Hodgy Posted October 30, 2014 Report Share Posted October 30, 2014 Has he got any money to put in though? As you have said, the ideal man to help is Mick Bratley, but is he willing or able to help? I can't believe we have got a 2 week deadline, why hasn't there been anything happening in trying to get sponsorship or commercial activities in since it was known Horton was leaving, why leave everything last minute. Effective marketing doesn't achieve results overnight, it's a ongoing process, it's no good hoping something will come up to save us in such a short space of time. Whether he has money to put in is personal and irrelevant. Swales commitment to Peterborough Speedway for many years surely has to be appreciated and respected. Its obvious he does it for the passion he has for his club. At least he is trying to keep things going - how can they go out to sponsors when they don't actually have anything to sell. Panthers fans are being asked to keep the club alive - Save Our Speedway Peterborough Panthers supporters will be asked to dip into their pockets to keep the club on track at a fans forum meeting on Friday. The future of the city outfit is again under threat after Mick Horton pulled out halfway through a two-year leasehold deal to operate the club at Premier League level. Long-serving Panthers official Trevor Swales and Ged Rathbone, who joined the clubs management team during last season, have joined forces to put together a survival package. But, as those present at a crucial fans forum at the East of England Showground Friday (31 October) will be told, it hinges on the financial backing of fans. Swales said: I have always said that this club belongs to the fans with promoters and owners merely being custodians of it. Now that is really going to have to be the case because the only way we can be at the tapes next March is if people are in a position to pledge financial support. Im aware of a fair bit of positivity towards our ideas, but we need that to be backed up with firm promises of backing tomorrow night. Im not going to go into the finer details of the finances now because that will happen tomorrow night, but it is fair to say it is a substantial sum of money will be required if we are to race on. We learned during this year that the club cannot operate on admission money alone and we have to ensure we are in a position to make it viable. Friday is one of the biggest days in its history and I truly hope it is a successful one. We cannot let a club with such a proud history go to the wall without fighting for it. Myself and Ged urge anyone who wants to see Panthers race on to get along to the Showground tomorrow night. It is very disappointing that we even find ourselves in this position, but we cant change the past. All we can do is work towards a bright future for the club and hopefully we can begin that process. Panthers have raced in 45 consecutive seasons stretching back to the clubs inception in 1970 and Swales and Rathbone have spent the past weeks working on the assumption the club will survive. They are exploring potential riding line-ups for 2015. Swales added: We are planning ahead as if we are going to run next season. We cannot afford to be in a position where we have a positive outcome and not have plans in place. We want to be in a position to declare our intention to race in 2015 at the British Speedway Promoters Association annual meeting in November. Panthers co-owner Julie Mahoney has confirmed that Swales and Rathbone are the only people to so far express an interest in keeping the club on track. She fears the future prospects have not been helped by negative media comments from outgoing chief Horton regarding his financial predicament. Horton claims to have lost around £60,000 during his year at the helm. Mahoney said: I dont think Mick has done the club any favours with his comments regarding losses. I see no reason why the club cannot be a break-even operation in the Premier League. There is no interest to report at this stage other than that of Trevor and Ged. We await the outcome of their event on Friday with interest. Ive been in regular contact with Trevor and provided him with details of the finances that will be required. Mahoney and fellow owner Rick Frost are not in a position to take hands-on control of the club due to business commitments.http://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/sport/speedway/speedway-news/panthers-fans-are-being-asked-to-keep-the-club-alive-save-our-speedway-1-6386370 So Mahoney states Hortons reported losses have done the club no favours. A year after putting the club up for sale reporting losses of approx 500k during their tenor. Now who would buy into that? Oh yes........ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
proud panther Posted October 30, 2014 Report Share Posted October 30, 2014 If the fans are being asked to fund next season, then its reasonable to know if the men who are going to manage this money are putting any of their own money in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hodgy Posted October 30, 2014 Report Share Posted October 30, 2014 If the fans are being asked to fund next season, then its reasonable to know if the men who are going to manage this money are putting any of their own money in. Or, if they don't have the funds - the fact that they are trying to facilitate a survival plan and subsequently offer to manage / run the club is as essential and credible as any financial donation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shadders Posted October 30, 2014 Report Share Posted October 30, 2014 for a lot of supporters it's top flight racing or nothing. I know this from being a lifelong Wimbledon fan, when we dropped down in 1985 a lot of people stopped going, never to return.In those days a NL heat leader would be a reserve in the BL. Now EL sides are using PL reserves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
proud panther Posted October 30, 2014 Report Share Posted October 30, 2014 So its ok to risk our money, but not their own ? Take it you are happy to give them money on those terms Hodgy ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheScotsman Posted October 30, 2014 Report Share Posted October 30, 2014 (edited) How about a VIP club? Pay a hundred quid or whatever and get a special area in the stand, a special parking area, a couple of centre green visits and anything else they want to throw in which wouldn't cost them anything or anything much. Still pay normal entrance fee per match. Edited October 30, 2014 by TheScotsman 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hodgy Posted October 30, 2014 Report Share Posted October 30, 2014 So its ok to risk our money, but not their own ? Take it you are happy to give them money on those terms Hodgy ? Put as much money in as you want, without people prepared to take on the day to day running, on a predominantly voluntary basis I assume - you still have no club. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
