PLYMOUTH Devils boss Mike Bowden admitted he was seething after former target Ricky Ashworth signed for rivals Berwick after backing out of an agreement to join the city speedway team.

Ashworth had agreed to join the Devils after being surplus to requirement at Sheffield Tigers.

The city club, however, were told Ashworth would not be moving south because of personal commitments.

Now Ashworth has signed for Devils' Premier League rivals Berwick – leaving Bowden the task of filling the gap in his squad this season with just six weeks to go until the club's opening meeting.

The Devils chairman and promoter said: "No doubt, everyone is going to blame me for not offering Ricky enough money and nothing could be further than the truth.

"It's been said he failed to agree terms with us, but in fact we gave him everything he asked for, plus £20 per point more than he was getting at Sheffield.

"I really don't know what he's up to, but I am very disappointed."

Bowden last night agreed terms with American hot-shot Ryan Fisher, who he said would give St Boniface icon Ben Barker a run for his money this season.

Bowden said Fisher would considerably strengthen Plymouth in advance of their second season in the Premier League.

Fisher, who lives in America, is not expected in the UK until February 18.

He has considerable experience of the Premier and Elite League, the UK's top level of speedway, having twice won Premier League championships with Edinburgh Monarchs in 2008 and 2010.

Bowden said: "He's (Fisher) has got a better average (the number of points a rider scores per meeting) than Ben Barker, who had a brilliant season for us last year.

"We're lucky to have had a chance of signing him, but the fact is that other Premier and League teams are pretty well full up by now."

Fisher also had a spell with Elite League side Coventry Bees in 2002-2003 and last year.

The father of two, winner of last year's Welsh Open at Newport, was an under-21 world finalist in 2003 and third in the North American World Championship qualifier in 2001.

A MEETING of the St Boniface track staff is to be held on Monday, February 20, beginning at 7.30pm.

The meeting will be held at the Parkway Social Club in Ernesettle Lane.