Peterborough Panthers farewell 'a bitter pill to swallow'

The East of England Arena is regarded as one of the country's best speedway facilities

A speedway club is bidding a sad farewell to its home of 53 years with a final race meeting before the site is turned over for potential new housing.

Peterborough Panthers have been at the East of England Showground in the city since the club's inception in 1970, and are yet to find a new race venue.

Club owner Keith "Buster" Chapman said Saturday's finale would be emotional.

"I find it a very bitter pill to swallow, that another track's closing, especially Peterborough," he added.

"It's probably one of the finest tracks there is in the country, if not Europe.

"It's a brilliant venue, a fantastic race strip and [it has] some of the the country's best supporters.

"I'm lost for words because it's used a hell of a lot."

Keith "Buster" Chapman said he was gutted about the loss of the stadium

The Panthers, who were British Elite League champions three times - in 1999, 2006, and 2021 - wanted to stay at the venue, which is earmarked for redevelopment.

Current plans include 1,500 homes, a leisure complex, hotel, school and care home., with the planning process ongoing.

Returning riders and special guests from the club's history will be at Saturday's event, including founding team member Richard "Dickie" Greer, who rode in the first ever race at Peterborough.

Supporters will be invited on-track to take a walk of the circuit after Saturday's racing

"The crowd hadn't seen anything like it; it was massive," he said.

"It was jam packed - 3,500 for the first meeting and after that they just kept coming because it was so exciting."

The 77-year-old said he had put his body on the line for the sport, breaking his arm, several ribs and his collarbone.

"I've got a metal plate in my leg and I'm just recovering from a back operation which I think speedway contributed to; I think I knocked a disc out of position," he added.

Richard "Dickie" Greer was a star of the circuit in the 1970s and early 80s

Reflecting on the end of the East of England Showground, he said: "It's quite sad for me; I was hoping they wouldn't build houses on there.

"It would've been nice to have at least another five years and I'm sure they could still use it in that time."

Fan Kev Roberts said he had concerned about the older generation who had supported the clubs for decades and depended on speedway for the friendship and camaraderie it offered.

"It's devastating; it's been a focal point for so long," he added.

"I've made some very good friends and we call them the speedway family."

Kev Roberts said fans would not give up on the Panthers

Already a fan of motorsport, he was immediately hooked on speedway after being introduced to the showground by a friend of the family.

"These guys [riders] were that close; at other sports events you can be miles away but you are literally three feet away from them as they are going round," he explained.

"It was the excitement and it's quick - within 60 seconds it's over and done with - but you get that adrenaline and rush.

"It's like a 90-minute football match done in 60 seconds and then you get to go again, and again."

The 2021 title-winning captain Scott Nicholls will make a return to the showground for Saturday's farewell meeting

The Panthers cannot race next season, which begins in March, unless there is a "turn of fortune" at the showground as it takes too long to set up at a new venue, Mr Chapman added.

"We have to move on, we've tried all ways of working around it," he added.

"We are actively looking for another suitable venue or a new bit of land to build a stadium on, and let's hope that comes off.

"Peterborough has got a lot to offer."

The East of England Showground incorporates the Panthers' stadium, with the surrounding site used for other large-scale events

Peter Oakes, former owner of the Panthers, said speedway events had been an "integral part of the city's sporting culture" and it was a "tragedy" there was no alternative home for the club.

"You walk around the city and people will stop you and talk about speedway," he said.

As well as the Panthers' track, the 165-acre (66.7 hectare) showground site hosted the East of England Show for many years, along with Truckfest, trade fairs and festivals.

AEPG has been contacted for comment.