PIRATES chief Matt Ford revealed his "great sadness" after parting ways with co-promoter Giles Hartwell.

Poole-based Hartwell, 52, joined the club in 2008 and played a key role behind the scenes during his decade at Wimborne Road.

Ford told the Daily Echo: "I brought Giles in to give me a helping hand after I bought Mike Golding out and it worked well.

"We had as many as 30 meetings a year when Giles first joined and then we started Bournemouth Buccaneers as well, so we could be doing 40 meetings a year at the stadium.

"Last season, we only had about 18 so the reason for needing someone in that position has kind of been taken away and, of course, the difference in television contracts meant I had to make changes within the club.

"Me and Giles have been good pals for the past 15 to 20 years and while it had to happen and he had every understanding as to why, it's still a great sadness when a business has to make moves which keep it financially sound."