Peterborough Panthers

Peterborough Panthers
Club information
Track address	East of England Showground Peterborough
Country	England
Founded	1970
Closed	2023
Website	peterborough-speedway.com
Club facts
Colours	Purple and White
Track size	337 Metres
Track record time	57.2 seconds
Track record date	19 July 2021
Track record holder	Dan Bewley
Major team honours
United Kingdom Champions 1999, 2006, 2021 Knockout Cup Winners 1999, 2001 Fours Winners 1997 Elite Shield 2007 Craven Shield 1999 tier 2 Champions 1992, 1998 Division 2 KO Cup Winners 1992, 2017 tier 2 Pairs Winners 1998 tier 2 Fours Winners 1977, 1978, 1988, 1989, 1992, 1998, 2017 tier 3 Champions 1997, 2002 Midland Development League Champions 2017, 2018

The Peterborough Panthers were a British motorcycle speedway team based in Peterborough, England from 1970 to 2023. They were three times champions of the United Kingdom, winning the highest level league in 1999, 2006 and 2021.

History

Origins and 1970s

East of England Arena

Speedway in Peterborough began in 1970, following a failed attempt to race at the Peterborough Greyhound Stadium ^[1] and a subsequent successful application by Allied Presentations (headed by Maurice Littlechild) to race at the East of England Showground. ^[2] Despite receiving a licence, the team were initially refused entry to the league by the Speedway Control Board but then replaced Plymouth Devils for their inaugural season in the 1970 British League Division Two. ^[3] The Panthers finished in 10th place. ^[4]

The Panthers remained in division 2 (the National League from 1975) and recorded a best placing of third in 1972, headed by riders Richard Greer and John Davis. The next significant moment was winning the first silverware, after securing consecutive Fours championships in 1977 and 1978. Only Nigel Flatman appeared in both of the fours finals. ^{[5] [6] [7] [8]}

1980s

The Panthers continued in the National League during the 1980s, but the decade was one of mediocrity with a highest placing of 5th in 1987. The highlight of the decade was winning two more fours championships in 1988 and 1989. Three riders, Ian Barney, Craig Hodgson and Mick Poole rode in both. ^{[9] [10]}

1990s

• 
  Brian Clark rode for the Panthers for ten years
• 
  Jason Crump helped the Panthers win their first league title in 1992

After signing Australian's Jason Crump and Stephen Davies to join fellow Aussie Mick Poole, the club's first major success arrived during the 1992 British League Division Two season. The Panthers won the league and cup double in addition to the fours. ^[11]

Following 25 consecutive years in the second tier, the Panthers joined the newly merged 1995 Premier League speedway season, meaning that the Panthers competed in the top division for the first time in their history. However, the team dropped down a division in 1998, which brought immediate success, winning the league, pairs and fours. The following season they went up to the Elite League (Div 1) and completely rebuilt their team for the season. They brought in three Australians, the returning Jason Crump from Oxford, Ryan Sullivan from Poole and Craig Watson from Newport, in addition to recalling Zdeněk Tesař. ^[12] Peterborough pipped Poole by one point and beat them in the cup final to achieve the league and cup double and the Craven Shield win. Crump won the Riders' Championship and topped the averages. ^[13]

2000s

Peterborough versus Oxford in 2007

Another Knockout Cup was added to the trophy cabinet in 2001 and the team won the league title during the 2006 Elite League speedway season. Peterborough and Reading battled each other throughout the season finishing level on points in the regular season table before Peterborough edged Reading in the play off final. Peterborough had a strong all round squad and included Danish trio of Hans Andersen, Jesper Jensen and Niels Kristian Iversen, in addition to Australian Ryan Sullivan. ^[14]

