Peterborough Panthers chief issues apology after 50th anniversary season opener is postponed because of safety concerns

The eagerly-anticipated individual meeting on Sunday has been cancelled on safety grounds due to issues with the main grandstand at the East of England Arena.

Panthers’ Press & Practice event on Saturday – to which supporters are welcome from 1pm – will still go ahead at Alwalton, but without the stand being in use.

And club chiefs are confident the grandstand problems will be resolved in time for them to take to the track next Thursday (March 19) for an SGB Premiership Supporters’ Cup clash with A47 rivals King’s Lynn.

“Naturally it’s disappointing to have to call off the first meeting of the season,” said Chapman. “But we have every intention of running the 50th anniversary meeting later in the year.

“I’d like to apologise to fans who are disappointed about Sunday, but the safety of the public is of paramount importance.

“So much hard work has gone on behind the scenes, but as I say, we have to look at the bigger picture and safety is our biggest concern.

“We will continue to update supporters on the progress of the work in order for us to get the season started in conjunction with our friends at the East of England Arena.

“It means the season starts against King’s Lynn unless anything changes and that will be a terrific meeting next Thursday.”

The Sunday individual meeting had been scheduled to include all seven members of the Panthers team for the new season – Niels Kristian Iversen, Hans Andersen, Chris Harris, Rohan Tungate, Michael Palm Toft, Scott Nicholls and Ulrich Ostergaard.

A host of past Peterborough men were also set to be involved including reigning British champion Charles Wright – who won the crown when riding for the club last summer – and past national title-holder Danny King.

Panthers have two further fixtures in March as they travel to King’s Lynn in the Supporters Cup on Monday 23rd, before hosting Ipswich in the same competition on Thursday 26th.

Panthers then have a busy April with eight scheduled meetings including the Premiership opener against King’s Lynn at the East of England Arena on Monday 13th.

Their only other home Premiership meeting in April is v Wolverhampton (23rd).