MATT Ford insists Chris Holder is ready to follow in illustrious footsteps by leading Pirates’ trophy charge.

The Pirates chief is adamant that his decision to hand the captaincy to the club’s leading rider will prove wise.

Australian ace Holder will head up Pirates’ pursuit of silverware when the 2012 Elite League season starts next month after succeeding Davey Watt as the Wimborne Road skipper.

The 24-year-old will be desperate to emulate his compatriot as Poole achieved a league and cup double under Watt’s inspirational reign last term.

Grand Prix star Holder joins an elite group of Pirates captains that includes stellar names such as Poole hero Bjarne Pedersen and legendary multiple ex-world champion Tony Rickardsson.

But Poole Coastal Aluminium Pirates chief Ford is confident Holder will be up to the task – because becoming skipper is a natural transition for the Pirates number one.

Ford told the Daily Echo: “We have been blessed with very decent captains, certainly in my time at the club. The likes of Davey Watt, Magnus Zetterstrom and Bjarne Pedersen were tremendous.

“Chris, in the past few years, has almost played a captain’s role anyway. He has been exceptional and always there to offer a helping hand with bikes, equipment and that type of thing.

“I don’t actually think it is too different a role to what he has already been achieving.

“Often, it can be that one of your better riders in a team will be the captain. In this case, Chris has always been very helpful with everybody so I think it will be quite a seamless transition for him.”

Holder, who cut his teeth in British speedway with Isle of Wight, has been riding for Poole since 2008.

The four-times Australian champion has firmly established himself as a terrace favourite with the Pirates faithful. And Ford says it is not just the club’s followers that hold their star man in high esteem.

Ford added: “Chris is incredibly popular with every member of the team – in every team that he has been in.

“There are some riders that every other rider likes and Chris is certainly one of those guys. Chris is very easy to get on with.

“He loves being at Poole and there is nowhere else he wants to be. He has bought his home here and lives in Bearwood.

“I am very happy to have him as captain and that he chose us in the first place.

“I think he is the right type of age and let’s hope it is a long reign for him.”