mudflaps Posted November 21, 2013 Report Share Posted November 21, 2013 I have heard that a certain ex promoters name is in the fray! Panthers: End of an era, but it might not be the end of the road Peterborough Panthers bite the dust . . . for the time being at least. Photo: Alan Storer by Mark Plummer mark.plummer@jpress.co.uk Published on the 21 November 2013 10:00 Tweet Print this Outgoing owners Rick Frost and Julie Mahoney have high hopes that Peterborough Panthers can be saved - just five days after taking the decision to close down the club. The Berkshire-based business couple ended their five-year reign after pulling 1999 and 2006 champions Panthers out of the Elite League at the sport’s annual meeting last Sunday (17 November). Their decision - based on six-figure annual losses and an uncertain future for the sport - sparked a huge outpouring of sadness. It put the club’s rich history of 44 consecutive seasons of racing since its inception in 1970 in jeopardy, but Mahoney told the Peterborough Telegraph that five interested parties have already come forward in a bid to ensure Panthers race on at a lower level. The sport’s governing body - the British Speedway Promoters’ Association (BSPA) - have left the door open if a deal can be struck between Frost and Mahoney and buyers. Mahoney said: “We have already had contact from five different parties who are all keen to buy the club and race at Premier League level. “We can’t go into detail due to confidentiality agreements, but I would be optimustic that the club can continue. “I would think we will need to have a deal done by sometime in January if the club is to race next year. “Myself and Rick will pull out all the stops to try to make that happen. “The club is completely debt-free. We don’t owe a penny to anyone anywhere.” Mahoney revealed the decision to close Panthers was taken with ‘extreme sadness’ but that the current owners felt they had taken the city club as far as they could. Mahoney estimates they have invested close to £1 million since rescuing Panthers from the brink of potential oblivion in August, 2008. They have invested heavily while also covering operating losses of more than £500,000 during their reign through a lucrative sponsorship package from their own Readypower company, but that deal has now expired. And, with a deal to secure television coverage for the sport for the next few years, yet to be signed and sealed, they felt attracting major new backers would have been virtually impossible. Mahoney added: “Myself and Rick reached our decision gradually due to our concerns for the future of the sport in Peterborough. “Our sponsorship package has come to an end and we are not in a position to attract another major backer. “There is still no outcome to the situation regarding television coverage and we were not in a position to make any guarantees to sponsors. “We have been losing upwards of £100,000 each year and that sum would only increase with no television coverage in place. “The actual figure we have spent in our time at Peterborough is creeping towards £1 million. “We have also put so much time and effort into the club during the last five years. “Everyone knows we have become disillusioned with certain things along the way, but now is not the time to go into that. “We can only thank the fans for their support and the same goes for our sponsors, staff and riders, “But we have arrived at a point where we feel we have taken the club as far as we possibly can.” Huge blow as Panthers see best-ever owners depart Former owner and director of speedway Peter Oakes believes Rick Frost and Julie Mahoney were the best-ever owners of Panthers. Oakes spent two years working under their regime and was hugely impressed by their contribution. Oakes said: “You never want to see the sport close anywhere, particularly not at a place when you have such a strong connection. “I honestly believe Rick and Julie have been the best owners the club has ever had. “They have not only sustained losses, but also invested heavily to attempt to attract more people to the East of England Showground. “All that during what is a very difficult time economically for the sport and the country as a whole. “I just hope the club can continue at Premier League level where there could be a lot more continuity with fixtures and the wage-bill would be considerably less.” Oakes is also in no doubt about the quality of the Alwalton track which regularly provides the setting for some stunning racing. He added: “It is the best track in Britain by far - and has been since the closure of the old Hyde Road venue in Manchester. “We all know you can sometimes get a boring meeting at some tracks, but that is never the case at the Showground. “It is a close as we can get to a Polish track in this country and I have always felt that a Grand Prix at Peterborough would be sensational.” Panthers co-promoter Trevor Swales has pledged to do all he can to ensure the sport continues in the city. Swales, who led the club to the second of their Elite League title successes in 2006 as team manager, said: “It is really difficult to say what will happen in the future. “There are always deals out there to be done. I’m not in a position to buy it myself, but I am here if anyone needs me. “I have always said I will do anything I can to help Peterborough Speedway and that has not changed. “I am just like the supporters in that I want to see speedway continue here.” Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary moore Posted November 21, 2013 Report Share Posted November 21, 2013 (edited) I have heard that a certain ex promoters name is in the fray! Panthers: End of an era, but it might not be the end of the road Peterborough Panthers bite the dust . . . for the time being at least. Photo: Alan Storer by Mark Plummer mark.plummer@jpress.co.uk Published on the 21 November 2013 10:00 Tweet Print this Outgoing owners Rick Frost and Julie Mahoney have high hopes that Peterborough Panthers can be saved - just five days after taking the decision to close down the club. The Berkshire-based business couple ended their five-year reign after pulling 1999 and 2006 champions Panthers out of the Elite League at the sport’s annual meeting last Sunday (17 November). Their decision - based on six-figure annual losses and an uncertain future for the sport - sparked a huge outpouring of sadness. It put the club’s rich history of 44 consecutive seasons of racing since its inception in 1970 in jeopardy, but Mahoney told the Peterborough Telegraph that five interested parties have already come forward in a bid to ensure Panthers race on at a lower level. The sport’s governing body - the British Speedway Promoters’ Association (BSPA) - have left the door open if a deal can be struck between Frost and Mahoney and buyers. Mahoney said: “We have already had contact from five different parties who are all keen to buy the club and race at Premier League level. “We can’t go into detail due to confidentiality agreements, but I would be optimustic that the club can continue. “I would think we will need to have a deal done by sometime in January if the club is to race next year. “Myself and Rick will pull out all the stops to try to make that happen. “The club is completely debt-free. We don’t owe a penny to anyone anywhere.” Mahoney revealed the decision to close Panthers was taken with ‘extreme sadness’ but that the current owners felt they had taken the city club as far as they could. Mahoney estimates they have invested close to £1 million since rescuing Panthers from the brink of potential oblivion in August, 2008. They have invested heavily while also covering operating losses of more than £500,000 during their reign through a lucrative sponsorship package from their own Readypower company, but that deal has now expired. And, with a deal to secure television coverage for the sport for the next few years, yet to be signed and sealed, they felt attracting major new backers would have been virtually impossible. Mahoney added: “Myself and Rick reached our decision gradually due to our concerns for the future of the sport in Peterborough. “Our sponsorship package has come to an end and we are not in a position to attract another major backer. “There is still no outcome to the situation regarding television coverage and we were not in a position to make any guarantees to sponsors. “We have been losing upwards of £100,000 each year and that sum would only increase with no television coverage in place. “The actual figure we have spent in our time at Peterborough is creeping towards £1 million. “We have also put so much time and effort into the club during the last five years. “Everyone knows we have become disillusioned with certain things along the way, but now is not the time to go into that. “We can only thank the fans for their support and the same goes for our sponsors, staff and riders, “But we have arrived at a point where we feel we have taken the club as far as we possibly can.” Huge blow as Panthers see best-ever owners depart Former owner and director of speedway Peter Oakes believes Rick Frost and Julie Mahoney were the best-ever owners of Panthers. Oakes spent two years working under their regime and was hugely impressed by their contribution. Oakes said: “You never want to see the sport close anywhere, particularly not at a place when you have such a strong connection. “I honestly believe Rick and Julie have been the best owners the club has ever had. “They have not only sustained losses, but also invested heavily to attempt to attract more people to the East of England Showground. “All that during what is a very difficult time economically for the sport and the country as a whole. “I just hope the club can continue at Premier League level where there could be a lot more continuity with fixtures and the wage-bill would be considerably less.” Oakes is also in no doubt about the quality of the Alwalton track which regularly provides the setting for some stunning racing. He added: “It is the best track in Britain by far - and has been since the closure of the old Hyde Road venue in Manchester. “We all know you can sometimes get a boring meeting at some tracks, but that is never the case at the Showground. “It is a close as we can get to a Polish track in this country and I have always felt that a Grand Prix at Peterborough would be sensational.” Panthers co-promoter Trevor Swales has pledged to do all he can to ensure the sport continues in the city. Swales, who led the club to the second of their Elite League title successes in 2006 as team manager, said: “It is really difficult to say what will happen in the future. “There are always deals out there to be done. I’m not in a position to buy it myself, but I am here if anyone needs me. “I have always said I will do anything I can to help Peterborough Speedway and that has not changed. “I am just like the supporters in that I want to see speedway continue here.” I just hope that if it does continue at P`Boro that we start with a clean sheet ie new team manager etc etc? Edited November 21, 2013 by gary moore Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spencebel Posted November 21, 2013 Report Share Posted November 21, 2013 Sounds good . Fingers crossed... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dump that clutch Posted November 21, 2013 Report Share Posted November 21, 2013 good news for all Panther fans today, all being well tapes up in March in the PL.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
