The Peterborough Evening Telegraph
Panthers bosses vowto fight the good fight over prize assets
Panthers bossesare vigourously fighting forwhat they believeis right. The city club have becomeembroiled in a winter war with Elite League rivals King’s Lynn and Swindon over their riding talent. Lynnwant to take Panthers assetNiels Kristian Iversen on loan for a third successive year and the British Speedway Promoters’ Association ( BSPA) have given themove the green light. Panthers responded by appealing on the grounds of inconsistency. They insist Lynn made an illegal approach for Iversen, justastheydidforCoventry asset Rory Schlein, who theywerethenforcedtobuyon a full transfer. They stress, however, that theyhavenobeefwiththerider himself. Reigning champions Swindon want to sign Hans Andersen and Troy Batchelor again after both riders helped themto the title last year. Panthers claim to have received official BSPA correspondence stating that Batchelor, who does not feature in theirownplansfornextseason, canonlymoveonafulltransfer. They say the ruling was madein lightof statements the Australianmade in the media. Swindon refute that ruling andstillbelievetheywillbeable tosignBatcheloronloanagain. They also retain high hopes of taking Andersen back to the Abbey Stadium. The Danish racer has snubbed two offers from PantherstoreturntotheclubheinspirationallyledtoEliteLeague honoursback in2006. Andersen’s advisers have suggested publicly that the termsofferedbyPantherswere derisory. Club bosses predictably insist that isnot the case. Panthershave also received an offer from Swindon to sign Andersenonafulltransfer, but itfellwellshortoftheirownvaluationof a riderwho, at the age of 32, couldwell have plenty of yearsofspeedwaystillaheadof him. The Robins returned with an improved bid but, accordingtocoownerJulieMahoney, they swiftly withdrewit. Theythenaskedforpermission to approach another Panthersman, KennethBjerre, but thatwas instantly rejected. Heremains odds- on to race forPanthers again in 2013. The Iversen, Andersen and Batchelor matters remain unresolved. Theyaresettofeature on the agenda of a BSPAManagement Committee meeting onTuesday. Panthers had chosen not to speak publicly over the situationuntilrecentdayswhenMahoney issued a full statement to thePeterboroughTelegraph. Herextensivethoughts onall three burning issuescanbe foundonwww. peterborough today. co. uk/ sport