2010s

The team continued to compete in the highest league despite problems leadng up to the 2011 season. Following changes to the rules for rider averages made at the AGM of the BSPA, the Panthers and Coventry Bees walked out of the meeting. ^[15] As a result the BSPA omitted both teams from the 2011 Elite League for failing to declare their intent to compete. ^{[16] [17]} The decision was the subject of a legal challenge by both clubs. ^[18] The BSPA offered a compromise which was initially rejected ^[19] before both teams confirmed their starting places. ^[20]

The team had a record Elite League victory on 23 August 2013, beating Coventry Bees by 70 points to 20 ^[21] The Panthers dropped to the second division from 2014 to 2018 but won the 2017 division 2 Knockout Cup and fours during the period. In 2019, the team rejoined the highest league called the SGB Premiership. ^[22]

2020s

Hans Andersen in Peterborough colours and part of the Dad's Army

After the leagues were cancelled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Panthers won the highest league title for just the third time in their history in 2001. After finishing top of the regular season table by just one point, they overtook the long time leaders Wolverhampton Wolves and by virtue of finishing top they elected to play Wolves in the play off semi finals, rather than the third or fourth placed teams Belle Vue and Sheffield. ^[23] Peterborough then deservedly won the playoffs by beating Wolverhampton in the semifinals and Belle Vue in the final. ^[24] The Peterborough team gained the nickname the 'Dad's Army' due to the fact that four of their riders were aged 40 or older. ^[25]

The 2023 season was the last season for Peterborough at the East of England Showground, ^[26] following the redevelopment of the Arena by owners Asset Earning Power Group (AEPG) ^[27] and the club were disbanded.

Season summary

Extended content

Year and league Position Notes 1970 British League Division Two season 10th 1971 British League Division Two season 16th 1972 British League Division Two season 3rd 1973 British League Division Two season 4th 1974 British League Division Two season 8th 1975 New National League season 18th 1976 National League season 9th 1977 National League season 5th 1978 National League season 6th 1979 National League season 8th 1980 National League season 8th 1981 National League season 9th 1982 National League season 13th 1983 National League season 12th 1984 National League season 15th 1985 National League season 7th 1986 National League season 10th 1987 National League season 5th 1988 National League season 8th 1989 National League season 11th 1990 National League season 10th 1991 British League Division Two season 12th 1992 British League Division Two season 1st Champions & Knockout Cup winners 1993 British League Division Two season 3rd 1994 British League Division Two season 5th 1995 Premier League speedway season 4th 1996 Premier League speedway season 2nd 1997 Elite League speedway season 10th 1998 Premier League speedway season 1st Champions 1999 Elite League speedway season 1st Champions & Knockout Cup winners 2000 Elite League speedway season 7th 2001 Elite League speedway season 5th Knockout Cup winners 2002 Elite League speedway season 5th 2003 Elite League speedway season 3rd 2004 Elite League speedway season 9th 2005 Elite League speedway season 3rd 2006 Elite League speedway season 1st Champions (PO winners) 2007 Elite League speedway season 3rd 2008 Elite League speedway season 9th 2009 Elite League speedway season 5th 2010 Elite League speedway season 3rd 2011 Elite League speedway season 6th 2012 Elite League speedway season 6th 2013 Elite League speedway season 7th 2014 Premier League speedway season 7th 2015 Premier League speedway season 4th lost in PO semi finals 2016 Premier League speedway season 8th SGB Championship 2017 6th Knockout Cup winners SGB Championship 2018 1st lost in PO semi finals SGB Premiership 2019 7th SGB Premiership 2021 1st champions SGB Premiership 2022 6th SGB Premiership 2023 6th

Season summary (juniors)

Extended content
Year and league Position Notes 1996 Speedway Conference League 9th Thundercats 1997 Speedway Conference League 1st Thundercats, Champions 2000 Speedway Conference League 10th Pumas 2001 Speedway Conference League 5th Pumas 2002 Speedway Conference League 1st Pumas, Champions 2003 Speedway Conference League 12th Pumas

