Peacock was confirmed as assistant to new coach Colin Patterson on Saturday after being lured from the junior set-up at Nottingham and the former Pirate is expected to have a big impact at the Peterborough Arena.

After spending nine seasons with the club through the 1980s and 90s, Peacock knows the way Peterborough hockey fans like to see the game played.

But perhaps more importantly for the club's hopes of success this coming term is the new man's wide knowledge of the existing playing staff at Bretton.

"First of all I would love to say that it is a pleasure to be coming back to Peterborough where I spent so many happy years playing my hockey," said Peacock.

"I have been away coaching at Coventry and most recently Nottingham who did offer me a new contract, but when I became aware of Phantoms interest I jumped at the chance.

"For me it is a great chance and I am really looking forward to working with Colin. He is a guy I have heard nothing but good things about from my contacts in the game.

"But another huge draw was working with players like Lewis Buckman, Adam Reynolds, Julian Smith and the new lad Callum Fowler as these are all players I have worked with at junior level and I cannot wait to work with them again.

Peacock worked with these players and others in the Phantoms set-up during his time as a junior coach with the club and is clearly relishing the chance to ply his trade at the senior level.

He added: "I think my experience with these guys will help next season and of course it will give me a chance to also work with my son Craig.

"That should be interesting but as long as we leave the hockey stuff at the rink I am sure we will get on just fine.

"Last year was a great one for Phantoms with the KO Cup but myself and Colin have spoken at length and we hope to be able to build on that.

"Third place in the league would be a real target and we are certainly looking for the team to go further in the end of season play-offs – both targets I am sure Phantoms are well capable of hitting."




PETERBOROUGH Islanders have signed their very own Knight Rider.

Michael Knights has been player/coach at Milton Keynes Rumble for the past few seasons but has been persuaded to make the move to Peterborough by coach of the English National League southern champions, Jesse Hammill.

Knights said: "I am very excited about the prospect of being part of the Peterborough Islanders in what will be a very exciting new-look league for next season.

"Peterborough has a very good foundation to have a high quality team for years to come and I want to be a part of that."

Knights is expected to be handed the number four jersey next season.