MARK PLUMMER catches up with new Peterborough team chief CARL JOHNSON – and discovers he is no stranger to management of a different kind . . .
CARL Johnson can already claim to be a better team manager than a rider - and he’s only been in the job for just over a week!
By his own admission the new Peterborough chief had a short and not particularly sweet career in the saddle. His three official matches in Panthers colours back in the 1992 season failed to produce a point.
He also drew a blank in one outing for the Ipswich Witches, but 20 years on he has hit the ground running after landing a surprise appointment with the East of England Showground outfit late last month.
Johnson’s first five meetings at the Peterborough helm – which were all squeezed into a hectic Wednesday-to-Tuesday spell – yielded nine league points.
It’s a return that has lifted his team to the fringes of the play-off battle in their return to the second tier for the first time since capturing the title in 1998.
And Johnson's latest post has seen another box ticked in an eventful speedway journey which had previously taken him from the terraces to the track and back again.
“It’s a great job for me to be able to manage my hometown club,” said Johnson. “I’ve been a Panthers supporter since I was nine years-old.
“Everyone has dreams as a kid and mine was to be a speedway rider for Peterborough.
“I still feel lucky to have managed to achieve that, albeit briefly. My riding career didn’t really go to plan due to injuries and finances, and I went back to being a supporter.
“I got back involved as a Machine Examiner last season and it is an honour to now be team manager. I put my name forward when the job became available and was delighted to get it.
“I’d been involved in the Winter Series at Scunthorpe and had been asking around the National League for the opportunity to shadow a team manager and perhaps do a bit myself. I never expected an opportunity like this and I will do everything I can to make the most of it.
“I haven’t had the worst start. We’ve picked up a good number of points, but we know we could easily have had more.”
Johnson was thrown in at the deep end as, after a couple of home meetings shadowing predecessor and co-promoter Trevor Swales, he assumed control for a run of four meetings in as many days.
It was a successful spell bookended by big wins over Sheffield at the Showground and Berwick at Shielfield Park, and another point was added to the collection at Berwick when the controversial withdrawal of Lasse Bjerre scuppered their hopes of victory.
Panthers also pushed unbeaten table-toppers Edinburgh much harder than any other visiting side to Armadale had managed despite losing two-time Monarchs title-winner Ryan Fisher to injury in his second ride when suffering his second crash of the night. A 51-42 loss was of little comfort as they narrowly missed out on a point.
“You could say it was a baptism of fire to go straight into such a busy spell,” added Johnson. “But it was good to be able to spend so much time with the lads.
“I know them anyway from being in the pits at home meetings, but they often think the Machine Examiner is against them.
“Of course that is not the case at all, but I got to know them all individually and as a group while we were on the road for the Northern tour.
“A couple of things went against us at Redcar and we know we could have won there, but we gave Edinburgh a scare the next night and then rode Berwick off their own track.
“It was disappointing to then drop home points against Redcar earlier this week, but a long delay due to the sun really hurt us. You can’t compromise rider safety though and when they are telling you they can’t see going into a corner, you know it is bad.
“We’re making progress though and I’m sure we will be involved in the play-offs. I won’t be happy just to creep into the top-six because I believe we can finish in the top-two and the lads are aware that is the target.”
Panthers are not the only sporting club that Johnson will be managing in the coming weeks and months.
He will also be found taking charge of a local football team – Oundle Town Reserves – next season.
Johnson has had a previous foray into football management after enjoying a distinguished playing career in the local Peterborough football scene.
Johnson, a left-back with a sweet left peg, was even part of a history-making team when Eye United won the Peterborough & District League Premier Division title with a 100 per-cent record back in 2001.
How he would love a similar run of form from Panthers . . .
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UPCOMING FIXTURES...
2020 BRITISH SPEEDWAY UPDATE
Friday July 10, 2020
THE board of directors at the British Speedway Promoters Ltd were encouraged by the significant easing of restrictions announced on Thursday.
Oliver Dowden MP, Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, revealed how grassroots team sports can resume from this weekend. Sports will need to publish specific guidance approved by government officials.
Members of the British Speedway Promoters Ltd have, in the last two weeks, been working on how our sport can work
safely for competitors, officials and spectators alike. We believe the biggest risk to riders is the natural danger element of racing motorbikes with no brakes.
Clubs have already been planning how social distance measures can be taken for spectators and again we must emphasise speedway venues rarely host capacity attendances.
Grassroots team sports inevitably include a small spectator element and we believe we are within touching distance of our sport being able to start a reduced season.
However, we acknowledge the clock is ticking and if we cannot begin league racing in August there is every chance the season will run out of time.
We thank all British Speedway supporters for their patience and understanding and wish to assure everyone we are doing everything within our power to start the season next month in a safe and enjoyable manner.
We will update more as soon as further information becomes available.
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BRITISH SPEEDWAY SEASON UPDATE Thursday May 21, 2020 BRITISH Speedway remains united in ‘cautious optimism’ about some league racing this season.
All three leagues have been keeping in touch to measure the impact of no racing so far this season and how it affects business going forward.
And the message is clear – all three leagues are refusing to give up on the 2020 season and are continuing to urge fans to 'do the right thing'.
Rob Godfrey, chairman of the British Speedway Promoters Ltd, said: “Things are changing on a rapid basis and we are all encouraged to see it appears people are continuing to do the right thing to give us a chance of racing this year.
“The Premiership clubs had a catch up on Tuesday via video conference call, the Championship clubs are in regular dialogue and Jason Pipe, back as National Development League co-ordinator, is in touch with his clubs.