Riders previous seasons

Extended content

2012 team Kenneth Bjerre Linus Sundstrom Oliver Allen Lasse Bjerre Jesper B. Monberg Michael Jepsen Jensen Richard Lawson 2013 team Kenneth Bjerre Ryan Fisher Krzysztof Buczkowski Joonas Kylmakorpi Patrick Hougaard Norbert Kosciuch Dakota North Kenni Larsen Linus Sundstrom Nicolai Klindt 2014 team Ulrich Østergaard Adam Roynon Ben Barker Nicki Barratt Aleš Dryml Jr. Max Dilger Richard Hall Oliver Greenwood Lewis Blackbird Ryan Fisher Joe Jacobs 2015 team Ulrich Østergaard Anders Thomsen Ben Barker Emil Grøndal Rafal Konopka Michael Palm Toft Simon Lambert Oliver Allen Robert Lambert Adam Roynon Oliver Greenwood Lewis Blackbird 2016 team Craig Cook Kenneth Bjerre Ulrich Østergaard Anders Thomsen Richard Hall Danny Halsey Zdenek Holub Nicklas Porsing Nikolaj Busk Jakobsen Simon Lambert Michael Palm Toft Ashley Morris Emil Grøndal Tom Perry Tom Stokes 2017 team Chris Harris Bradley Wilson-Dean Ulrich Østergaard Paul Starke Jack Holder Liam Carr Tom Bacon Kenneth Hanson Simon Lambert Richard Hall 2018 team Scott Nicholls Emil Grøndal Bradley Wilson-Dean Ulrich Østergaard Michael Palm Toft Simon Lambert Tom Bacon Nike Lunna Ellis Perks 2019 team Charles Wright Ty Proctor Hans Andersen Scott Nicholls Rohan Tungate Jason Garrity Ulrich Østergaard Bradley Wilson-Dean Aaron Summers Lasse Bjerre Josh Bates Ben Barker 2020 team Niels-Kristian Iversen Hans Anderson Michael Palm Toft Chris Harris Rohan Tungate Ulrich Østergaard Scott Nicholls 2021 team Hans Andersen Chris Harris Scott Nicholls Ulrich Østergaard Jordan Palin Bjarne Pedersen Michael Palm Toft 2022 team & greensheet averages Chris Harris 7.59 Michael Palm Toft 6.86 Benjamin Basso 6.81 Scott Nicholls (C) 5.28 Ulrich Østergaard 5.17 Hans Andersen 4.93 Jordan Jenkins (Rising Star) 3.00 Jake Mulford (Number 8) 3.00 Daniel Gilkes 3.00 Jordan Palin 3.00

Notable riders

• Hans N. Andersen
• Ian Barney
• Kenneth Bjerre
• Brian Clark
• Jason Crump
• Glenn Cunningham
• Stephen Davies
• Aleš Dryml, Jr.
• Lukáš Dryml
• Nigel Flatman
• Richard Greer
• Chris Harris
• Craig Hodgson
• Niels Kristian Iversen
• Peter Karlsson
• Scott Nicholls
• Ulrich Østergaard
• Michael Palm Toft
• Mick Poole
• Ryan Sullivan

Honours

Elite League League Champions (2) – 1999, 2006, 2021. Play Off’s (6) – 2002, 2003 2004, 2006, 2007 & 2010. Knockout Cup Winners (2) – 1999 & 2001. Knockout Cup Runners Up (1) – 2002. Craven Shield Winners (1) – 1999. Craven Shield Runners Up (1) – 2001. Elite Shield Winners (1) – 2007. Premiership Runners Up (1) – 1997. 4TT Champions (1) – 1997. Midland League Runners Up (1) – 2009. League Riders Champions (2) – J Crump 1999 & R Sullivan 2000. British Champions (1) – M Loram 2001. British U21 Champions (1) – D Howe 2000.

