Poole Pirates
Encyclopedia
Motorcycle speedway
Motorcycle speedway, usually referred to as speedway, is a motorcycle sport involving four and sometimes up to six riders competing over four anti-clockwise laps of an oval circuit. Speedway motorcycles use only one gear and have no brakes and racing takes place on a flat oval track usually...
team based in Poole
Poole
Poole is a large coastal town and seaport in the county of Dorset, on the south coast of England. The town is east of Dorchester, and Bournemouth adjoins Poole to the east. The Borough of Poole was made a unitary authority in 1997, gaining administrative independence from Dorset County Council...
, England, competing in the British Elite League
Speedway Elite League
The Elite League is the top division of Speedway league competition in the United Kingdom and is governed by the Speedway Control Bureau , in conjunction with the British Speedway Promoters' Association . It is sponsored by Sky Sports...
. Since 2001 the club has won ten major trophies, including the Elite League
Speedway Elite League
The Elite League is the top division of Speedway league competition in the United Kingdom and is governed by the Speedway Control Bureau , in conjunction with the British Speedway Promoters' Association . It is sponsored by Sky Sports...
Championship in 2003
2003 Speedway Elite League
The Elite League is the top division of Speedway in the United Kingdom and goverened by the Speedway Control Board , in conjunction with the British Speedway Promoters' Association .-Season summary:...
, 2004
2004 Speedway Elite League
The Elite League is the top division of Speedway in the United Kingdom and goverened by the Speedway Control Board , in conjunction with the British Speedway Promoters' Association .-Season summary:...
, 2008
2008 Speedway Elite League
The 2008 Elite League is the 12th since its establishment in 1997. The first fixtures of the season took place on 29 March and the season ended on 27 October...
and 2011 Speedway Elite League
2011 Speedway Elite League
The 2011 Elite League Season is an upcoming speedway season. The Coventry Bees are the defending champions from the 2010 season.-New Entries:Throughout the 2010 season, it was rumoured that the Ipswich Witches would prefer to compete in the Premier League from 2011 onwards...
.
Poole Speedway is promoted by local businessman Matt Ford, who took over promoting rights of the club in 1998. The team is managed by past rider and former Great Britain team manager Neil Middleditch
Neil Middleditch
Neil Middleditch is a former Speedway rider and the team manager of the Poole Pirates. His father Ken was a former rider with the Poole Pirates...
. Poole Stadium
Poole Stadium
Poole Stadium is a greyhound racing venue and speedway track located in the town centre of Poole, Dorset in England. The stadium is owned by the Borough of Poole. It was built in the early 1930s in an attempt to provide a source of entertainment to the residents of Poole during the Great Depression...
has been home to the club since it was founded in 1948. In August 2004, Poole hosted the Speedway World Cup
Speedway World Cup
The Speedway World Cup is an annual speedway event held each year in different countries. The first edition of the competition in the current format was in 2001 and it replaced the old World Team Cup competition.-Format:...
final which was won by Sweden
Sweden national speedway team
Sweden are one of the major teams in international speedway. They have been managed by Mats Olsson, who is currently in his 2nd spell, since 2005 after he quit in 2000...
.
Stadium
Poole StadiumPoole Stadium
Poole Stadium is a greyhound racing venue and speedway track located in the town centre of Poole, Dorset in England. The stadium is owned by the Borough of Poole. It was built in the early 1930s in an attempt to provide a source of entertainment to the residents of Poole during the Great Depression...
(also known as Wimborne Road Stadium), has been the Pirates home track since the club was created in 1948. It is situated near to the town centre and is owned by Poole Borough Council. The stadium's capacity was limited to 5,500 people in 2008 for safety reasons. Prior to 1948, the stadium had been used as a cycle track
Track cycling
Track cycling is a bicycle racing sport usually held on specially built banked tracks or velodromes using track bicycles....
and had been home to Poole Town Football Club
Poole Town F.C.
Poole Town F.C. is a football club based in Poole, England. They were established in 1890 and joined the Western League Division Two in 1930. They won the Western League title in 1957 and reached the First Round Proper of the FA Cup four times in their history. They are currently members of the...
since 1933. There is an all seater grandstand
Grandstand
A grandstand is a large and normally permanent structure for seating spectators, most often at a racetrack. This includes both auto racing and horse racing. The grandstand is in essence like a single section of a stadium, but differs from a stadium in that it does not wrap all or most of the way...
on the home straight, and a glass fronted grandstand on the back straight. The viewing areas on the track bends are un-sheltered and standing only.
