FORD CONFIRMS CLUB FOR SALE

Volvo Cars Poole Pirates promoter Matt Ford watched his riders compete a magical 70th anniversary SGB Premiership title triumph before confirming Poole Speedway was up for sale

Ford, who has been promoting the Pirates for 20 years, looked on at King’s Lynn as his class of 2018 completed a monumental turnaround to seal the club’s eighth top-flight title in 15 years.

Bottom of the table in July, the Pirates rallied to reach the Premiership play-offs against the odds and held off a valiant effort from the Stars to claim the championship by four points on aggregate last night.

An emotional Ford said: “Firstly, congratulations to the riders and management team. The way the boys have performed to take us from bottom to winning the title in just a few months is nothing short of astounding.

“I couldn’t be prouder of everyone associated with the club and this title feels equally as sweet as all the others since I have been involved at the club.

“But nothing lasts forever and I can confirm the club is up for sale. My family and I are looking at a new business opportunity abroad and while this may not be my last season at the club, my time is coming to an end.

“I won’t abandon the club – I must make that abundantly clear. It is my business and unlike many sporting ventures, it is a profitable one.

“But the time has come for me to try something new and I’m hoping that someone will see the value in the club and take it on in the future. Whether that will be this year, or next, I don’t know.

“But for now I just want everyone associated with the club, fans, riders, sponsors and staff, to enjoy this incredible moment in our history.”