The first meeting at the East of England Showground was on June 12, 1970 and there has been league racing there every year since, with the exception of the pandemic-wrecked 2020 summer.
During that time, hundreds of riders have worn the colours of the Panthers – here’s seven who made a bigger impact than anyone else for one reason or another.
Panthers’ ‘seven from heaven.’
5. HANS ANDERSEN
2003, 2006-08, 2011, 2019, 2021-23. Appearances: 173. Points: 1,670. The Danish World Cup winner was one of the heroes in Panthers’ title-winning side in 2006 and featured 15 years later in 2021 when Panthers won the title again. Photo: David Lowndes
6. RYAN SULLIVAN
1994-98, 2000-2003, 2006, 2008, 2012. Appearances: 399. Points: 4,023.5. Signed as a teenager and went on to become the club’s all-time record points scorer and a regular in the Grand Prix series. Rode in the league title winning sides in both 1999 and 2006. Still has links with the club, sponsoring mascot Emerson Betty. Photo: s
7. SCOTT NICHOLLS
1994, 2018-19, 2021-22. Appearances: 105. Points: 805. Made his debut 13 days after his 16th birthday on loan from top-flight Ipswich and returned in 2018 and 2021, leading the ‘Dad’s Army’ team to the Premiership title at the age of 43. Photo: David Lowndes