Peterborough Panthers return in 2021 could depend on the behaviour of football fans

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 UK 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.”

Meanwhile Panthers star Niels-Kristian 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.”