PIRATES chief Matt Ford has confirmed they were chasing veteran Andy Smith, but only as a temporary stand-in for Sergey Darkin if the Russian had been unable to get a visa.

New Belle Vue co-owner David Gordon has revealed they had received an official approach from Poole Castle Cover for the 40-year-old rider.

But that was when Darkin, who has since been axed by the Dorset club, had just been turned around at immigration control at Heathrow in mid-March.

And the arrival of Smith, the former three-time British champion, at Wimborne Road would only have been seen as a stop gap until Darkin eventually got back into the country.

Ford said: "We had asked Belle Vue about Andy's availability to cover for Darkin before he got into the country after Sergey had missed his first meeting for us at Eastbourne.

"At that time we didn't know whether he would be back within one week, two weeks or three weeks, and Belle Vue gave us permission to speak to Andy just as cover until Sergey arrived.

"It might have been for two or three weeks, but as it happened, it didn't materialise."

Ford added; "I would like to thank Andy because he made himself available at a moment's notice and really did want to ride for Pirates.

"So just a big thank you to him for being available immediately.

"Thank goodness Andy has now got fixed up at Oxford because he is an out-and-out trier and everyone knows what they are getting with him.

"He is a very solid rider, and will always give you points.

"I'm very pleased he is fixed up with a full team berth."

Smith, who completed a notable hat-trick of British titles from 1993 to 1995, helped Oxford beat Belle Vue 53-37 at Cowley on Friday on his Cheetahs debut after being drafted into their side in place of Adrian Miedzinski.

The veteran rider, who holds a Polish racing licence despite being born in York, will also line up for them at home to Coventry in the Sky meeting on Monday night.

Results, Saturday, Elite League: Eastbourne 55 Reading 38.