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I wouldn't call it a loophole. Surely a loophole is a way of getting round a rule or finding a way of evading it. So it's not really that. The rule is the rule and they have used it as it is.

Quite ironic we are now trying to assess what a loophole is …..

Hopefully there is enough good will, love and support around Peterborough Panthers Speedway to get something sorted eventually. I mean we have Mick Bratley, GED Rathbone, Michael Tomalin, Carl Johnson, Crendon, a brilliant Supporters Club, and a large fantastic fan base who would love to help in anyway they can.

Saddened to hear this news. One of first meetings watching Wimbledon in the early 1980's was against Eastbourne and Gordon became one of my favourite riders after that. By all accounts a true professional, he was by the same accounts quiet, modest and extremely likeable. Sincere condolences to his family.

Currently Buster has nothing to sell and any potential buyer has nothing to buy, that has been the case all season, even the air fence needs replacing after this season. If a 2-3 year lease could be negotiated then that puts things into a different perspective, Buster could sell (or carry on), a buyer could buy and 2-3 years could be spent securing land and building a new track and facilities which according to the local plan the developers will have to pay for. With the best will in the world, nothing will be built where the track is for a long time. If AEPG would agree to 2-3 years it would get them much positive PR and everyone would (sort of) be happy (except the local residents, of which I am one). At the moment AEPG are getting pelters and it is only going to get a lot lot worse for them. AEPG say they aren’t bothered by the local outrage, but they definitely are, they are not liking the non stop criticism and watching objections filed every day with not one single positive comment. They have misjudged Peterborough people big time and it’s moving towards a watershed moment for Peterborough City Council.

That might be down to peterborough being a better team now.

Last night was my last meeting, as I cannot make Thursday, or 24th September which was suggested last night as being the farewell meeting. I wish I had decided to end my season last week, as at least I went home in a good mood. That speech made by Mr Chapman was possibly the worst speech I have ever listened to, in terms of content and presentation. That man obviously does not care about Panthers at all. A small part of me was thinking of attending Kings Lynn in future, not any more unless the Stars get sold on.

Sad news. A rarity in sport, a competitor that did not divide opinion. He was respected and admired by all. I was lucky to see him throughout his long and illustrious career. One of the great guys.

Yep, definitely the late 80s were a great era for the National League and Gordon Kennett at the absolute forefront of that. Not just Eastbourne, but clubs like Mildenhall, Middlesbrough, Hackney, Wimbledon, Poole all in the mix too. A great mix of gnarly vets like Kennett, Les Collins, Simmo, Jessup, Wyer and rising stars like Dugard, Silver, Havelock, Loram. Scottish tours, Southern tours, lots of local derbies. It would be easy to say that Gordon Kennett was easing down in his career, but couldn't be further from the truth. He was always fully committed on any track on any given day. Also one of the great inside line riders..

Do you honestly believe the PL will run with only 5 teams? It would be financial suicide and I doubt any TV company would consider taking on a contract to televise a series of repeats. For speedway to survive in the UK the PL and CL have to amalgamate and if that means the loss of GP and other top riders it's a price worth paying imo. The fact there would be a shortage of riders given there could be no doubling up could be seen as a positive given it would give younger lads more opporchancities. We may initially have to go backwards to make progress.

There is no way in the world Peterborough would race a season at another track outside of the city, that would be financial suicide.

I can't believe it. Only a few short weeks ago I was talking to him at Oxford as he was like a small child hanging over the third turn fence watching the racing along with his brother. The Kennetts are true fans of speedway & Gordon will be greatly missed. Don't ride faster than the angels can fly.. Best wishes to his family & friends at this sad time RIP

I see on Edinburgh Monarchs website that they have asked their fans to send objections, "to help our friends from Peterborough fight the planning" They can do it but Chapman can't. Says it all

Sad news for someone still relatively young, great rider and a pleasure to watch. RIP Gordon, and condolences to all the family and friends.

