ANDERS Rowe is the second member of Poole Pirates to announce they will not be returning to the club next year.

The 21-year-old joined Pirates on the eve of the season as a replacement for the injured Jack Thomas.

Injury ruled him out for some key meetings towards the end of the campaign, as Poole lost both the SGB Championship and Knockout Cup finals.

His final meeting for the club came on Saturday, where he scored one point from two rides against Scunthorpe Scorpions, before withdrawing on medical grounds.

A post from Rowe’s Facebook page on Wednesday evening read: “I would like to thank all the Poole supporters. You all made me feel so welcome and it felt like I was home.

“Unfortunately I now know I won’t be back at Poole next season, which I am absolutely devastated about.

“But I got the call yesterday, after being told I was 99.9% in the team, sadly that 0.1% counts as I am now not in their team plans for 2024.

“Gutted is an understatement.

“My season at Poole will always be one to remember for more ways than one.”

Rowe leaves having totalled 141+29 from 102 races, across 27 meetings this season for Poole.

And Pirates promoter Danny Ford admits the Weymouth-born ace was part of the plans for 2024, until very recently.

He told the Daily Echo: “Unfortunately I had to have a difficult conversation with Anders and it was really difficult, because he was in our plans for next year.

“But a situation changed, an opportunity became available, we had to make a decision and it was a really tough decision. Anders had been fantastic for us all season.

“I didn’t know he was going to put that out on social media straightaway, but I completely understand his reasons for doing so.

“Obviously he’ll want to be getting sorted with a club as soon as possible. He’s putting the feelers out already.

“It’s not an ideal situation.”

Bournemouth Echo: Danny Ford admits Anders Rowe had initially been part of their 2024 plansDanny Ford admits Anders Rowe had initially been part of their 2024 plans (Image: Richard Crease)

Discussing Rowe’s suggestion he was expecting to return next year, Ford added: “It is sport. We have to adapt to things.

“We had some good conversations with Anders. Initially he was in our plans, but plans had to change.

“We had to adapt to an opportunity that was presented to us and one that we feel would put the club in a stronger position for next year.

“We’re working with a massively reduced points limit, probably the lowest my dad or I have ever had to work with, which has made us have to rethink a few things.

“We just feel that to give us a better balance and a stronger team for next season, we had to let Anders go unfortunately.”

After Saturday night’s meeting with Scunthorpe, captain Steve Worrall made the shock announcement to fans and media he would not be returning next year.

“I can’t say I’m particularly thrilled about Steve announcing it when he did,” admitted Ford.

“But I understand his reasons. He wanted to let the supporters know, so that they knew the final meeting was his last one and he can at least speak to them about it.

"Hopefully fans show their appreciation for three loyal years.”

Pirates bring their season to a close with the much-delayed 2022 Jubilee League final tomorrow (7.30pm).

They will operate rider replacement for Rowe, but the other six members of the club’s septet are set to feature.