PIRATES' BOSSES PROVIDE PERKS FOR ELLIS

Poole co-promoter Gordon Pairman has become no stranger to offering backing of up and coming speedway talent, having provided financial support for both Kyle Howarth and Kyle Newman in recent seasons, and the latest rider to benefit from Pairman's support is Worcester-born Ellis Perks who has been learning his craft down in Australia but for 2015 has secured British team spots with both Scunthorpe (Premier League) and Cradley Heath (National League).

65 year old Pairman, a retired chartered accountant who lives on the Isle of Man, was instrumental in fixing up young Perks, the great nephew of former rider Dave Perks, with both clubs after first meeting Ellis and his father Robbie, a former SCB referee, at Kurri Kurri in 2013.

Pairman takes up the story "I had been alerted to Ellis through Marcus Williams who is himself an amazing guy and has provided plenty of opportunities for young speedway talent to develop through his scholarship scheme mainly for British riders. Sadly Marcus, a former racer, suffered serious injuries some 30 years ago when racing in England and has been wheelchair bound ever since. More recently he suffered a further set-back when he broke four bones in his leg last year, including his femur and he is very much being hampered by the healing process of that. But nevertheless he simply loves his speedway and is an inspirational mentor for the youngsters.

"Marcus spoke to me and praised the talents of young Ellis and so last year when Ellis first came back to the UK,  Marcus put him in touch with me. Ellis was able to obtain a number of rides at various tracks, despite riding with knee and back injuries of his own, legacy of a crash sustained prior to travelling to England.

"When I introduced him to Matt (Ford) we both agreed that it was worthwhile making some speculative investment in Ellis and so between us we set about trying to get Ellis Premier League and National League team places for 2015. Matt spoke to various people but it was felt that Scunthorpe would be ideal for both leagues, although things had to change a little when Rob Godfrey decided not to continue operating at National League level next year.

"Whilst the arrangement was great with Scunthorpe for Premier league experience, especially with their offer of track access that these young lads crave, we felt it necessary for Ellis to also be riding in the National league, alongside his Scunthorpe commitments. Six of the National League sides cited their interest in Ellis and, along with Nigel Pearson at Cradley, I brokered a deal for Ellis to join the club his great Uncle had been a former favourite with.

"Through the great support of Marcus,  Ellis is being sorted out with engines and one rolling chassis and Matt and I are supporting him financially with Matt contributing towards his flight costs and tyres and I am investing in a second rolling chassis.

"I am heading to Australia for a family Christmas where I will be meeting up with my youngest daughter Lucy who has been in Australia since September and last week she met up with Marcus and his wife Bev. After the festivities I will be taking in the four rounds of the Australian Championships and hoping to cast my eye over any other future prospects that may currently be on the scene whilst also hoping to see Kyle Newman, who has already tasted some success down under this winter when he won the Western Springs Invitational at Pinjar Park recently, in action.