Could it be Chapman has actually sold the team to AEPG on the quiet making it a legal transaction rather than a brown envelope job? As an outsider the whole affair seems very messy

We keep fighting. There is stuff going on in the background I promise you that, it’s not over yet in my eyes

Terrible news to wake up to. Last time I saw him was on his Harley leading the parade with about 50 Harley at Shield Final at Eastbourne v Leicester just before Covid break season. Stopped and had a chat after the meeting and looked like he'd never stopped racing. Don't think he ever got due credit for runner up in 78 World Final as everyone sympathised with Jessup. GK had beaten Olsen on the night from memory. His best League again didn't get due credit was White City 77,he bore brunt of RR rides all season and showed he could ride big tracks as well as small. Always scored big at the old PB remember him and Niemi scoring all the points between them almost in one Eastbourne win at PB when we just couldn't seem to get a race winner. Above all that though its clear he was a top man, humble and widely respected.

Born:02.09.1953, Bromley, EnglandBritish Clubs:Eastbourne (1970-1972, 1979-1982, 1985-1991)Wimbledon (1970, 1984)Leicester (1971)Cradley (1971, 1988)Hackney (1971)Kings Lynn (1971, 1983, 1988)Oxford (1972-1975)White City (1976-1978)Swindon (1985, 1986, 1988)Wolverhampton (1986, 1992-1994)Ipswich (1988)Belle Vue (1988)Milton Keynes (1991)Exeter (1993) Year..Clubs..Meetings..Rides..Points..Bonus..Average..Maxima1970..Eastbourne..29..116..166..31..6.79..2P1970..Wimbledon..5..12..5..2..2.331971..Eastbourne..35..148..294..28..8.70..3F..3P1971..Leicester..1..5..6..1..5.601971..Cradley..1..3..2..0..2.671971..Hackney..3..10..6..3..3.601971..King's Lynn..1..4..1..0..1.001972..Eastbourne..38..164..324..32..8.68..6P1972..Oxford..5..15..11..3..3.731973..Oxford..35..139..184..39..6.42..1P1974..Oxford..27..106..176..18..7.32..1F..1P1975..Oxford..38..175..340..28..8.41..1F..2P1976..White City..39..168..399..8..9.69..10F..1P1977..White City..42..207..524..15..10.41..10F..3P1978..White City..38..166..392..3..9.52..9F1979..Eastbourne..34..172..416..10..9.91..9F1980..Eastbourne..24..116..281.5..0..9.71..4F1981..Eastbourne..42..203..483..8..9.67..8F1982..Eastbourne..48..212..493..22..9.72..7F..3P1983..King's Lynn..45..193..383..22..8.391984..Wimbledon..50..190..252..35..6.04..1P1985..Eastbourne..44..186..480..7..10.47..10F..1P1985..Swindon..12..45..56..15..6.311986..Swindon..1..3..0..0..0.001986..Eastbourne..46..210..487..31..9.87..4F..7P1986..Wolves..3..11..16..1..6.181987..Eastbourne..38..166..368..22..9.40..6F..3P1988..Eastbourne..34..178..424.5..19..9.97..5F..1P1988..Cradley..1..4..5..1..6.001988..King's Lynn..6..24..32..4..6.001988..Belle Vue..1..3..3..0..4.001988..Ipswich..1..4..4..2..6.001988..Swindon..1..4..4..2..6.001989..Eastbourne..38..207..473..24..9.60..1F..3P1990..Eastbourne..27..140..303..10..8.94..1F..1P1991..Milton K..4..20..42..0..8.401991..Eastbourne..18..82..83..19..4.981992..Wolves..7..24..20..5..4.171993..Exeter..33..183..293..24..6.931993..Wolves..7..39..40..5..4.621994..Wolves..14..69..73..18..5.28Honours: World Finalist (1978)British Finalist (1975, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1983, 1984)World Pairs Champion (1978)

A top level rider, in an era of greats... Saw him and PC have some cracking battles at Hyde Rd, with Gordon adopting a long track style of racing down the straights... RIP....

A terrific rider and a extremely modest guy RIP Gordon.

