Promoter Ford has his say on Steve Worrall's Poole Pirates exit

Danny Ford speaks to Total Guide to Dorset after Steve Worrall's surprise Poole Pirates exit announcement.

Promoter Danny Ford said Poole Pirates were “gutted” to lose skipper Steve Worrall but insisted: “We knew which direction we were going in.”

British star Worrall made the surprise announcement he was set to depart Wimborne Road this winter, following Poole’s Championship Knockout Cup final defeat to Scunthorpe on Saturday.

Worrall first signed at Pirates for the season that never was in 2020, due to the coronavirus pandemic.

He remained with Poole for the following three campaigns – claiming two league titles, two Knockout Cups and the inaugural BSN Series crown.

Speaking about the 32-year-old’s exit, Ford told Total Guide to Dorset: “We knew he was off. We had been in discussions with him and we’ve done what we could to try to fit him in. It just didn’t materialise.

“He sprung it out of the blue. I wasn’t expecting him to announce it tonight (on Saturday), which has left us a little bit stunned. We have still obviously got one meeting left to go, so it wasn’t ideal.

“The team-building average for next year is being reduced drastically. We come in over seven-and-a-half points above what the proposed points limit is for next year which means huge team changes, which is never nice.

“Stevie has obviously been fantastic for us the past few years and a great captain for us this year. We are gutted to lose him but we wish him all the best, of course.

“Hopefully we can win one more bit of silverware next week.”

Worrall will get the chance to earn one more trophy when Poole take on Leicester Lions at Wimborne Road on Wednesday, in the rescheduled Jubilee League final (7.30pm).

Asked how difficult it was to discuss the St Helens-born rider’s exit, Ford added: “It’s really, really tough but we knew which direction we were going in. We did try to make it work but it didn’t with other riders. It’s one of them.

“Unfortunately, that’s the nature of speedway. You get penalised for being successful. We came in the highest team average out of everyone this season.

“We have to make the most changes and drop the most points. Unfortunately, Steve was a victim of the numbers game.

“I know he wanted to be back here. We would have happily had him back, should we have been able to fit him in and been competitive.

“Obviously we are gutted to lose him. He’s a quality rider.”