BRITISH Speedway Promoters' Association chairman Peter Toogood revealed the Craig Watson average row' only began after the issue was raised by supporters on the internet.

Poole wanted to recruit the Aussie as their last rider for this season on the 3.00 average he notched with the Dorset side between March and May 2007.

But rules state that Watson must join Pirates on 4.11 points, which is half of the 8.21 Premier League figure he achieved at Glasgow, after leaving Wimborne Road.

This average applied for team building, as it was higher than his Poole figure, and it meant the Aussie could not fit into Castle Cover Pirates' septet.

Within hours of Watson's return being announced on December 24, supporters from around the country realised this and quoted the regulation on the British Speedway Forum.

Toogood claims online concern came to the attention of Matt Ford, who contacted him to query whether the 31-year-old could sign.

And despite spending "nearly 24 hours" trying to help Pirates, the BSPA boss was forced to block the move.

Toogood explained: "I think the situation was some supporters wrote on the web that Craig couldn't go into the Poole side.

"I didn't receive anything from anyone personally and I didn't know anything about it - the Poole promotion raised it.

"They talked to me; I read the rulebook, and said no, it can't happen'."

He added: "The rule says that there are two averages - one for the Elite and one for the Premier, with the Premier one being halved for riders joining the Elite.

"Craig established one in each league in 2007 and he goes into an Elite League team on the higher of the two averages.

"I know there was a comment from Matt, saying that the BSPA management committee should be able to help.

"But the situation is that it's in the book and the management committee aren't able to change any rules in the rulebook."

Joint Somerset owner Toogood knows the difficulties of team building as well as any British promoter.

And despite Pirates attempting to sign Watson on the wrong average, Toogood has huge sympathy with Poole's plight.

He added: "I have been in the sport for 14 years and the rulebook gets thicker and thicker every season.

"I don't blame them for what has happened - they were trying to put a good side together on the basis of what they thought was right.

"I try and help every club, if possible, so I looked at the book and read it and read it.

"And while I spent nearly 24 hours trying to find a way for it to happen, I can't go outside the rulebook, even in my role as chairman."

Ford has claimed the rule, which cost him Watson, is "dated" and was set up years ago to stop average manipulation by riders deliberately lowering their figure in a certain division.

But Toogood said: "It wasn't brought up at the AGM in November.

"It's really up to someone on the general council to bring it up at some stage and say it's outdated.

"However, any rule not brought up this year is an established rule and therefore, hasn't changed."