Jon Cook today told a rival promoter: "You've undermined a competition named after one of your club's greatest riders".

Cook is furious with allegations that his Eastbourne Eagles "moved the goalposts" on their way to the final of the Craven Shield, which starts at Arlington tomorrow (7.30pm).

He has accused Belle Vue chief Ian Thomas of a lack of respect for the Shield, which was named in memory of Peter Craven, the Aces legend.

And he has defended his decison to bring in guest rider Mark Loram, who is a confirmed runner for Eastbourne throughout the three-part final.

Belle Vue were angered when Eastbourne called in Loram for the semi-finals, in which Eagles and Oxford qualified at the Aces' expense.

Holders Poole Pirates complete the final line-up in a three-team format which has served up some superb action so far.

Poole have called in Eastbourne asset Joonas Kylmakorpi as a guest.

After tomorrow's opener, the destination of the last prize of this marathon season will be decided at Poole on Wednesday and Oxford on Thursday.

Cook says the re-vamped Craven Shield has been a big hit. Apart, that is, from Thomas's complaints.

The Eastbourne promoter said: "This has been a very good tournament. I'm enjoying every minute of it.

"The standard of racing is incredible. The amount of world class racers you get in one place at one time is fantastic.

"We will have four former world champions at Arlington.

"Only the actions of Belle Vue have undermined it and I find that very distressing because the event was named after one of their greatest ever riders and the only world champion to die when racing speedway."

Thomas said Eagles had agreed not to use guests for their semi-final and added: "As far as I'm concerned Eastbourne moved the goalposts.

"Even Mark Loram agreed with me and he'd got the bookings to ride for Eastbourne at Arlington and at Belle Vue."

Cook, though, argued a gentleman's agreement with Thomas had been reached when Wolverhampton, minus injured Michael Max, were on course for the semis.

The absences of Max, David Norris and Kenneth Bjerre would have cancelled each other out.

Oxford then knocked Wolves out and Cook said it became clear they would use high calibre replacements for Billy Hamill and Greg Hancock in the first leg of the semi.

It was then that Cook decided to bring in a quality guest, with Oliver Allen and Norris unavailable, and he said: "I phoned Ian to tell him we had got Mark Loram and I recommended he do something similar.

"He said he had made a commitment to (reserve) Rusty Harrison to ride.

"We were left in a very awkward situation. I kept Ian Thomas fully informed. He never instigated any communication.

"We've got on exceptionally well throughout the season. Ian's new to the league, though he is experienced in speedway, and he has phoned me through the season and asked for advice.

"I've told him how disappointed I am with some of the stuff he has chosen to put out recently. I felt it was all very unnecessary and I was very disappointed he chose to quote Mark Loram.

"Having already won the Cup, I can understand why he stuck with his original six riders for the Shield but that doesn't mean we have to do that."

With clubs instructed to increase prices for the 18-race meetings, Cook felt there was a duty to field high quality riders.

And he pointed out that one of his stars, Adam Shields, guested for Poole in their semi. Cook has also accused Thomas of printing the wrong Eagles race order in the programme for last Monday's meeting at Belle Vue.

Eastbourne will revert to their preferred order tomorrow for the final fixture of a long and eventful Arlington season.