PIRATES chief Matt Ford admitted he would have “moved Heaven and Earth” to secure the services of Martin Vaculik – but revealed the switch had been scuppered by the Slovakian’s qualification for the Grand Prix series.

Ford spoke with the former European champion in the latter stages of the 2016 season, Vaculik stating he was keen on a move to Wimborne Road for the following year.

However, the 26-year-old admitted at the time that the switch would be a non-starter if he qualified for the world championship, which he later achieved at the Grand Prix Challenge in Sweden in September.

While disappointed to miss out on one of Europe’s foremost talents, Poole promoter Ford insisted he had been buoyed the club had been considered by Vaculik.

Ford told the Daily Echo: “I had a telephone conversation with Martin towards the end of the season. We have always had a really good relationship and I find him a really nice person and a quite excellent rider.

“Martin mentioned to me that if he didn’t qualify for the Grand Prix that he would really like to be at Poole for a full campaign in 2017. Sadly, from our perspective, he did qualify.

“I’m really pleased for him personally but at the same time it would have been quite wonderful to have had him represent the club. In my opinion, he would have been a great signing.

“Yes, that door is closed at this moment in time, which is a pity, but it’s lovely to know riders of that ability are thinking about Poole Speedway and the British league.

“We would certainly have moved Heaven and Earth to get him in the team.”

Ford has also revealed he failed in a bid to bring Danish ace Mikkel Michelsen to Wimborne Road.

The former world under-21 finalist was one of Ford’s early targets but talks over a move did not reach an advanced stage due to Michelsen’s racing commitments in his homeland.

Ford added: “Mikkel had shown an interest in coming and we had a discussion at the Magnus Zetterstrom’s farewell meeting.

“Mikkel rode very well that day and said he had considered returning to Britain.

“He was probably one of the first calls I made after the AGM but he said it was very difficult for him with our race night being a Wednesday, so it went no further than that.

“Hopefully, he can get set up in the UK with someone else.”

The Pirates septet will be topped by Krzysztof Kasprzak next year, Ford having ruled out Chris Holder due to the Aussie’s sizeable 12.53 average.

Also included are skipper Hans Andersen, Jack Holder, Nicolai Klindt and James Shanes, a two-point rider.

Ford added: “I felt 11.07 was the maximum we could have gone to in Krzys. Clearly there has to be thought given to the bottom of the team as well and I’d feel very reluctant to have two low-end riders.

“I think the team can carry one and we can help James improve and I’m sure we will see benefits during the course of the season.”