PIRATES promoter Matt Ford believes Chris Holder will have the people of Poole fully behind him as he bids for global speedway glory tomorrow.

Holder will fly the flag for the club and the Dorset town when he aims to win his maiden Grand Prix title in a thrilling finale to the 2012 series at Torun.

The Pirates captain holds a two-point lead over Nicki Pedersen in the race to land the world championship crown.

Ford believes Pirates' long association with Holder would make a triumph tomorrow even sweeter than Poole's previous world championship wins with Mark Loram and Tony Rickardsson.

Speaking to the Daily Echo before flying out to support Holder, Ford said: “We have been there before with Rickardsson and Loram and those were all amazing days for the club and the first time the club had ever been involved in having a world champion.

“But they were both recognised riders when they joined the club. Mark was an excellent heat leader and Tony had already been world champion.

“The difference this time is that Chris had his first ride for the club in 2008. We found Chris, for want of a better word, and put him over to Isle of Wight and let him learn his trade there for two years.

“I know that the Poole fans have taken to Chris greatly and he is held in the same esteem as Mark and Tony. It has been a great ride with him and with Chris being the captain now, it would just be wonderful.”

Ford added: “I know that it means a lot to everybody in the town. Neil Middleditch and I went to a Poole Tourism event yesterday and they put up a picture of Chris and spoke about his achievements during the season so far. We are all just hoping for that success.”

FOR A FULL PREVIEW, INCLUDING AN INTERVIEW WITH CHRIS HOLDER, SEE TOMORROW'S DAILY EHCO.