RIVAL boss Alun Rossiter has spoken out in support of Matt Ford by slamming British speedway’s disciplinary procedures.

Rossiter’s comments came hot on the heels of Ford urging the shale sport’s authorities to help cash-strapped clubs during the economic hard times.

Pirates promoter Ford was left aggrieved after controversially postponing the club’s Elite League showdown with Lakeside Hammers this week – partly due to financial reasons.

Ford has also been frustrated after being slapped with two fines for riders missing meetings during the current campaign.

Former Poole captain Rossiter, now team manager at Swindon, emerged as an unlikely ally as he repeated Ford’s plea to the British Speedway Promoters’ Association (BSPA) to stop hitting clubs in the pocket.

Rossiter, who is ranked 15th in Pirates’ list of all-time top point-scorers, confirmed the Robins had been given a fine earlier this season for tracking an under-strength team against King’s Lynn.

But the annoyed Robins chief claimed that had come despite the BSPA denying his club a facility for absent Hans Andersen.

“They said we couldn’t have a facility, we went with a junior and then they fined us £750,” Rossiter told the Daily Echo.

“We can’t keep fining everybody. We are all struggling because of the weather and the economic climate we are in at the moment. We are all in the same boat. If Matt is struggling, we are all struggling. In these terms now, he is actually spot on.

“While I agree that you have got to stop people just doing things willy-nilly, fining people isn’t going to make it any better at the moment.”

The BSPA declined to comment when contacted about its disciplinary procedures.