IPSWICH Witches promoter John Louis has hit back at Danny King after the on-loan Peterborough youngster lashed out at the Ipswich club.King, who is a Witches asset, is now so desperate to leave Foxhall he has offered to pay half his transfer fee should Ipswich and the Panthers agree one.

By Mike Bacon

IPSWICH Witches promoter John Louis has hit back at Danny King after the on-loan Peterborough youngster lashed out at the Ipswich club.

King, who is a Witches asset, is now so desperate to leave Foxhall he has offered to pay half his transfer fee should Ipswich and the Panthers agree one.

And the 20-year-old fired this tirade at the Witches.

“Some people might think it is a bit extreme to spend so much of my own money, but I have no qualms about it because I know it will be worthwhile with future happiness and success,” King said.

“I am seriously unhappy about the way I have been messed about by Ipswich and I don't want to ride for that club again.

“I am desperate to ride for Peterborough for many years to come and determined to make it happen.”

On top of that, Panthers promoter Colin Horton added: “As a club we are very alarmed by the actions of Ipswich promoter John Louis throughout the winter.”

However, Louis, clearly shocked by comments from a rider he feels Ipswich have gone out of their way to help develop, said: “To say I'm disappointed with Danny King's attitude and words is an understatement. He seems to have a very short memory. I remember phoning up every promoter in the Premier League at the start of the 2004 season to try to find him a place to ride after Reading changed their side at the last minute and dropped him.

“We gave him a team place then, and went out of our way to help him get a Premier League club the following season because he wanted to double up. And this is the way he speaks about us.”

Ironically, Ipswich bought King from Peterborough in 2003 because the Panthers didn't want him.

“We have been happy for Danny to go to Peterborough this season right from the time he asked to go,” added John Louis.

“But we needed to get our team organised first. How would it appear to our fans if we were letting our own riders go before forming a team? And everyone knows it has been a difficult winter for us.”

Meanwhile, Horton said a “generous” offer had been made to the Witches management regarding the outright purchase of King.

But Louis hit back: “I've been near a telephone all day and have had my mobile with me. We've received no offer from Peterborough for Danny.”

IPSWICH Witches are holding their track staff signing-on evening at the Kesgrave Social Club on Thursday, March 1, at 7.30pm.

Anyone interested in joining the track crew for the 2007 season that starts on March 15 should attend and bring a passport-sized photograph.

The Witches are likely to be one of the clubs showing an interest in former world champion Sam Ermolenko, who has left Reading after just one season with the Berkshire-based club.

Now retired from riding, Ermolenko played a major part in helping Reading to last season's play-off final as sporting director.