At the start of 1948 the tarmac cycle track was dug up and replaced with a 384 metres (419.9 yd) speedway track. A steel safety fence was erected around the outside of the track and the football pitch
Association football pitch
An association football pitch is the playing surface for the game of association football made of turf. Its dimensions and markings are defined by Law 1 of the Laws of the Game, "The Field of Play".All line markings on the pitch form part of the area which they define...
remained within the centre of the track. The first speedway meeting took place in the stadium on April 26, 1948, in tragic circumstances. The match against the Yarmouth Bloaters
Yarmouth Bloaters
The Yarmouth Bloaters are a defunct motorcycle speedway team who operated from the Yarmouth Stadium, Great Yarmouth from 1948 to 1962.-History:...
, which Poole won 74-32, saw Yarmouth's Reg Craven killed in the first race in the very first match at the track. A sheltered 1,100 seat grandstand was erected on the home straight in 1960 and is still in use. The terracing on the back straight of the speedway track was demolished in 1997 and replaced with a new glass fronted grandstand incorporating a 440 seat restaurant, two bars, Tote betting
The Tote
The Tote, formerly the Horserace Totalisator Board, is a British bookmaker with head offices in Wigan. It was owned from its formation in 1928 by the UK Government but was sold to Betfred in July 2011. Under the brand totesport the Tote has 514 high street betting shops, outlets on Britain's 60...
facilities and multiple viewing screens. The speedway track was reduced in size to 299.1 metres (981.3 ft) to accommodate a new greyhound track. Stadia UK were issued a long term lease on the stadium by the council, with the Pirates promotion sub-leasing use of the stadium and facilities from Stadia UK.
In 2004, Poole Stadium was chosen to host the Speedway World Cup
Speedway World Cup
The Speedway World Cup is an annual speedway event held each year in different countries. The first edition of the competition in the current format was in 2001 and it replaced the old World Team Cup competition.-Format:...
final by organiser Benfield Sports International (BSI). Poole hosted the race-off on August 5, in which Sweden and Poland progressed to the final. The final took place on August 7 with Sweden
Sweden national speedway team
Sweden are one of the major teams in international speedway. They have been managed by Mats Olsson, who is currently in his 2nd spell, since 2005 after he quit in 2000...
becoming World Champions, defeating Great Britain
Great Britain national speedway team
The Great Britain national speedway team are one of the major teams in international speedway. The team is managed by Poole Pirates manager Neil Middleditch and the captain is Chris Harris of the Belle Vue Aces....
into second place by one point. Temporary stands
Grandstand
A grandstand is a large and normally permanent structure for seating spectators, most often at a racetrack. This includes both auto racing and horse racing. The grandstand is in essence like a single section of a stadium, but differs from a stadium in that it does not wrap all or most of the way...
were erected around the corners of the track to provide 2,200 extra seats. The official attendance figure at the stadium for the final was 7,131.
Early success
In 1947, BournemouthBournemouth
Bournemouth is a large coastal resort town in the ceremonial county of Dorset, England. According to the 2001 Census the town has a population of 163,444, making it the largest settlement in Dorset. It is also the largest settlement between Southampton and Plymouth...
based Exeter Falcons
Exeter Falcons
The Exeter Falcons were a speedway team which operated from 1947 until their closure in 2005 at the County Ground Stadium in Exeter. The track first operated in 1929.-Track:...
riders Tommy Crutcher and Charlie Hayden created a consortium, which also included Crutcher’s brother Jack and Herby Hayden, with the aim of opening a speedway club closer to their home. The consortium applied to Poole Borough Council in 1947 to stage speedway racing in the town and the council approved their request on January 6, 1948. The Pirates lined up for their inaugural season as members of the National League Division Three
Speedway National League Division Three
The National League Division Three was the third division of Speedway in the United Kingdom. The league was created as a third tier in 1947 but ran for only 5 years. In 1952 it was replaced by more regional leagues such as the Southern League.-References:...