proud panther Posted November 21, 2013 Report Share Posted November 21, 2013 So who are the parties interested ? Jim Lynch maybe ? Whoever it is needs to do a deal quick before likes of Lasse Bjerre & Dakota North are signed by other teams. Both would improve their average by more than a point with the Showground as a home track. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wealdstone Posted November 21, 2013 Report Share Posted November 21, 2013 I have always supported the Frosts but have to say that I have serious issues with the way they have pulled out. A very relevant comment I have heard either here on on other forums is that every time they thought they were getting somewhere they had their legs cut from under them. Arguably the same fate awaits anybody who has the temerity to stand up to the mafia. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mudflaps Posted November 21, 2013 Report Share Posted November 21, 2013 I have always supported the Frosts but have to say that I have serious issues with the way they have pulled out. A very relevant comment I have heard either here on on other forums is that every time they thought they were getting somewhere they had their legs cut from under them. Arguably the same fate awaits anybody who has the temerity to stand up to the mafia. Not in the PL matey - the Frauds, Cooks and Russells of this world dont care about the P/L so long as they are getting the lions share of any Viewing rights money... Back to the P/L that's what I say where the playing field is almost level - not the E/L where money and bspa influence dictate that the playing field is sloping towards Wimbourne road every season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wealdstone Posted November 21, 2013 Report Share Posted November 21, 2013 Not in the PL matey - the Frauds, Cooks and Russells of this world dont care about the P/L so long as they are getting the lions share of any Viewing rights money... Back to the P/L that's what I say where the playing field is almost level - not the E/L where money and bspa influence dictate that the playing field is sloping towards Wimbourne road every season. PL may be our fate Darren. Either that or nothing. Spencebel would be happy anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warren2 Posted November 21, 2013 Report Share Posted November 21, 2013 Good some positive news. Hope if there is a deal there that it is December or early Jan. Think there would be quite a few top end premier league and mid/lower end Elite League riders that would ride for us. Kosciuch, North and L.Bjerre would not be a bad start if possible. I do not know how you convert an Elite League average into a Premier League 1 though. Say for example Kosciuch finished with 5.06 how would you convert that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hans fan Posted November 21, 2013 Report Share Posted November 21, 2013 (edited) Good some positive news. Hope if there is a deal there that it is December or early Jan. Think there would be quite a few top end premier league and mid/lower end Elite League riders that would ride for us. Kosciuch, North and L.Bjerre would not be a bad start if possible. I do not know how you convert an Elite League average into a Premier League 1 though. Say for example Kosciuch finished with 5.06 how would you convert that? nobby wont be allowed to ride premier, no polish licenced riders in premier Edited November 21, 2013 by hans fan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warren2 Posted November 21, 2013 Report Share Posted November 21, 2013 nobby wont be allowed to ride premier, no polish licenced riders in premier Thanks Hans fan, not used to Premier League don't really know much about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BluPanther Posted November 21, 2013 Report Share Posted November 21, 2013 Lawson or Bach, Bjerre L, North, and Vissing would be a good start, maybe Fish would fancy doubling up. Plenty of options as long as any deal can be completed sooner, rather than later... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EnglishRoundabout Posted November 21, 2013 Report Share Posted November 21, 2013 Nice avatar blu! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BluPanther Posted November 21, 2013 Report Share Posted November 21, 2013 Nice avatar blu! My hero English. Bump into him now and again at my bank, always say's hello with a smile. A genine nice guy is our Tiger.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EnglishRoundabout Posted November 21, 2013 Report Share Posted November 21, 2013 One of the last GB riders that could gate too! Fine rider. Wonder what he would have done if he had started in the sport earlier in his life! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
screm Posted November 21, 2013 Report Share Posted November 21, 2013 Thanks Hans fan, not used to Premier League don't really know much about it. Believe me once youve tried it,you will never again want to return to the EL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve0 Posted November 21, 2013 Report Share Posted November 21, 2013 Believe me once youve tried it,you will never again want to return to the EL. Speaking of which - why is thread still in the EL section? They moved Leicester quick enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BluPanther Posted November 21, 2013 Report Share Posted November 21, 2013 Speaking of which - why is thread still in the EL section? They moved Leicester quick enough. Cut us some slack Steve0, we aint got nowhere to go yet. We will behave until we are moved or deleted.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve0 Posted November 21, 2013 Report Share Posted November 21, 2013 Cut us some slack Steve0, we aint got nowhere to go yet. We will behave until we are moved or deleted.. I don't want you deleted - are you invoking squatter's rights?? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 21, 2013 Report Share Posted November 21, 2013 My hero English. Bump into him now and again at my bank, always say's hello with a smile. A genine nice guy is our Tiger.. Who is he? Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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