Chapman joins forces with the consortium!

[admin]

Current Peterborough Panthers owner Keith Chapman has joined forces with a consortium attempting to buy the club in an attempt to keep speedway alive in the city.

Chapman remains Panthers’ owner, but he has given permission to the six-man consortium to negotiate and work on the club’s behalf to ensure speedway returns to Peterborough in 2025. He insists he will hold talks about selling the club with the consortium at an ‘appropriate time.’

Panthers are unable to compete next year following the cessation of their lease at the East of England Arena. The Showground site is currently subject to a double planning application on behalf of site operators AEPG to create a new housing and leisure complex, with no provision for speedway.

Chapman is happy for the consortium to enter talks with AEPG, but the site operators have so far resisted any attempt to meet.

Pressure is building in support of speedway though. A well-attended rally has already been held in the city centre and new City Council leader Mohammed Farooq is expected to become involved.

Panthers issued a lengthy statement on Monday morning.

It read: ‘The management of Peterborough Speedway and the consortium seeking to bring about the return of the sport to the city can clarify their position in this joint statement.‘Following the cessation of the club’s tenancy at the East of England Arena, the Panthers are unable to compete in British Speedway in 2024 – the first time they will have been absent from the sport since opening in 1970, with the exception of 2020 when no league racing took place due to the pandemic.‘The Showground site is currently subject to a double planning application on behalf of site operators AEPG to create a new housing and leisure complex, with no provision for speedway.‘Although the venue was closed for all regular shows last summer, Peterborough Speedway and AEPG held successful talks in 2022 and reached agreement to enable the club to operate on site for the full 2023 speedway season. However, it was repeatedly made clear that no further extension would be granted.‘The Showground held its last speedway meeting on Saturday October 7, and since then the consortium – which includes two former Panthers promoters - have been highly active in the local community and have secured significant support at Council level.‘Talks have been held in the past fortnight between the club’s management and the consortium, and these have taken place in a spirit of open dialogue as all parties wish to see Peterborough Speedway back on track in future.‘The Leader of the Council, Mohammed Farooq, has agreed to meet with the management, who can confirm they have granted the consortium full authority to take part in those talks aimed at assessing ways in which the sport can be maintained in Peterborough.‘Club owner Keith Chapman said: “We want to make it absolutely clear that we are fully behind the consortium, we are supporting their efforts and we will do everything we can to help that process.“Our tenure of racing at the Showground ended upon completion of the 2023 season, and AEPG have consistently made it clear to us that that would be the case – so whilst it’s very unfortunate and sad for everyone, it also didn’t come as a surprise.“There are no hidden agendas to what has gone on over the past 18 months. We want Peterborough Speedway to race, and if we didn’t want that then we wouldn’t have done all the work we did to get the club racing this year, or have made the extensive attempts we did to continue beyond that.“We are pleased to have been in contact with the consortium recently to discuss a constructive way forward, and we will give our full co-operation to what they are trying to do.“They have our blessing to do whatever they can going forward, and we have also given them full access to AEPG. We are happy for those parties to talk if it would assist the process.“All we want is for the club to return to racing, and whilst I’ve made it clear that wouldn’t be with myself at the helm, I wouldn’t stand in anyone’s way and would be very happy to open talks over the ownership at an appropriate time.”‘The consortium have already staged a successful rally in Cathedral Square, which was attended by over 350 supporters and local residents.‘And consortium member Mick Bratley tabled a question to the Cabinet Member for Housing, Growth and Regeneration, Cllr Peter Hiller, at last week’s full council meeting.‘Consortium spokesman Andy Fairchild said: “Our talks with the club have been highly constructive and full of co-operation with an open and active dialogue between all parties.“Keith has been at the forefront of that co-operation, he’s given us his full support, and he like all of us just wants to see the club back on track.“To have the leader of the Council willing to speak to us is also an important development, it takes us to a high level of local authority, and we’d like to thank Keith for his blessing and full authority to take part in those talks.“The important thing to stress is that we are acting together with the club management and Keith, Dale (Allitt) and their team have been fully co-operative and understand what we are trying to do.“All parties simply want to see speedway back in Peterborough as soon as possible, and that is what everyone is trying to achieve.”