Perhaps Chapman could explain why a year go says here at 1.01 www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1285189478916248 that there is a few more years here yet but has seemingly publically done bugger all season to show that he's making an effort to save us and give us those seasons. The message at the start of the season has been that we're done for, added to that there was no explanation of why the Tomlin deal went down. The the final nail tonight though was when he sounded like the AEPG press officer.

He did finish but in last place, the other 3 riders passed him before the finish line

That's a great rule imo, why would you want promoters to fly in an Aussie who only averages 2.5, rather than give a 2.0 Brit a chance?

Maybe Charles and Eddie song “would I lie to you “ would be more appropriate?

Nice to see Pirates fans already writing the Scorpions off, we like to be the under dogs. Look at our side. Ryan Douglas not topping the averages for nothing. MPT just coming back to form after a two month break. Lambo riding his socks off everywhere. Jake , always a dark horse capable of big wins. Connor due a big score. Drew, could be an ace at Reserve. Finally Nathan, lots to prove to the club that let him go. If we keep it close on this leg, its ours for the taking at the EWR.

Proves it's a mental game and if your head isn't right you shouldn't be there

Was the years that really got me back into the sport after a few away. Great days, lots of young and old talent combined. Wasn't really a big Kennett fan, but I did respect him and especially his Oxford, White City days and he was great to watch at Eastbourne RIP

I’d say it’s an ambiguity, it’s certainly an inadequacy, therefore a loophole. By the dictionary definition at least. Either way, done is done, and it’s given us all something to debate on here… I agree. Glasgow have done nothing wrong. The opportunity for them to do that shouldn’t have been there in the first place though.

Can't be that bad he did 5 rides.

Certainly looks like a loophole and walks like a loophole and smells like a loophole. Even if the Mighty Monarchs had done it, it would still have been a loophole. No-one's commented before now because no-one knew the "loophole" existed.

Well i would like to thank Chapman i never thought i would come away from a speedway meeting feeling so angry. His comments on the mic last night all he sprouts is negativity just shows he is not interested in our club if he cannot say anything good he should not say anything. There is loads of genuine fans trying there best to save the club and he tells us all its a waste of time he should be ashamed. How many people there last night would hear what he said and think well why should we bother. While theres hope we keep fighting no matter what he says. Iwas explaining to a casual fan last night about the planning LP30 and LP36 they new nothing of this and said they would now object so come on Panthers fans its not over jet no matter what Chapman says Rant over for now

It’s not really loophole though just a bit of smart business by Glasgow realising he was 5pt man.

Because they are incompetent???

We was always gonna run the meeting, we wanted to push it back to later so to stop aepg from potentially causing damage or anything, but for what ever reason the bspa need it ran before the playoffs start. Don’t know why as it makes no difference what so ever to the playoffs

This is exactly why the sports so called ruling bodies should be getting involved. Chapman, from where I stand, with limited info and knowledge, is not PROMOTING speedway and could be seen to be acting against rather than preserving it and thus bringing the sport into disrepute.

Only thing that makes sense to me, You just don't try and brainwash people into giving up all hope when planning permission hasn't even been approved. Those were the words of a guy who simply doesn't want to fight for the clubs future, Yet everyone else associated with the club past and present does want to fight for the clubs future. I'm just wondering how much extra money AEPG gave Buster to thwart Ged's offer for the club at this point, Was it Double? Maybe even Treble?

Agreed. I think that I'm done with it for 2023, hopefully not for good because there is still a fight there and PCC are looking pretty crap, who's surprised, and if people keep the pressure on, don't lose interest and become apathetic as the season ends then who knows where it will lead because there are plenty of questions to be answered concerning AEPG, The East of England Agricultural Society and Peterborough City Council (namely the planning committee and its members). That was a gut shot from Chapman, delivered in the most unbelievably incompetent uncaring fashion, and I'm not sure that I want to turn up again to any operation that he heads.

