Crump99

How many can say this though: It was another tough year off the track with Panthers again making losses of more than £100,000 - the norm during the five-and-a-half-year reign of Frost and fellow owner Julie Mahoney. Frost added: “There are losses at Peterborough every year but myself and Julie are very fortunate in that our companies make a lot of money. “Without wishing to sound blasé, it is not big bucks to us. Financing the club has been part of our advertising and branding budget. the club are keen to attract new backers for next year. - note, next year peterboroughtoday.co.uk October 28 2013

I'm not negotiating with anyone. I only come up with ideas I can't afford, which is why if Newcastle are in trouble then they'll have to use Tsunami's expertise with no cost solutions!

Why less of a miss in 2015, don't understand? True we have speedway but I'm not sure how long people can play that card? At the end of the day it's got to be an overall product that people want to turn up to so that those doing the work feel that the effort is worthwhile. That's probably why we have a regular turnover of promoters and why it was disappointing that Frost & Mahoney dipped out just when they'd stopped the rot, probably saw what was coming! As a Panthers fan whose team has seemingly received little from our lords and masters over recent years, I take a couple of quotes from Birmingham since you bring it up: “No-one has come forward with support and the BSPA, well, what can I say? “I feel very badly let down but should have expected it, I’ve been warned enough.” So Birmingham is probably the tip of the iceberg then? Running speedway is generally a thankless task and we thank those who put in their money and effort but still having speedway only works for the hardcore few hundred with many more options for joe public's pound these days: "In the meantime, out of respect for the few hardcore supporters with whom I have a terrific relationship, I am in negotiations with a third party to try and ensure the continuation of Birmingham Speedway."

I do believe that Iversen, Bjerre, Andersen, Batchelor, Buczkowski, MJJ are our assets and riding in the BEL, they'd do! Variety's overrated. I would agree that the EL is continuing to go downhill so not such a miss in 2014.

Time to review at the EoES (well Plummer's view anyway): Speedway: The pros and cons of racing in the Premier League - (peterboroughtoday 27/6/14) We are slap-bang in the middle of the speedway season. Therefore it is the perfect time for MARK PLUMMER to assess the positives and negatives of Panthers’ return to Premier League racing for the first time since 1998... PROS Regular racing Panthers fans have long since called for regular action at Alwalton and the move into the Premier League has allowed that to happen. The vast majority of home meetings are taking place on Tuesday nights. Excellent entertainment The racing has probably been better than ever at the East of England Showground. A whole host of thrilling home meetings have taken place on the city shale with the likes of number one Ryan Fisher and skipper Ulrich Ostergaard providing edge-of-the-seat drama in almost every ride. More chances of glory A packed calendar of racing and a host of different competitions means plenty of opportunities to challenge for honours. Panthers are out of the KO Cup, but are still involved in the last four of the League Cup and will be expected to charge through the Premier League pack to clinch a play-off spot. In addition there is also Premier League Pairs and Premier League Fours glory to aim at with Panthers boasting home advantage for the latter. Variety Of course there are plenty of familiar faces from the Elite League era spread across the Premier League’s 13 teams, but there is also lots of exciting young talent which many Panthers fans will be seeing for the first time. It all adds up to a truly competitive environment. CONS Poor turnout Panthers have struggled to attract sustainable attendances despite providing regular, high-class racing and lowering admission prices. Mick Horton has gone as far as urging regular supporters to help boost crowds by introducing family members, friends and work colleagues to the sport. Tuesday trouble There must be a question mark over whether or not the club’s chosen race-night has caught on. Panthers run the risk of clashes with football matches (both local and national, live and televised) during the opening and closing months of the speedway season. Fixture clashes They are almost inevitable in a structure where some riders can operate at all three levels and plenty more race in two leagues, but they can be a serious hindrance. For example Panthers recently travelled to Plymouth for an important KO Cup quarter-final, second leg without number one Ryan Fisher and reserve Joe Jacobs, who were both required by their Elite League clubs on the same night. Short on stars One gripe occasionally aired this season is the absence of big-name riders. It is of course a completely accurate point, yet one which certainly wouldn’t be guaranteed to improve on the terrific action already being served up.

I remember Jim Lynch using that one when my mate discussed with him after a match at Kings Lynn that timing was just as important as getting 6 from the ride, perhaps why it's called tactical ride

Having said that, apart from the sanitation, the medicine, education, wine, public order, irrigation, roads, the fresh-water system, and public health, what have the Romans ever done for us?

Probably but it's not a few weeks ago. They said the same about Hougaard last season and at the time nobody could have argued the decision if it had been taken.

Now come on, it's becoming the comedy highlight of the evening, it's like musical chairs for adults who don't want to play! Also needed a good night's sleep to recover from the music and roving (I call it overused and irritating) mic - loud or what? Did have another laugh whilst discussing heat 11 in the stand to some soft background music quickly substituted by some booming dross to which my mate said: "that's got rid of that, far too melodic" On the positive, plenty of riders doing victory laps to interact with the crowd (as much as one can wheelieing down the home straight) and heat 15 line-up announced before the ink had dried on heat 14 Wasn't a great meeting due to it being too dry and slick. Sheffield also look decent on paper but put them on shale and it's a different matter. Never thought I'd like watching a Bjerre but young Lasse bucks the trend.