The other consortium members are Carl Johnson, Michael Tomalin, Josh Hewitt and Dave Hewitt

peterboroughtoday/peterborough-panthers-owner-joins-forces-with-the-consortium-trying-to-save-speedway-in-the-city 18/12/23

[admin]

"He insists he will hold talks about selling the club with the consortium at an ‘appropriate time.’"

So I thought that these talks have been ongoing and close to resolution for weeks? When is the appropriate time?

“All we want is for the club to return to racing, and whilst I’ve made it clear that wouldn’t be with myself at the helm, I wouldn’t stand in anyone’s way and would be very happy to open talks over the ownership at an appropriate time.”

Despite the consortium having his blessing finally, being a representative does not carry the same wait as ownership.

If it's a nothing to sell and/or wait and see situation then say so and clarify?

[admin]

Keith Chapman said: “We want to make it absolutely clear that we are fully behind the consortium, we are supporting their efforts and we will do everything we can to help that process.“Our tenure of racing at the Showground ended upon completion of the 2023 season, and AEPG have consistently made it clear to us that that would be the case – so whilst it’s very unfortunate and sad for everyone, it also didn’t come as a surprise.“There are no hidden agendas to what has gone on over the past 18 months. We want Peterborough Speedway to race, and if we didn’t want that then we wouldn’t have done all the work we did to get the club racing this year, or have made the extensive attempts we did to continue beyond that.“

I'm pretty sure that Chapman did the sums and didn't finish out of pocket?

What extensive attempts were those? It's all very well breaking cover now, and welcome though it is, I hold Chapman partially responsible, at the very least for:

"Following the cessation of the club’s tenancy at the East of England Arena, the Panthers are unable to compete in British Speedway in 2024 – the first time they will have been absent from the sport since opening in 1970, with the exception of 2020 when no league racing took place due to the pandemic"

[admin]

I still don't like the messaging. They say that they want to be at the EoES in 2025 and I know that their focus has to be in that direction going forward but everything similar that you read mentions the end of racing at the EoES (with the club official website being the worst).

The only options that I see are:

a) EoES negotiated extension for 2025 if there is anything left of the place?

b) AEPG getting plan A through (which builds on the track & stadium) but they don't avoid LP30 and have to fork out for (or seriously have to help out at the very least) land elsewhere (or plan B at the EoES) and stadium build.

b will be 2026 or 2027 at best IMO so an agreement between the two looks an option?

[rodders]

Dec 18, 2023 11:18:12 GMT admin said:

I still don't like the messaging. They say that they want to be at the EoES in 2025 and I know that their focus has to be in that direction going forward but everything similar that you read mentions the end of racing at the EoES (with the club official website being the worst).

The only options that I see are:

a) EoES negotiated extension for 2025 if there is anything left of the place?

b) AEPG getting plan A through (which builds on the track & stadium) but they don't avoid LP30 and have to fork out for (or seriously have to help out at the very least) land elsewhere (or plan B at the EoES) and stadium build.

b will be 2026 or 2027 at best IMO so an agreement between the two looks an option?

So Chapman wants club to continue yet has made it abundantly clear that he will not be involved , strange to say the least that he has not allowed a sale of something that has no value. Unless of course there is a hidden agenda!!! Either way if Chapman is so keen on Panthers continuing the honourable thing to do would be to sell or stepdown and forget mercenary considerations

[Bigcatdiary]

Dec 18, 2023 10:48:03 GMT admin said:

Keith Chapman said: “We want to make it absolutely clear that we are fully behind the consortium, we are supporting their efforts and we will do everything we can to help that process.“Our tenure of racing at the Showground ended upon completion of the 2023 season, and AEPG have consistently made it clear to us that that would be the case – so whilst it’s very unfortunate and sad for everyone, it also didn’t come as a surprise.“There are no hidden agendas to what has gone on over the past 18 months. We want Peterborough Speedway to race, and if we didn’t want that then we wouldn’t have done all the work we did to get the club racing this year, or have made the extensive attempts we did to continue beyond that.“

I'm pretty sure that Chapman did the sums and didn't finish out of pocket?

