Ford reacts to Zabik's sacking (From Thisisdorset)

Ford reacts to Zabik's sacking

7:00am Monday 22nd September 2008

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MATT Ford has responded to Peterborough's abrupt sacking of Poole target Karol Zabik by saying: "I can't tell them how to run their business."

Castle Cover Pirates' chief added he felt the Pole, who publicly stated he wanted to ride for the Dorset club next year, had been "too honest" with his comments to the Echo last week.

Ford, who has spoken to Zabik since Panthers abruptly sacked him on Saturday because they felt he wasn't "100 per cent committed" to them, said: "They have to run their business the way they run their business.

"But it's a very sad situation things have ended this way.

"I'm not here to tell people how to run their business. It's just very unfortunate. I just feel Karol was doing his job at this time."

Ford, who said earlier this month he was making moves for Zabik to become a Poole asset following a two-month spell at Wimborne Road in early 2008, added: "There were no guarantees from me that I would be offering anyone a job next year.

"It's just too soon to say before we go to the BSPA annual meeting and know what the points limit will be.

"I do feel for Karol. His honesty has cost him his job, and I wonder how many more riders out there who said they didn't want to ride for a club would lose their jobs?

"I've had chats with (new Panthers owner) Rick (Frost) about Karol and maybe this is an act of convenience."

Simon Lambert replaces Zabik - who scored paid 11 and paid 10 at home for Peterborough last week, but zero for them at Lakeside - for Panthers at home to Ipswich tonight (7.30pm).

On Peterborough's official website, promoter Mick Bratley said: "It's unfortunate we're having to release Karol, but it is clear Karol's intentions are to ride for Poole in 2009.

"If Karol were to ride one more meeting for us, he would obtain an average considerably lower than his current assessed average, and that would not be in the best interests of Peterborough.

"Owner Rick Frost agrees with me on this and we both only want riders at this club who are 100 per cent committed to Panthers."

Ford said: "It's an odd situation because Karol was still trying very hard for Peterborough.

"His average has even increased since he left us for them and everyone knows Lakeside is an extremely tricky track for most Poles."

• Poole's Chris Holder scored 16 for Australia but they could only finish fourth in the World Under-21 Team Cup final at Holsted, Denmark, yesterday.

Details: Poland 40, Denmark 39, Sweden 38, Australia 33.

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