PIRATES FUME OVER BASSO

POOLE co-promoter Danny Ford has expressed his disappointment at the loss of Danish youngster Benjamin Basso for next season.

Basso joined the Pirates in mid-summer and played a key role in their league and KO Cup double – but he has chosen to move on in the Championship in 2022.

Ford said: “When we first approached Ben last season, we went through the process of obtaining an 18-month work permit for him, with the view that he would not just be a half-a-year wonder for us.

“Indeed, we were happy to table a contract to him for 2022, in which we were willing to work around his Danish commitments to accommodate him in our team.

“We had invested a great deal in time and cost to bring Ben to the UK and it really hurt us personally when he informed us he wouldn’t be back in Poole colours. I really do not know what more we could have done to try and keep him. It is a massive kick in the teeth for us.

“I know it will come as a big disappointment to the Poole fans too, as they really took to Ben and I have to say it was brilliant to have a showman in the team.

“There was a terrific rapport between Ben and the fans and I just want to emphasise that is was not for the want of trying, and it was Ben’s decision not to want to ride for us in 2022.”