MANCHESTER United boss Alex Ferguson admitted recently that the pressure is getting to him.

Don't make me laugh.

Footballers and managers live a charmed life, earn fortunes for doing something they love. Most people would give their right arm to be a soccer star and earn that sort of money.

Pressure doesn't come into it.

I'd like to see the likes of Ferguson, David Beckham and Michael Owen worrying about whether they will earn enough money next week.

Speedway riders only get paid for what they score on the night - there are no guaranteed pay cheques. Now that's real pressure.

It also makes me laugh when these superstars twist their ankle and spend a month on the sidelines - try breaking your back and coming back to ride seven months later like I did!

Don't get me wrong, I love Football and I'd love it, absolutely love it, if England did well in the World Cup.

But I don't believe for one minute it's that much of hardship. And pressure doesn't come into it.

I've often said that the Poole Pirates could become the Manchester United of speedway - we honestly could dominate the Sky Sports Elite League. I felt we should have done better this season than only winning the Craven Shield.

All the boys did well - but ultimately it wasn't quite good enough.

This is my captain's assessment of how we performed:

TONY RICKARDSSON: Brought in after the Pirates management dumped Mark Loram and he was outstanding. Only had a handful of dodgy nights and capped it all with his fourth world title.

KRZYSZTOF CEGIELSKI: What a find Ceggy was. The all-action Pole was magnificent and his early season exploits at reserve were the foundation of our title push.

GREG WALASEK: It's been a strange season for Greg. He was steady to start, went to pieces when first at reserve and then started to fly after his first GP performance in Cardiff. Has proved since then he can be a world beater.

HANS ANDERSEN: Another class find and another with a very bright future. He returned so well from the broken thigh he sustained and I can see him being Denmark's new star.

LARS GUNNESTAD: Again, like Greg, had a stop start season but came so, so good at the end at reserve.

CRAIG WATSON: What a great guy Wato is but he just never got going this season for some unknown reason. He has still got the ability to make it, and I hope he gets a good run of form.

DAVID RUUD: This boy did really well in his short stint for us, I remember him piling up the points in our huge win at Eastbourne in the Craven Shield. Another good find.

MAGNUS ZETTERSTROM: The fans' favourite did the business when he was called upon and he is really good to have around the pits. Was a bit hot and cold on the track but he has found new levels of high in his game - I think he could be a competent heat leader given a decent run.

GARY HAVELOCK: A steady season, nothing more, nothing less.

I'm disappointed that I couldn't help the Pirates lift the Elite League but I'm sure it will come.

It was, once again, a pleasure to captain such a good speedway team.

Here's to 2002!

HAVVY