JUBILANT boss Matt Ford admitted Chris Harris had been Pirates’ play-off semi-final inspiration – but insisted the work of his team-mates should not be forgotten.

Harris produced one of the all-time great rides at Wimborne Road when he sensationally overhauled Somerset number one and world champion Jason Doyle in heat 15 of the decisive leg on Monday.

Bomber’s last-to-first charge put Poole in their first play-off final in three years following a night of scarcely believable drama which had seen the hosts fight back from 12 points down on aggregate while contending with the loss to injury of heat leader Brady Kurtz.

Danish ace Nicolai Klindt weighed in with 11 paid 14 and Kacper Woryna also banked two crucial heat wins, while skipper Josh Grajczonek and reserves Richie Worrall and Frederik Jakobsen all made key contributions.

Reflecting on the astonishing clash which set up a final against King’s Lynn next week, Ford told the Daily Echo: “We are a team and that is what got us through the meeting.

“It’s too easy to forget the great work done by all of the other guys during the course of the night.

“I take my hat off to every one of them who stood up and got us the points for victory. Every one of them played their part.

“But there is a catalyst, someone who can make a difference. There is that British bulldog spirit and step forward Chris Harris.

“He is 35 now and is old enough to be Frederik Jakobsen’s father!

“What a privilege for everyone in speedway to witness something so amazing. The guy he passed is potentially the best rider in the world.

“That move was simply textbook. In sport, box-office people who put bums on seats are few and far between but Chris has been outstanding.”

Pirates were bottom of the SGB Premiership at the start of July but, driven on by a new-look side, they charged into the play-offs.

The team’s make-up is significantly different from the start of the year, with the likes of Linus Sundstrom, Peter Kildemand and Mateusz Szczepaniak a distant memory.

Ford said: “We really should be proud of what the team has achieved and what a difference they have made from the start of the year.

“What a meeting that was for the public. I’ve probably had as many calls about it as I have when we’ve won finals.

“Every person you speak to believes that was speedway of the highest level.

“What a tremendous advert for the sport and the town of Poole. We now have a final against King’s Lynn, which with live and playback coverage gives the town another 12 hours of coverage across Europe, North America, Australasia and Asia.

“Getting to a final and getting fantastic exposure for the club’s sponsors, in particular Volvo Cars Poole, was a lovely way to wake up on Tuesday morning.”

Gates for Monday’s first leg against King’s Lynn will be open at 6pm. The second leg is set to take place in Norfolk on Wednesday.