FORD MAKES TOUGH CALL

POOLE boss Matt Ford has made one of the "most difficult decisions" he has ever needed to in his time as a promoter in making the latest team re-declaration for the VOLVO CARS POOLE PIRATES, which is subject to governing body approval.

Ford has submitted a request to the BSPA Management Committee to re-call Paul Starke to the Poole side at the expense of local star Kyle Newman and has recognised that is a very tough call on the Puddletown-based rider.

"This was not a decision I ideally would have wanted to make and I insist that this is not the end of the road for Kyle here at Poole. It is as much about looking at the forthcoming weeks and the minimising risks. Kyle has not had the best of fortunes since returning from his start-of-season injury and his average is dropping because of it. He will shortly be on a  figure that would offer us very little cover if he were to be unavailable for any reason and the time-scales for changes are even more restrictive this year than previously." 

"Kyle has had a number of meetings since coming back from injury for both us and Ipswich and his scores have, in my view, been a cause for concern.The problem for Kyle is that we don't really have time on our side and I needed to make a move now. It was a very difficult call I had to make and I can appreciate that it is a big disappointment for him"

"As with all these decisions it is very much ying and yang and in releasing Kyle we bring back Paul Starke who was a much liked rider when he was with us in 2015 and I am sure will be keen to prove himself again in this league. He was recently released by Somerset, ironically when we brought Kyle back in and allowed Lewis Kerr to become available and I am sure Paul will want to make a statement of intent,"

The Pirates are not back in action until June 21st when they host the visit of Starke's former club Leicester, but Hans Andersen has a world championship semi-final to contend on Thursday, James Shanes has a long-track GP event on Saturday and Brady Kurtz has been booked by Somerset as a guest for Friday.

Jack Holder avoided serious injury yesterday whilst riding for Peterborough, having been involved in a nasty heat 15 crash with fellow Aussie Nick Morris. Both riders were able to walk away from the incident but Holder was unable to take his place in the re-start as he was suffering with arm and thigh pain, but he has since reported he is fine.