POOLE Pirates promoter Matt Ford has revealed the chain of events that led to Dakota North’s withdrawal from last night’s play-off semi-final second leg against Coventry.

Bees promoter Mick Horton issued a lengthy statement questioning Poole’s use of Edward Kennett, who scored nine in an emphatic 58-31 triumph, as a guest for North in the Wimborne Road clash.

A distressed North, whose father Rod North was involved in an industrial accident with a tipped crane in Australia on Friday, was signed off on medical advice, enabling Pirates to bring in a replacement.

Ford politely declined to comment on Horton’s comments, in which the Coventry chief questioned whether North would have been withdrawn had he scored well at Brandon and why the 24-year-old charger had not returned to his native Australia.

However, the Poole boss was happy to explain how the last-ditch change had come about and confirmed the club was still assessing its options ahead of next week’s final with Belle Vue.

Ford told the Daily Echo: “Dak had only called his father on FaceTime last Thursday night and woke the following morning to the dreadful news from his brother.

“His father had been involved in a very serious accident in a quarry involving a tipped crane and at that point, he was in the process of an operation which lasted 12 hours. I think everyone will understand the severity of the situation from the length of that surgery.

“If the family deem it appropriate, I am sure Dak will explain more as things comes to light.

“He asked his family whether they wanted him to return but they said to hold fire. We understand the injuries are not life-threatening now but at the time, it was incredibly serious.

“He rode at Coventry but did not mention anything to Neil (Middleditch, team manager) until the fourth ride when he said he couldn’t do it.

“Had I known, I would probably have asked Dak to reconsider riding at Coventry in the first place but he turned out because, in his own words, the team has strived all year long to get to this point.

“But just a few weeks after a friend took an incredibly serious accident in speedway and as controlled and strong-minded a rider as Dak is, I think there comes a breaking point and this would affect anybody.

“For anyone to go through what the riders have over the past few weeks to then have this additional turmoil is very upsetting.

“I hope the news in the next few days is better and that Dak does not need to return home immediately. We will just have to see what happens and make a decision when the time is right.”