will always leave people open to personal attacks either through jealousy or not seeing eye to eye it will always happen when there is a competitive edge anyway thank you paul and I hope you will continue the newsletter as that was as good as the racing itself.

Good luck in your new role Duke(I think you are going to need it) ive ordered you a cattle prod to keep the kids at bay.

To be honest I didn't see anyone willingly coming forward to do it. Only a select few seem to bother to post on the forum these days because of all the petty squabbling, but if you have any better ideas for somebody then by all means enlighten me and I'll gladly return to my role as a regular player.


You appear to have either misread my initial point about 'rule changes' or perhaps I haven't explained it correctly. My plan is to begin gathering data behind the scenes from various experienced trainers, who have been in the league long enough to know what works and what doesn't. Each point worthwhile will be listed and put forward for EVERYBODY to see and comment upon, and by the power of majority a decision will be reached on what we plan to implement and what we don't.

I think it's fairly certain to distinguish between a good healthy debate and then eleven pages of s**t that the flat schedule thread descended into, once things look like getting out of control it will be stopped. If people don't like that you are welcome to get in touch with me to air your grievances.

I hope Paul is still doing the news letter, I loved reading that after the races.

Paul will still be around in an active capacity, and I imagine he will continue the excellent work with the newsletter for the forthcoming season.

thanks for the kind words everyone
i will be sticking around here plenty and be involved with the lge too just in a smaller role
I gladly welcome Jamie as president he has the best interests of the lge at heart and will make a fine president IMO
lets now move in a forward direction good luck to everyone
Paul

yes 4got the important bit i will be of course be continuing the newsletter
enjoy doing it

Nothing against you, but it might have come across better if you had first asked if everyone was happy for you to be president rather than declaring it.

Good luck with the job anyway and thanks to Paul for his work last season.

A fair point indeed.

I'll leave it with my closing paragraph once again.



I look forward to working with you this season Joe, that is if you are to reprise your role as handicapper once more?

Yes im happy to do the handicapping again.

Fantastic. Could you please drop me an email to theduke88[at]live.co.uk, so I can add you to the list of people working on the league.

Thanks

Good luck with the role Jamie!

Delighted Paul is carrying on with the newsletter! They really are fantastic mate and i hope to appear on them this season. Will there be a newsletter for NH?

Looking forward to the new season now