SMETANA READY TO CZECH-IN

Matt Ford has confirmed that the Pirates new one-to-seven declaration has been accepted by the sport's governing body with Ondřej Smetana named as the latest rider to join the club.

"I am delighted that Ondřej has accepted the chance to join Poole and that our redeclaration has been approved. Right now, though we are currently trying to ensure that he can get clearance to travel to the UK in time for our next meeting on July 13th, when we visit Plymouth. 

"In Ondřej, I feel that we have a rider very much in form and with plenty to offer and I welcome him to Poole where he will begin his British career. Originally he was in Newcastle's plans for 2020 but because of the cancellation of that season he never had the chance to ride for them. I know that he is very keen to forge a name for himself beyond his home country of Czechia and I have a feeling that Poole fans will quickly take him to heart." 

The last Czechian rider signed by Ford was the ever popular Vaclav Milik who played a key role in the Pirates 2014 Elite league title success and like Smetana was a virtual unknown on these shores when snapped up by the shrewd Poole management.