The Peterborough Evening Telegraph
Football crowds could be key to the return of speedway
Speedway - Panthers are planning for 2021
Peterborough Panthers bosses will be keeping a close eye on how professional football deals with the return of crowds to live sporting events.
With the speedway season wiped out completely in 2020 – frustratingly it was to be Panthers’ 50th anniversary year – the club are already looking towards 2021.
And with suggestions made at Government level that some crowds could return to football in October, Panthers co-promoter Carl Johnson believes that could prove to be significant for speedway next season.
Johnson said: “We’ve got to look forward to having it all up and running next year, and I really think football is going to dictate what happens.
“Once they start allowing crowds back into football stadiums, it should help us and we would have plenty of time to prepare for next season.
“Then it will be down to the supporters who come to watch us. Naturally everyone will just need to be sensible and adhere to whatever protocols are in place next spring when speedway starts up again.”
Johnson has praised both Crendon Timber and City Auction Group for their loyal support of his club.
Panthers are the only speedway club in the UK with both a team sponsor and a club sponsor.
Johnson added: “We thank them both and we thank all our loyal backers. We couldn’t do what we do without them.
“We are in a fortunate position from that perspective and I’d also like to thank all our supporters for their kind messages at this tough time for the sport.”
Panthers star NielsKristian • Iversen is set to go under the knife to repair a broken bone in his hand.
Iversen fell in the first heat of his first home meeting for Gorzow in Poland at the weekend, but continued to race through the pain barrier. Now it’s been confirmed surgery is necessary in order for him to get back on track as quickly as possible.
“I carried on racing despite all the pain I was suffering,” Iversen said.
“I went for X-rays and it’s now confirmed there is a broken bone in the hand.
“Surgery is now booked in to screw it back together and the doctors are confident I’ll be riding again in a few weeks.
“I’m obviously really frustrated about this.”
Comp:
Panthers star needs surgery on his hand after a first-heat fall.
Men
3 Club: 1 Bryan Johnson 36pts, 2 Nick Markillie 33, 3 Clive Newman
31. Howard Pairs: 1 Stewart Shinkin & Lewis Field 49pts, 2 Paul Hollely & Adrian McGoldrick 47, 3 Adam Britton & Nick Markillie 46. Lombard Trophy: 1 James Busveids net 62, 2 Joseph Timms 64, 3 Nigel Bright 64.
July Medal: 1 Adam Britton net 65, 2 Chris Davies 68, 3 Paul Hollely 68. Seniors: 3 Club: 1 Paul Wood 38pts, 2 Barry Stanford 37, 3 John Venters
36. Tom Melvin Cup: 1 Steve Whyatt 43pts, 2 Barry Hircock 40, 3 Bob Townsend 40. R & S Trophy: 1 Steve Carter 41pts, 2 David Lord 40, 3 Steve Steels 36.
Ladies
Challenge Shield: 1 Marilyn Sayer 30pts, 2 Lynn Exley 30, 3 Kim Markillie 29. August Medal: 1LynnExleynet 79, 2 Marilyn Sayer 79, 3 Kim Markillie 80.
Milton
Men
Midweek stableford: Division 1 : 1 Nathan Firman 39pts, 2 James Horwood 37, 3 Thalia Martin 37. Division 2: Sav Fasulo 36pts, 2 Mark Doody 35, 3 Steve Dickinson 33. Division 3: 1 Daniel Wisby 39pts, 2 Phil Clark 39, 3 Derek Mankelow 38. Division 4: Josh Edmondson 41pts, 2 Ernie Miller 38, 3 Elio Pragliola 38. August Medal: Division 1: 1 Tom Burgh net 67, 2 Dominic Ralfs 70, 3 Nick Nickerson 71. Division 2: 1 Steven Nicholls 68, 2 Daniel Calpin 70, 3 Dean Mason 72. Division 3: 1 Ian Graham 71, 2 Ann Nicholls 71, 3 Derek Mankelow 71. Division 4: 1 Josh Edmondson net 68, 2 Evano Pescatore 69, 3 Derek Coombes 70.
Elton Furze
Men
August Stableford: Division 1: 1 Stuart Phillips, 2 Jake Barnes, 3 Joshua Pritchett. Division 2: 1 Mark Murchie, 2 David Cameron, 3 Graham Leggett. Division 3: 1 David Milford, 2 Roy Taggart, 3 David Clarke.
Ladies
August Stableford: 1 Chris Rudkin, 2 Mary Webber, 3 Heather Bayliss. Extra Stableford: 1 Esme Bayliss, 2 Mary Webber, 3 Margaret Steed.
Seniors
Yellow Tee Stableford: Division 1: 1 David Tansley, 2 David Smith, 3 Harvey Davenport. Division 2: 1 Bandi Shoban, 2 Richard Cheng, 3 Richard Freeborough. Division 3: 1 Steve Richardson, 2 Raymond Hill, 3 Ian Hendry.
Juniors
9-Hole Stableford: 1 Harry Butler, 2 Esme Bayliss, 3 Jack Roe.