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Post by admin on May 4, 2016 21:15:28 GMT
edp24.co.uk/sport/hot_shot_cook_signs_up_for_panthers May 12 2010
PETERBOROUGH have agreed terms to sign exciting newcomer Craig Cook.
The Readypower Panthers swooped to get the Cumbrian youngster’s signature on a loan contract after he impressed in two guest appearances.
He will make his East of England Showground debut on Friday (May 14, 7.30pm) when Elite League champions Wolverhampton are the visitors.
Premier League Workington are willing to let Craig take over from original number eight Joel Parsons who will be out for another couple of months with a serious back injury.
And Cook, 22, was quick to accept the chance of regular rides in the top flight even though he is only in his first full season of Premier League racing.
A three-times British Schoolboy Moto Cross Champion, he only had his first ride on a speedway bike on the beach near his Cleator home on the fringes of the Lake District 18 months ago.
He has made startling progress and in the space of little more than 12 months gone from a National League rookie at Buxton to the brink of Premier League heat leader.
Panthers team boss Trevor Swales said: “We know Joel will be out long term and Craig made a big impression on everyone with his two guest appearances.
“We have officially applied for him to become our new number eight and are awaiting an answer from the BSPA.
“One thing is for sure though – he will be riding for us against Wolves on Friday night.
“We would like to thank the Comets’ promoter Ian Thomas for his total co-operation in this matter, without his input the deal would never have come off.”
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Post by admin on May 4, 2016 21:18:35 GMT
PETERBOROUGH have pulled off a sensational swoop for Great Britain star Craig Cook as part of a major team revamp.
The ‘T Balfe Construction’ Panthers have turned to the Cumbrian charger to spearhead their challenge for Premier League honours.
Cook has been the finest rider in the second tier of the sport in recent years and arrives on a 10.35 average, subject to the deal receiving the necessary British Speedway Promoters’ Association (BSPA) clearance.
He will be joined in the Peterborough septet by the club’s number eight Tom Stokes, who will be handed a reserve berth on an initial four-meeting basis.
Both riders are set to be introduced on Sunday when Peterborough take on fierce rivals Sheffield in a mouth-watering showdown at the East of England Showground (5pm).
Promoter Ged Rathbone said: “It doesn’t get any better than Craig Cook in the Premier League and I’m absolutely thrilled to have been able to persuade him to join Peterborough.
“It is a huge boost for our season and also for the entire league to have him back at this level – and it also a huge statement of intent from ourselves.
“I want to track a winning team and our paying supporters expect to see one.
“I felt it was the right time to act due to the fact we have been carrying too many riders in too many meetings so far this season.
“It means Tom will also get his chance to show us what he can do at reserve. He is a very promising rider and we’ll be having a good look at him over the next four meetings."
The changes mean Peterborough have had to sacrifice two riders. Winter signing Nicklas Porsing and fellow Dane Michael Palm Toft are the men to make way.
Palm Toft will make a farewell appearance for Panthers when they travel to Plymouth on Friday night before the team changes take effect at the weekend.
Rathbone added: “Unfortunately we’ve had to make a couple of sacrifices which is never a nice thing to have to do.
“Given more time Nicklas could have become a star performer in this league, but I don’t feel we have that time on our side now.
“It is a big disappointment to have to let MPT go as I’ve said many times that I feel he could become a fine rider at this level.
“But speedway is a numbers game and that is why we have had to come to this decision.
“He is a great bloke and we will do everything we can to get him fixed up somewhere else.
“The fact he is still willing to ride for us at Plymouth on Friday night is a measure of his class.
peterboroughpanthers.co/news Wednesday May 04, 2016
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Post by admin on May 10, 2016 12:56:24 GMT
PETERBOROUGH are thrilled to announce that one of the biggest signings in their recent history has been approved.
The 'T Balfe Construction' Panthers have now been given the green light by the British Speedway Promoters' Association (BSPA) to complete the capture of top star Craig Cook.
The sport's governing body has this morning confirmed Cook and number eight Tom Stokes can now be introduced to the Peterborough team with immediate effect.
Cook arrives on a 10.35 average as he returns to the second tier of the sport following great success with Edinburgh at this level in recent seasons, while local lad Stokes gets his chance to shine on a 3.00 figure after impressing in the National League for King's Lynn Young Stars.
Delighted promoter Ged Rathbone said: "The signing of Craig Cook has to be right up there with the biggest the club has ever made.
"It does not get any better than Craig in the Premier League - as his average and his huge amount of success in the last few seasons prove.
"It is essential we start to win more races as a team and the arrival of Craig should certainly help us to do that.
"He is very much looking forward to the challenge of picking up from where he left off in the Premier League and I can't wait to see him in a Peterborough racesuit.
"I'm also very pleased to be able to give Tom the chance to step up into the Premier League.
"He did a lot of laps at the East of England Showground last Sunday and looked good. He is very keen to become a fully fledged part of the team.
"I must place on record my thanks to the BSPA for revisiting their original decision and arriving at one which I feel is most definitely in the best interests of British speedway.
"We have come to a compromise by rescheduling some of the Friday fixtures that had initially proved to be a stumbling block."
British Speedway's vice chairman Rob Godfrey said: "This subject created a lot of controversy and we are naturally pleased that Peterborough have worked with ourselves to make it happen now.
"My own club, Scunthorpe, are one of the clubs who have agreed to change a fixture to enable this move to happen.
"Peterborough have now stated Sunday as their designated raceday as opposed to Friday, Belle Vue's priority.
"I also hope this underlines our stance all along that at no time was there ever a vendetta against Peterborough and Craig has always been welcome to ride in the Premier League."
As initially planned last week, Danish riders Nicklas Porsing and Michael Palm Toft are the men to make way for the incoming Cook and Stokes.
Rathbone thanks both departing riders for their efforts in Peterborough colours and wishes them well for the future.
The new signings will make their debuts on Sunday, May 22 when Peterborough entertain Ipswich in a League Cup clash.
peterboroughpanthers/news 10/5/16
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