MATT Ford admitted his “sadness” at Paul Starke becoming an unwitting victim of his annual juggling act at Poole Pirates.

The Wimborne Road promoter yesterday revealed Kyle Newman and Adam Ellis as his reserve pairing for 2016 with Starke heading to Leicester as part of the yearly Elite League draft.

Ford was quick to express his gratitude for Starke’s crucial efforts in securing last season’s historic third straight title but said his average of 3.60, converted from his scores for Somerset in the Premier League, had rendered prohibitive any move to retain his services.

Ford told the Daily Echo: “While it is great to welcome Adam (Ellis) as an up-and-coming British talent, it is tinged with sadness that we have had to let Paul Starke leave.

“Paul was crucial in us winning the league, his role was as important as anybody else’s. I said he would outscore the number sevens from the previous year by April and that was what he did.

“I felt he was our top rider in the final at Belle Vue and also gave us a great platform in the home leg.

“But with how the points limit is constructed this year, I wouldn’t have enough to fit him in. It was just too high for the team I expect to announce and I had to err on the side of caution.”