PIRATES co-promoter Matt Ford has labelled Polish star Tomasz Gollob as "unprofessional" after his no-show at Poole yesterday.

The Dorset track's chief stressed his disappointment after Gollob pulled out of Poole's lucrative Golden Jubilee individual meeting.

Ford claimed the Pole had told the Poole club's interpreter that "he did not need this meeting at this time".

Gollob had been contracted to ride in the event - staged to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II's 50th year on the throne - since early this year.

But Pirates fans - and those who had travelled from other parts of the country - were disappointed when it was announced Gollob was not competing.

Slovenian Matej Ferjan, the ex-Pirate, took the Pole's place at short notice.

And Gollob's no-show meant that a healthy crowd of about 5,000 were unable to see the expected showdown between World champion Tony Rickardsson, Gollob and Mark Loram, another former Poole rider.

Rickardsson went on to win the meeting - and the £7,500 first prize - with 14 points, ahead of runner-up Leigh Adams (12) and third-placed Greg Hancock (11).

Ford said: "Tomasz rode for Bydgoszcz on Sunday afternoon and it would have been an effort for him to get here for our meeting. But that is what speedway is all about.

"You don't accept bookings unless you are certain you can ride in the meeting. He has been very unfair to everyone who came to Poole yesterday expecting to see him ride.

"If he had pulled out because of sickness or injury or because of engine problems I could have understood that.

"But to just not turn up is unprofessional.

"Tomasz didn't even turn up for his Swedish League match in Vastervik last Tuesday either.

"The message our interpreter got was that he thought he didn't need another meeting like ours just after his success in the Polish Grand Prix in Bydgoszcz.

"We heard on Wednesday he might not come but we were hoping we would be able to change his mind before the meeting. But he wouldn't change his mind even though we did our best to try and make him.

"It is a great shame for all the Poole fans and all those travelling fans who came from different parts of the country especially to see him. I am so sorry he has let us down in the way that he has. I am also not happy Robert Sawina failed to turn up.

"It was an FIM registered event, so I wonder what we as a club can do to appeal about their non-arrivals.

"Andreas Jonsson, who also missed the meeting, had engine problems so I can except that."

Premier League rider Adam Shields replaced Sawina and Sean Wilson, another lower division man, came in for Jonsson.

l Pirates will be without injured Bjarne Pedersen for their home Elite League match against Coventry on Wednesday.

Pedersen has a back injury following a track spill in Poland and Poole will use rider replacement.

Pirates are hoping Pole Tomasz Chrzanowski, who has missed their last two matches, will be back for the Bees' visit to Wimborne Road.