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Jason Crump

PIRATES chief Matt Ford has said they were happy to let Jason Crump return to Belle Vue permanently once the Australian had made it clear he didn't want to remain a Poole asset.

The Aces revealed yesterday they had purchased the former world champion from the Dorset club for an undisclosed "five-figure fee", just over a year after Poole had paid £28,000 plus VAT to bring Crump to Wimborne Road.

When Crump arrived at Poole before the beginning of last season, it looked as though the rider would finish his career on the south coast.

But, with a winter reduction of the points team building limit from 42.5 to 38.85, Ford elected to go with Bjarne Pedersen rather than Crump as his number one this year.

That meant Crump was loaned out to Belle Vue for the season, but with Ford saying the Australian still had a future at Poole.

However, that all changed when Crump, who returns to Wimborne Road with Belle Vue tomorrow, asked if he could re-sign permanently for the Aces, a club he starred for from 2002 to 2006.

Ford said: "I had a phone call from David Gordon, one of the new promoters at Belle Vue, last week stating a sponsor had stepped forward offering to help keep Jason at the club beyond 2008.

"After a two-minute conversation, and deciding we as a club did not really want to step in his way although at the same time making sure Poole's future was secure, it was agreed in all three parties' interest that Jason return to Belle Vue permanently.

"It took David and I only a matter of minutes to work out a deal we are both happy with.

"Effectively, Jason had said to David he didn't want to return to Poole and judging by his statement to the press that is confirmed.

"Clearly and absolutely there are no hard feelings on our behalf. It was an enjoyable year he spent back with us.

"Unfortunately, we weren't quite as effective on track as we hoped to be, but that was absolutely not Jason's fault.

"We would like to thank him for his efforts, both earlier in his career for Poole (1991, and 1994 and 1995), and certainly when he worked with Mike Golding and I last year, and wish him well in the future at Belle Vue."

Even though Pirates had to pay a tribunal enforced transfer fee of £28,000 plus VAT for Crump last year, Ford claimed Poole had not lost out financially, saying the new deal matched last year's figure.

Ford added: "Taking into account what it would have cost us if we had loaned Jason from Belle Vue in 2007, and the fee we charged to loan him to them in 2008, David and I worked together to agree a compromise which is in everyone's favour."

In a statement released by Belle Vue, Crump said: "I'm delighted to be settled at Belle Vue until the end of next season.

"It's where I want to be and it gives me a level of stability which is difficult to achieve in speedway.

"This is a big commitment on Belle Vue's part and I'm glad they wanted to do it. I suggested a few weeks ago that I wanted to do this and they went out and got it done.

"It is a significant deal which we were talking about before ATP became involved.

"But when they said they wanted to help Belle Vue keep me until the end of next season it was the last piece in the puzzle and everything was done in 15 minutes."

Ian Sinderson, the ATP Group finance director, said: "We're delighted that our long-term sponsorship deal has helped facilitate Jason's return as a Belle Vue asset.

"It shows that all involved are committed to making the Aces a top Elite Club once again.

"Speedway fits our sports travel portfolio really well, and are very happy to have Jason on board with us."

7:00am Tuesday 13th May 2008

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