PIRATES team boss Neil Middleditch admitted his worst fears had been realised after “icon” Chris Holder confirmed he would not race for Pirates this season.

The former world champion, who rejoined in the winter following an ill-fated spell at King’s Lynn, has not turned a wheel for his parent club as he continues to battle personal issues.

Pirates boss Matt Ford revealed at the end of last month that the situation was “becoming unsolvable” and said he would “press ahead” with the team.

And now Holder, 30, has ended any lingering hopes of him racing at Wimborne Road in 2018.

Responding to posts from fans on the Memories of Poole Pirates Speedway Club Facebook page, Holder wrote: “I won’t be back this year... sorry guys.”

Middleditch confessed he was “as upset as everybody” over the Sydneysider’s absence.

He told the Daily Echo: “To hear the news – although I felt in the back of my mind it was going to happen – was tough as we felt there was a chance he would ride.

“It’s a huge body blow. What we needed was a Chris Holder who was going to be scoring a solid 10 to 12 points a meeting and that would have been the difference in a lot of the matches we’ve lost this year.

“We were all hoping we would get him but, sadly, it doesn’t look like that will be the case.

“Along with Josh (Grajczonek) and Brady (Kurtz), he was going to be a huge cog in the machine in keeping up the boys’ morale.

“The riders look up to Chris and it would have been brilliant for the whole team because he is such an icon in the sport.

“Crowds have been down this year and if he had been back in, I’m sure we would have packed the house out.

“I’m as upset as everybody and I’m sure Chris has the same feeling – he’s devastated he can’t join the Pirates.”

Poole are bottom of the SGB Premiership heading into Wednesday’s clash with seventh-place King’s Lynn. And Middleditch confessed the club’s bid to win the title would be markedly tougher in Holder’s absence.

He said: “We really felt we had a chance of winning the league with Chris in the side. I’m not saying we don’t but it makes our task even harder.

“It’s down to the seven boys we’ve got to lead the ship.

“We have to put it behind us. Now we know Chris is out of the equation, we just have to do what we can and, hopefully, push towards the play-offs. Earlier in the season I said ‘don’t panic’ and I’m still saying that. I feel that if the boys can click together, we are a good team.”

The clash with King’s Lynn will be Poole’s first home meeting since May 23.

Their fixture against Leicester was controversially postponed due to an unfit track, which was followed by an international break for the Speedway of Nations, in which Great Britain finished second.