Noodles

http://m.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/sport/speedway/speedway-news/panthers-survival-bid-is-on-the-home-straight-1-6413878 Panthers survival bid is on the home straight A make or break few days lie ahead according to one of the men driving Peterborough Panthers survival bid. North-East businessman Ged Rathbone has teamed up with long-serving official Trevor Swales to spearhead a rescue package for the city club. Rathbone revealed they are three-quarters of the way to hitting their £40,000 funding target with the British Speedway Promoters Association (BSPA) annual meeting looming large. Club bosses are due round the table in Kenilworth over the next three days, Friday (14 November) to Sunday, to thrash out the sports make-up for 2015 - and Panthers still hope to be a part of it. They will either need to be able to declare an intention to race or seek an extended period of time in which to be in that position. Rathbone said: We may not reach the target by tomorrow when the AGM starts, but one last push could make all the difference. We will be represented at the AGM regardless of whether or not we are in a position to declare our intention to run next season. At the very least we hope to be given the chance to put forward a case to the BSPA to be granted late entry just as was the case last winter. Hopefully they will be understanding again, but it is safe to say everything hinges on the next few days which are going to be make or break. We have said all along that the club needs to be a viable proposition both for 2015 and beyond, and we need to make sure we have the money in place that we feel is necessary. We cannot allow the club to be in a situation again where the finances run out. We are not here to make money, but we need to break even and we certainly cannot contemplate the sort of losses that have been reported during the 2014 season. Peterborough Speedway has been Trevors life for a long time and it has become mine in the past few months. But we will not fall into the trap of letting our hearts rules our heads. This has to work and by that I mean we are able to track a team that can challenge to win the league. We will not settle for merely making the numbers up and we are in a fantastic position of having riders get in contact to ask to be considered for a team spot if we are able to continue racing. Rathbone revealed he is actively pursuing several potential major sponsors as Panthers bid to boost their commercial income. He also reports a terrific take up of advertising packages that have already been released. Several race sponsors have already been found and a number of air-fence banners have been sold at a cost of £250 plus VAT. Rathbone added: We were very conscious of making our sponsorship deals affordable when pricing them and the response has astounded us. People are proving over and over again that they want speedway to continue in Peterborough. There is also a hell of a lot of interest in the VIP packages we are offering and season tickets although we cant set the exact price until such a time that our participation for next season is known. All the money that has been donated or provided for sponsorship is being looked after by the Supporters Club. Every single penny has been documented and invoiced and if we are not able to race on in 2015 every penny will be returned. But we obviously hope that is not the case. Anyone keen to donate or take up sponsorship opportunities should get in touch by email to pantherspledge2015@gmail.com.

http://www.peterboroughpanthers.co/news.php?extend.2332.2 http://www.speedwaygb.co/news.php?extend.27750 PANTHERS NEED 'ONE LAST PUSH' GED Rathbone has called for ‘one last push’ as Peterborough bid to hit their survival target. Rathbone has teamed up with long-serving club official Trevor Swales in an attempt to keep Panthers alive in 2015 and beyond. He reports they have now raised around three-quarters of the £40,000 required to bring the club to the tapes next season. And, with the British Speedway Promoters’ Association (BSPA) annual meeting taking place between Friday and Sunday, Rathbone hopes there is still time to hit the all-important figure. The club will be represented at the AGM in Kenilworth. They want to either be in a position to declare they can race on or seek an extended period of time in which to do so. Rathbone said: “The response so far has been terrific. It has told myself and Trevor that speedway is definitely still wanted in Peterborough. “But we are not there yet and one last push ahead of the AGM could make all the difference. We have to stress that we cannot consider racing on in 2015 unless we have the right amount of money in place. “We will not fall into the trap of letting our hearts rule our heads because we have to make sure it can work both next year and beyond.” Rathbone reports excellent take-up of sponsorship deals which were announced last week. He also revealed there is plenty of interest in season tickets. Prices will be announced if the club is in a position to continue racing. Rathbone says a number of riders have made contact to ask to be considered for a team berth if Panthers come to the tapes next year. Anyone keen to donate to the Panthers survival fund or take up sponsorship opportunities should email pantherspledge2015@gmail.com Sponsorship packages available have also been added to the Panthers website http://www.peterboroughpanthers.co/sponsorship

Sorry, I didn't mean on the radio, I have amended my post

They are reading and Ged sounds a little disheartened judging by his comments on Facebook. Anyway Ged on local radio with the latest: https://audioboom.com/boos/2646753-ged-rathbone-with-then-latest-on-the-panthers-survival-bid-13-11-2014/embed/v3?image_option=none&link_color=%2355ACEE&source=twitter_card&utm_campaign=detailpage&utm_content=card&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter

At the same time maybe we can ask them how much of their free time they have given up so far for nothing, and how much they will be giving up next year for nothing. Can I ask how much free time Messrs wealdstone has given to the cause so far? Seriously what is your problem - do you want them to fail?

