Top Sport  RSS feed | About

SUPER SWEDE: Freddie Eriksson

FREDDIE Eriksson has revealed he would probably have quit speedway by now if his move to Pirates had not proved a success.

The experienced Swede has excelled for Poole Castle Cover this year after almost walking out on British speedway following Oxford's mid-season closure last term.

Eriksson, who also had problems over payments with his Swedish club, made only seven league appearances before jumping up into the main body of the Dorset outfit's team.

Now he is out to make the number two race jacket his own between now and the end of the campaign.

The softly spoken Swede, who lines up for Pirates at Peterborough in the Elite League tonight (7.30pm), said: "I'm really happy with my form at the moment.

"In fact, I was thinking the other day what would have happened to me if I had decided not to come to Poole.

"I think I would probably have quit speedway because I'm not getting any respect from my Swedish Elite League club.

"My hometown track is Hammarby and they won't give me any respect.

"That's why I'm so pleased I'm doing so well at Poole, with the way their fans have been backing me and the way Matt Ford runs the club.

"I'm enjoying my speedway again."

Eriksson, who also has a contract with Swedish Division One outfit Griparna, added: "I haven't got any rides for Hammarby lined up.

"I've got good form but they like to use their Polish and Russian guys.

"That's my home track and I'd really like to race there. It was where I started my career.

"The way I'm riding for Poole is really good. I think I'm proving a point.

"But I've only had one meeting for Hammarby and I don't think it's fair the way they concentrate on using other riders.

"It seems strange being Swedish and they are using Poles and Russians when I have good form."

Eriksson, currently averaging 5.76 in all matches for Pirates this term, continued: "I'm really enjoying it at Poole.

"I'm so happy I never gave up after the way I felt last year when I was really fed up.

"Oxford close down, I wasn't getting paid by my Swedish club and everything was going wrong.

"Fortunately it has gone so well here. I can only thank Matt for having faith in me and persuading me to come back to Britain again."

Six-man Pirates use rider replacement for injured Karol Zabik tonight, while Craig Watson continues to guest because Poole's number eight Jordan Frampton lines up for Somerset in the Premier League.

Peterborough, who lost 60-31 at Ipswich in the league on Monday, are without injured Sam Simota, who is nursing a broken neck.

They use Scunthorpe's Carl Wilkinson as a guest.

Peterborough: 1 Hans Andersen, 2 Morten Risager, 3 Kenneth Bjerre, 4 Claus Vissing, 5 Daniel King, 6 (guest) Carl Wilkinson, 7 Henrik Moller.

Pirates: 1 Krzysztof Kasprzak, 2 Freddie Eriksson, 3 Chris Holder, 4 Rider replacement for Karol Zabik, 5 Davey Watt, 6 (guest) Craig Watson, 7 Adam Skornicki.

7:00am Thursday 8th May 2008

Print   Email this   Comment