PIRATES SNAP UP BRITISH CHAMPION

Reigning British Champion, Rory Schlein has been confirmed as the rider who will slot into the vacancy left by Adam Ellis, showing the Poole management's intent on making it a successful 2021 season, as they line-up in the second tier of British Speedway for the first time since their triumphant double winning 1990 campaign.

Promoter Dan Ford enthuses, "it is awesome that we have been able to sign the British Champion and to have two riders in our top three who have won the title is fantastic. Danny of course won it in 2016, but to actually have the current holder lining up for is something we are proud of. The last time that happened was back in 1999 when Mark Loram claimed the second of his three titles. 

"In the few meetings that were staged last season Rory was showing fantastic form and we know that he is looking to carry that forward into this season

"With Danny, Steve Worrall and Rory I feel that we will still have one of the strongest top three in the Division, and I believe there will be a lot of competition between the three of them for the number one spot, a position that is not foreign to any of them. It is also a combination that provides plenty of experience for us to draw on. 

"Rory, in particular, has done some excellent work in recent years in helping to develop the British Youth scene and besides his on-track exploits we are hoping that the team will benefit further off-track through his guidance and support especially with the younger members of our side, we certainly have a good blend of youth and experience".

Schlein was originally planning to commemorate his final UK facing season with Somerset in the SGB Championship, but following the decision taken by the Rebels management to put their licence on hold for the year, his availability was too good an opportunity for the Poole bosses to ignore, and the 36 year old will double up with Wolverhampton in the SGB Premiership.

He joins Danny King, Steve Worrall, Stefan Nielsen, Zane Keleher and Ben Cook as confirmed starters for 2021 with the identity of the club's 'rising star' to be revealed shortly.