Scorpions "time to put to bed" Grand Final controversy

SCUNTHORPE promoter Rob Godfrey has said it’s “time to put to bed” the Championship Grand Final controversy. 

A Speedway Control Bureau statement this week ruled that regulation 012.1.11, which concerns ‘leaving the track’ on the inner edge, had been breached by Poole captain Zach Cook in the Super Heat decider a week ago. 

However, the result was announced as a statement of fact, and it stands as declared, with Godfrey saying he is now keen to move on from the incident.

He said: “I can’t tell people what to think and many have their own opinion, especially since it was confirmed that the rule was breached in the Super Heat.

“But it’s time to put it to bed. I don’t hold a particular grudge against Poole Speedway and congratulations to them.

“I feel it’s time to move on. I don’t want the 2026 Ellie Rose Travel Scunthorpe Scorpions to just be remembered as ‘that team who were robbed of a league championship.’ 

“I’m so proud of this team. In terms of team spirit, this is the best team we’ve ever had. No-one fancied us and yet we reached the Grand Final of the Cab Direct Championship.

“I promised that if we didn’t win the league this season, that we would next year, and that’s what we are still planning to do.”

It was the most controversial end to the season of all-time. In the deciding final race, Scunthorpe complained that Poole’s race winner Cook had illegally crossed the inner white line to take the lead ahead of Scunthorpe’s Josh Pickering. 

The referee Paul Carrington declared the result despite appeals from Scunthorpe boss David Howe who blasted that his side had been “cheated”.

Since then the Speedway Control Bureau (SCB) have admitted that the referring decision was INCORRECT and that Cook had crossed the white line. 

But, remarkably, there is no appeal process so Poole remain champions despite the wrong decision. 

Scunthorpe boss David Howe said: “After the hearing this morning I fully accept the results as the rule is the rule. 

“It is nice however to be justified in my assessment of the rule, every insult that I have endured over the last few days has now been proven wrong. 

“Thank you to the SCB for being impartial and giving me a fair hearing.”

The SCB had stated: “A rider whose machine crosses the inner edge of the track with 2 wheels must be disqualified unless, in the opinion of the Referee, the action was taken in the interests of safety for other riders or the rider involved was forced off course by another rider.

“Having reviewed the regulation as written, this has been breached, however due to the result being announced this was now a Statement of Fact and any appeal is inadmissible as per SCB Regulation 018.1.2 a).

“Therefore, the result stands as declared, and the Scunthorpe Promotion have accepted the decision.”

Images by Taylor Lanning.