POOLE promoter Matt Ford savoured the club’s title triumph - and then confirmed the Pirates are up for sale.
Ford has enjoyed a trophy-laden 20 years in charge of the Dorset club but has now declared his intention to stand aside, although that may not be an immediate move.
Said Ford: “Firstly, congratulations to the riders and management team. The way the boys have performed to take us from bottom to winning the title in just a few months is nothing short of astounding.
“I couldn’t be prouder of everyone associated with the club and this title feels equally as sweet as all the others since I have been involved at the club.
“But nothing lasts forever and I can confirm the club is up for sale. My family and I are looking at a new business opportunity abroad and while this may not be my last season at the club, my time is coming to an end.
“I won’t abandon the club – I must make that abundantly clear. It is my business and unlike many sporting ventures, it is a profitable one.
“But the time has come for me to try something new and I’m hoping that someone will see the value in the club and take it on in the future. Whether that will be this year, or next, I don’t know.
“But for now I just want everyone associated with the club, fans, riders, sponsors and staff, to enjoy this incredible moment in our history.”
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: Eastbourne TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE RUNNERS-UP: Mildenhall NATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP: Eastbourne NATIONAL TROPHY: Mildenhall NATIONAL LEAGUE RIDERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP: Ben Morley (Isle of Wight)
MIDLAND DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: Peterborough NORTHERN JUNIOR LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: Berwick SOUTHERN DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: Kent
BRITISH CHAMPION: Robert Lambert (King’s Lynn) BRITISH UNDER-21 CHAMPION: Robert Lambert (King’s Lynn) BRITISH UNDER-19 CHAMPION: Dan Bewley (Belle Vue/Workington) BRITISH YOUTH CHAMPION: (500cc) Leon Flint; (250cc) Nathan Ablitt; (150cc) Archie Freeman (125cc) Sam McGurk
BRITISH GRAND PRIX: Bartosz Zmarzlik (Poland) WORLD CHAMPION: Tai Woffinden (GB)
LATEST RESULTS...
The 2018 season is now over.
The new season begins in MARCH 2019.
MONDAY OCTOBER 29:
CHAMPIONSHIP SHIELD FINAL, 2nd leg Workington 52 (Mason Campton 12+1) Lakeside 38 (Nick Morris 12+1) Workington won 98-82 on aggregate.
CHAMPIONSHIP Workington 18 (Rasmus Jensen 6) Lakeside 6 (Adam Ellis 2, Nick Morris 2) Abandoned after 4 heats - frozen track - result will not stand.
SUNDAY OCTOBER 28:
CHAMPIONSHIP GRAND FINAL 2nd leg Workington 61 – Nicolai Klindt 15 Lakeside 29 – Adam Ellis 9 Workington win 95-73 on aggregate and are league champions
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE Buxton 38 – Tom Woolley 13 Eastbourne 52 – Georgie Wood 13+1 National League points: Buxton 0 Eastbourne 4
Stoke 41 – Max Clegg 18 Eastbourne 49 – Tom Brennan 11 National League points: Stoke 0 Eastbourne 4
SATURDAY OCTOBER 27:
CHAMPIONSHIP GRAND FINAL 1st leg Lakeside 44 – Nick Morris 12 Workington 34 – Mason Campton 9 Abandoned after Heat 13 (rain/track conditions) – Result stands
FRIDAY OCTOBER 26:
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE Eastbourne v Mildenhall - OFF
THURSDAY OCTOBER 25:
CHAMPIONSHIP KO CUP FINAL, 2nd leg
Workington 62 (Rasmus Jensen 16+1)
Scunthorpe 28 (Jake Allen 10)
Workington win 98-82 on aggregate
NATIONAL LEAGUE GRAND FINAL, 2nd leg
Mildenhall 46 (Drew Kemp 13)
Eastbourne 44 (Georgie Wood 11+1)
Eastbourne win 98-81 on aggregate
WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 24:
CHAMPIONSHIP PLAY-OFF S/F, 2nd leg Lakeside 56 (Ben Morley 12+1) Peterborough 34 (Emil Grondal 8+1) Lakeside win 102-78 on aggregate.