. Tony Lewis was signed in 1949 and Ken Middleditch
Ken Middleditch
Kenneth Arthur Middleditch is a British retired motorcycle speedway rider.-Career Summary:Middleditch served in the RAF in World War II as a rear gunner, and became interested in speedway while stationed in Egypt....
signed from Hastings
Hastings Saxons
Hastings Saxons were a British motorcycle speedway team which operated for two years between 1948 and 1949 at the Pilot Field in Hastings.-History:...
in 1950, and they formed an effective pairing for the Pirates. Poole won their first title in 1951
1951 Speedway National League Division Three
-Final table:...
and were promoted to the National League Division Two
Speedway National League Division Two
The National League Division Two was the second tier of Speedway league competition in the United Kingdom. The competition was founded in 1938 following a competition named "The National Provincial League". Following World War II the second tier of racing was entitled "The Northern League" in 1946...
. Brian Crutcher
Brian Crutcher
Brian Crutcher is a former international speedway rider who finished second at the 1954 Speedway World Championship finals.-Career:...
signed for Poole in 1951 and the following year he became the first Poole rider to reach a World Speedway Final
Speedway World Championship
The World Championship of Speedway is an international competition between the highest ranked motorcycle speedway riders of the world. Today, it is organised as a series of Speedway Grand Prix events, where points are awarded according to performance in the event and tallied up at the end of each...
in 1952
1952 Individual Speedway World Championship
The 1952 Individual Speedway World Championship.Speedway riders from Sweden, Scotland and Republic of South Africa was starters in World Championship first time.# Jack Young # Freddie Williams # Bob Oakley...
. Poole won the Division Two title at the first attempt, but were denied First Division status by the Speedway Control Board
The Speedway Control Board
The Speedway Control Bureau , formerly known as the Speedway Control Board, governs the sport of motorcycle speedway in the United Kingdom on behalf of the Auto Cycle Union . The directors are appointed by the ACU and British Speedway Promoters' Association...
, who claimed that Poole were not a big enough club to be able to sustain top flight racing. The following two years (1953 and 1954) saw the Pirates narrowly finishing as Division Two runners up and Brian Crutcher left Poole to sign for National League
Speedway National League
The National League was the top division of Speedway in the United Kingdom from 1932 until 1965 when it became known as the British League. Prior to 1932 there were only small regional leagues competing within the sport in the UK. The National League was re-incarnated in 1975 as the second division...
team Wembley
Wembley Lions (speedway)
The Wembley Lions were a motorcycle speedway team which operated from 1929 until their closure in 1971. Their track was located at Wembley Stadium, London. The original stadium which hosted speedway has been redeveloped.-Pre-war:...
at the start of the 1953 season.
1955 Speedway National League Division Two
*Bristol Bulldogs and Weymouth Eagles resigned mid-season.-Final table:...
and were allowed promotion to the National League
Speedway National League
The National League was the top division of Speedway in the United Kingdom from 1932 until 1965 when it became known as the British League. Prior to 1932 there were only small regional leagues competing within the sport in the UK. The National League was re-incarnated in 1975 as the second division...
, becoming the only club to ever have won promotion from the bottom league to the top tier. However, by the end of the 1956 season, the Poole promoters closed the club, blaming poor attendances and the introduction of fuel rationing due to the Suez crisis
Suez Crisis
The Suez Crisis, also referred to as the Tripartite Aggression, Suez War was an offensive war fought by France, the United Kingdom, and Israel against Egypt beginning on 29 October 1956. Less than a day after Israel invaded Egypt, Britain and France issued a joint ultimatum to Egypt and Israel,...
. Despite losing their league status, Poole Stadium continued to stage meetings during 1957, including two National League meetings. Rayleigh Rockets
Rayleigh Rockets
The Rayleigh Rockets were a Speedway team which operated from 1949 until their closure in 1973 from the Rayleigh Weir Stadium in Rayleigh, Essex . The Rockets closed in 1958 but re-opened again in 1960 and entered the Provincial League and then the Metropolitan League in 1964...
promoter Vic Gooden took over the promoting rights of Poole at the end of the year and Poole rejoined the National League in 1958.
Southampton Saints
Southampton Saints
Southampton Saints were a speedway team which operated from 1928 until their closure in 1963. Their track was located at Banister Court Stadium in Southampton, Hampshire....
promotor Charles Knott took over from Gooden in 1960 and brought back the successful pairing of Middleditch and Lewis. Ross Gilbertson was also signed and Geoff Mudge was brought over from Australia. The stadium was redeveloped and the track was made slightly smaller to accommodate a greyhound racing
Greyhound racing
Greyhound racing is the sport of racing greyhounds. The dogs chase a lure on a track until they arrive at the finish line. The one that arrives first is the winner....
track. Also that year, the speedway league structure was re-formed and Poole opted to join the newly formed Provincial League
Speedway Provincial League
The Provincial League was a league competition for speedway teams in the United Kingdom which operated alongside the National League for five years between 1960 and 1964.-History:The Provincial League was formed in the winter of 1959/60...
