Crump99 Posted January 5, 2015 Report Share Posted January 5, 2015 I think MJJ's decision to pull the plug on his UK career hurt Rick on a professional and personal level. The Panthers never really recovered after MJJ's decision back in 2012. Frost said: “We should have made the changes much earlier so I guess the buck stops with me. “Everything turned around after the arrival of Ryan and the alterations to the team. “Our original team looked pretty good on paper but certain guys we thought we could rely on - who were admittedly coming back from injuries - didn’t really perform. “It was apparent that changes were required and I’ve really enjoyed the second half of the season. “We made the most dramatic progress of any team and had we made the top four, we would have had a good chance of winning the title. A lot of people would have been scared to face us whereas taking on Poole home and away wouldn’t have bothered me.” (PT 28/10/13) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starman2006 Posted January 5, 2015 Report Share Posted January 5, 2015 I think MJJ's decision to pull the plug on his UK career hurt Rick on a professional and personal level. The Panthers never really recovered after MJJ's decision back in 2012. Sorry mate, but any team doesn't revolve around one rider.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BluPanther Posted January 5, 2015 Report Share Posted January 5, 2015 Is there much need for plant and engineering equipment for Fish O'Mania?? Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't Readypower still paying to sponsor the Panthers as well as still owning them?! An over simplistic view IMO. If this was about upping the profile of Ready Power I doubt sponsoring a Speedway team is the best way to do it. I would imagine it's all about TV exposure for the name, and Poole tend to get great exposure on Sky. Whatever the true reason Frost is doing it, i doubt if it will be shared with the fans... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wealdstone Posted January 5, 2015 Report Share Posted January 5, 2015 I would imagine it's all about TV exposure for the name, and Poole tend to get great exposure on Sky. Whatever the true reason Frost is doing it, i doubt if it will be shared with the fans... No he was never very good at sharing things with fans. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hodgy Posted January 5, 2015 Report Share Posted January 5, 2015 And as I said, I can understand why and don't blame them from their point of view because they can but that's where the piece of string ends. Why did the fans stop turning up? EL champs 2006, should have been 2007 and then an embarrassment of riches and one play-off disaster to show for it. The crowd only picked up when they installed someone competent in the second half of 2013; so instead of building on that success we bail out, lose Sky exposure and hand over to the supremo to decimate our product, that's some business acumen. As I said he's not (wasn't) a Speedway fan and took time to realise it's full of self obsession. The product was decimated prior to Supremo's contribution. There just isn't the fan base in Peterborough to sustain EL Speedway - as others are now finding. Good numbers for play offs but not enough regulars. In my opinion people make too much of Sullivans brief management tenure - what Frost has always needed is a Ford. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crump99 Posted January 5, 2015 Report Share Posted January 5, 2015 (edited) As I said he's not (wasn't) a Speedway fan and took time to realise it's full of self obsession. The product was decimated prior to Supremo's contribution. There just isn't the fan base in Peterborough to sustain EL Speedway - as others are now finding. Good numbers for play offs but not enough regulars. In my opinion people make too much of Sullivans brief management tenure - what Frost has always needed is a Ford. Or was it took time to realise that you have to work with people and it's not a boardroom? You give supremo too much credit, it wasn't the first time and Frost said that he handed the club over in good order. Mick Bratley said years ago that the club could not (cheers Neil ) run on crowds alone which is why we had a thriving commercial side when he was there, which allegedly brought in a fair amount of cash. We all saw Bratley putting out sponsor boards on the centre green and I assume entertaining guests in the sponsors lounge as well as trying to promote the sport in the right places locally. So Rick comes in, Bratley leaves, the sponsor boards go in a shed, the sponsors lounge gathers dust allegedly and we have a bus in Sleaford, the roadshow turns up in Soham and a garden centre with seemingly nobody doing much worthwhile in the right areas, with no apparent day to day commercial side although we did have a nicely manicured centre green! We unfortunately didn't really give ourselves a chance did we? Frost runs a bloody huge company so why did he need a Matt Ford? Surely their training section has a suitable course? Edited January 5, 2015 by Crump99 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LagutaRacingFan Posted January 5, 2015 Report Share Posted January 5, 2015 Sullivan was class, best EL manager of the last 10 years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Haza Posted January 6, 2015 Report Share Posted January 6, 2015 Sullivan