PANTHERS NEED 'ONE LAST PUSH' Wednesday November 12, 2014 GED Rathbone has called for one last push as Peterborough bid to hit their survival target. Rathbone has teamed up with long-serving club official Trevor Swales in an attempt to keep Panthers alive in 2015 and beyond. He reports they have now raised around three-quarters of the £40,000 required to bring the club to the tapes next season. And, with the British Speedway Promoters Association (BSPA) annual meeting taking place between Friday and Sunday, Rathbone hopes there is still time to hit the all-important figure. The club will be represented at the AGM in Kenilworth. They want to either be in a position to declare they can race on or seek an extended period of time in which to do so. Rathbone said: The response so far has been terrific. It has told myself and Trevor that speedway is definitely still wanted in Peterborough. But we are not there yet and one last push ahead of the AGM could make all the difference. We have to stress that we cannot consider racing on in 2015 unless we have the right amount of money in place. We will not fall into the trap of letting our hearts rule our heads because we have to make sure it can work both next year and beyond. Rathbone reports excellent take-up of sponsorship deals which were announced last week. He also revealed there is plenty of interest in season tickets. Prices will be announced if the club is in a position to continue racing. Rathbone says a number of riders have made contact to ask to be considered for a team berth if Panthers come to the tapes next year. Anyone keen to donate to the Panthers survival fund or take up sponsorship opportunities should email pantherspledge2015@gmail.com

Oh I am sure they can. It isn't in public view I admit but with a few simple changes you can see the events page for Warsaw all ready to go live.

And shows Gollob as wild card. Tickets on sale 1st December.

The club are still short of the required target for this Friday. If anyone can donate, pledge, advertise or sponsor to help please get in touch with Lisa or Alison as soon as possible pantherspledge2015@gmail.com MEETING SPONSORSHIP Price: £400 +vat Includes: admission for up to 12 people, buffet, soft drinks, pits visit, centre green visit, meet and greet with riders, chance to select and present a rider-of-the-night award and a signed/framed photograph to mark the occasion. AIR FENCE ADVERTISING Price: £250+vat per panel. There is an option to share a banner and the price. PROGRAMME ADVERTISING Price: £300+vat for full page; £175+vat for half page; £100+vat for quarter page. Artwork must be supplied. HEAT SPONSOR Price: £200+vat logo will appear on race card for each home meeting

Good for you Scotsman👍. I really hope the packages are proving popular.

Swales on radio - we are not there yet: https://audioboom.com/boos/2626944-trevor-swales-with-an-update-on-the-future-of-the-panthers-06-11-2014#t=0m0s

My understanding is a new company is required to be formed to take over and so the 40k is needed for start up and to cover the bond required by the BSPA. A switch to Friday nights will hopefully see an increase in admission monies and efforts are being made to increase sponsorship with recently announced sponsorship packages which seem realistically priced.

Funnily enough I thought of you when I read that

http://www.peterboroughpanthers.co/news.php?extend.2330 MORE WAYS TO BACK PANTHERS Thursday November 06, 2014 PETERBOROUGH have released details of a series of sponsorship and advertising packages for 2015. Co-promoter Trevor Swales and management team member Ged Rathbone have joined forces in a bid to keep Panthers on track next season. Attracting increased levels of commercial revenue is crucial to their plans and Swales said: We have come up with a range of packages which we feel represent great value. We have made it very clear the club cannot operate on admission money alone and we must generate other income through sponsorships and advertising. Swales and Rathbone report they are now well past the halfway mark in their attempt to raise the £40,000 they feel necessary to make the club a viable proposition for 2015 and beyond. COMMERCIAL OPPORTUNITIES WITH PANTHERS . . . MEETING SPONSORSHIP Price: £400 +vat Includes: admission for up to 12 people, buffet, soft drinks, pits visit, centre green visit, meet and greet with riders, chance to select and present a rider-of-the-night award and a signed/framed photograph to mark the occasion. AIR FENCE ADVERTISING Price: £250+vat per panel (44 panels in total). PROGRAMME ADVERTISING Price: £300+vat for full page; £175+vat for half page; £100+vat for quarter page. Artwork must be supplied. HEAT SPONSOR Price: £200+vat logo will appear on race card for each home meeting. Anyone interested in taking up any of the available packages should make contact by email in the first instance to pantherspledge2015@gmail.com

