OLLY Allen is bidding to guide Peterborough to Premier League glory again . . . 17 years after last helping them to the title.
Allen was a budding teenager enjoying his breakthrough season when part of the last Panthers side to rule supreme in the second tier back in 1998.
Now he returns as the club's number one rider for 2015 having become firmly established as one of the star turns at this level.
And Panthers chief Ged Rathbone reckons Allen is the perfect man to lead the charge for honours.
He said: "Peterborough has always been a special club to Olly after he came through the junior system and started out in senior speedway here.
"He knows what it takes to win the Premier League and it would be absolutely fantastic if he could help us to challenge for the title.
"He jumped at the chance to return and we are absolutely delighted to have completed a deal for one of the best riders in the Premier League.
"Olly gives us exactly what we wanted - a proven number one who will put points on the board home and away.
"He showed his prowess on all three visits to the Showground last season and we believe he can deliver that sort of performance on a regular basis throughout next year."
Allen scored 39 points in his league outings at Alwalton in 2014. That haul included a 15-point maximum in an August victory for Somerset and 12-point showings for both the Rebels and when guesting for Plymouth.
Allen was also the class act in the Somerset side which lifted the Premier League Fours crown on Showground shale.
His return means a fourth spell as a Peterborough rider for a man who also represented the club in 2002 and 2012. He is a second generation Peterborough star after father Dave raced for the club in the early 1980s.
Allen will form a potent spearhead with skipper Ulrich Ostergaard who became the first name on the Panthers' team-sheet for 2015 last week.
The 'Olly' and 'Ully' duo can expected to receive plenty of support from teenage sensation Robert Lambert who was unveiled as a Panthers rider earlier this week.
And Rathbone reckons that is a top three to rival any in the Premier League.
He added: "We have the perfect combination of two vastly experienced riders and one of the hottest properties in British speedway.
"Olly and Ulrich have been there and done it, but I am convinced both still have a bit more to offer and they will be great riders for young Robert to learn from.
"I certainly wouldn't want to swap our top three for any other."
Allen's arrival also completes the main body of an exciting Panthers team with Lewis Blackbird and Adam Roynon returning to fills econd-string spots.
A hectic week of team-building is set to continue with the club's first reserve signing being announced tomorrow night (Friday) at the Peterborough Panthers Speedway Supporters' Club (PPSSC) Christmas Quiz bash at the Post Office Club in the city.
Picture: STUART SWALES Olly Allen with Panthers management duo Trevor Swales and Ged Rathbone.