Panthers are at full-strength as they bid to become more dominant on home shale. Their last four Showground outings have resulted in narrow victories by between two and six-point margins. Sheffield are spearheaded by in-form skipper Simon Stead. The Tigers number one was a member of the Panthers team that swept to Premier League title glory in their last season at this level in 1998. Early-season signing Ty Proctor is another handy Alwalton performer while Taylor Poole scored five points – including a heat 14 triumph – when guesting here for Workington in a League Cup semi-final showdown last week. TEAMS: ‘TC HARRISON’ PANTHERS: Ryan Fisher, Lewis Blackbird, Ales Dryml, Ulrich Ostergaard, Lasse Bjerre, Joe Jacobs, Nicki Barrett. SHEFFIELD: Simon Stead, Taylor Poole, Leigh Lanham, Andre Compton, Ty Proctor, Simon Nielsen, Josh Bates. peterboroughpanthers.co

Perhaps Joe Jacobs explained: Jacobs has a busy schedule as he races in all three leagues during 2014. He also represents Mildenhall in the National League and is with Wolverhampton in the top flight as part of the Fast Track programme. But he insists his toughest challenge is putting points on the board in Panthers colours. “On the whole I’m really happy with the teams I am at this year,” continued Jacobs. “All the clubs are fairly local to where I live and now I’m just focusing on building some momentum to take into the rest of the season. “The Premier League is very tough to ride in as you’re competing against the opposition’s top riders. “The Elite League is not as difficult because you are always are riding against at least one National League rider.” peterboroughpanthers.co

Panthers 1. Ryan Fisher 2. Lewis Blackbird 3. Ales Dryml 4. Ulrich Ostergaard 5. Lasse Bjerre 6. Joe Jacobs 7. Nicki Barrett SHEFFIELD 1. Simon Stead 2. Taylor Poole 3. Leigh Lanham 4. Andre Compton 5. Ty Proctor 6. Simon Nielsen 7. Josh Bates

Although it's more complicated that this, this is a good starting point: Frost added (28/10/13): “Crowd levels were disastrous in the first part of the season. They went up as the team began to perform well" - one good year in fourteen (2006) has taken it's toll!

Why? It is Peterborough after all, they can't do anything right. You must have noticed over the last few years.

Well let's say that I'd rather have Hans Andersen (our asset) at no1 than Ryan Fisher for starters, that's not gonna happen in the PL is it? That's before you perm some of our other quality assets riding elsewhere into a team.

Does make you wonder why MH had another go when he knew what it was like: "In an official statement, Colin Horton said: "An agreement has been made between Mick and myself to transfer the interests of the club to me. "Mick has spent the last three seasons maintaing Peterborough's presence in the Elite League and he felt a financial injection was needed to sustain the club's existence. "This purchase will safeguard the future of Peterborough Speedway and allow the club to move forward. "I would like to thank Mick for all the hard work he has put into the club and I am confident we can take it on to the next level." PT 26/5/05) CH did take us to the next level (apparently making a shedful in 2006) with Bratley in tow and an alleged thriving commercial side. Bratley said a long time ago that crowds alone could not sustain Peterborough and he also worked hard on presentation as well, even if I didn't like it all. Look at the overall product since then. Never quite there with Rick until the last few months of 5 years and only Newcastle in 2014 worked due to Sky and a cheap admission crowd who found the gates locked if they returned next time!

Protecting his investment as the owner and allegedly doing what many don't or can't do in that the sums add up? Those of us who turn up regularly do but your view is rather simplistic!

or alternatively lose the first half as well!

So is he or isn't he? "The fitness of Kyle Howarth will be assessed prior to the meeting. Howarth suffered ankle ligament damage after a freak accident during Comets’ Premier League meeting against Edinburgh Monarchs at Derwent Park on Saturday." (timesandstar.co.uk) Have they assessed it yet.

teams tbc: PANTHERS 1. Ryan Fisher 2. Lewis Blackbird 3. Ales Dryml 4. Ulrich Ostergaard 5. Lasse Bjerre 6. Joe Jacobs 7. Nicki Barrett WORKINGTON 1. Richard Lawson (G) 2. Mason Compton 3. Ricky Wells 4. Kyle Howarth 5. Rene Bach 6 Taylor Poole (G) 7. Simon Lambert

as he said though: “The Premier League is very tough to ride in as you’re competing against the opposition’s top riders. “The Elite League is not as difficult because you are always are riding against at least one National League rider.” panthersweb

How long's that been going on? I've been trying to find the source of the smell for ages

Well it was done once I believe but nobody can actually remember when. You'd have had Black Eyed-Peas as the intro, Darren Fletcher probably doing the at the start rider introductions and then swiftly on with heat 1.

And ice-hockey is where it should stay until it's a BSPA edict that all tracks partake in the celebration. I think that you need to have been following the reasoning before you understand a bit more what the deal is.

If you choose to sit in the stand though you don't get the option not to stand up unless you're a real arse. It's only those elsewhere who can ignore it and get on with their business as per usual. As they've done away with the bikes at the start presentation I thinks it reasonable for all riders and management etc to assemble at pit gate to observe the anthem with everyone else just so we can see that we're all in this together! Personally it's easier to lose the tape and get on with the efficient running of the meeting, who'd notice?