SPEEDWAY: Attwood named as new Panthers team manager

The former Leicester and Belle Vue chief has been named as the permanent successor to Carl Johnson, who delivered a surprise resignation only weeks into the new season.

Attwood is set to take charge of Panthers for the first time on Friday night (May 6) when they travel to Plymouth, providing the move receives the necessary clearance from the British Speedway Promoters’ Association (BSPA).

His first home meeting in the hot-seat will be a clash against Sheffield on Sunday (5pm) - and he is relishing the challenge that lies ahead after being given the nod by promoter Ged Rathbone.

Attwood said: “When I heard about Carl resigning, I got in touch with Ged. I’ve known him since my time at Belle Vue when he was working with Ulrich Ostergaard.

“I put my name in the hat and I’m delighted to have been given the chance to manage Peterborough.

“In my fairly short time in speedway management, I’ve had the chance to work at my hometown club Leicester, my boyhood club Belle Vue, and now another great club in Peterborough.

“I’ve had a year away from the sport since I left Belle Vue and I’m feeling refreshed and ready to go again.

“I’ve come into this role to make a difference. Myself and the promotion have the same philosophy as we’re all in this sport to win things.

“A club of Peterborough’s size simply has to be in the play-offs and we need to make that happen.”

Rathbone believes Attwood is the right man to take Panthers forward.

He said: “Jason is a very bubbly and enthusiastic guy, and he has been very keen to become part of the Panthers set-up for some time.

“He got in touch with us ahead of last season, but we opted to stick with Carl.

“Jason was also the first person to make contact after Carl decided to stand down recently and hopefully his arrival will give us the bit of stability we need after a couple of disappointing results lately.”