PIRATES chief Matt Ford has waded into the row which has dogged British speedway to insist: The asset system is still the best option.

Ford (pictured) defended the controversial system after it had received heavy criticism from riders and club officials during a series of close-season disputes.

The asset system ties riders to a parent club even if they are not currently riding for that particular team.

Clubs get first call on riders included on their retained list and can pursue either a loan or transfer fee, depending on the circumstances, should one of their assets end up being named in a rival outfit’s one-to-seven.

Hans Andersen, Niels-Kristian Iversen and Troy Batchelor were all at the centre of long-running sagas involving parent club Peterborough, who were reportedly holding out for permanent rather than temporary deals for at least two of the three.

Andersen, who labelled the process “past its sell-by date”, and Batchelor were eventually declared by Swindon on loan with King’s Lynn doing the same with Iversen.

But despite admitting he felt sympathy for certain people, Ford insisted clubs deserved a return on the investment they put into contracted riders, rather than allowing them to become free agents.

The Poole promoter told the Daily Echo: “The system has worked forev er here. While many people will want to question it, we as an association feel strongly and the majority of its members are still in favour of retaining the asset system and continuing with it.

“At certain points in time, it may be that something is frustrating to a promoter and he chooses to vent his frustration.

“But when it actually comes to it, the reason we abide by these things are that they are there to protect us all.

“Incidentally, you have to also look at some of the Premier League clubs that survive by selling assets.

“Of course, everything has a shelf life and it is not to say that, in five years or 10 years, there won’t be something better.

“But, at this moment in time, it is still the best thing for the sport and all of the promoters within it.”

Pirates’ asset base includes the likes of Chris Holder, Darcy Ward, Krzysztof Kasprzak, Davey Watt and Antonio Lindback.

Ford added: “It is not quite as simple as saying that, after a year or two, they can have freedom of contract because, when they come into the country, they ask us to invest in them whether it is in equipment, vans, flights or accommodation.

“It is an investment made by the clubs that should have some form of return.”