What extensive attempts were those? It's all very well breaking cover now, and welcome though it is, I hold Chapman partially responsible, at the very least for:

"Following the cessation of the club’s tenancy at the East of England Arena, the Panthers are unable to compete in British Speedway in 2024 – the first time they will have been absent from the sport since opening in 1970, with the exception of 2020 when no league racing took place due to the pandemic"

Chapman made a bloody fortune from his time at Peterborough and it’s clear money is the only thing that drives him, my take on things is Panthers need to be back at the Showground till at least they can obtain land elsewhere for a long term future, both will need to be worked out with AEPG.

I don’t see PCC giving AEPG the green light for its plans until that's agreed.

I think a new track elsewhere is at the very least a three year plan from obtaining land, getting planning permission and subsequently building it from scratch, in the meantime it’s the Showground or we just don’t run.

[admin]

Dec 18, 2023 13:40:38 GMT Bigcatdiary said:

Dec 18, 2023 10:48:03 GMT admin said:

Keith Chapman said: “We want to make it absolutely clear that we are fully behind the consortium, we are supporting their efforts and we will do everything we can to help that process.“Our tenure of racing at the Showground ended upon completion of the 2023 season, and AEPG have consistently made it clear to us that that would be the case – so whilst it’s very unfortunate and sad for everyone, it also didn’t come as a surprise.“There are no hidden agendas to what has gone on over the past 18 months. We want Peterborough Speedway to race, and if we didn’t want that then we wouldn’t have done all the work we did to get the club racing this year, or have made the extensive attempts we did to continue beyond that.“

I'm pretty sure that Chapman did the sums and didn't finish out of pocket?

What extensive attempts were those? It's all very well breaking cover now, and welcome though it is, I hold Chapman partially responsible, at the very least for:

"Following the cessation of the club’s tenancy at the East of England Arena, the Panthers are unable to compete in British Speedway in 2024 – the first time they will have been absent from the sport since opening in 1970, with the exception of 2020 when no league racing took place due to the pandemic"

Chapman made a bloody fortune from his time at Peterborough and it’s clear money is the only thing that drives him, my take on things is Panthers need to be back at the Showground till at least they can obtain land elsewhere for a long term future, both will need to be worked out with AEPG.

I don’t see PCC giving AEPG the green light for its plans until that's agreed.

I think a new track elsewhere is at the very least a three year plan from obtaining land, getting planning permission and subsequently building it from scratch, in the meantime it’s the Showground or we just don’t run.

Spot on Dick. That's my take on it and I think that the direction is becoming easier to see.

The EoES option does seem the sensible option short term at least. An alternative could be way off but getting rid of us really could be a thorn in AEPG's side and they may have to fork out that fortune and help us to get their wish?

[admin]

Dec 18, 2023 13:31:06 GMT rodders said:

Dec 18, 2023 11:18:12 GMT admin said:

I still don't like the messaging. They say that they want to be at the EoES in 2025 and I know that their focus has to be in that direction going forward but everything similar that you read mentions the end of racing at the EoES (with the club official website being the worst).

The only options that I see are:

a) EoES negotiated extension for 2025 if there is anything left of the place?

b) AEPG getting plan A through (which builds on the track & stadium) but they don't avoid LP30 and have to fork out for (or seriously have to help out at the very least) land elsewhere (or plan B at the EoES) and stadium build.

b will be 2026 or 2027 at best IMO so an agreement between the two looks an option?

So Chapman wants club to continue yet has made it abundantly clear that he will not be involved , strange to say the least that he has not allowed a sale of something that has no value. Unless of course there is a hidden agenda!!! Either way if Chapman is so keen on Panthers continuing the honourable thing to do would be to sell or stepdown and forget mercenary considerations

It's always what they don't say Rodders and he doesn't say plenty. It looks a bit like a forced (well not forced but made under duress) confession to clarify who PCC will actually be dealing with and under what circumstances.

[rodders]

We know what the consortium want to achieve and all wish them well. I really do not see however how there is any realistic prospect of Panthers continuing at Showground, and it seems axiomatic to me that if we have a future it is elsewhere.To think otherwise seems a very blinkered view.

