MATT Ford is planning to mark the 70th anniversary of Poole's first home meeting by holding a special celebration at Wimborne Road.

Racing launched at the Dorset venue on Thursday, April 26, 1948 when Poole defeated Yarmouth 74-32.

And Ford is keen to honour the club's history by opening a temporary museum on the equivalent date this year, with racing inked in for the evening.

He told the Daily Echo: "What the exact format will be, I'm not sure, but we plan to open a museum in the afternoon so people can celebrate in pictures the anniversary.

"Eric Broadbelt has agreed to come down and, hopefully, he will be one of many former riders present.

"There will be racing in the evening but it won't be a standard speedway meeting as we will try to do some things differently.

"It will be an inclusive event and I will charge the minimum I possibly can. We want the whole day to be a success for the club and the town."

Poole's win over Yarmouth took place in tragic circumstances, with the visitors' Reg Craven killed following a crash in the opening race.