Why a speedway legend regrets joining Peterborough Panthers

Tatum, England’s last World Cup winning captain, rode 34 meetings for Panthers and averaged 7.80.

But in his new book, which is out next week, he has revealed how he had already decided his British career was over after a bad experience with London Lions the previous season and how he regretted letting the Panthers fans and the club down.

“I was doing well on the continent and was at the peak of my longtrack career in Germany, Holland and France,” Tatum said.

“I was commanding good money out there along with my Swedish League racing so I had decided my days of riding in the UK were over.

“However, Peterborough made two calls to me and I decided to go for it.

“I shouldn’t have done it and I soon realised I had made a mistake. I had no speedway equipment in the UK at all and had to pull one bike back from the continent, so I was riding at Peterborough with one bike!

“It was foolish looking back. I let myself down, I let the club down and I let the fans down. I regret that.”

Tatum’s book, which is 196 pages long, has already sold well with pre-orders and includes stories of his personal life, his racing career, management spell and his long broadcasting stint with Sky, BT Sport and Eurosport.

“I’ve really enjoyed doing it,” Tatum added. “It’s not just a chronological order of my career. I’ve focused on stories which I believe readers will find fascinating.

“I’m talking sadness, emotions, fun and happiness all within the book.

“I think there will be a few stories in there which people will find hard to believe!”

There is a full statistical breakdown of Tatum’s career provided by former Panthers promoter and Yaxley-based writer Peter Oakes.

‘Tales From The Top Drawer’ can be ordered online from curtis-sport.com/books or send a cheque payable to Curtis Sport Ltd for £17.75 to Curtis Sport, Unit 24, Empire Industrial Park, Empire Close, Aldridge, West Midlands WS9 8UQ.