'Mr. Arena-Essex Speedway' retires.

Arena-Essex Speedway has today announced the retirement of long-serving Peter Thorogood from the Club.

In paying tribute to Thorogood's loyal and steadfast service to Arena-Essex, Co-Promoter Colin Brine said: "Peter Thorogood has been 'Mr. Arena-Essex Speedway' for many years and a corner-stone of the management team."

"He leaves the Club with our grateful thanks and best wishes for the future. We are actively looking at a number of ways in honouring and rewarding Peter's long service to Speedway and in particular to Arena-Essex Speedway."

Looking ahead Colin Brine continued: "Our planning for the 2002 Season is well advanced. We will be introducing new riders to the team as well as strengthening aspects of our backroom staff. Hammers fans will see a new look Arena-Essex next year and we are determined to fulfil our pledge to produce a team capable of bringing success to Purfleet."

Brine concluded: "Amongst all these changes however, one thing will not alter and that is, we will announce signings once they have happened and not at negotiation stage. This approach, whilst sometimes being frustrating for fans, is the way we believe things should be done."