MATT Ford handed Kyle Newman the penultimate spot in his Pirates septet and then revealed the Dorset charger would take on the new role of vice-captain.

Promoter Ford views Newman as a skipper of the future and has created the vice-captain's position in order to aid the 24-year-old's transition to the top job.

Born in Poole, the Puddletown-based charger is a huge favourite among supporters at Wimborne Road and returns for a fifth season on a 6.31 average.

Ford told the Daily Echo: "Everyone can see year in, year out that Kyle has improved a little bit more.

"With that in mind and his experience, I am going to bring in a new role which I have not had before, that of vice-captain.

"His commitment to this club is probably better than that of anyone else. He was born and raised here and this is his town.

"I feel that within a couple of years, particularly learning under Hans Andersen, that he will be ready to take on the role of captain.

"That's something I would be very proud of, to see him lead his own town's speedway team in the top league in Britain."

Ford has 8.03 points with which to recruit the final rider in the Poole line-up.

Pirates 2017: Krzysztof Kasprzak 11.07, Hans Andersen 10.01, Jack Holder 7.16, Nicolai Klindt 5.42, Kyle Newman 6.31, James Shanes 2.00.