Post by Deleted on Dec 29, 2009 13:34:29 GMT
The noughties: Top 10 Panthers of the decade
THE end of the 'noughties' is nigh and what better time to recall the top 10 Peterborough Panthers riders of the past decade?
Here Mark Plummer counts down his main men to have graced the Showground since 2000:
10. SHANE PARKER
A good bloke and a decent performer during his three years as a Peterborough rider from 2001 to 2003.
The popular Aussie, who spent most of his time chipping in handy points as a second string, ended his stint in this part of the world as a Panthers skipper.
That highlighted how good he was off the track as well as on it.
9. NIGEL SADLER
Another man from the Panthers production line Down Under (he was born in Australia to British parents).
More of an oily rag than an engine driver, but a key Panthers figure in the early years of the decade nonetheless as his never-say-attitude and commitment made him a popular figure here.
Sadler rose from reserve into the main body of the team and achieved a career club average in excess of six points.
8. MARK LORAM
'Loramski' was the reigning world champion when arriving at Alwalton ahead of the 2001 season amid much fanfare.
He proved to be something of a one-season wonder for Panthers after overcoming a slow start to play a starring role in their KO Cup triumph of that season.
But he moved on again the following winter.
7. CHRIS HARRIS
These days he is an Elite League number one not quite managing to make the breakthrough as a true world-class talent.
Back in 2002 and 2003 he was a rough diamond – a raw Cornish talent clearly going places (with plenty of speed and not quite so much control!)
Unfortunately after two highly-promising seasons in these parts - which saw him rise from doubling-up reserve to heat leader - the place he went was Coventry.
Rumour has it he moved to the Bees for a mere £5-per-point more than he was on at Panthers. If only then owner Mick Horton had dipped a bit deeper into his pocket . . .
6. JESPER B. MONBERG
(formerly Jensen)
You will not meet a nicer man in speedway than the smiling assassin from Esbjerg.
Monberg was nothing short of sensational during a year-and-a-half in Panthers colours in the middle of the decade. His summer arrival helped galvanise a wobbling 2005 team and his contribution to the 2006 title-winning side should never be overlooked.
Jensen rode out of his skin for most of that year and was banging in mighty points on a regular basis until a serious shoulder injury sidelined him.
Would have been back in 2009 but for ridiculous red tape ruining his average and sadly a victim of the stupid bureaucracy that gives the sport a poor reputation.
5. KENNETH BJERRE
The pint-sized Dane was so desperate to get noticed in speedway that he ditched his surname (Jensen) due to too many other riders having the same moniker.
He was hardly likely to slip under the radar after being blessed with a fine talent, something often in evidence during his four years as a Panther.
Started out as a rapidly-rising reserve in 2003 when doubling-up here and then returned after a full transfer from Belle Vue as a rider with genuine world title hopes.
Now a GP star boasting an average of over eight points after 124 official matches for the city club. And the best is certainly yet to come.
4. SAM TESAR
The Czech charger is one of the legends of Peterborough Speedway.
It could be argued his best days were behind him by the time the Millennium arrived, but Tesar still gave three more years of sterling service to the city club.
A man who appeared in two World finals at his very best and some rip-roaring gating on the track and charming persona off it left a lasting impression in these parts.
3. NIELS KRISTIAN IVERSEN
A silverware winner and a member of the club's stable of Danes who seems set to have a lengthy career here.
Has already completed three full seasons in Panthers colours with the first (2006) being the most memorable.
Iversen blotted his copybook by throwing in a stinker at Swindon as Panthers' title defence hit the rails at the semi-final stage in 2007 and was subsequently sent out on loan the following year.
He returned in 2009 a bigger man and a better rider - and don't bet against him being part of another Panthers' title assault next year.
2. HANS ANDERSEN
His name was a headline writer's dream and is now etched into the club's hall of fame thanks to some performances which became the stuff of legend.
Skipper Andersen (almost single-handedly at times) led Panthers to their tremendous Elite League title triumph after returning to the club in 2006.
He continued to impress in these parts long after the dust had settled on the club's date with destiny, but the Dane was never afraid to speak his mind and often polarised opinion.
Never more so than when walking out over unpaid wages and sponsorship during the stormy summer of 2008.
1. RYAN SULLIVAN
The record books say it all – Sullivan is quite simply the greatest rider in Panthers' history.
Five-and-a-quarter years of his glorious career here came during the past decade. In all the awesome Aussie contested a staggering 390 meetings and amassed a never-likely-to-bettered 4,324.5 points for the club.
He went from being a prolific number one in his prime to a valuable member of the title-winning 2006 team who sealed that success by winning the final heat to complete an epic fightback.
Sullivan was still a huge fans' favourite despite his form not hitting past heights during a brief 2008 swansong.
The only downside is his ability to be more miserable than Ebeneezer Scrooge!
(Honourable mentions should also go to Piotr Protasiewicz, Gary Havelock, Peter Karlsson, Piotr Swiderski and Richard Hall).
