PIRATES chief Matt Ford believes Somerset will one day return to British speedway's top flight.

The Rebels elected to drop to the SGB Championship for next year having reached the Premiership play-off semi-finals in 2018.

They were edged out by Poole in the last four, Chris Harris putting the Dorset side through with a stunning heat-15 ride in the second leg at Wimborne Road.

Ford told the Daily Echo: “It was sad to see Somerset go and I know Debbie Hancock’s decision was 51-49 in terms of percentage.

"She would desperately have liked to stay but the lack of television money is so influential on decisions we make.

“Her crowds just did not justify staying the league. But I believe it won’t be the last we see of Somerset."