MATT Ford has stressed leaving Krzysztof Kasprzak out of Pirates' line-up this year was an "awful" decision to have to make.

The Poole Castle Cover chief also added it was "one of the most difficult decisions I have made" since he took over the club with co-promoter Mike Golding at the end of 1998.

Kasprzak, who originally joined the Dorset outfit in 2003, had spent the majority of the previous four campaigns in a skull and crossbones race jacket before being loaned out to Lakeside this term.

His only other period away from Pirates was for a brief loan spell with Swindon at the start of 2004 before he broke a wrist after making only two challenge match appearances for the Robins.

The former world under-21 champion quickly bounced back, regained his fitness and received a recall into Poole side later the same year.

Ford said: "It was awful having to tell Krzysztof we couldn't fit him into our team this year.

"Had Krzysztof not sustained the injuries he had last year he would probably have been in the team.

"Before his injury he was riding with a nine-point average, but, unfortunately, that dropped to seven-and-a-half after he broke his collarbone three times.

"KK clearly could have been the most likely of our riders to have moved up and be the out and out number one. But misfortune stole that chance away from Krzys.

"If there is one thing he needs to improve on, though, it is his ability to ride on smaller types of tracks.

"So I think one year at Lakeside will be a great challenge form him and stand him in very good stead for his future career.

"But telling Krzys that he didn't feature in our plans was one of the most difficult decisions I have made since being involved at Poole as he is clearly an outstanding rider.

"One I hope will continuing learning on a different type of track to the larger Poole one this season."

Kasprzak, who still owns a house in Parkstone, remains a Pirates asset and will be eagerly awaiting Lakeside's home Elite League clash against the Dorset club on Monday, April 16, which is live on Sky Sports.

The Pole's first visit back to Wimborne Road with the Hammers is scheduled for Monday, May 14 in another TV fixture.