MATT Ford feels it unlikely the top two leagues in British speedway will amalgamate – insisting north and south divisions and a national title play-off is a more feasible future.

Some have suggested the landmark events of the annual promoters' summit in November were the first step towards the joining together of the rebranded SGB Premiership and Championship.

Premiership riders who had not ridden in the Premier League last year had their averages brought into line with second-tier ratings via a multiplier of 1.4, while a promotion and relegation play-off was introduced.

In addition, Somerset and Rye House jumped up to the top flight following the departures of Lakeside and, eventually, Coventry.

Despite the changes, Pirates chief Ford feels the Premiership and Championship – which use 50 and 40-point team-building limits, respectively – will not join forces any time soon.

Asked if he thought an amalgamation possible, Ford told the Daily Echo: "I believe before that happened we would probably go more down a north and south route, with the winners of each league then meeting in a battle of Britain.

"At this point in time, one big league would make it quite tough with journeys to places like Glasgow, Edinburgh, Berwick, Newcastle, Workington and Scunthorpe.

"It would increase the amount of travel tremendously and how many visiting fans would come to us on a Wednesday night from such a distance?

"It's very hard to see that Poole would benefit from it. But who knows? Sometimes things can happen.

"If there is a need for the league to amalgamate then perhaps that's something that will happen but my first thoughts are that I would prefer the leagues to remain at different levels.

"I also feel that financially it may be a burden for some of those clubs to run at the level which we are currently running at. There are still a lot of questions at this point and it will take a lot of talking to work out what's best for everyone concerned.

"At this moment in time, it's not on the cards but there's no saying the future wouldn't bring it."

Pirates entertain a Coventry septet tonight and Swindon team boss Alun Rossiter is set to take charge of the Bees for the trip to Wimborne Road.

Rossiter steered Coventry to the Elite League crown on Dorset shale in 2010, his team having been second-bottom of the table some five weeks before the play-offs.

The West Midlands club have this season already taken on Peterborough and Wolverhampton in challenge meetings having had their licence put on ice.

Lewis Kerr – who signed for the Bees prior to their league demise – will race for Pirates with his place in the visitors' septet taken by Stefan Nielsen.

Pirates: (from) Krzysztof Kasprzak, Jack Holder, Lewis Kerr, Brady Kurtz, Hans Andersen, Nicolai Klindt, James Shanes.

Coventry: (from) Danny King, Stefan Nielsen, Jason Garrity, Lasse Bjerre, Chris Harris, James Sarjeant, Josh Bates.