THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN

THE Volvo Cars Poole Pirates are marking their milestone 70th anniversary season by asking the club's loyal supporters to vote for their seven greatest riders.

'The Magnificent Seven' will feature one Poole rider from the 1940s-1960s, two from the 1970s-1980s and four from the 1990s-2000s and voting will take place on the club's Twitter page over the coming weeks and months, before the ultimate line-up of greats is revealed during the press and practice session prior to tapes-up in March.

Pirates boss Matt Ford said: "This is a great way to remember the heroes of the Poole shale over the past 70 years and I hope our amazing supporters will get involved and have their say."

The 'Magnificent Seven' voting will start on Wednesday, January 10 and run weekly, with four riders from the 1940s-1960s kicking things off. A total of 12 riders, painstakingly selected by legendary club historian Gordon Day, will be available to vote for in each era, four at a time.

Gordon said: "It was a hugely tough ask to select 12 riders from each era, with so many wonderful men to choose from. I'm sure I have left out someone's favourite, but I'm very much looking forward to seeing the Poole faithful's 'Magnificent Seven'."

Supporters should keep an eye on the club's Twitter handle @poolespeedway for the polls each Wednesday and can get involved in the selection debate via the hashtag #PiratesSeven.