STEVE STAYS

Steve Worrall will be back as a Pirate for a third successive racing season and the 31 year old will assume the extra responsibilities of team captain as the Pirates look to repeat their successes of their last two double winning seasons.

Confirming Steve's return, Poole promoter Dan Ford claimed "Steve is very popular with the fans and management alike. He has never disappointed since joining us and has been so instrumental in us twice winning the double. This season we are going to push him a little further though by naming him as captain, although he is not entirely new to that role having previously skippered both Scunthorpe and Newcastle. It will also be a big season for him as he will be celebrating his Testimonial campaign, and his meeting will be staged at Poole at a date to be confirmed."

The rider himself admitted "I am really happy to be back with the Pirates for a third season and really honoured to be invited to be team captain. I know I have big boots to fill following in Danny's (King)footsteps after all he was able to lead the team to. It's a role that I believe won't come unnatural to me and added to that, I have picked up a couple of things whilst being around Danny for the past two seasons. I am looking forward to pulling that racesuit on again and get out there and represent the Pirates in every race. I feel it is a real honour and like I said, am really looking forward to getting together with the lads and getting the ball rolling for the new season"

Worrall has achieved an above nine point average in his past two campaigns for the Pirates, and amassed nearly 750 points for the club in that time. He has also had his place re-affirmed at Premiership club Wolverhampton for 2023 adding double stability for him ahead of the new campaign.