POPULAR DEMAND MEANS SHANES REMAINS

You wanted him back - and here he is!

Matt Ford has answered the calls of the Pirates faithful by bringing back James Shanes to complete his 2018 platinum season line-up.

The 20-year-old joins Kacper Woryna, Mat Szczepaniak, Chris Holder, Josh Grajczonek, Linus Sundstrom and Brady Kurtz in the 2018 SGB Premiership side having made his Wimborne Road debut in 2017.

The Dorchester-born charger comes in on a 2.88 average, discounted by 2.5% with Shanes having come through the British system.

Volvo Cars Poole Pirates boss Ford said: "It's rare for our supporters to demand the return of a rider with such intensity, but our social media pages have been going wild, such is the popularity of James. I hope we have answered the calls of the fans in the best way possible by bringing him back for another season.

"James was terrific in his debut campaign last year and I've no doubt he will go on to impress again in our 70th anniversary season. He is a rider of great promise and I'm delighted to make him our seventh and final signing for 2018.

"Now our team-building is complete, I can say I and the rest of the Pirates management feel we have a line-up more than capable of challenging for the Premiership title.”