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ACE MAN: Jason Crump

PIRATES chief Matt Ford believes their abundance of heat leaders made it an easy decision to let Jason Crump go back to Belle Vue.

The two-times world champion returns to Wimborne Road for an Elite League clash tonight (7.30pm), just two days after leaving Poole Castle Cover and re-signing for the Aces.

Crump asked for the move after a sponsor came forward with a package that turned his one-year loan into a permanent deal and an extended contract with Belle Vue until the end of 2009.

The 32-year-old, who had starred for Aces from 2002 to 2006, lost out in a straight battle with Bjarne Pedersen for Pirates' number one race jacket this season.

Ford, who claimed he would receive back most of the £28,000 plus VAT Poole had originally paid for Crump in 2007, said: "I believe the club is well satisfied with its current asset base.

"It's a strong asset base we can work well with now and in the future following Jason's departure.

"We are particularly strong at heat leader level and that is amplified by our use this year of Bjarne Pedersen, Davey Watt and Chris Holder.

"Add to that Krzysztof Kasprzak and riders like Antonio Lindback, who we haven't even thought about this year, and clearly we would struggle to fit another heat leader into our reckoning.

"Our future is in good hands, particularly with the emergence of Chris, who is shocking us all with how quickly he is clearly becoming an Elite League number one."

Crump has endured a love-hate relationship with Pirates fans ever since he requested a move away from the club at the end of the 1995 campaign, following the end of his second spell at the club.

But, after years of being booed by a section of the home fans while appearing for the opposition at Poole, he proved a big hit on the terraces following his surprise return last season.

Ford, who says the club bears no hard feelings over Crump's request to re-join Belle Vue, hopes Pirates fans will give the Australian a good reception.

The co-promoter said: "I feel reasonably happy in saying had the team building rules not changed from 42.5 to 38.85 that Jason would have been lining up in Pirates colours this year.

"However, that wasn't to be.

"Now I hope people respect him and give him a good reception tonight."

Pirates are at full strength, but the Aces are plagued by injuries.

They use rider replacement for injured Billy Forsberg and guests Lewis Bridger and Nick Simmons for injured Lukasz Jankowski and Steve Boxall.

Pirates: 1 Krzysztof Kasprzak, 2 Freddie Eriksson, 3 Chris Holder, 4 Magnus Zetterstrom, 5 Davey Watt, 6 Daniel Davidsson, 7 Adam Skornicki.

Belle Vue: 1 Jason Crump, 2 Rider replacement for Billy Forsberg, 3 Charlie Gjedde, 4 (guest) Lewis Bridger, 5 Joe Screen, 6 (guest) Nick Simmons, 7 Jonas Raun.

7:00am Wednesday 14th May 2008

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