EURO VISION (From Bournemouth Echo)

EURO VISION

7:00am Wednesday 4th June 2008 in

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MATT Ford has confirmed he would like Pirates to line up in a European league next year if such a pioneering project were to get off the ground.

Poole Castle Cover's chief admits he has been involved in two conversations about the innovative idea, which is being floated by an influential mystery figure within speedway.

But Ford, one of four men charged with formulating the sport's future in this country, made it clear only "talk" was taking place at the moment, nothing more.

The Wimborne Road supremo said: "I've had a phone call from a respected speedway person asking if I would consider entering a European league next year.

"I don't know if perhaps the first year would be by invitation only and afterwards clubs would have to qualify.

"But if there was a European speedway Champions League type of competition I would long for Poole to be part of it.

"This has been touted before three or four years ago when I was trying to build something like this myself.

"I have to admit it was one of those occasions when sometimes you are not quite capable of being the pioneer and pulling it off.

"In anything, it's always easier to follow than be a groundbreaker and that was the case then.

"There was certain criteria for a competition I came up with and I spoke to Swedish and Polish promoters.

"Then the Polish promoters said they wouldn't be interested, so, unfortunately, the project didn't get off the ground."

Ford had tried to launch a three-team, three-leg European Champions' Cup final against the Polish and Swedish title holders in the days of Tony Rickardsson after Pirates had won the Elite League in 2003 and 2004.

Talking about the current idea, he said: "I'm uncertain what format it would take, if it does go ahead, but anything that is new and trying to take the sport forward, I would long to be a part of.

"There are always a lot of riders riding for more than one club and that scenario would have to be looked at.

"I believe the best way to accommodate it would be that the riders would have to ride for a club with the same nationality as themselves.

"Someone like Bjarne Pedersen, a Dane who comes from neither country and currently rides for both clubs, would represent the side who he first signed a contract for."

Ford continued: "To say the idea is in its infancy is an understatement though. At this point, I've only had two phone conversations about it.

"It would have to be sanctioned by the British Speedway Promoters' Association. At the moment, it is talk and nothing more."

It is unclear whether a European league would run alongside the current British, Swedish and Polish top-flights.

However, a condensed British Elite League comprising fewer fixtures would, seemingly, allow a European league to run safely alongside it and the current Polish and Swedish domestic competitions.