was class, best EL manager of the last 10 years. according to you Swales is the best thing since sliced bread Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveLyric2 Posted January 6, 2015 Report Share Posted January 6, 2015 (edited) Many of you Panthers fans seem to be missing the point that Rick, Julie and Matt Ford have been good friends for a number of years. Forget all the ball$**t and mis-information that came out of the so-called 'Winter of Discontent', much of which was generated by a certain Midlands team's then promotion, who couldn't get their own way - and threw their toys out of their pram whilst pointing the finger of blame southwards. If you ever get the opportunity to speak to Rick Frost politely, he will tell you in no uncertain terms how he regrets being led down that particular garden path!!! At a Poole Sponsors function 18 months/2 years ago, at which Rick and Julie were guests, he was overheard to say that 'he would be delighted if Panthers had as many supporters as Poole seem to have sponsors'! Slightly tongue in cheek but reinforcing the fact that speedway has to be run as a business and effectively promoted. Edited January 6, 2015 by Skidder1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crump99 Posted January 6, 2015 Report Share Posted January 6, 2015 Many of you Panthers fans seem to be missing the point that Rick, Julie and Matt Ford have been good friends for a number of years. Forget all the ball$**t and mis-information that came out of the so-called 'Winter of Discontent', much of which was generated by a certain Midlands team's then promotion, who couldn't get their own way - and threw their toys out of their pram whilst pointing the finger of blame southwards. If you ever get the opportunity to speak to Rick Frost politely, he will tell you in no uncertain terms how he regrets being led down that particular garden path!!! At a Poole Sponsors function 18 months/2 years ago, at which Rick and Julie were guests, he was overheard to say that 'he would be delighted if Panthers had as many supporters as Poole seem to have sponsors'! Slightly tongue in cheek but reinforcing the fact that speedway has to be run as a business and effectively promoted. So what is the point? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Jones Posted January 6, 2015 Report Share Posted January 6, 2015 Many of you Panthers fans seem to be missing the point that Rick, Julie and Matt Ford have been good friends for a number of years. Forget all the ball$**t and mis-information that came out of the so-called 'Winter of Discontent', much of which was generated by a certain Midlands team's then promotion, who couldn't get their own way - and threw their toys out of their pram whilst pointing the finger of blame southwards. If you ever get the opportunity to speak to Rick Frost politely, he will tell you in no uncertain terms how he regrets being led down that particular garden path!!! At a Poole Sponsors function 18 months/2 years ago, at which Rick and Julie were guests, he was overheard to say that 'he would be delighted if Panthers had as many supporters as Poole seem to have sponsors'! Slightly tongue in cheek but reinforcing the fact that speedway has to be run as a business and effectively promoted. You would make a good children's story writer with stuff like that. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hodgy Posted January 6, 2015 Report Share Posted January 6, 2015 Or was it took time to realise that you have to work with people and it's not a boardroom? You give supremo too much credit, it wasn't the first time and Frost said that he handed the club over in good order. Mick Bratley said years ago that the club could not (cheers Neil ) run on crowds alone which is why we had a thriving commercial side when he was there, which allegedly brought in a fair amount of cash. We all saw Bratley putting out sponsor boards on the centre green and I assume entertaining guests in the sponsors lounge as well as trying to promote the sport in the right places locally. So Rick comes in, Bratley leaves, the sponsor boards go in a shed, the sponsors lounge gathers dust allegedly and we have a bus in Sleaford, the roadshow turns up in Soham and a garden centre with seemingly nobody doing much worthwhile in the right areas, with no apparent day to day commercial side although we did have a nicely manicured centre green! We unfortunately didn't really give ourselves a chance did we? Frost runs a bloody huge company so why did he need a Matt Ford? Surely their training section has a suitable course? Running a huge company doesn't prepare you for Speedway and all that comes with it. MB appeared to have all the right ideas on the commercial side but why did he go and where is he now? Probably decided the sport was beyond repair with so many self agendas - if you can't beat them, join them. Or get out. Like or loathe Ford, Poole were in a similar situation to Peterborough now when he joined. Frost didnt just need a smart commercial manager. He needed a shrewd leader. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
