LAWSON COMPLETES PIRATES SEPTET

Experienced campaigner Richard Lawson joins the Pirates, completing the defending league and cup champions.

Announcing the completion of his side, Poole promoter Dan Ford said "We showed last season the importance of having a very strong heat-leader trio and when Richard approached us we just knew that we couldn't turn the opportunity down as we believe that he is more than capable of doing the kind of job that Rory (Schlein) did for us last year. "

"Once again we have a top three which will be difficult to be matched by our rivals. All three of them are more than capable of holding down a number one spot and I am confident that Richard will be keeping last year's top two Pirates (Steve Worrall and Danny King) on their toes. The importance of his vast experience cannot be understated and I am sure that his presence will benefit the younger members of the side. He knows Zach from his spell at Plymouth last season, and he has also previously ridden in the same teams as Danny, Drew and Nathan."

Ford also confirmed that Lawson becomes a full asset of the club, following an agreement with Glasgow, who previously owned Richard's contract, that sees Benjamin Basso head in the opposite direction. "I recognise that this move might be a little puzzling to some, that we have released a young 21 year old in favour of a 35 year old, but it was a deal that we considered at length. But, we genuinely feel that Richard has a lot of racing left in him and will be around in British speedway for some time and we are getting a very accomplished asset. We are delighted to have Richard as a club asset and we know that he will give his all to the club."

The Valentine Day-born star goes into his fourteenth season of racing have previously served Redcar, Workington, Wolverhampton, Peterborough, Lakeside, Glasgow, Somerset, Ipswich, King's Lynn, Eastbourne and Plymouth. It was expected that Lawson, who is a two-times Knockout cup winner (with Glasgow and Somerset), was going to extend his relationship with the Plymouth Gladiators in 2022, whom he joined late on in the season, but the Cumbrian decided he needed a change of direction and chose the Pirates as he looks to try and win his first ever league title. 

Lawson's signing means that the Pirates team are complete, coming in at a team total of 41.79.