Premier League

League Champions (1) – 1998. League Runners Up (1) – 1996. KO Cup Runners Up (2) – 1996 & 1998. Young Shield Runners Up (1) – 1998. 4TT Champions (1) – 1998. 4TT Runners Up (2) – 1995 & 1996. League Riders Champion (2) – G Cunningham 1998; Ulrich Østergaard 2015. Pairs Champions (1) – G Cunningham & B Woodifield 1998.

British League (Div 2) – Seasons (9)

League Champions (1) – 1992. Ko Cup Winners (1) – 1992. Ko Cup Runners Up (1) – 1972. Premiership Winners (1) – 1993. 4TT Champions (1) – 1992.

National League – Seasons (16)

4TT Champions (4) – 1977, 1978, 1988, 1989. Gold Cup Runners Up (1) – 1991. League Riders Champion (1) – I Barney 1984.

References

1. "Brown determined to carry on" . Derby Daily Telegraph. 21 November 1969. Retrieved 4 May 2024– via British Newspaper Archive.
2. "Boost for Long Eaton Rangers" . Derby Daily Telegraph. 13 January 1970. Retrieved 4 May 2024– via British Newspaper Archive.
3. "fans decide future" . Derby Daily Telegraph. 10 April 1970. Retrieved 4 May 2024– via British Newspaper Archive.
4. Rogers, Martin (1978). The Illustrated History of Speedway. Studio Publications (Ipswich) Ltd. p. 129. ISBN   0-904584-45-3.
5. "Speedway" . Lincolnshire Free Press. 9 August 1977. Retrieved 9 May 2023– via British Newspaper Archive.
6. Oakes, Peter (1978). 1978 Speedway Yearbook. Studio Publications (Ipswich) Ltd. p. 39. ISBN   978-0904584509.
7. "Speedway" . Daily Mirror. 31 July 1978. Retrieved 10 May 2023– via British Newspaper Archive.
8. "1978 full season results" (PDF). Speedway Researcher. Retrieved 11 May 2023.
9. "Speedway" . Cambridge Daily News. 8 August 1988. Retrieved 11 May 2023– via British Newspaper Archive.
10. Oakes, Peter (1990). Speedway Yearbook 1990. Front Page Books. p. 46. ISBN   0-948882-15-8.
11. "British League Tables – British League Era (1965-1990)". Official British Speedway website. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
12. "HISTORY ARCHIVE". British Speedway. 3 March 2017. Retrieved 4 July 2021.
13. "1999 league tables". Speedway GB.
14. "Speedway riders, history and results". wwosbackup. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
15. "Coventry Bees speedway future under threat". BBC Sport. 24 November 2010. Retrieved 15 January 2011.
16. "British Speedway Statement". British Speedway Promoters' Association. 27 November 2010. Retrieved 15 January 2011.
17. "Coventry Bees' Elite League exit confirmed by BSPA". BBC Sport. 29 November 2010. Retrieved 15 January 2011.
18. "Bees and Panthers launch legal challenge". BBC Sport. 2 December 2010. Retrieved 15 January 2011.
19. "British Speedway Statement". British Speedway Promoters' Association. Retrieved 17 February 2011.
20. "BSPA confirm return of Coventry Bees and Peterborough". BBC Sport. 8 April 2011. Retrieved 8 April 2011.
21. "Panthers Power to Record Win", speedwaygb.co, 24 August 2013. Retrieved 24 August 2013
22. "Fours Glory for Panthers", speedwaygb.co, 6 August 2017. Retrieved 6 August 2017
23. "PANTHERS FACE WOLVES IN PLAY-OFFS". Peterborough Speedway. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
24. "PANTHERS CROWNED PREMIERSHIP CHAMPIONS". Peterborough Speedway. Retrieved 22 October 2021.
25. "Peterborough Panthers all conquering 'Dad's Army' are back for 2022 and they've enlisted a hot young recruit". Peterborough Telegraph. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
26. "What next for Peterborough Panthers' speedway track?". BBC Sport. Retrieved 19 November 2023.
27. "Eastern Promise". Speedway Star. 24 September 2022. p. 8.