[Bigcatdiary]

Dec 19, 2023 21:10:25 GMT rodders said:

We know what the consortium want to achieve and all wish them well. I really do not see however how there is any realistic prospect of Panthers continuing at Showground, and it seems axiomatic to me that if we have a future it is elsewhere.To think otherwise seems a very blinkered view.

Rodders for the consortium to source land, get planning permission and construct a track will take years and I do mean several years, that’s of course assuming they can find land and lease it because if they had to buy it I can see that bill running into hundreds of thousands of pounds.

Secondly they have to purchase the club from Chapman, who at the moment doesn't appear to keen to let the consortium buy it even if they don’t have anywhere to race. For the record it’s clear chapman is completely driven by money and his value of the club is clearly different to the consortium’s, but at the moment the consortium don’t have anywhere to race so buying the club at this stage doesn’t get them anywhere until the Showground position is sorted.

The only prospect is short term (the next few years) to get back to the Showground as it’s now clear LP30 is in play and this should at some point force either AEPG to talk to the Panthers, change their plans or pay the club off or provide land elsewhere as per the local plan, that’s of course assuming they want to get their plans approved at some point.

If you want some idea of how long these applications can drag out then Oxford, Coventry and Lakeside provides the information.

[admin]

Dec 19, 2023 21:10:25 GMT rodders said:

We know what the consortium want to achieve and all wish them well. I really do not see however how there is any realistic prospect of Panthers continuing at Showground, and it seems axiomatic to me that if we have a future it is elsewhere.To think otherwise seems a very blinkered view.

You've already said that Rodders. Unfortunately that is the mantra that Chapman and AEPG have pushed all season and far too many have bought in to it, and worse than that supported it.

I think that Dick has summed it up quite nicely. I agree that I think that we're too far down the line now and there is no long term future at the EoES but short term certainly and it's getting messy for AEPG and they are going to have to do a deal of some sort, if they survive that long? I'm certainly not convinced by no hidden agenda from Chapman.

[Hodgy]

I am really struggling to get my head round what Chapman has to sell and the consortium can purchase to own. It’s confusing the hell out of me. Why would anyone buy something that doesn’t exist? Owners rights? For what? Other way round, why would someone not sell something that doesn’t exist?

[Bigcatdiary]

Dec 20, 2023 1:04:22 GMT Hodgy said:

I am really struggling to get my head round what Chapman has to sell and the consortium can purchase to own. It’s confusing the hell out of me. Why would anyone buy something that doesn’t exist? Owners rights? For what? Other way round, why would someone not sell something that doesn’t exist?

Chapman currently has the rights to promote and run speedway in Peterborough through the BSPL, the fact that AEPG are currently stopping us from using the Showground doesn’t change the fact, which means no one else could stage speedway in the city until Chapman sells the licence to another person or consortium.

[Hodgy]

Dec 20, 2023 8:42:11 GMT Bigcatdiary said:

Dec 20, 2023 1:04:22 GMT Hodgy said:

I am really struggling to get my head round what Chapman has to sell and the consortium can purchase to own. It’s confusing the hell out of me. Why would anyone buy something that doesn’t exist? Owners rights? For what? Other way round, why would someone not sell something that doesn’t exist?

Chapman currently has the rights to promote and run speedway in Peterborough through the BSPL, the fact that AEPG are currently stopping us from using the Showground doesn’t change the fact, which means no one else could stage speedway in the city until Chapman sells the licence to another person or consortium.

Exactly, AEPG will not agree to permit Speedway at The EOES. As you have previously stated it would take a minimum of 3 years to relocate. Therefore there is nothing to sell or buy.

[rodders]

What I have been trying to get across is that as far as I can see LP30 only relates to future development. It does not ordain that Speedway continue in perpetuity or that whoever owns Eoes is required to always grant a lease for Speedway to continue. AEPG have said that Speedway is finished whatever the result of planning app.

To me it seems our hope is that AEPG go bust. As far as Chapman is concerned seems that he must think there is hope somewhere and that eventually he will have something to sell. Looks like he is willing to let others do the work so he will benefit if they are successful Typical of the man many may think.

[Bigcatdiary]

Dec 20, 2023 16:05:17 GMT rodders said:

What I have been trying to get across is that as far as I can see LP30 only relates to future development. It does not ordain that Speedway continue in perpetuity or that whoever owns Eoes is required to always grant a lease for Speedway to continue. AEPG have said that Speedway is finished whatever the result of planning app.