screm Posted January 6, 2015 Report Share Posted January 6, 2015 PETERBOROUGH are delighted to confirm Readypower as their flagship sponsors for the 2015 season.The Berkshire-based plant hire business of club owners Rick Frost and Julie Mahoney will revive a long-standing association with Panthers in the new season. Readypower were previously main backers of the club between 2009 and 2013.The deal is a major boost to new club chief Ged Rathbone, who said: “Rick and Julie have done so much for Peterborough Speedway down the years.“They have again been a huge help during this winter as we battled to keep the club on track.“They have made no secret of the fact they no longer have time for active involvement in the sport, but we truly appreciate their backing.“Their support is both very welcome and very generous, and I’d like to place on record our thanks to them.”Frost and Mahoney saved Panthers from the brink of oblivion when taking control during the 2008 season. They then invested heavily in riding talent and on improving the East of England Showground facilities during their reign.Mahoney said: "Myself and Rick have given our support to the new promotion headed by Ged and Trevor."While we do not ourselves have the required time to take a hands-on role in the sport, we wish everyone connected with the Readypower Peterborough Panthers a successful 2015 season." Taken from Peterborough Speedway site. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BluPanther Posted January 6, 2015 Report Share Posted January 6, 2015 As i suspected, the Poole sponsorship was a business decision. Great news for the Panthers and hats off to Julie and Rick... 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wealdstone Posted January 6, 2015 Report Share Posted January 6, 2015 (edited) As i suspected, the Poole sponsorship was a business decision. Great news for the Panthers and hats off to Julie and Rick... I don't quite see this conclusion. It may well be a business decision but the piece on Peterborough site is nothing new and I suspect reiterated in an attempt to deflect the current outcry from many Panthers fans. Edited January 6, 2015 by wealdstone 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheScotsman Posted January 6, 2015 Report Share Posted January 6, 2015 Well done Rick & Julie. So that's all good then!! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crump99 Posted January 6, 2015 Report Share Posted January 6, 2015 (edited) Running a huge company doesn't prepare you for Speedway and all that comes with it. MB appeared to have all the right ideas on the commercial side but why did he go and where is he now? Probably decided the sport was beyond repair with so many self agendas - if you can't beat them, join them. Or get out. Like or loathe Ford, Poole were in a similar situation to Peterborough now when he joined. Frost didnt just need a smart commercial manager. He needed a shrewd leader. I just don't get this magic ingredient that successful business people need to succeed in a minority sport or that they suddenly lose the skills to pick the right people and spot the bull merchants? What are the magic ingredients Ford has? As for Bratters, he's at the ABAX alternate Saturdays and doing Mrs Bratley's shopping in Sainsburys most Sundays. Rick chose Oakes for some reason didn't he. Bratters could survive in the world of shark infested custard and could still be tempted if the right offer came along but I don't think that he wants to spend too much time on the road these days; and with Peterborough being a roaring success since he left it looks like the offer to join them again will not be forthcoming, so get out it is I assume! Edited January 6, 2015 by Crump99 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woz01 Posted January 7, 2015 Report Share Posted January 7, 2015 (edited) Many of you Panthers fans seem to be missing the point that Rick, Julie and Matt Ford have been good friends for a number of years. Forget all the ball$**t and mis-information that came out of the so-called 'Winter of Discontent', much of which was generated by a certain Midlands team's then promotion, who couldn't get their own way - and threw their toys out of their pram whilst pointing the finger of blame southwards. If you ever get the opportunity to speak to Rick Frost politely, he will tell you in no uncertain terms how he regrets being led down that particular garden path!!! At a Poole Sponsors function 18 months/2 years ago, at which Rick and Julie were guests, he was overheard to say that 'he would be delighted if Panthers had as many supporters as Poole seem to have sponsors'! Slightly tongue in cheek but reinforcing the fact that speedway has to be run as a business and effectively promoted. They certainly wasn't Matt Ford biggest fans when they were interviewed at Brandon at the first meeting of 2011. They were very critical if I remember rightly. Edited January 7, 2015 by woz01 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveLyric2 Posted January 7, 2015 Report Share Posted January 7, 2015 (edited) They certainly wasn't Matt Ford biggest fans when they were interviewed at Brandon at the first meeting of 2011. They were very critical if I remember rightly. Being 'interviewed at Brandon', being the very relevant part of that comment!!!! Edited January 7, 2015 by Skidder1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Jones Posted January 7, 2015 Report Share Posted January 7, 2015 Being interviewed at Brandon, being the very relevant phrase!!!! very similar to chatting at a Poole sponsors evening I would imagine.... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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