. Poole finished joint top of the table with Rayleigh
Rayleigh Rockets
The Rayleigh Rockets were a Speedway team which operated from 1949 until their closure in 1973 from the Rayleigh Weir Stadium in Rayleigh, Essex . The Rockets closed in 1958 but re-opened again in 1960 and entered the Provincial League and then the Metropolitan League in 1964...
, but lost out on points difference. Success returned to Poole with the Provincial League title in 1961 and 1962.
British League
Following a power struggle between the Speedway Control Board and speedway club promoters, the British LeagueSpeedway British League
The British League was the top division of Speedway in the United Kingdom from 1965 until 1995 when it became known as the Premier League. Prior to 1965 the division had been known as the National League....
was formed in 1965. Poole joined the British League
Speedway British League
The British League was the top division of Speedway in the United Kingdom from 1965 until 1995 when it became known as the Premier League. Prior to 1965 the division had been known as the National League....
(the top league Division) with 18 other teams and remained there for the next 20 years. They won the British League title in 1969 with Pete Smith
Pete Smith (speedway rider)
Peter Smith is a retired international motorcycle speedway rider who spent his entire career with the Poole Pirates.-Career:...
, who would eventually go on to score over 3,287 points for the club, the biggest contributor. Smith was supported with contributions from team captain Geoff Mudge, Bruce Cribb
Bruce Cribb
Bruce Brian Hoani Cribb in Palmerston North, New Zealand, is a former speedway rider who rode in the UK for several teams in a career spanning over twenty years. He began riding at Palmerston North, before joining the Poole Pirates in 1965. In 1969 and 1970 he represented New Zealand in tests with...
, Gordon Guasco, Frank Shuter
Frank Shuter
Franklin John Shuter was a speedway rider who rode with, and was League Champion with each of the Swindon Robins, the Poole Pirates and the Exeter Falcons in the British League....
and Odd Fossengen
Odd Fossengen
Odd Fossengen is a retired Norwegian international motorcycle speedway rider.- Career Summary :Fossengen signed for the Poole Pirates in 1968 following a successful trial with the club and he proved to be a popular signing with the Poole supporters. In 1968 he finished 3rd in the World Pairs Final...
who was in his second year at Poole and would become a fans favourite.
Major changes in personnel took place in 1974, with the arrival of riders such as Colin Gooddy and Neil Middleditch
Neil Middleditch
Neil Middleditch is a former Speedway rider and the team manager of the Poole Pirates. His father Ken was a former rider with the Poole Pirates...
, son of former rider Ken Middleditch. In 1975, Poole completed the signing of Malcolm Simmons
Malcolm Simmons
Malcolm Simmons is a former speedway rider.-Career:He made his debut at Hackney Hawks in 1963 aged seventeen but was unable to break into the Hackney team regularly so moved to the newly re-opened West Ham Hammers for the 1964 season. In 1965 Simmons won a British League and British League...
from King's Lynn
King's Lynn Stars
King's Lynn Stars are a motorcycle speedway team who compete in the British Elite League. The nickname "Stars" comes from the defunct Norwich Stars team...
. Simmons finished top of the Poole riders averages for the next six seasons and in 1976 finished in second place at the Speedway World Championship
Speedway World Championship
The World Championship of Speedway is an international competition between the highest ranked motorcycle speedway riders of the world. Today, it is organised as a series of Speedway Grand Prix events, where points are awarded according to performance in the event and tallied up at the end of each...
. Mid-way through the 1979 season, Reg Fearman
Reg Fearman
Reg Fearman is a former international speedway rider and promoter.-Riding career:He first received his speedway licence on his sixteenth birthday, presented to him in front of a forty thousand strong West Ham crowd at the West Ham Stadium in London...
bought the promoting rights and continued to run the club until 1984 when financial problems forced the club to close.
The club was rescued by the then Weymouth Wildcats
Weymouth Wildcats
The Weymouth Wildcats are a British motorcycle speedway team based in Weymouth, England who race in the National League. The Wildcats won the first Conference League Championship in their history in 2008 after winning the Conference League play-offs.-History:...
promoters Peter Ansell and Mervyn Stewkesbury, who moved their team to Poole for the start of the 1985 season. The team name was changed to the Poole Wildcats and they entered the National League
Speedway National League
The National League was the top division of Speedway in the United Kingdom from 1932 until 1965 when it became known as the British League. Prior to 1932 there were only small regional leagues competing within the sport in the UK. The National League was re-incarnated in 1975 as the second division...