To me it seems our hope is that AEPG go bust. As far as Chapman is concerned seems that he must think there is hope somewhere and that eventually he will have something to sell. Looks like he is willing to let others do the work so he will benefit if they are successful Typical of the man many may think.

The council planners have confirmed on the planning application that LP30 relates to the speedway on the Showground, and Sport England reference it as well, to me that’s one obstacle AEPG cannot get by to get their application approved.

Whose to say AEPG won’t go bust at some point

[rodders]

Dec 20, 2023 17:49:19 GMT Bigcatdiary said:

Dec 20, 2023 16:05:17 GMT rodders said:

What I have been trying to get across is that as far as I can see LP30 only relates to future development. It does not ordain that Speedway continue in perpetuity or that whoever owns Eoes is required to always grant a lease for Speedway to continue. AEPG have said that Speedway is finished whatever the result of planning app.

To me it seems our hope is that AEPG go bust. As far as Chapman is concerned seems that he must think there is hope somewhere and that eventually he will have something to sell. Looks like he is willing to let others do the work so he will benefit if they are successful Typical of the man many may think.

The council planners have confirmed on the planning application that LP30 relates to the speedway on the Showground, and Sport England reference it as well, to me that’s one obstacle AEPG cannot get by to get their application approved.

Whose to say AEPG won’t go bust at some point

Exactly what I have been saying . Whatever outcome of planning app , AEPG can not be forced to let Panthers continue.

[admin]

Dec 20, 2023 16:05:17 GMT rodders said:

What I have been trying to get across is that as far as I can see LP30 only relates to future development. It does not ordain that Speedway continue in perpetuity or that whoever owns Eoes is required to always grant a lease for Speedway to continue. AEPG have said that Speedway is finished whatever the result of planning app.

To me it seems our hope is that AEPG go bust. As far as Chapman is concerned seems that he must think there is hope somewhere and that eventually he will have something to sell. Looks like he is willing to let others do the work so he will benefit if they are successful Typical of the man many may think.

What AEPG says makes no sense. If the sticking point to their development is a short term extension (say 2025/26 for instance) and negotiations around our future location then they will have to do it. Nobody has said in perpetuity under the current agreement (although CJ (who is as responsible as Chapman IMO?) has fantasised unrealistically about it in public). That would require a total scrapping and rewrite of the project. We're too far down the line for that and PCC is in too deep.

Chapman knows that the licence has value on that basis alone so he'll just sit back and take the dividend. There's always the danger that the conortiun crumbles and tells him to get stuffed. Perhaps that's what he wants? Would anyone be surprised that he hasn't worked our a plan with AEPG? I wouldn't, he's been dealing with them for years and apart from Oct 2022 when he gave some false hope, he's been pretty consistent in that this is where it ends, if not sooner tbh.

[rodders]

Dec 20, 2023 20:50:17 GMT admin said:

Dec 20, 2023 16:05:17 GMT rodders said:

What I have been trying to get across is that as far as I can see LP30 only relates to future development. It does not ordain that Speedway continue in perpetuity or that whoever owns Eoes is required to always grant a lease for Speedway to continue. AEPG have said that Speedway is finished whatever the result of planning app.

To me it seems our hope is that AEPG go bust. As far as Chapman is concerned seems that he must think there is hope somewhere and that eventually he will have something to sell. Looks like he is willing to let others do the work so he will benefit if they are successful Typical of the man many may think.

What AEPG says makes no sense. If the sticking point to their development is a short term extension (say 2025/26 for instance) and negotiations around our future location then they will have to do it. Nobody has said in perpetuity under the current agreement (although CJ (who is as responsible as Chapman IMO?) has fantasised unrealistically about it in public). That would require a total scrapping and rewrite of the project. We're too far down the line for that and PCC is in too deep.

Chapman knows that the licence has value on that basis alone so he'll just sit back and take the dividend. There's always the danger that the conortiun crumbles and tells him to get stuffed. Perhaps that's what he wants? Would anyone be surprised that he hasn't worked our a plan with AEPG? I wouldn't, he's been dealing with them for years and apart from Oct 2022 when he gave some false hope, he's been pretty consistent in that this is where it ends, if not sooner tbh.

