PROMOTER Danny Ford insisted there was “no animosity” towards Stefan Nielsen, after the rider was not awarded a team place at Wimborne Road for 2022.

Nielsen will return to the scene of his season-ending horror crash when he lines up for Birmingham next season.

The racer, who was with Pirates in 2021, crashed out of the Poole’s Perry Barr clash on September 1 and suffered multiple injuries – but he agreed terms as the fourth signing for the new-look Brummies last month.

Ford told the Daily Echo: “It was a real tough one letting Stef go. We were umming and ahhing about it and, unfortunately it came down to a very, very small amount of points.

“We just couldn’t fit him in the way the team was shaping up.

“I feel like out of the ones we lost, he’s a particular hit because he was fantastic for us last year. He did a sterling job while in the main body of the team.

“He was so unfortunate to pick up an injury as soon as soon as he moved down to reserve, where he’d have been an absolute powerhouse.

“We are very disappointed to not offer Stef a contract for 2022. There is nothing against him, no animosity or anything like that.

“It was just a numbers game it came down to. He comes in on a great average for Birmingham and I’m sure that’s why he’s been picked up. I wish him all the best there.”

At the time of writing, Poole are yet to announce any of their 2022 septet.