– the second league tier of speedway. The name change proved to be unpopular and was reverted to the Poole Pirates after two seasons. Australian manager Neil Street
Neil Street
Neil Street, OAM was an international motorcycle speedway rider, manager and engineer, who first came to Britain in 1952 to ride for the Exeter Falcons. Street was born in Melbourne, Australia....
was appointed as Poole team manager and an influx of young Australian riders began, including Craig Boyce
Craig Boyce
Craig Boyce was a motorcycle speedway rider who primarily rode for the Poole Pirates in the British Elite League...
and Leigh Adams
Leigh Adams
Leigh Scott Adams is an Australian motorcycle speedway rider. He is a multiple Speedway Grand Prix winner and World Team Champion...
in 1988. Poole finished as National League runners up 1988, were National League champions in 1989, and then won a League and Knockout Cup double in 1990, led by captain Alun Rossiter
Alun Rossiter
Alun John Rossiter is a retired speedway rider, and team manager of British Elite League team the Swindon Robins.-Career:...
. After the 1990 season, the leagues were re-structured and Poole re-joined the top flight of speedway – the British League
Speedway British League
The British League was the top division of Speedway in the United Kingdom from 1965 until 1995 when it became known as the Premier League. Prior to 1965 the division had been known as the National League....
. Poole won the league championship in 1994 led by Boyce, 1993 signing Lars Gunnestad
Lars Gunnestad
Lars Gunnestad is a former Norwegian international motorcycle speedway rider. He won the Individual Speedway Norwegian Championship a record ten times.His son, Lars Daniel, is speedway rider also...
and a young Jason Crump
Jason Crump
Jason Phillip Crump is an Australian international motorcycle speedway rider. He is a three-time Speedway World Champion, a World Cup winner and a former World Under-21 Champion.-Family:...
, grandson of manager Neil Street
Neil Street
Neil Street, OAM was an international motorcycle speedway rider, manager and engineer, who first came to Britain in 1952 to ride for the Exeter Falcons. Street was born in Melbourne, Australia....
. In 1997 the structure of the leagues was once again changed with Poole joining the Elite League
Speedway Elite League
The Elite League is the top division of Speedway league competition in the United Kingdom and is governed by the Speedway Control Bureau , in conjunction with the British Speedway Promoters' Association . It is sponsored by Sky Sports...
.
Modern era
Magnus Zetterström
Hans Magnus Zetterström is an international motorcycle speedway rider who rides for the Poole Pirates in the British Elite League. Zetterström became European Champion in 2002 and won the Premier League Riders Championship in 2006...
remained from the 1998 season and Neil Street was replaced as manager by former rider Neil Middleditch
Neil Middleditch
Neil Middleditch is a former Speedway rider and the team manager of the Poole Pirates. His father Ken was a former rider with the Poole Pirates...
. Craig Boyce
Craig Boyce
Craig Boyce was a motorcycle speedway rider who primarily rode for the Poole Pirates in the British Elite League...
left for Oxford
Oxford Cheetahs
The Oxford Cheetahs were a British Speedway team based in Oxford, England. From 1972 to 1975 they were known as Oxford Rebels, which was the name the team took to White City in 1976 as White City Rebels. The new Oxford team, in the National League, took back the name of Cheetahs...
, Lee Richardson
Lee Richardson (speedway rider)
Lee Stewart Richardson is a British international motorcycle speedway rider. Richardson has represented Great Britain at senior and under-21 level, and has featured in several World Cup tournaments. He was also a fully fledged Grand Prix rider for four seasons from 2003 until 2006...
was signed from Reading
Reading Racers
Reading Racers were a British motorcycle speedway team. Formed in 1968, they won four British League titles during their history...
, Gary Havelock
Gary Havelock
Robert Gary Havelock is a speedway rider who currently captains the Redcar Bears in the British Premier League...
was brought in as Captain and Mark Loram
Mark Loram
Mark Roysten Gregory Loram is a former British motorcycle speedway rider who started his career with the Hackney Kestrels in 1987. He is a former World Speedway Champion. In March 2007 Loram broke his thigh and dislocated his arm whilst riding in the opening fixture of the British Elite League...
was signed from Wolverhampton
Wolverhampton Wolves
The Wolverhampton Wolves are a British Speedway team based in Wolverhampton, England. They are sponsored by Parry's International Travel, and have signed a new deal with owner Dave Parry for the 2008 season onwards. The team is managed by Peter Adams and the promoter of the club is Chris Van...
