proud panther Posted December 4, 2013 Report Share Posted December 4, 2013 Surely if Ford is the most professional Promoter of the last decade, as we continue to be told, he would have done his homework before he signed Smart. does make you wonder if he has a hidden agenda, & he has another rider lined up. 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gavan Posted December 4, 2013 Report Share Posted December 4, 2013 Typical of you trying to slate Matt Ford for nothing.yep slating him for nothing that's why there is a thread all about it! But hey just have a pop at me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trees Posted December 4, 2013 Report Share Posted December 4, 2013 Time will tell! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pirate Nick Posted December 4, 2013 Report Share Posted December 4, 2013 yep slating him for nothing that's why there is a thread all about it! But hey just have a pop at me Would you care to explain exactly what he has done? The way I see it is this: 1 Poole always knew Kyle Newman would be protected and contacted him before the draft and ascertained his availability etc 2 Poole didnt know who would be left by the time their 2nd pick came around. 3 Having made their 2nd choice talks are now ongoing to ascertain Lee Smarts availability etc For what its worth the last time I saw Lee Smart ride at Poole he had a hissy fit and walked out halfway through the Buccs v Weymouth meeting because things wern't going his way. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevebrum Posted December 4, 2013 Report Share Posted December 4, 2013 "I don't know a great deal about him" and "Gain assurances that he can fully commit" I bet that made Lee Smart feel special!!!! Surely all Ford had to do was ask the apparent best England Manager Middlo about Smart who was right at the cutting edge of England's future. lol Would you care to explain exactly what he has done? 3 Having made their 2nd choice talks are now ongoing to ascertain Lee Smarts availability etc For what its worth the last time I saw Lee Smart ride at Poole he had a hissy fit and walked out halfway through the Buccs v Weymouth meeting because things wern't going his way. Talks are likely to be ongoing with ALL clubs and their selected picks, so there should be nothing unusual to report at this stage. Making mention of availability is key to ALL riders and picked riders so not sure why highlighting this issue has been made public. Hopefully it is a genuine statement and not a smokescreen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhidassa Posted December 4, 2013 Report Share Posted December 4, 2013 Oh dear... is anything about Poole ever non-controversial? Since it's now my local track, I thought I'd stop in & see what I can expect! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn Posted December 4, 2013 Report Share Posted December 4, 2013 Elite league speedway supporters need to be conditioned to the fact that the UK Must develop its own talent and not rely on foreign imports. so Ford & Middleditch will have to deal with TWO British riders in their team for a change.. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dornier Posted December 4, 2013 Report Share Posted December 4, 2013 Smart must feel really wanted at Poole....Ford certainly knows how to motivate em Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BluTiger Posted December 4, 2013 Report Share Posted December 4, 2013 Smart must feel really wanted at Poole....Ford certainly knows how to motivate em I'm sure if Smart puts on an Aussie accent, he will be welcomed with open arms until the big changes take place.. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy robin Posted December 4, 2013 Report Share Posted December 4, 2013 Not going to have a go at Poole here as will wait & see what happens with Smart but I have to say that this looks like it's been the bloody cock up some said it would be. Only Kings Lynn with 2 local lads seem really happy on both parties as I'm sure Steve Worrall would've pre-ferred to be at Belle Vue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
500cc Posted December 4, 2013 Report Share Posted December 4, 2013 In the Bournemouth Echo article Matt Ford is quoted as saying I asked him immediately to have no negotiations with him as it had just been agreed in a room with Elite League promoters that nobody would speak to other clubs assets until December 15." In fairness Horton may have been out of the room when that was mentioned, a bit like Ford was when he was asked to keep is gob shut about the Sky deal. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lisa-colette Posted December 4, 2013 Report Share Posted December 4, 2013 Typical of you trying to slate Matt Ford for nothing.Why change the habit of a lifetime! