Cook boiling over Aces exit
CRAIG Cook has hit out at Belle Vue Aces after being told he isn’t part of their plans for next season.
The 31-year-old former British champion took to Twitter to announce his anger and claimed he discovered his fate before the club told him.
“After eight years at Belle Vue I am not in the 2019 side,” he posted. “Disappointed to learn this from a reliable third party and not directly from the club despite many calls with ML (Aces team manager Mark Lemon). I now have to move on. Love to staff, friends, sponsors and fans. I will miss you all. I did not want to leave BV & would have happily celebrated my testimonial there. I wasn’t talking to anyone about a move. I have now had to move to secure my future but it was never part of my 2019 plan.”
The Aces responded with a statement on their Facebook page.
It said: “Social media can be very one sided and the club would like to place on record that Craig Cook, being an Edinburgh asset, signed a one-year deal with the Aces in 2018. A telephone conversation was held with Craig on Monday, November 19, to advise that he wasn’t to be in the Aces’ initial teams plans.
“His name was then provided to the BSPA (British Speedway Promoters’ Association) by his parent club and subsequently circulated on the BSPA rider available list.
“We are therefore somewhat surprised by recent comments on social media against the club.
“However, we do recognise that Craig has made a significant contribution to the Aces during his time with the club and wish to offer our sincere thanks to him.
“The management, staff and fans wish him every success.”