http://m.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/sport/speedway/speedway-news/cash-is-flooding-in-to-save-panthers-from-folding-1-6399937 Cash is flooding in to save Panthers from folding Published: 05 November 2014 Overwhelmed and optimistic they are the feelings of the men spearheading the fight to save Peterborough Panthers. Long-serving club official Trevor Swales insists he and Ged Rathbone, who joined the management team during last season, are well past halfway in their bid to raise £40,000 and bring the city side back to the tapes in 2015. They insist that sum is required to cover set-up and operational costs. Swales and Rathbone were staggered by the turnout estimated to be between 250-275 people - and response at a fans forum staged at the East of England Showground on Friday night. Close to £13,000 was pledged during that event and they report more money has flooded in since, but there is still some way to go for Swales to declare an intention to race on when attending the British Speedway Promoters Association (BSPA) annual meeting from November 14-16. Swales said: Were in a much better position than we ever dared to dream we would be in at this stage. The amount of people who turned out last Friday astounded us and their support and generosity both on the night and in the days since has been wonderful. We were confident that the demand for speedway in the city was strong enough to try to keep the club going and I think weve been proven right. I think Im correct in saying we have raised around £23,000 and the figure is going up all the time. Im obviously optimistic about being in a position to declare to the BSPA that we will race in 2015, but there is still plenty of hard work to do. We must ensure we can not only start the season, but also finish it and be in a position to have a bright future. Myself, Ged and a dedicated team of volunteers are working morning, noon and night to try to pull this off. Weve put our family lives on hold to do everything we can and will continue to do so. As usual there seems to be a few bad apples being nothing but negative on the internet forums, but if they think they can do a better job of trying to keep the club going they should come forward. Swales revealed the donations so far made by supporters range from an anonymous pledge of £10,000 made during last Fridays supporters event to a promise of £20 of pocket money from a young fan. He remains in daily dialogue with co-owners Rick Frost and Julie Mahoney, but has so far been coy when asked about the nature of any deal that could be struck with them. Discussions have also been held with a prospective commercial manager while the club are understood to be attracting plenty of interest from potential riding recruits. An email account has been created to allow anyone interested in making a donation to get in touch. It is pantherspledge2015@gmail.com

From official site: SURVIVAL UPDATE - Tuesday November 04, 2014 The men bidding to keep Peterborough on track say they are ‘overwhelmed’ by the response to their survival package. Long-serving club official Trevor Swales and Ged Rathbone, who joined the management team during this year, have teamed up in a bid to ensure Panthers race on in 2015. They staged a hugely successful fans’ forum at the East of England Showground last Friday night at which they revealed the need to raise £40,000 to cover set-up and operational costs . . . and they are already more than halfway to hitting that target. An anonymous pledge of £10,000 was made during the event while subsequent donations have seen the total doubled. Swales said: “I must apologise for not providing an update sooner, but I’m sure everyone can appreciate that we have been mega-busy since the event on Friday. “I cannot thank the fans enough for such a good turnout and they were nothing but positive about our plans. “The amount of financial backing we have already received has astounded us. It clearly shows how much passion there is for speedway in Peterborough. “We are now just over halfway towards raising the amount of money we feel is required to make the club a viable proposition. “There are still some hurdles to be overcome and we clearly still have a lot of hard work to do, but I am optimistic that we will be in a position to go to the British Speedway Promoters’ Association annual meeting at the end of next week with the intention of racing on. “We will provide further updates whenever possible. I would urge everyone to check this website and local media outlets on a regular basis.” Swales and Rathbone told those gathered in the Peterborough Suite that they will return to the traditional Friday race-night for home meetings if successful in their bid to keep the club going. Panthers will again race in the Premier League if they receive the green light for 2015 and Swales confirmed he is in daily contact with co-owners Rick Frost and Julie Mahoney. He and Rathbone are determined to increase commercial revenues and are already searching for major team backers. They are also putting together a number of other sponsorship packages which will appear on this website soon. An email account has been created to allow anyone interested in making a donation to get in touch. It is – pantherspledge2015@gmail.com

You might not be going to Peterborough either.

Same price as Newcastle and Sheffield 2015 season tickets.

Updated to show inclusive of VAT (it's not +vat).

I've just had the following email regarding the packages available from Peterborough Speedway. They are as follows: Match/Meeting Sponsor - £400 +vat * this includes 12 people Buffet Soft drinks Pit visit Centre Green visit Pre-meeting meet 'n' greet with the riders Select/Present 'Rider of the Night' a bottle of bubbly Framed Signed photo Air Fence Panel £250 +vat Programme Advert Full page - £300 +vat Half page - £175 +vat Quarter page - £100 +vat (Supply own artwork) Programme Heat Sponsor - £200 +vat Season Ticket - £300 INC vat VIP Season Ticket - £600 INC vat (Includes hospitality area and access all areas) Anyone who is interested in the above should contact Lisa Flemming or Alison Marshall by emailing pantherspledge2015@gmail.com

I might be wrong but I think all websites are run by Andy Povey of AP Media. Mark Plummer was doing twitter on race nights but don't think he looks after it all the time. I think there is more information coming tomorrow.

Anyone who is interested in helping the club out can contact Lisa Flemming or Alison Marshall by emailing pantherspledge2015@gmail.com

Swales reflects on last night's forum https://audioboom.com/boos/2612818-peterborough-panthers-promoter-trevor-swales-after-the-make-or-break-fans-forum-01-11-2014

Good to see Mick Bratley there too.

He has made it public. He can be contacted on 07920 824092.