Unfortunately IMO Chapmans mantra has and always will be "I do not give a stuff about anything or anybody other than myself"

[admin]

Dec 29, 2023 16:58:17 GMT rodders said:

Dec 20, 2023 20:50:17 GMT admin said:

What AEPG says makes no sense. If the sticking point to their development is a short term extension (say 2025/26 for instance) and negotiations around our future location then they will have to do it. Nobody has said in perpetuity under the current agreement (although CJ (who is as responsible as Chapman IMO?) has fantasised unrealistically about it in public). That would require a total scrapping and rewrite of the project. We're too far down the line for that and PCC is in too deep.

Chapman knows that the licence has value on that basis alone so he'll just sit back and take the dividend. There's always the danger that the conortiun crumbles and tells him to get stuffed. Perhaps that's what he wants? Would anyone be surprised that he hasn't worked our a plan with AEPG? I wouldn't, he's been dealing with them for years and apart from Oct 2022 when he gave some false hope, he's been pretty consistent in that this is where it ends, if not sooner tbh.

Unfortunately IMO Chapmans mantra has and always will be "I do not give a stuff about anything or anybody other than myself"

Season's greetings Rodders. Hope that you're having a reasonable one without too many issues for yourself and hopefully your wife's health is as good as can be at the moment?

I've a feeling (based on nothing) that that recent statement had to be made but wasn't the message that the save the club crew wanted and has knocked the stuffing (well it is Xmas) out of them?

Time will tell but the hard graft starts now (to no avail in the final analysis is where my bet goes unless we have a major tangible win fairly quickly) with no speedway to focus the mind and AEPG doing their best to remove history, memories and infrastructure to meet their objectives. We should have been in this fighting position 12 months ago despite Chapman. Some of those insiders have questions to answer. Losing 2024 was the final nail in my book.

Chapman was speedway's 2024 equivalent of Keir Starmer: he didn't have to do anything to get his prize and that's exactly what he did, nothing, and allegedly walked off with 40k, the track surface, the lights, the fence (although it was only firewood?) and half of Panthers team - he's no fool although he does a good impersonation of Alan Beresford B'Stard!

[rodders]

Dec 29, 2023 17:59:16 GMT admin said:

Dec 29, 2023 16:58:17 GMT rodders said:

Unfortunately IMO Chapmans mantra has and always will be "I do not give a stuff about anything or anybody other than myself"

Season's greetings Rodders. Hope that you're having a reasonable one without too many issues for yourself and hopefully your wife's health is as good as can be at the moment?

I've a feeling (based on nothing) that that recent statement had to be made but wasn't the message that the save the club crew wanted and has knocked the stuffing (well it is Xmas) out of them?

Time will tell but the hard graft starts now (to no avail in the final analysis is where my bet goes unless we have a major tangible win fairly quickly) with no speedway to focus the mind and AEPG doing their best to remove history, memories and infrastructure to meet their objectives. We should have been in this fighting position 12 months ago despite Chapman. Some of those insiders have questions to answer. Losing 2024 was the final nail in my book.

Chapman was speedway's 2024 equivalent of Keir Starmer: he didn't have to do anything to get his prize and that's exactly what he did, nothing, and allegedly walked off with 40k, the track surface, the lights, the fence (although it was only firewood?) and half of Panthers team - he's no fool although he does a good impersonation of Alan Beresford B'Stard!

As I have said time and time again where we are now has been an accident waiting to happen for some time!!! The sad truth is that apart from Frost we have not had an owner with the financial clout or business acumen to take it on. Post Frost and certainly during Rathbones tenure the clubs existence was very much down to Supporters and Supporters Club. One speculates therefore if Chapmans commandeering of what assets the club have is to say the least amoral since most were provided by Supporters Club

[admin]

Dec 29, 2023 19:40:39 GMT rodders said:

Dec 29, 2023 17:59:16 GMT admin said:

Season's greetings Rodders. Hope that you're having a reasonable one without too many issues for yourself and hopefully your wife's health is as good as can be at the moment?

I've a feeling (based on nothing) that that recent statement had to be made but wasn't the message that the save the club crew wanted and has knocked the stuffing (well it is Xmas) out of them?

