screm

In a major new year message, Rathbone confirmed a takeover deal with previous owners, Readypower has been finalised. And while he chose to keep the figures involved confidential, Rathbone did reveal that the financial backing of major sponsor T Balfe Construction has also enabled the purchase of track equipment which will immediately be placed under the control of the Peterborough Panthers Supporters' Club (PPSSC). Rathbone said: "I'm delighted to be able announce the sale of the club from Readypower has gone through. "I must pass on my thanks to Rick Frost and Julie Mahoney, who have always been very professional in our dealings. "I'm grateful to them for giving me the opportunity to keep speedway going in Peterborough and both sides have since stuck firmly to the plan we put in place. "On the surface very little changes, but behind the scenes this purchase will make the club far more financially secure. "All speedway matters - on and off the track - are now under our control and thanks to the generosity of T Balfe Construction, we have been able to buy equipment which will be handed over to the PPSSC. "It is all about providing long-term security and giving a fantastic bunch of supporters a say in the future.. "The time will come when I move on - although I hope it won't be anytime soon - and I don't want the club to be in a position where all the hard work goes to waste and speedway in Peterborough is under threat again." Rathbone, who stepped in following the 2014 season to ensure racing continued at the East of England Showground, insists his business model of attempting to deliver SGB Championship success while living within the club's means will not change. He added: "Speedway clubs have to cut their cloth accordingly in these tough financial times. "I've always been adamant from day one that we have to be able to pay our way - and so far we have managed to do that. "We will never spend beyond our means to chase glory only to put the future of the club in jeopardy. "We have a very solid management team in which everyone knows their role and has the future of the club at heart. "We've attracted very pleasing attendances during the past two seasons and I'll be over the moon if that continues in 2017. "We're always looking to attract new fans and that work will continue in 2017 by spreading the speedway word in Peterborough and beyond." http://www.speedway-forum.co.uk/forums/index.php?showtopic=82669&page=145

https://twitter.com/KLSpeedway?lang=en-gb Josh Bailey to Kings Lynn.

King's Lynn Speedway ‏@KLSpeedway 11m11 minutes ago JOSH Bailey will be back with the King's Lynn Young Stars for a fourth successive year in 2017.

Thats hardly elaborating on your argument.

Condolences to all family and friends. RIP Bryn.

Thanks for the update, hopefully Bryn will be feeling better very soon.

Information taken from Berwick Speedway Facebook page. We can now confirm that our 2017 season will get underway at Shielfield Park on Saturday 18th March! We will be kicking things off with the 50th Season Spectacular individual event! The Newcastle Diamonds will be in town in challenge match action on 25th March with the return leg the following day at Brough Park. Press and Practice will be held on Saturday 11th March followed by a Season Launch Party in the Black and Gold immediately afterwards. More details will be confirmed in the coming weeks. From everyone at Berwick Bandits Speedway Club, We wish you all a very Merry Christmas!

Haven`t got far to travel either, just to the end of your wrist.

Lets hope Santa has a spare dictionary going when he does his rounds.

Best wishes Bryn for a speedy recovery.

If they are there providing a service to getting a Saturday nights speedway on at Berwick I see no problem with them gaining free entry, is there one or two to many people getting in free who shouldn't, yes there probably is but I would think you could say the same at many tracks these days.

Lewis Bridger is also due a testimonial, though I`m not sure that it would be held at Berwick.

Silly post.

Our hidden gem seems to have had a change of heart, lets hope he can chip in with a few points along the way next season. Beating the other 2pt reserves on a reasonably regular bases must be his job in the team.

You can add Ryan Blacklock to the Berwick team, he replaces Luke Chessell who has decided to take time away from racing.

TEAM NEWS! Last week the club were unfortunately faced with the news that Luke Chessell has decided to take a break from the sport and has sighted financial strain and a general disillusionment with the sport as his reasons. Gary Havelock adds, "While we are disappointed with the news we have to thank Luke for not leading us down the garden path and dropping us in it closer to the start of the season. We have explored all avenues and feel we have found a hidden gem to replace Luke. After a successful meeting with myself, Scott, Jamie and Dennis McCleary we confirm that our number 7 will be Ryan Blacklock. Ryan's attitude and ambition really excites me and from everyone we've spoken to, giving up and backing off is not something in his vocabulary!" The Workington based Blacklock joins the Bandits pending the necessary BSPA approval from national league Buxton where he has consistently held his own as a heat leader and also formed a popular pairing with our rider of the year Liam Carr in previous seasons. The arrival of Ryan Blacklock to Berwick only adds what promises to be a spectacular season for the Bandits! Information taken from Berwick Bandits Facebook page.

Hang on there fella, you`ll have the anti-negativity brigade after you. IMO I dont think Berwick is the weakest team out there at the minute and I dont see the team bottom of the league. Certainly true to say all of the decent 2pt riders have gone to other clubs so a like for like replacement for Chessell might not be an option, so a couple of changes would be better to strengthen the reserve position, tough on the second rider dropped but if it needs doing to make Berwick stronger then so be it. We dont have to have a 2pt rider, make the right changes could see Carr and Gappmaier start at reserve, which looking at some of the reserve pairing around would give us the strongest reserves in the Championship.

Chessell pulling out may just cause more problems than is first thought as a like for like change would weaken Berwick so more than one change is very possible.

So its just three spaces at Edinburgh, and one possibly two at Berwick and we are done.

Don`t know, if the Speedway Star is doing one PL track it could be any time. Meanwhile some details of season ticket prices prices have been announced. http://berwickbandits.co/article/2017-season-tickets

I agree it would be tough, but if it means having a better team then so be it. Quality 2pt riders arent exactly thick on the ground now as most have been signed.

Berwick could make more than one change.

I think by now most promotions have worked Barker out as high maintenance to say the least and leave well alone, I wish him the best at Redcar but I don`t see him finishing the season as a Bear.

Thing is, how many tracks will be left in 5 years.

I dont make a comparasing, maybe a contrast. Seems fans in all the leagues over here are being asked to pay more and more each year, in most cases to make up the short fall for dwindling crowds, bit of an own goal IMO as a night at the speedway now for the family is an expensive night out. Its true to say wages in Poland are lower than here, but it seems paying lower admission pays dividends at the turnstiles all over Poland as they seems to get near full stadiums.