PETERBOROUGH club legend Richard Greer is returning to the East of England Arena as a co-promoter.
Greer has accepted the invitation from Crendon Panthers owner Keith Chapman having previously served as both a rider and official in several previous spells.
He competed in the first-ever race at the Alwalton venue in 1970, when he partnered the late Pete Seaton in the match against Rayleigh, and he spent seven seasons in total with the club across two stints, in addition to racing for the likes of Oxford, Birmingham and Eastbourne.
Since retiring from the sport, Greer has fulfilled a number of roles at both domestic and FIM international level and has remained a familiar face with his extensive involvement at the Showground.
He will now take responsibility for Panthers’ day-to-day business, and for ensuring the smooth running of home meetings for which the club is so well renowned.
Greer said: “I’m very, very proud to be asked to become a co-promoter of Peterborough Speedway.
“I’ve been involved with the club for 50 years going back to the very first race there, and I’ve done jobs in all aspects of the sport there, such as clerk of the course, machine examiner, meeting co-ordinator, even track raking!
“Graham Brodie asked me if I wanted to become an FIM clerk of the course, so I did exams for that and was with Ole (Olsen) for a few years doing FIM meetings.
“The great thing is all the staff at Peterborough know me and respect me, they know I’ll look after them, and I know that when I ask them to do something, they will do it. The staff are so important in enabling us to run speedway.
“It’s very special for me to have the sport back here this year. The track and the stadium look mint, and although there’s been a lot to organise with tickets and seating arrangements and so on, these are the rules we all have to adhere to at the moment.
“As things stand at present Dale (Allitt) will be doing the paperwork regarding riders’ contracts as that’s not something I’ve had experience of yet, but I will be running the meetings, making sure everything is set up and the staff are there and ready, and everything else that goes with it – and I’m really proud to be doing it.”
Panthers are to make their belated return to home action against Belle Vue on Monday.
Last Monday’s visit of Sheffield was called off at lunchtime due to heavy rain but the forecast is much better for Bank Holiday.
Rob Lyon’s men head at Manchester for a midday start before returning to the Showground for the 7.30 return.
PETERBOROUGH SPEEDWAY are delighted to be supported by Crendon Timber Engineering as main team sponsors and City Auction Group as club sponsors.