HOLDER RULED OUT THROUGH CONVERSION FACTOR

Poole chief Matt Ford has today revealed that he will be unable to include 2012 World champion Chris Holder in his starting line-up for 2017.

Following the decisions of the recent BSPA AGM and the re-aligning of the speedway divisions in British speedway, Holder will be burdened with a staggering 12.53 starting average due to the factor of 1.4 applied to hiis closing 2016 Elite league average.

Ford explained, "the aspect of average conversions has hit hard and I cannot possibly justify consuming 12.53 points for just one rider within the 50 point team limit. Whilst I am not adverse to having to utliise a low bottom-end average to complete a team I feel that to make the 12.53 figure work I would need two very lower averages and I don't believe that as a team we would then be competitive. "

"So it is with a very heavy heart that I have had to make the decision not to include Chris at the start of the season but I would stress to all Poole fans that this does not necessarily in any way mean that the door is closed as far as seeing Chris in Poole colours again. I remember at the end of 2012 Chris came to me and said he needed to have a difficult conversation with me as he had made the decision not to ride for us in 2013. The boot is now very much on the other foot but as we all know as things panned out, as they tend to do in speedway, he was part and parcel of our championship winning side and went on to complete a straight hat-trick of league titles with us."

"I absolutely stress that this decision is purely a business and competitive one and in no way personal. I have absolute total regard for Chris and his achievements and ability and would love to think that we can work together again in the future."

"However, as they say, every cloud has a silver lining and I can reveal that there will a Holder name on the teamsheet as I am delighted to confirm that his younger sibling Jack will be on board in 2017. Jack absolutely fears no-one.Whilst he has full respect for all his opponents he has no regard for their reputation and fears none of them. That in my view is a great attribute to have as a speedway rider. I believe that Jack Holder is going places and it wouldn't surprise me at all if he wasn't in time to become the main name of that dynasty."

"Jack is already a full-term asset and his acquired his work permit so he will ride for us on a 7.16 starting average, the figure he achieved with Plymouth in the Premier league last season. We brought him under our wing last year because he has immense talent. Many saw him earn a 2nd place in his debut GP ride in Melbourne last month against more established riders, so whilst this particular news may come as no real shock to Poole fans I would just say that there will be some major shake-ups over the forthcoming weeks as we finalise our team plans"

Ford has also confirmed that the Pirates first team action of 2017 will against Wolverhampton in the Elite Shield, with the Pirates travelling to Monmore Green on Monday 27th March with the return leg on Wednesday 29th March. The Wimborne Road season opener will be the Darcy Ward Invitational Meeting on Friday 24th March.