PETERBOROUGH supremo Ged Rathbone has issued a public thank you to Dale Allitt for his contribution to the club in the past year.

Allitt joined the T Balfe Construction Panthers in the early weeks of last season to work alongside Carl Johnson as joint team manager.

It proved to be a successful alliance as they guided Peterborough to the semi-finals of the Premier League play-offs despite being hit by a catalogue of serious injuries to influential riders.

But Allitt has now had to reluctantly give up his role after becoming a promoter of King's Lynn Stars.

He will, however, still assist Panthers wherever possible in a consultancy role.

Rathbone said: "First and foremost I would like to congratulate Dale on being made a promoter at King's Lynn.

"Unfortunately the rules of British speedway mean that a promoter of one club cannot have an active position with another club, therefore Dale won't be able to carry on as joint team manager at Peterborough.

"We're very pleased that he will continue to assist us in a consultancy role, attending home and away meetings wherever possible and giving us the benefit of his knowledge and experience in the sport.

"Dale has had a positive impact on the club during his time with us and I want to place on record my thanks for that.

"His arrival was a big factor in us turning the corner after a tough start to last season and he has been prominently involved in building a team we feel can challenge for honours in 2016."

Johnson will now be in sole charge of team affairs, starting with their season-opening trip to Sheffield in the League Cup Midland Group on March 31.