Published on Fri Nov 26 09:24:27 GMT 2010
Peterborough Panthers chiefs are remaining tight-lipped over the club’s immediate future.
It has been the subject of widespread speculation in the past few days with many fearing Panthers may not race in 2011 after reports that co-owners Rick Frost and Julie Mahoney walked out of the British Speedway Promoters’ Association (BSPA) AGM last weekend.
Panthers finally reacted by issuing a terse, one-line statement yesterday which did not make the situation any clearer.
The statement, which appeared on the club’s official website, read: “We have been advised by our legal advisors not to make any public statement at this time regarding the future of Peterborough Speedway.”
An almost identically-worded statement was released by Coventry owner Avtar Sandhu - the other man understood to have walked out of the sport’s AGM.
But the Bees’ release went on to assure fans, riders, sponsors and suppliers that they would fight to continue top-flight speedway at Coventry Stadium - something the Panthers statement pointedly did not.
Reports have suggested that Panthers and Coventry were both angered by proposals to reduce the Elite League team-building points limit to 40 points. It stood at 40.95 this year.
It is also understood they were against a new method of interpreting the averages of Premier League riders stepping up to top-flight level.
Panthers’ statement will have done little to allay the fears of fans concerned that their team will not race in 2011. It would be the end of 41 successive years of speedway were that to happen.
However, there would still be other options open to Panthers were they not to compete in the Elite League.
The Premier League is currently full to its 14-team capacity and an application from Plymouth to join was turned down at the AGM.
That would obviously change if King’s Lynn do - as rumoured - agree to rise into the Elite League to make up the eight teams required for the top-flight as part of its television contract with Sky.
A well-connected source within the BSPA confirmed Panthers or Coventry could apply to take that place in the Premier League if they so wished and also admitted that it would probably be looked upon favourably providing there was no public criticism of the sport’s governing body.
The National League stages its own AGM early next month and again, both clubs would almost certainly be accepted into the third tier of the sport if they so desired.
FANS’ OPINIONS
Why is it that four guys tearing round a shale track on a motorbike should be so complicated?
I think I speak for all when I say that I hope that we’ll be running our 42nd consecutive speedway season at Peterborough.
Harrhycarry
This is exactly why Speedway is in need of an independent body and a serious radical re-think.
Hodgy
It’s complicated because the people calling the shots have vested interests and all work to their own agendas.
‘Absolute power corrupts absolutely’ is the phrase that best describes it and it’s been within the sport for years.
An independent controlling body is the only way it will ever work, but to be honest I can never see any of the promotions agreeing to it.
bigcatdiary
Pathetic. We don’t get our own way so we take our ball home.
Champs2006
If the BSPA was democratic then they could publish the minutes of their meetings on their website so that we can be the judge of what or who is pathetic.
Rigsby
I hope that all will be sorted as I fear one year away from action and speedway will never be back at the East Of England Showground.
Let’s hope common sense prevails.
Dub
www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk:80/sport/speedway