Reading the pre season Speedway Star interview with Jim Lawrence, I just shuck my head at the sheer stupidity of him and those running the sport. He referenced the changes made following Lamberts end of season injury cover for Max and their moves to prevent it. The thinking being we don’t like riders coming in just for play off meetings even if covering for injury. The fixture list produced preseason had all top league fixtures being completed in August, with only the play offs in September. The “ringer” rule states that no team changes can be made after the end of August. This means - according to the rules, teams can make a signing at the end of August when all the fixtures are supposed to be complete with these new signings only having the play offs to ride in. It beggars belief and with an administration so inept, it’s not difficult to see why the sport in this country is dead.

So sad - he was a top rider at NL level and regularly scored far too many points for Eastbourne at Arena! Thanks Gordon for the entertainment all those years ago

As a neutral I think it really is time the BSPA/SCB stepped in and took action for the good of the sport especially when there is so many different folk interested in keeping Peterborough alive. I all honesty Chapman's involvement in speedway over the years has only benefitted him and certainly not the sport as a whole. Anyone who can fake a heart attack and waste NHS resources to give a rider extra time to get to a meeting is the lowest of the low and the SCB should consider doing a due diligence assessment to see if he fit to be a Speedway Promoter.

Bob Dugard took Eastbourne down a league that season, Martin was due to be 16 mid season. GK came down with us and it transformed the club again, we won the KOC in 1985,86 and 87 also won the league in 86 & 87. GK came in and averaged 10.41, Martin averaged 5.69 in half a season then 9.69 in his first full season. Happy days..

Convinced after last night that Buster wants us to close so he can recoup his huge financial losses with the brown envelope hush money because you don't rollover like that and encourage others to do the same if you're someone who wants to the club to survive. Look at CVS' annoucement at Wolves last week on Eurosport and then compare that with Buster's shambolic display last night, Can easily tell the difference between someone who cares and someone who doesn't. I wouldn't be surprised if Buster didn't want to accept Ged's offer because the hush money would leave him financially better off than selling the Panthers to Ged at a lower price imo, A move like that would sum the guy up really wouldn't it? Buster is probably cooking up a manipulative plan as we speak to sign lots of Panthers riders for KL next season in an attempt to reel Panthers fans in that see's them flock to the AFA on a regular basis to line his pockets (I won't be)

+1 on this. We’ve had some hammerings at home the last 18 months but I’ve never left a meeting so angry after hearing that interview. The dismissive attitude to those trying to do their up most to keep the club going or at the very least make it difficult for AEPG was disgraceful.

Despite the 18 point win last night, I've never left a meeting feeling so deflated we have the current owner telling us to do nothing, we have no future. We had the current 'major sponsor' wandering round like he owns the place, but no one has ever heard anything from him since the start of the season after building his 'title challenging team'. That went well. He was going to be a promoter and the owner but none of that has come to bare. We have ex owners 'saying' they want to buy the club, but never want to say it publicly. I will keeping supporting any petitions that come out but is it really worth it? We aren't the first club to be moved out of our home and to never return and we certainly wont be the last. Roll on the last 2 meetings around the best track in the country, but I've never felt so low about the club.

Course it would be financial suicide, but this is the British Speedway governing body we’re talking about, they seem totally oblivious to most things that are going on. I can imagine the conversations come March in that building “oh look, we’ve only got 5 teams registered for the premiership this year, why is that?”

One particular race involving the two was at Hackney when PC was deputising for Dave Morton. Shoulder to shoulder for the entire four laps giving each other enough room to race and ended as a dead heat. Gordon has left me with so many memories. A great rider!

Such sad news. By all accounts a top guy as well as a top rider. One of speedway's 'royalty'. RIP Gordon

He’d not have been short of guest bookings though

But it's not a waste of time there's clear wording in the plans that Panthers must have somewhere to ride IP30 and IP36. The club may need to leave the showground but should not be closing now that's what is making people angry

Mick Bratley doing everything he can, Gaining support on social media, Going on the radio consistently, Start petitions etc................Buster feck it don't bother. To me it just reeks of someone getting paid off to recoup his losses to insure KL run until he eventually sells them.