Bjarne's delight at Anton appearance (From Bournemouth Echo)

Bjarne's delight at Anton appearance

7:00am Wednesday 14th January 2009 in

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BJARNE Pedersen is overjoyed that Antonio Lindback and Tony Rickardsson will be at his testimonial meeting at Poole on March 18.

The Rio Rocket, still the Wimborne Road track record holder despite leaving the club at the end of 2006, lines up for Castle Cover Pirates in the meeting against a team representing Newcastle.

Rickardsson will make a rare return to the Dorset coast following his final season for Poole in 2004 as Lindback’s manager.

Pedersen, a former Diamonds rider awarded the benefit for 10 years’ service to British speedway, said: “It’s a great thing for me to have Anton and Tony coming over for my meeting.

“My thanks must also go to Matt Ford who has organised everything with them.“I think Tony is one of the greatest riders who ever got into the sport and everyone knows what Anton has done for Poole. I think he was a great rider.

“Anton is one of the riders I would like to see come back and ride in England.

“When he’s on top of his form, he’s one of the best.”

Pirates captain Pedersen added: “When Matt told me Tony was coming as well, I was overjoyed. It’s another great thing for me because I’ve always learnt a lot off Tony during our days together at Poole and in the Grand Prix.

“He’s one of my sporting heroes. It’ll make my day even better now he’s turning up as well.”

Pirates chief Ford said: “We intend to have a celebratory dinner at Poole Stadium on March 14 on greyhound night with the dogs perhaps running under speedway riders’ names.

“Bjarne and some of the other riders will be there and most of the money raised will be in aid of Bjarne’s benefit.”

Ford, meanwhile, will attend a meeting of National League promoters at Rugby today.

If all goes well, he hopes to |confirm he will be running a Bournemouth Buccaneers side in the re-organised third-tier competition later this week.

Ford, still awaiting confirmation from his landlords at Poole Stadium that he can run Buccaneers meetings, has snapped up Kyle Newman for the side.

The promoter added: “We have spoken to Jay Herne, a club asset, about captaining the team and also Jerran Hart.

“Garry May will be acting team manager and we’re waiting on confirmation from one or two other riders.

“Unfortunately, we’d liked to have used Danny Warwick, but he’s riding for Berwick in the Premier and living there, so it’s just too far away for him to double up for us as well.”