proud panther Posted October 30, 2014 Report Share Posted October 30, 2014 If you assume that Swales hasn't taken money out of Panthers, you are very naive Hodgy. By the way, you didn't answer my question reference giving them money on those terms. A lot of people give their time up for nothing to keep the club alive, & I appreciate them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cityrebel Posted October 30, 2014 Report Share Posted October 30, 2014 In those days a NL heat leader would be a reserve in the BL. Now EL sides are using PL reserves.very true shads. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wealdstone Posted October 30, 2014 Report Share Posted October 30, 2014 On one hand we are told that Panthers cannot survive on gate money alone, yet on the other it would seem that they are hoping for a whip round from the self same people who pay at the gate. On that basis they might just as well charge £50 for admission. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scoobydoo Posted October 31, 2014 Report Share Posted October 31, 2014 Theres long been many rumbles of to many people getting into the speedway for free one person helps there families get in free so if there looking for fans to pledge money this is one thing that needs to stop , many fans from around the country say speedway is a £10 not a £15 sport now, a pound a race that lasts a minute if your lucky then you have the result declared at ht 12 on wet nights with no offer of partial refunds promoted by sky presenters, asking people to pay more money now would not be wise Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hodgy Posted October 31, 2014 Report Share Posted October 31, 2014 If you assume that Swales hasn't taken money out of Panthers, you are very naive Hodgy. By the way, you didn't answer my question reference giving them money on those terms. A lot of people give their time up for nothing to keep the club alive, & I appreciate them. Maybe I am naive, as you are more privileged to the facts, do tell. You answered your own question for me. If someone is willing to give up their own time in order to facilitate the clubs survival and take on the day to day running that's a fair contribution to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
proud panther Posted October 31, 2014 Report Share Posted October 31, 2014 Hodgy, pm me & I will discuss it in more detail tonight at the meeting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crump99 Posted October 31, 2014 Report Share Posted October 31, 2014 The old rumour mill in full swing already; it's going well so far! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
springdale Posted October 31, 2014 Report Share Posted October 31, 2014 Don't you just love the old rumour mill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yahoho Posted October 31, 2014 Report Share Posted October 31, 2014 Who runs the website? Who runs Social Media? I would be happy to offer my services to update, maintain and keep current any of these, this will not save the club ultimately but depends how much help is needed. Ultimately for me and I think the majority of fans it is just not affordable at the moment to go every week night, as a result I certainly doubt the majority of fans have any financial aid to give to the club. What we all have is a passion for the sport and the club and I for one will be happy to offer anything I can to assist the club over the winter and running next year, but I cannot offer money. Towards the end of this season we had a series of double headers - these were great value IMO - £20 entry for 2 meetings, constant action - BRILLIANT! If each week / other week we had a double header instead of individual meetings, I for one would make the effort to get to each and every event. I thoroughly enjoyed it and it gave me some sense of value for my £20. Im pretty sure I saw a larger crowd there for these meetings, could anyone confirm? I know for a FACT that there were a lot of new faces there seeing speedway for the first time because it was perceived as a good deal. This must have a huge benefit too in terms of overheads - the track hire costs the same from the showground, the lights run for the same period of time, the medics must cost damn near the same? Its only about 30mins longer than a normal meeting. Bring back the pink panther on the truck at the start of every meeting throwing sweets out for the kids - get the kids excited about coming to speedway each week to see their friends, get sweeties, and drag their parents with them! Thats what it was when I first started - I couldnt care about the speedway but my dad thoroughly did and I made sure he took me EACH WEEK! At the minute there is nothing for the younger guys to do when they inevitably get a bit chilly, tired etc - why not have a bouncy castle round the back of the stands for the kids to go and play on all night for free while dads are watching speedway. Get some cheap paddle bikes or something for the older kids and have a little area for them to race around pretending to be their favourite stars. Make a mini track with some cones to make a "mini track" for all the kids that bring their BMX's and bikes to race around on out of the way and enjoy themselves. I cant be certain about any of this, but if you've got a family that are not interested in going, your probably not going to bother as its not worth the aggro of having a night out when everyone else is at home, however if you have a lad or lass that wants a night out with mummy and or daddy because their friends are there - then your going to take that opportunity and go! So thats the Little Un's and the Costs covered with some ideas. In terms of the guys actually watching the racing, well to be fair I think the racing this year was miles better than anything I have seen in the EL for years. The first few meetings I saw this year had me on the edge of my seat, it was incredible and I physically dragged friends along with me as they "Had to see it!". It did go a bit flat at times but that's how racing goes some times. Double headers rock. End of. So, if I can get there tonight then I will be there to see what happens and offer support where volunteers are needed, and hope that someone can come up with some money. /brain fart. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crump99 Posted October 31, 2014 Report Share Posted October 31, 2014 Don't you just love the old rumour mill Not particularly but when honest communication (to a point) is too difficult then that's the end result. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mudflaps Posted October 31, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 31, 2014 can anyone clarify who the promoters were when the Colin Horton promotion went bust in 2008? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cambpanther Posted October 31, 2014 Report Share Posted October 31, 2014 Would any1 be able to pm me trever swales phone number please? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crump99 Posted October 31, 2014 Report Share Posted October 31, 2014 can anyone clarify who the promoters were when the Colin Horton promotion went bust in 2008? Thanks Have you seen a GP about your memory loss? That's rather worrying! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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