BIRTHDAY BLAST AGAINST THE BLOATERS

The Volvo Cars Poole Pirates will mark the club’s milestone 70th birthday by lining up against historic opposition.

The Dorset side’s clash against the Yarmouth Bloaters at Wimborne Road on April 26 comes 70 years to the day from when the two sides marked Poole Speedway’s grand opening in 1948.

Given special permission by the British Speedway Promoters Association to use the ‘Bloaters’ name for the first time in 56 years, Yarmouth will be represented by individual riders of honour after the club closed in 1962.

Pirates boss Matt Ford said: “This is a meeting for the people of Poole - a community meeting. I hope everyone will come along, either to watch speedway for the first time, or as an old friend.

“I’d like to thank Elite Fabrication for sponsoring the meeting. The company was the sponsor of the 70th anniversary meeting in March which was sadly called off due to the weather.

“This meeting is all about fun and the speedway is just part of that.”

Poole season ticket holders will be given free admission to the meeting to compensate for the loss of the platinum individual night, while Ford is also offering affordable admission to non pass holders.

He added: “We intend to make the meeting affordable for everyone to come as I would love nothing more than to see the stadium full on the night of the club’s 70th birthday.

"It will be great fun and a chance for us to show off our great sport to many new supporters. Make a date in your diary!”

The meeting on April 26 is set to start at 7pm, with more details in the coming days.