“There is little doubt in my own mind that some league racing will be possible this year. We can implement social distancing measures in stadia, both inside and outside the venue.
“We realise various club have different circumstances regarding their business, but I really do believe there will be some speedway this year.”
Damien Bates, vice chairman of the British Speedway Promoters Ltd and promoter of Sheffield, said: "We had a very productive catch-up online with all Premiership clubs and it was good for us all to get together to discuss the situation.
"We are a long way from abandoning the season. We still believe there are possibilities, strong possibilities, that our sport can take place this season with the appropriate safety measures in place for everyone in a stadium.
"Naturally we are keeping a close eye on the travel situation because there are several riders who are in Poland right now and we need to see movement allowed without quarantine. It's a fluid situation.
"We are continuing to look at a full quota of fixtures, or perhaps half a season with 12 meetings per club in the Premiership plus play-offs. We are keeping our options open right now, all three leagues are, but in any situation we remain in the hands of the government.
"We believe we need to make another assessment when the government update us on the next phase of recovery from this crisis which will be early in July.
"In the meantime we urge all supporters of every club throughout the country to stay patient and be assured we are doing everything we can to bring some racing to them this year."
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SPEEDWAY PUT FORWARD FOR RESTART TALKS
Thursday April 30, 2020 BRITISH Speedway officials have put the sport forward for discussion at government level regarding how the season can start.
Weekly talks with various sports are set to take place and the government will assess each case individually in terms of how to restart when restrictions are reduced.
Rob Godfrey, chairman of the British Speedway Promoters Ltd, made contact with his local MP in Scunthorpe, Helen Mumby-Croft, over the weekend and all clubs have been asked to do the same.
Godfrey has now been told speedway will be considered by government officials taking into account the venues throughout the country and the size of crowds.
“My understanding was that discussions have already taken place with major sports and I felt it appropriate to put speedway up there,” said Godfrey. “I just wanted to get the sport on the table, that’s all, nothing more, nothing less.
“If ever there was a good time not to be a major sport, it is now. It’s one aspect we are working on, of course, with sponsorship, TV and increased digital output but we are where we are.
“We are presenting the facts. Many of us can work with social distancing in our stadia, restricted numbers in parts of a venue won’t be a problem and certainly the pits area can be tightened up in terms of numbers and space between personnel, but again this is very broadly speaking.
“Above and beyond this, we are an outside sport without any confined space.
“We remain absolutely determined and committed to staging a British Speedway season in some format, but of course this won’t be next week or the week after. Yes, I know there are issues with international travel but for every problem we can find a solution.
“If there is time it would be nice to see a gradual reopening with practice sessions, but that all depends if and when we are allowed to do so.
“Whatever happens we are in the hands of the government and we can only start once we are told we can. We have various permutations available to us in terms of the fixture list, even if it means a three month or a two month season.
“In addition we acknowledge many clubs don’t own their stadium and would need full co-operation from their landlords.”
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BRITISH SPEEDWAY SEASON UPDATE
Tuesday April 21, 2020 BRITISH Speedway bosses remain ‘100% committed’ to staging racing this year.
The board of directors at the British Speedway Promoters Ltd have held a conference call today to discuss the way forward.
And Vice Chairman Damien Bates said: “We had a productive conversation and we all agreed we remain 100% committed to putting on a season this year at the first available opportunity.
“There are absolutely no thoughts of cancelling the season. We all want to stage the season in whatever format that can take.
“We have people working on fixtures covering all eventualities in terms of dates and potential rider availability.
“Naturally nothing can happen until the government allow it to, indeed when the next decision is made on the current lockdown situation we will talk again between us.
“We want to give fans, broadcasters and sponsors what everyone wants and that is live speedway to enjoy.
“If it’s July, August or whenever it may be we are determined to stage racing should the government rules allow us to do so.
“In the meantime, on behalf of every club promoter we extend our very best wishes to British Speedway supporters throughout the country and we urge you all to please follow the government rules. They are not guidelines or advice, they are rules.
“We want you all fit and well and ready to come and enjoy this wonderful sport as soon as it is safe and legal to do so.”
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BRITISH SPEEDWAY STATEMENT
Wednesday March 25, 2020 THE board members of the British Speedway Promoters Ltd are continuing to monitor the situation regarding the Coronavirus crisis on a regular basis.
With the latest information from the government stating high risk groups of people should stay at home for 12 weeks, it is unlikely that that there will be any British Speedway events taking place before June 15, at least.
The Board have to consider the public, their members, riders and officials, some of which will be included in the high risk group.
It is the wish of the Board that every effort is made to start the new season at the first available opportunity and we have members of the association continuing to provide alternative fixture dates as the situation evolves.
The British Speedway Promoters Ltd sends their best wishes to everyone at this incredibly difficult time.
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JOINT BSPA/SCB STATEMENT: CORONAVIRUS
Tuesday March 17, 2020 BRITISH Speedway’s new season has been suspended with immediate effect.
The decision has been taken in line with other sports following the latest update from the government on the Coronavirus crisis.
This suspension will be reviewed on April 15 and the situation will be monitored by the British Speedway Promoters’ Association and Speedway Control Bureau on a daily basis between now and then.
LATEST RESULTS...
SUNDAY MARCH 15:
50TH ANNIVERSARY MEETING, Peterborough - OFF
SATURDAY MARCH 14:
BEN FUND BONANZA, Scunthorpe 1 Danny King (Ipswich/Poole) 2 Steve Worrall (Belle Vue/Poole) 3 Josh Auty (Scunthorpe) 4 Lewis Kerr (King’s Lynn/Eastbourne)