. Loram was to become the first Pirate to lift the World Championship
Speedway Grand Prix
Speedway Grand Prix are a series of stand-alone speedway events over the course of a season used to determine the Speedway World Champion. As of 2008, all of the events take place in Europe.- Event format :...
title with his success in 2000
2000 Speedway Grand Prix
The 2000 Speedway Grand Prix season was the sixth season in the Speedway Grand Prix era and was used to determine the Speedway World Champion.- Event format :The system first used in 1998 continued to be adopted with 24 riders, divided into two classes...
.
Poole finished as Elite League runners up in 1999 and 2001. Tony Rickardsson
Tony Rickardsson
Tony Rickardsson is a retired Swedish motorcycle speedway rider. He is widely acknowledged as being the most successful speedway rider of the current era, having won six Speedway World Championship titles in 15 attempts. He has two daughters, Michelle and Natalie with his wife Anna...
joined Poole in 2001 and won the World Championship
Speedway Grand Prix
Speedway Grand Prix are a series of stand-alone speedway events over the course of a season used to determine the Speedway World Champion. As of 2008, all of the events take place in Europe.- Event format :...
that year and the year after. Leigh Adams
Leigh Adams
Leigh Scott Adams is an Australian motorcycle speedway rider. He is a multiple Speedway Grand Prix winner and World Team Champion...
joined in 2003 and together they spearheaded the team to a triple championship of Elite League, Knockout Cup
Elite League Knockout Cup
The Elite League Knockout Cup is a speedway cup competition in the United Kingdom governed by the Speedway Control Board in conjunction with the British Speedway Promoters' Association . The teams from the top division of league racing, the Elite League, take part...
and the British League Cup.
The Pirates followed up 2003 with another successful year in 2004 despite the loss of Grand Prix
Speedway Grand Prix
Speedway Grand Prix are a series of stand-alone speedway events over the course of a season used to determine the Speedway World Champion. As of 2008, all of the events take place in Europe.- Event format :...
riders Adams and Rickardsson. Solid point scoring from Bjarne Pedersen
Bjarne Pedersen
Bjarne Pedersen is an international motorcycle speedway rider who has represented Denmark in the Speedway World Cup, winning it on two occasions: in 2006 and 2008.-Career summary:...
, Antonio Lindback
Antonio Lindbäck
Antonio Lindbäck is an international motorcycle speedway rider who was a member of the Swedish team who won the Speedway World Cup in 2004.- Career highlights :...
and Ryan Sullivan
Ryan Sullivan
Ryan Geoffrey Sullivan Ryan Geoffrey Sullivan Ryan Geoffrey Sullivan (born 20 January 1975, in Fitzroy, Victoria (a suburb of Melbourne) is an Australian international speedway rider.-Early years:...
led Poole to an Elite League and Knockout Cup double and Poole became the first top flight club to achieve back to back League and Cup doubles since 1960. The Pirates won their third Elite League championship in 2008, defeating the Lakeside Hammers
Lakeside Hammers
The Lakeside Hammers are a speedway team who race in the British Elite League. They were founded by promoter Wally Mawdsley and stock car promoter Chick Woodroffe...
in the play-off final with an aggregate score of 108-75.
2010 Team
1.
Chris HolderChris Holder
Chris Holder is a speedway rider currently riding for the Poole Pirates in the British Elite League. He became the Australian Individual Speedway Champion in 2008 and followed up with wins in 2010 and 2011 as well as winning the Australian Under-21 Championship in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008...
8.76
2.
Jason DoyleJason Doyle
Jason Doyle is an Australian motorcycle speedway rider who rides for the Poole Pirates in the British Elite League and Polonia Piła in the Polish Second Division.-Career:...
4.38
3.
Dave Watt 6.944.
Darcy WardDarcy Ward
Darcy Stephen Ward is an Australian motorcycle speedway rider who won the 2009, 2010 and 2011 Australian Under-21 Championships as well as the 2009 and 2010 World Under-21 Championships...
4.56
5.
Bjarne PedersenBjarne Pedersen
Bjarne Pedersen is an international motorcycle speedway rider who has represented Denmark in the Speedway World Cup, winning it on two occasions: in 2006 and 2008.-Career summary:...