Time will tell but the hard graft starts now (to no avail in the final analysis is where my bet goes unless we have a major tangible win fairly quickly) with no speedway to focus the mind and AEPG doing their best to remove history, memories and infrastructure to meet their objectives. We should have been in this fighting position 12 months ago despite Chapman. Some of those insiders have questions to answer. Losing 2024 was the final nail in my book.

Chapman was speedway's 2024 equivalent of Keir Starmer: he didn't have to do anything to get his prize and that's exactly what he did, nothing, and allegedly walked off with 40k, the track surface, the lights, the fence (although it was only firewood?) and half of Panthers team - he's no fool although he does a good impersonation of Alan Beresford B'Stard!

As I have said time and time again where we are now has been an accident waiting to happen for some time!!! The sad truth is that apart from Frost we have not had an owner with the financial clout or business acumen to take it on. Post Frost and certainly during Rathbones tenure the clubs existence was very much down to Supporters and Supporters Club. One speculates therefore if Chapmans commandeering of what assets the club have is to say the least amoral since most were provided by Supporters Club

It didn't need Frost though or financial clout. It just needed local people to take an interest, do their job and communicate effectively and appropriately.

The local plan which has knackered us wasn't drawn up until 2016 and Frost was long gone although you're right that he could have probably bought the EoES when he was here, but that wasn't his game.

As an example, and this really pissed me off, who knew about this?

Cllr Julie Stevenson@CllrJulieS Oct 21 Replying to @cllrjulies @020723 and @pboropanthers

Parish council wanted to create a neighbourhood plan in 2016 that would take precedence over the local plan and would have protected the stadium. Unfortunately, we couldn't get the public interested at that time.

Did you know about that or hear anything?

Also: Cllr Julie Stevenson@CllrJulieS Oct 21 Replying to @020723 and @pboropanthers

It's also taken two years to get the Panthers fans to build a head of steam. But that's okay, they are engaged now, and that's what matters. These things just take time and often it takes clear and present danger to trigger people. (I was a campaigner by profession, incidentally)

I never expected there not to be a 2024 because I couldn't see a good reason why not and I expected common sense to prevail in the end. I only kicked into gear myself in August when I got a whiff that AEPG would not even open in to any negotiations about 2024, although the dire situation had been laid out when Pedersen left. If AEPG really were that intransigent then wtf were CJ, MT & the supporters club playing at? They could have started a campaign long ago. If that upset Chapman and Butterfield then tough titty.

All of that has finished the club that we knew. And anything like we had, if it ever happens, is years off! When that realisation finally dawns throughout 2024 then it'll be interesting to see how the support holds up and the consortium performs? As Posh have just proved, multiple ideas at the top rarely work and one person calling the shots is usually best. Bratters is the one doing the work and possibly in it for the short to medium term but without some real wins quickly then even his patience and enthusiasm will suffer.

[rodders]

Dec 29, 2023 21:12:45 GMT admin said:

Dec 29, 2023 19:40:39 GMT rodders said:

As I have said time and time again where we are now has been an accident waiting to happen for some time!!! The sad truth is that apart from Frost we have not had an owner with the financial clout or business acumen to take it on. Post Frost and certainly during Rathbones tenure the clubs existence was very much down to Supporters and Supporters Club. One speculates therefore if Chapmans commandeering of what assets the club have is to say the least amoral since most were provided by Supporters Club

It didn't need Frost though or financial clout. It just needed local people to take an interest, do their job and communicate effectively and appropriately.

The local plan which has knackered us wasn't drawn up until 2016 and Frost was long gone although you're right that he could have probably bought the EoES when he was here, but that wasn't his game.

As an example, and this really pissed me off, who knew about this?

Cllr Julie Stevenson@CllrJulieS Oct 21 Replying to @cllrjulies @020723 and @pboropanthers

Parish council wanted to create a neighbourhood plan in 2016 that would take precedence over the local plan and would have protected the stadium. Unfortunately, we couldn't get the public interested at that time.

Did you know about that or hear anything?

