Post by admin on Feb 20, 2016 8:40:15 GMT
POOLE Pirates promoter Matt Ford today fronts the charge for a landmark shift towards squads in British speedway and insists: “This has to happen.”
Elite League bosses seem set to rubber stamp breakthrough plans for clubs to have an eighth foreign rider, new to the UK circuit, available to fill any position between two and five in 2016.
The proposals, put forward by Ford, will see the guest facility remain in place for number ones but the Wimborne Road chief is as keen as ever to pave the way for far-reaching reform.
Ford told the Daily Echo: “My touting of a squad system has never been a secret.
“Whether it happens now or the year after with most teams already in place, I am absolutely certain people cannot ignore it any longer.
“Going back 10 years, I suggested we needed to move this forward and now, people can see this is beginning to haunt us.
“I feel it is inevitable and a matter of time. I know for sure that a squad system will have to happen for us to all have individual riders.
“One of the biggest problems we face is not just related to bringing back the big names, it is more about being able to attract new talent to British speedway. They believe it to be too many meetings.
“It is not just about the current Grand Prix riders. Many of them are ageing and in my opinion, will be gone over the next three or four years so we have to make sure we build relationships with up-and-coming guys.
“You take one in particular, Anders Thomsen, an emerging Danish talent who has participated in the Premier League fleetingly. Riders of that calibre should be riding over here but they are reluctant to commit to such a heavy schedule.
“Leon Madsen, one of our assets, is a prime example. He just does not want to do so many meetings.
“Would he do half of them? I think he would and I certainly know Antonio Lindback would be the same.
“We need to become more flexible and make changes for the long-term that benefit of the sport by opening up a bigger talent stream to every club in the UK.
“The writing has been on the wall for many years and I am just pleased people have finally agreed that we need to do something about it.”
Ford revealed he had hoped to line up Coventry new boy Kacper Woryna, the grandson of ex-Poole ace Antoni Woryna, to take the number-eight role with an eye on evolving developments.
“Due to his family connections, it has always been Kacper’s dream to ride for Poole,” added Ford.
“He even wears the skull and crossbones on his team race suit in Poland but it wasn’t meant to be and we wish him all the best.
“It is great that he has been fixed up long-term but I still believe the concept is right for us all to introduce a new rider at number eight that we can use as we see fit.
“The more names we can get into British speedway, the better.
“Of course, I also want to see British talent prosper but we have a history of needing riders from other countries and I don’t see that being any different now.”
bournemouthecho/Speedway__Matt_Ford_insists_squad_system_breakthrough__has_to_happen_16 Feb
Elite League bosses seem set to rubber stamp breakthrough plans for clubs to have an eighth foreign rider, new to the UK circuit, available to fill any position between two and five in 2016.
The proposals, put forward by Ford, will see the guest facility remain in place for number ones but the Wimborne Road chief is as keen as ever to pave the way for far-reaching reform.
Ford told the Daily Echo: “My touting of a squad system has never been a secret.
“Whether it happens now or the year after with most teams already in place, I am absolutely certain people cannot ignore it any longer.
“Going back 10 years, I suggested we needed to move this forward and now, people can see this is beginning to haunt us.
“I feel it is inevitable and a matter of time. I know for sure that a squad system will have to happen for us to all have individual riders.
“One of the biggest problems we face is not just related to bringing back the big names, it is more about being able to attract new talent to British speedway. They believe it to be too many meetings.
“It is not just about the current Grand Prix riders. Many of them are ageing and in my opinion, will be gone over the next three or four years so we have to make sure we build relationships with up-and-coming guys.
“You take one in particular, Anders Thomsen, an emerging Danish talent who has participated in the Premier League fleetingly. Riders of that calibre should be riding over here but they are reluctant to commit to such a heavy schedule.
“Leon Madsen, one of our assets, is a prime example. He just does not want to do so many meetings.
“Would he do half of them? I think he would and I certainly know Antonio Lindback would be the same.
“We need to become more flexible and make changes for the long-term that benefit of the sport by opening up a bigger talent stream to every club in the UK.
“The writing has been on the wall for many years and I am just pleased people have finally agreed that we need to do something about it.”
Ford revealed he had hoped to line up Coventry new boy Kacper Woryna, the grandson of ex-Poole ace Antoni Woryna, to take the number-eight role with an eye on evolving developments.
“Due to his family connections, it has always been Kacper’s dream to ride for Poole,” added Ford.
“He even wears the skull and crossbones on his team race suit in Poland but it wasn’t meant to be and we wish him all the best.
“It is great that he has been fixed up long-term but I still believe the concept is right for us all to introduce a new rider at number eight that we can use as we see fit.
“The more names we can get into British speedway, the better.
“Of course, I also want to see British talent prosper but we have a history of needing riders from other countries and I don’t see that being any different now.”
bournemouthecho/Speedway__Matt_Ford_insists_squad_system_breakthrough__has_to_happen_16 Feb