SEETHING Matt Ford ultimately decided against fighting the British Speedway Promoters’ Association’s (BSPA) decision to rule guest Charles Wright ineligible for last night’s meeting with Lakeside.

Wright had been set to replace Adam Ellis, who was contracted to ride a grasstrack meeting in France, after the clash was moved from Monday to Wednesday after Sky chose not to screen it live.

But Ellis’s event was not recognised on the international calendar, meaning Ford could not bring in Wright as a guest.

With Ellis currently riding at number two, speedway regulation 17.6 states Ford would be able to bring in a Premier League rider of any nationality provided they had an average of six or less.

However, the BSPA blocked it, arguing Ellis’s status as a fast-track reserve should prevent that option. As a result, Wright was left kicking his heels and Poole had to contest three heats with only one rider in line with the rule that each participant must be given three races.

Ford told the Daily Echo: “Our team was listed with the SCB (Speedway Control Bureau) on Sunday but they did not flag this up until the morning of the meeting.

“I highlighted that no facility would have enabled me to bring in a Dane, a Swede or whoever for a British draft rider. That was then considered a problem.

“You cannot add two rules together to resolve a situation. I was quite clear I needed one of the facilities and that there were no stipulations or caveats there to stop us.”

Ford added: “Lakeside wrote to the BSPA and have been supported but there was absolutely nothing to say why I shouldn’t have a facility.

“I am disappointed but I won’t take it further. It was a comfortable victory and I take my hat off to the boys, Paul Starke in particular.

“I can say for the record, though, that no mistake was made on our part regarding the booking of Charles Wright.”

Commenting on Lakeside’s intervention, Ford added: “All I will say is it is sad.

“We had to go there with just two of our own riders for a fixture I asked to be changed in February and now this. All things considered, I am disappointed with the management at Lakeside.”