7.76
6.
Leon MadsenLeon Madsen
Leon Madsen is a Danish speedway rider who ride for Betard WTS Wrocław in the 2010 Speedway Ekstraliga.- World Championships :* Individual U-21 World Championship...
4.00
7.
Artur MroczkaArtur Mroczka
Artur Mroczka is an international speedway rider who is a member of the Poland U-21 national team. In 2008 he won the Team U-21 World Championship, Individual U-19 European Championship and Polish Bronze Helmet...
4.00
No 8.
Gary HavelockGary Havelock
Robert Gary Havelock is a speedway rider who currently captains the Redcar Bears in the British Premier League...
Bournemouth Buccaneers
Poole now operate an additional team, Bournemouth Buccaneers. This team is a National LeagueSpeedway National League
The National League was the top division of Speedway in the United Kingdom from 1932 until 1965 when it became known as the British League. Prior to 1932 there were only small regional leagues competing within the sport in the UK. The National League was re-incarnated in 1975 as the second division...
side and usually race on Thursday night at Poole Stadium.
| No. | Rider |
|---|---|
| 1 | Jay Herne |
| 2 |  Kyle Newman |
| 3 | Jerran Hart |
| 4 | Luke Preist |
| 5 | Mark Baseby |
| 6 | Aaron Baseby |
| 7 | Andrew Aldridge |
World Champions
Mark LoramMark Loram
Mark Roysten Gregory Loram is a former British motorcycle speedway rider who started his career with the Hackney Kestrels in 1987. He is a former World Speedway Champion. In March 2007 Loram broke his thigh and dislocated his arm whilst riding in the opening fixture of the British Elite League...
was the first Poole rider to win the Speedway World Championship
Speedway World Championship
The World Championship of Speedway is an international competition between the highest ranked motorcycle speedway riders of the world. Today, it is organised as a series of Speedway Grand Prix events, where points are awarded according to performance in the event and tallied up at the end of each...
with his success in 2000. Tony Rickardsson
Tony Rickardsson
Tony Rickardsson is a retired Swedish motorcycle speedway rider. He is widely acknowledged as being the most successful speedway rider of the current era, having won six Speedway World Championship titles in 15 attempts. He has two daughters, Michelle and Natalie with his wife Anna...
joined Poole in 2001 following Loram's departure, and won the World Championship in 2001 and 2002 while riding for the Pirates.
Malcolm Simmons
Malcolm Simmons
Malcolm Simmons is a former speedway rider.-Career:He made his debut at Hackney Hawks in 1963 aged seventeen but was unable to break into the Hackney team regularly so moved to the newly re-opened West Ham Hammers for the 1964 season. In 1965 Simmons won a British League and British League...
won the World Pairs Championship
Speedway World Pairs Championship
The Speedway World Pairs Championship was an annual speedway event held each year in different countries. The first competition was held in 1968 and the final competition was held in 1993. From 1994 it was merged with the World Team Cup.- Rules :...
three times during his Poole career in 1976, 1977 and 1978, he also won the World Team Cup
Speedway World Team Cup
The Speedway World Team Cup was an annual speedway event held each year in different countries. The competition started in 1960 and was replaced with the Speedway World Cup in 2001.-Format:From 1960 until 1985 each team consisted of four riders and a reserve...
in 1975 and 1977. Antonio Lindbäck
Antonio Lindbäck
Antonio Lindbäck is an international motorcycle speedway rider who was a member of the Swedish team who won the Speedway World Cup in 2004.- Career highlights :...
won the Speedway World Cup
Speedway World Cup
The Speedway World Cup is an annual speedway event held each year in different countries. The first edition of the competition in the current format was in 2001 and it replaced the old World Team Cup competition.-Format:...
in 2004, and Bjarne Pedersen
Bjarne Pedersen
Bjarne Pedersen is an international motorcycle speedway rider who has represented Denmark in the Speedway World Cup, winning it on two occasions: in 2006 and 2008.-Career summary:...
has won the World Cup on two occasions; in 2006 and 2008. Ron Preston
Ron Preston
Ronald Nunan Preston is an American former international motorcycle speedway rider who was World Junior Champion in 1979. Preston began his career at the Poole Pirates in 1979 and spent two years there before moving to the Eastbourne Eagles in 1982...
was the first Pirate to win the Speedway World Under 21 Championship in 1979
1979 Individual Speedway Junior European Championship
-World final:*July 22, 1979 Leningrad...
