PIRATES chief Matt Ford has revealed he still finds it difficult to talk about the controversial Bjarne Pedersen-Jason Crump debate.

The Wimborne Road supremo decided to let Crump go and keep the Dane at the end of November when the team building points limit was unexpectedly slashed for 2008.

It was a decision that angered some Poole fans, who felt the two-times world champion should have been retained, especially after the Dorset outfit had paid a club record £28,000 plus VAT for the Australian in 2007.

But other Pirates supporters were quick to back Ford's decision to reward Pedersen, who has been with Pirates since 2002, for his loyalty.

It was an issue that has been talked about all the winter, and continues to be strongly debated on the Wimborne Road terraces.

Looking back on a tough decision he didn't want to have to make, Ford said: "When the points limit was set there was always going to be a top name casualty. And I'll say the same thing now as I did when the decision was made. It was a case of tossing a coin.

"The choice was between someone (Pedersen) who had given the club great service in the last six years, captained the team, had shown no inclination of ever riding for another British club, wanted to see out his time at Poole and had also done nothing but good for the club, or the man who clearly entertains and excites?

"We made a commitment by purchasing Jason's contract from Belle Vue at the start of 2007 and he'd done nothing wrong.

"Jason was a gentleman, had done only good things for the club and was looking forward to riding for us for many seasons.

"It was a difficult choice and one that wasn't taken lightly."

Asked if he felt people were surprised he'd plumped for Pedersen ahead of Crump, Ford said: "In all honesty, people would have been more surprised if we'd gone for Jason.

"It doesn't make it any easier talking about it, even almost four months down the line. I'm loath to go into it again.

"I did not want to loan Jason Crump out to Belle Vue. I wanted him to ride for Poole, but he isn't in 2008, and we have to get on.

"He's an exceptional talent and exceptional man, and I just hope what's happened in 2008 doesn't put him off riding for us again in the future."

Talking about Pedersen, Ford said: "I'm not setting Bjarne any targets. I just want him to build for the future.

"I want him to be a good team member and a good captain, work with Neil Middleditch and support his six team-mates as and when it's needed.

Pedersen, who has tested equipment in Poole's two challenge matches against Lakeside, should be firing on all cylinders on his top engines today.

He leads Pirates home (11am) and away (7.30pm) against Eastbourne in Craven Shield clashes.

There are three points for an away win, two for a home triumph, one each for a draw and no aggregate bonus points.

Gates open at Poole at 9.30am with the first 500 children receiving a boxed Easter egg.

Pirates: 1 Pedersen, 2 Skornicki, 3Watt, 4 Zabik, 5 Holder, 6 Suchecki, 7 Eriksson.

Eastbourne: 1 Nicholls, 2 Bridger, 3 Richardson, 4 Woodward, 5 Kennett, 6 Gustafsson, 7 Brundle.