Martin Dugard has been heralded Eastbourne Eagles' greatest ever rider following his decision to quit the sport at the end of the season.

Eagles team boss Jon Cook was the among the first to pay tribute to Dugard following his announcement last weekend.

Cook said: "He has made an immeasurable contribution.

"He is without question the greatest rider to have ridden for Eastbourne.

"He may been No. 2 in the all-time points scoring to Gordon Kennett but most of Gordon's scoring came at second division level.

"Martin has ridden the last nine seasons for Eastbourne in the top league and during that time he has enjoyed unrivalled success in one of the most successful sides in British speedway, winning two leagues and two cups."

Dugard, 32, has been talking about retiring for a while.

The Eagles skipper said he wanted everyone to know his plans so the club was not thrown into confusion during the winter. However, the announcement was probably pre-empted by former Eagle Brent Collyer suffering a serious crash for Arena Essex last weekend which left him requiring a ten hour operation.

Dugard, shaken by the news of his former colleague, said: "The club needs to make plans, rather than me send shockwaves through everybody in the winter.

"I have nothing to lose by telling everybody I am not riding next year."

Dugard's future in the sport after the 2001 season has been in doubt for some time but his intentions became crystal clear after he finished third in the British Final.

It meant he had qualified for the next round of the world championship, which eventually gives riders the opportunity of competing for a place in next year's Grand Prix series.

But Dugard said he would not compete in the Overseas Final because it would take a place from someone who really wanted to be in the competition.

Dugard said: "I have come to an age now where I am not going to be a speedway rider for ever. It hurts when I get up in the morning with all the broken bones I have had.

"I don't need to get injured like Joe Screen, Dean Barker and Brent Collyer have in the last few weeks."

He also pointed to speedway riders being paid on the points scored.

"When you ride, you are paid on your performance. When you work, at least you are guaranteed a wage, which is much more consistent. The earnings are erratic in speedway."

Dugard, who will defend his British Grand Prix title on June 9, is unlike virtually every top rider in speedway - he holds down a full-time job while at the same time riding at the pinnacle of the sport.

Cook added: "We are disappointed that this will be Martin's last year. At the end of the day we totally support his decision.

"We feel this is an opportunity for the club to usher in a new era which we hope will be every bit as successful and exciting. We hope Martin will play a big part in that off the track as he has done in the past on track."

Dugard's final race is likely to be at the Brighton Bonanza indoor meeting on December 9.

Dean Barker, who broke his shin in the British Final at Coventry, on Saturday, returned home on Monday after an operation the day before.

He said: "I feel all right. I don't feel anything is wrong with me. I don't feel I am hurt."

Barker sees a specialist later in the week.