, he was also the first American to win the championship. Jason Crump
Jason Crump
Jason Phillip Crump is an Australian international motorcycle speedway rider. He is a three-time Speedway World Champion, a World Cup winner and a former World Under-21 Champion.-Family:...
(1995)
1995 Individual Speedway Junior World Championship
The 1995 Individual Speedway Junior World ChampionshipWorld Champion Jason Crump get qualification to 1996 Speedway Grand Prix.-World final:*August 5, 1995 Tampere...
, Lee Richardson
Lee Richardson (speedway rider)
Lee Stewart Richardson is a British international motorcycle speedway rider. Richardson has represented Great Britain at senior and under-21 level, and has featured in several World Cup tournaments. He was also a fully fledged Grand Prix rider for four seasons from 2003 until 2006...
(1999)
1999 Individual Speedway Junior World Championship
The 1999 Individual Speedway Junior World ChampionshipWorld Champion Lee Richardson get qualification to 1999 Speedway Grand Prix Challenge.-World final:*August 8, 1999 Vojens, Speedway Center...
, Krzysztof Kasprzak
Krzysztof Kasprzak
Krzysztof Kasprzak is an international speedway rider who became World Under-21 Champion in 2005. He is a son of former Polish national speedway team member Zenon Kasprzak...
(2005)
2005 Individual Speedway Junior World Championship
-World final:*September 17, 2005 Wiener Neustadt, OAMTC Zweigverein* only 12 heats*order:**1-2 place: coin flipping, because Suchánek to not agree to do race-off heat**3-4 place: Lindgren have two "3"; Hlib only one "3"...
and Darcy Ward
Darcy Ward
Darcy Stephen Ward is an Australian motorcycle speedway rider who won the 2009, 2010 and 2011 Australian Under-21 Championships as well as the 2009 and 2010 World Under-21 Championships...
(2010)
2010 Individual Speedway Junior World Championship
The 2010 Individual Speedway Under 21 World Championship was the 2010 version of FIM Individual Under-21 World Championship season. First time new champion was determined in three finals between 17 July and 2 October 2010....
have also won the World Under 21 Championship while riding for Poole.
Notable former riders
The following riders have been voted into the Pirates Hall of FameHall of Fame
A hall of fame, wall of fame, walk of fame, walk of stars or avenue of stars is a type of attraction established for any field of endeavor to honor individuals of noteworthy achievement in that field...
by supporters:
Testimonial riders
Seven Poole riders have received testimonialsTestimonial match
A testimonial match or testimonial game, often referred to simply as a testimonial, is a practice in some sports, notably football and especially in the United Kingdom, where a club puts on a match in honour of a player for service to the club....
at the club, usually for being a Poole asset for 10 years or more.
- 1976 Pete SmithPete Smith (speedway rider)Peter Smith is a retired international motorcycle speedway rider who spent his entire career with the Poole Pirates.-Career:...
- 1984 Neil MiddleditchNeil MiddleditchNeil Middleditch is a former Speedway rider and the team manager of the Poole Pirates. His father Ken was a former rider with the Poole Pirates...
- 1995 Steve Schofield
- 2000 Alun RossiterAlun RossiterAlun John Rossiter is a retired speedway rider, and team manager of British Elite League team the Swindon Robins.-Career:...
- 2001
Lars GunnestadLars GunnestadLars Gunnestad is a former Norwegian international motorcycle speedway rider. He won the Individual Speedway Norwegian Championship a record ten times.His son, Lars Daniel, is speedway rider also... - 2003 Craig BoyceCraig BoyceCraig Boyce was a motorcycle speedway rider who primarily rode for the Poole Pirates in the British Elite League...
- 2005
Magnus ZetterstromMagnus ZetterströmHans Magnus Zetterström is an international motorcycle speedway rider who rides for the Poole Pirates in the British Elite League. Zetterström became European Champion in 2002 and won the Premier League Riders Championship in 2006... - 2009 Bjarne PedersenBjarne PedersenBjarne Pedersen is an international motorcycle speedway rider who has represented Denmark in the Speedway World Cup, winning it on two occasions: in 2006 and 2008.-Career summary:...
- 2011 Davey WattDavey WattDavid John Watt is an Australian international motorcycle speedway rider who rides for the Poole Pirates in England where his is currently the team captain, WTS Wrocław in Poland and Lejonen in Sweden...