PIRATES chief Matt Ford has admitted publicly for the first time he definitely wants his side to line up in the Elite League again in 2010.

But only if he gets “assurances” from other top-flight promoters at next month’s annual meeting in Bournemouth that there will be no repeat of this year’s unprecedented mid-season changes to the rules.

Earlier this year, Ford threatened to drop Pirates into the second-tier Premier League after promoters controversially voted to change the play-offs from six teams to four halfway through the campaign.

That threat came before Poole Castle Cover had been cleared of alleged race fixing and manipulating riders’ averages by a Speedway Control Bureau investigation.

Now Ford, desperate to secure Pirates’ 10th major team trophy under his tenure, appears eager for his side to feature in the top-flight again following discussions with fellow promoters.

Poole’s owner, who took over the club in 1999 alongside his ex-partner Mike Golding, said: “I have always made it absolutely clear I was looking for assurances that things such as rules will not be changed next year in mid-season.

“The amount of damage done to the sport, and everyone can rightly keep mentioning it, was really bad because we definitely shot ourselves in the foot for doing it.

“I’m hopeful after talking with many other promoters that it won’t happen again.

“Of course Pirates are an Elite League club and that is where we want to stay.”

The promoters’ annual conference will be staged from November 12 to 16 during which Ford said he would make his final decision on which league he would like Poole to compete in.

• Ford has confirmed all regular Pirates and Buccaneers riders from 2009 will be attending the promotion’s ‘Farewell to 2009 Party’ on Friday, November 13 except Andrew Aldridge.

The event, open to all Pirates and Buccaneers supporters, sponsors, management and riders, takes place in the Champs’ Bar at Poole Stadium, starting at 7.30pm. Admission is £10 per person, which includes a free first drink.