PIRATES boss Matt Ford revealed how a deal to sign Adam Ellis on a full transfer had been scuppered at the 11th hour.

World Cup silver medallist Ellis was last month sold to Swindon by SGB Championship outfit Lakeside – alongside Zach Wajtknecht – after a move to Wimborne Road collapsed.

The 21-year-old Brit was a popular figure at Poole in 2016, his exploits at reserve in particular helping the Dorset club reach the Elite League play-off semi-finals.

And Ford admitted he had been left with “a degree of sadness” after Ellis ended up at the Abbey Stadium.

Ford told the Daily Echo: “It was disappointing. I had agreed a deal with Lakeside for Adam.

“The terms were agreed by both parties but it was left open to Lakeside to scupper the deal should they wish to not proceed with the sale and they took a higher offer at the last minute from Swindon.

“There is a degree of sadness there because I would have liked to have had him on board at Poole.

“It’s one of those things which you chalk up to experience. It wasn’t meant to be and we move on in a different direction.”

Asked if he had been given the option to increase his bid, Ford added: “I felt the offer I had made was a sensible and reasonable one.

“The truth is I was looking to buy Adam alone whereas Swindon bought Adam and Zach.

“I think that was what was needed for Lakeside at the time and that was what made the deal go through.

“Adam is a good lad and someone I get on very well with, so I’m sure our paths will cross again in the future.”

Ellis was a member of Swindon’s SGB Premiership title-winning team in the season just gone.

The France-born rider suffered a broken wrist during the second leg of the Robins’ play-off semi-final against Poole at Blunsdon.

But he battled through the pain barrier to help Swindon triumph against Wolverhampton in the final.