Page 1 of 1
Last Updated: 29 December 2009 10:11 AM
Source: Peterborough ET
Location: Peterborough
THE end of the 'noughties' is nigh and what better time to recall the top 10 Peterborough Panthers riders of the past decade?
Here Mark Plummer counts down his main men to have graced the Showground since 2000:
10. SHANE PARKER
A good bloke and a decent performer during his three years as a Peterborough rider from 2001 to 2003.
The popular Aussie, who spent most of his time chipping in handy points as a second string, ended his stint in this part of the world as a Panthers skipper.
That highlighted how good he was off the track as well as on it.
9. NIGEL SADLER
Another man from the Panthers production line Down Under (he was born in Australia to British parents).
More of an oily rag than an engine driver, but a key Panthers figure in the early years of the decade nonetheless as his never-say-attitude and commitment made him a popular figure here.
Sadler rose from reserve into the main body of the team and achieved a career club average in excess of six points.
8. MARK LORAM
'Loramski' was the reigning world champion when arriving at Alwalton ahead of the 2001 season amid much fanfare.
He proved to be something of a one-season wonder for Panthers after overcoming a slow start to play a starring role in their KO Cup triumph of that season.
But he moved on again the following winter.
7. CHRIS HARRIS
These days he is an Elite League number one not quite managing to make the breakthrough as a true world-class talent.
Back in 2002 and 2003 he was a rough diamond – a raw Cornish talent clearly going places (with plenty of speed and not quite so much control!)
Unfortunately after two highly-promising seasons in these parts - which saw him rise from doubling-up reserve to heat leader - the place he went was Coventry.
Rumour has it he moved to the Bees for a mere £5-per-point more than he was on at Panthers. If only then owner Mick Horton had dipped a bit deeper into his pocket . . .
6. JESPER B. MONBERG
(formerly Jensen)
You will not meet a nicer man in speedway than the smiling assassin from Esbjerg.
Monberg was nothing short of sensational during a year-and-a-half in Panthers colours in the middle of the decade. His summer arrival helped galvanise a wobbling 2005 team and his contribution to the 2006 title-winning side should never be overlooked.
Jensen rode out of his skin for most of that year and was banging in mighty points on a regular basis until a serious shoulder injury sidelined him.
Would have been back in 2009 but for ridiculous red tape ruining his average and sadly a victim of the stupid bureaucracy that gives the sport a poor reputation.
5. KENNETH BJERRE
The pint-sized Dane was so desperate to get noticed in speedway that he ditched his surname (Jensen) due to too many other riders having the same moniker.
He was hardly likely to slip under the radar after being blessed with a fine talent, something often in evidence during his four years as a Panther.
Started out as a rapidly-rising reserve in 2003 when doubling-up here and then returned after a full transfer from Belle Vue as a rider with genuine world title hopes.
Now a GP star boasting an average of over eight points after 124 official matches for the city club. And the best is certainly yet to come.
4. SAM TESAR
The Czech charger is one of the legends of Peterborough Speedway.
It could be argued his best days were behind him by the time the Millennium arrived, but Tesar still gave three more years of sterling service to the city club.
A man who appeared in two World finals at his very best and some rip-roaring gating on the track and charming persona off it left a lasting impression in these parts.
3. NIELS KRISTIAN IVERSEN
A silverware winner and a member of the club's stable of Danes who seems set to have a lengthy career here.
Has already completed three full seasons in Panthers colours with the first (2006) being the most memorable.
Iversen blotted his copybook by throwing in a stinker at Swindon as Panthers' title defence hit the rails at the semi-final stage in 2007 and was subsequently sent out on loan the following year.
He returned in 2009 a bigger man and a better rider - and don't bet against him being part of another Panthers' title assault next year.
2. HANS ANDERSEN
His name was a headline writer's dream and is now etched into the club's hall of fame thanks to some performances which became the stuff of legend.
Skipper Andersen (almost single-handedly at times) led Panthers to their tremendous Elite League title triumph after returning to the club in 2006.
He continued to impress in these parts long after the dust had settled on the club's date with destiny, but the Dane was never afraid to speak his mind and often polarised opinion.
Never more so than when walking out over unpaid wages and sponsorship during the stormy summer of 2008.
1. RYAN SULLIVAN
The record books say it all – Sullivan is quite simply the greatest rider in Panthers' history.
Five-and-a-quarter years of his glorious career here came during the past decade. In all the awesome Aussie contested a staggering 390 meetings and amassed a never-likely-to-bettered 4,324.5 points for the club.
He went from being a prolific number one in his prime to a valuable member of the title-winning 2006 team who sealed that success by winning the final heat to complete an epic fightback.
Sullivan was still a huge fans' favourite despite his form not hitting past heights during a brief 2008 swansong.
The only downside is his ability to be more miserable than Ebeneezer Scrooge!
(Honourable mentions should also go to Piotr Protasiewicz, Gary Havelock, Peter Karlsson, Piotr Swiderski and Richard Hall).
Page 1 of 1
Last Updated: 29 December 2009 10:11 AM
Source: Peterborough ET
Location: Peterborough