SHEFFIELD chiefs have moved to calm any rift between themselves and Berwick following publication of Eric Boocock’s comments in last weeks Speedway Star.

Co-Promoter, Neil Machin , said Eric’s remarks appeared to be out of context when he described the racing surface as “smoother than I’ve seen for a number of years – but there was no dirt on it” after Sheffield suffered a 63 -29 routing by the Bandits.

He said: “Our local paper, the Sheffield Star carried the full interview with Eric and the following extract published on Monday 17th August puts a completely different perspective on matters, "There was nothing we could do at Berwick, we just weren't good enough and we were beaten by the better side. If we had raced until midnight it was never going to happen for us.

“The bigger picture at Berwick is more about rain up until 2 o’clock on race day getting in the way of track preparation” said Machin “15 Heats of racing on a slick track and our inability to master it should not detract from the good job the Anderson’s have done at Shielfield this year. Every time we go there I see major improvements in facilities and equipment.”

Fellow Promoter David Hoggart was keen to add his view and said: “On our previous visits it was slick going into the turns but there were plenty of grippy lines coming out, the starts were good too and of course we won.

“Don’t forget also that we had to go back there after an 11 heat abandonment when again the track was grippy but this time we were caught out, the boys were spinning up all over the place and we were out of it after just a few heats.

“Fair play to Berwick they were on it and in the spirit of competition I wish them well.”