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foreverblue Posted December 4, 2013 Report Share Posted December 4, 2013 yep slating him for nothing that's why there is a thread all about it! But hey just have a pop at meTypical making a thread against Matt Ford for nothing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tina Posted December 5, 2013 Report Share Posted December 5, 2013 WARD TO LEAD THE WAY Thursday 05 December, 2013 SPEEDWAY’S most exciting talent Darcy Ward will lead Elite League champions Poole in 2014. Ward 21, played a pivotal role in helping Pirates to a stunning Elite League title success after the club were rooted at the bottom of the table in May. And a delighted Pirates boss Matt Ford revealed: “I believe Darcy is on the brink of becoming world champion, so to have him leading Poole’s title defence is a huge boost for the club. “I cannot compliment Darcy enough for the role he played in turning around the 2013 season for Poole. “We were fortunate to have the incredible leadership of Chris Holder before his injury in July and the backing of Greg Hancock coming in after Chris’ injury. “But through it all, when Darcy came back from a very complicated shoulder break in July he was outstanding. “We were in a hopeless situation in May – a complete contrast to where we were less than five months later celebrating with the Elite League trophy. “It was ironic that it should be Darcy who scored the vital points to win us the title in Heat 11 at Birmingham.” The Poole supremo also heaped huge praise on Ward’s commitment to Pirates. “I can reveal to fans that it took less a minute to sort out a contract for next season. “It was abundantly clear that Darcy’s priority is that he wanted to stay at Poole – and we very much wanted him to lead the team. “I thought it might be a tough job to bring him back. But I believe Darcy could see the bigger picture and recognised the current situation with regards to TV deals – with the sport’s hierarchy still in delicate negotiations.” Ford continued: “Darcy is in the process of making some big changes to his own personal set-ups for next year. “I have assured him that the club will do everything we can to find him additional local sponsorship to help his cause. “I cannot think of a more marketable sportsman in Dorset than Darcy Ward. He is the dream advertising tool for any company locally and nationally. “In less than a year’s time he could be world champion. In my opinion, to have your name connected with one of the county’s great success stories is a huge opportunity. “What I would say is that if anyone feels they would like to invest in Darcy, I would urge them to talk to me in the first instance so we can open up a line of communication.” The return of Grand Prix star Ward means that the reigning league champions are now lining up for 2014 with three of the riders who played a huge role in the Elite League Play-off final in October – Ward, Josh Grajczonek and Kyle Newman. This confirmed trio also have 2010 National League Riders’ champion Lee Smart in the side. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Great Central Posted December 5, 2013 Report Share Posted December 5, 2013 Only Kings Lynn with 2 local lads seem really happy on both parties as I'm sure Steve Worrall would've pre-ferred to be at Belle Vue. According to the article in Speedway Star, Lewis Rose is from just down the road from you at Reading. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigcatdiary Posted December 5, 2013 Report Share Posted December 5, 2013 In the Bournemouth Echo article Matt Ford is quoted as saying I asked him immediately to have no negotiations with him as it had just been agreed in a room with Elite League promoters that nobody would speak to other clubs assets until December 15th Does anyone on here actually believe this drivel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TesarRacing Posted December 5, 2013 Report Share Posted December 5, 2013 Typical making a thread against Matt Ford for nothing .............well if you want to pay us all - could cost you a bit though!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
500cc Posted December 5, 2013 Report Share Posted December 5, 2013 “I thought it might be a tough job to bring him back. But I believe Darcy could see the bigger picture and recognised the current situation with regards to TV deals – with the sport’s hierarchy still in delicate negotiations.” At least Darcy recognised the situation and kept quiet. Perhaps Ford can learn something from him. Darcy saw the bigger picture. Ford saw his own reflection in a mirror. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gloves Posted December 5, 2013 Report Share Posted December 5, 2013 Jon Cook doesn't seem concerned that Adam Ellis hasn't got a PL spot yet. How many PL and EL teams will Poole clash with on a Wednesday? Poole fans were all (rightly) supporting Smart's arrival yesterday. Now Ford has basically announced that he is considering alternatives. Smart has signed up to the process with good intent. I'd hope the decision whether to ride at Poole is his alone and not Ford's. Adam Ellis was confirmed at Ipswich so can't really say Jon Cook is in the same position !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben91 Posted December 5, 2013 Report Share Posted December 5, 2013 Smart wont get a PL spot from the start of the season that's for sure and unless he signs for KL Young Stars (highly unlikely) he won't be racing on a Wednesday night in the NL on anything like a regular basis. He signed up to be on the list stating that he'd be available and happy to ride for any EL side so there should be no problem. Astounds me that Ford apparently didn't know much about him, if you're a speedway person you should keep your finger on the pulse of all three divisions. Smart may not have done much for a few years but he had potential to do quite well a while back. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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