DANNY King insists he departed Poole Pirates “on good terms” after being cut from the team for 2023.

King captained Pirates to back-to-back league and cup doubles in 2021 and 2022, but did not make the septet this year.

Following a change to average points limits allowed in constructing SGB Championship sides this season, Pirates’ promotion were left with a tough choice between King and Steve Worrall.

They eventually opted for Worrall, who took over from King as skipper.

King, the 2016 British champion, was snapped up by Redcar Bears and heads to Wimborne Road with his new club tomorrow (7.30pm).

It will be the second time the 37-year-old has ridden competitively at Poole since departing, impressing with a 15-point haul when Redcar visited in the BSN Series in May, Pirates edging to a 48-42 victory.

Asked if it was strange being on the opposite side of the pits when he last came to Wimborne Road, King admitted: “Yes, of course it is. I had a couple of good years here and that’s just the way the business works sometimes.

“It wasn’t meant to be. But it was just nice to be back. I got a lovely welcome.”

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Reflecting on the decision of Poole to let King go, a move which promoter Danny Ford labelled the hardest he has had to make since taking over day-to-day running of the business, the Maidstone-born rider said: “Of course it was (tough). I had two very successful years at Poole.

“But I’ve been in the game a long time and I understand how the business works.

“It is a numbers game. It is what it is and we just have to get on with it.”

Asked if he could see himself returning to Pirates one day, King added: “That was important for me, that we left on good terms.

“I had two very, very good years with the club and it’s nice that things are amicable.

“You never know where the future lies. It’s business.”

For now, King very much is focused on business, looking to help Redcar fully cement their spots in the play-offs.

The Bears currently sit fourth in the Championship table, but could go third with a win at Plymouth Gladiators tonight.

Pirates meanwhile sit second. Victory over Redcar would see them move level on points with league leaders Oxford Cheetahs, whereas defeat could see them fall behind the Bears in the standings.

“Redcar have put a fantastic team together and they’re up for winning trophies,” said King.

“You can see that with the way the team has been built.”

Redcar boast another former Pirate in their side in Danyon Hume, but 2019 British champion and captain Charles Wright is set to miss out due to a leg problem.

Poole are still without injured Adam Roynon, with teenager Joe Thompson drafted in to cover.

Pirates: Lawson, Newman, B Cook, Z Cook, Worrall, Rowe, Thompson (g).