Also: Cllr Julie Stevenson@CllrJulieS Oct 21 Replying to @020723 and @pboropanthers

It's also taken two years to get the Panthers fans to build a head of steam. But that's okay, they are engaged now, and that's what matters. These things just take time and often it takes clear and present danger to trigger people. (I was a campaigner by profession, incidentally)

I never expected there not to be a 2024 because I couldn't see a good reason why not and I expected common sense to prevail in the end. I only kicked into gear myself in August when I got a whiff that AEPG would not even open in to any negotiations about 2024, although the dire situation had been laid out when Pedersen left. If AEPG really were that intransigent then wtf were CJ, MT & the supporters club playing at? They could have started a campaign long ago. If that upset Chapman and Butterfield then tough titty.

All of that has finished the club that we knew. And anything like we had, if it ever happens, is years off! When that realisation finally dawns throughout 2024 then it'll be interesting to see how the support holds up and the consortium performs? As Posh have just proved, multiple ideas at the top rarely work and one person calling the shots is usually best. Bratters is the one doing the work and possibly in it for the short to medium term but without some real wins quickly then even his patience and enthusiasm will suffer.

Does anybody seriously believe that Chapman has joined forces with the consortium as a philanthropic gesture. More I suggest scavenging around to pick up from the debris the bits that are left where he will benefit, or to keep AEPG informed as to what is going on!!! " Beware of Greeks bearing gifts"

[admin]

Dec 31, 2023 16:36:37 GMT rodders said:

Dec 29, 2023 21:12:45 GMT admin said:

It didn't need Frost though or financial clout. It just needed local people to take an interest, do their job and communicate effectively and appropriately.

The local plan which has knackered us wasn't drawn up until 2016 and Frost was long gone although you're right that he could have probably bought the EoES when he was here, but that wasn't his game.

As an example, and this really pissed me off, who knew about this?

Cllr Julie Stevenson@CllrJulieS Oct 21 Replying to @cllrjulies @020723 and @pboropanthers

Parish council wanted to create a neighbourhood plan in 2016 that would take precedence over the local plan and would have protected the stadium. Unfortunately, we couldn't get the public interested at that time.

Did you know about that or hear anything?

Also: Cllr Julie Stevenson@CllrJulieS Oct 21 Replying to @020723 and @pboropanthers

It's also taken two years to get the Panthers fans to build a head of steam. But that's okay, they are engaged now, and that's what matters. These things just take time and often it takes clear and present danger to trigger people. (I was a campaigner by profession, incidentally)

I never expected there not to be a 2024 because I couldn't see a good reason why not and I expected common sense to prevail in the end. I only kicked into gear myself in August when I got a whiff that AEPG would not even open in to any negotiations about 2024, although the dire situation had been laid out when Pedersen left. If AEPG really were that intransigent then wtf were CJ, MT & the supporters club playing at? They could have started a campaign long ago. If that upset Chapman and Butterfield then tough titty.

All of that has finished the club that we knew. And anything like we had, if it ever happens, is years off! When that realisation finally dawns throughout 2024 then it'll be interesting to see how the support holds up and the consortium performs? As Posh have just proved, multiple ideas at the top rarely work and one person calling the shots is usually best. Bratters is the one doing the work and possibly in it for the short to medium term but without some real wins quickly then even his patience and enthusiasm will suffer.

Does anybody seriously believe that Chapman has joined forces with the consortium as a philanthropic gesture. More I suggest scavenging around to pick up from the debris the bits that are left where he will benefit, or to keep AEPG informed as to what is going on!!! " Beware of Greeks bearing gifts"

Bratters keeps saying that Chapman isn't the bad guy but there is little evidence to support that IMO considering his efforts, or lack of, over the last 12 months (although as I said, he is not 100% responsible as others have been equally culpable). I think that the statement was cosmetic to give the consortium some resemblance of authority going forward because they are not going to get the ownership that they want. Chapman also probably thought that it'd take some of the heat off him, although I don't think that he gives a stuff tbh and he could be AEPG's man on the inside? Interesting thought?

[rodders]

We know Bratters is a switched on guy!! We know Panthers interests is his main concern!!! My problem is and suggest same for many others just do not see where he is going. That is of course always the problem when an inner sanctum evolves !!! He has said "ask question and I will answer" problem is we no longer know what question to ask.