Setback for Peterborough Panthers as co-promoter quits

Johnson, the former team boss, insists he still ‘loves the club,’ but a change in his own working hours has forced his hand. Johnson is a mechanic by trade.

It’s a blow to the city club to lose a lifelong Panthers fan who does far more than his title suggests.

Panthers owner Keith Chapman said: “This is a setback for the club, but we fully respect and understand Carl’s decision and the reasons why.

“Full-time jobs in speedway are few and far between and he has to get his priorities right.

“Much of the work Carl does at Peterborough is unseen by the general public. The hours he puts in are long on a race day and we are going to miss all that.

“He has told us he will be with us when his work circumstances allow and help us when he can, but he has to stand aside from his official role.

“I believe Peterborough speedway owes Carl a massive debt of gratitude.”

Johnson admits the decision has pulled at his heart strings, but he was left with no alternative.

Johnson said: “Depending on how the meetings fall, and we know the schedule at the Showground is not the easiest, I could potentially not be there for a month, so it’s unfair for me to say to Colin Pratt (co-promoter) and Buster that I’ll continue to do the things I’m doing, and then not be there.

“It’s not a case of me not wanting to be involved at Peterborough, so it hasn’t been an easy decision.

“But this isn’t a case of me walking away and never going back. I love the club and always will.”

Panthers will now look at their managerial structure with team manager Rob Lyon set to take charge for the first time next spring. Pratt is expected to remain as co-promoter.

Dale Allitt, who has spent time with Panthers previously, is also ready to offer help and support on an advisory basis in the absence of Johnson.

Johnson has been at Panthers since 2014 and helped steer the club to back-to-back Fours titles in 2017 & 2018. Panthers also won won the Elite League KO Cup in 2017.