PROMOTER Matt Ford has played down speculation that Australian charger Dakota North has signed for Poole Pirates – but stopped short of ruling out a swoop.

Reports from Swindon today suggested that Poole had completed a permanent deal for the 23-year-old Peterborough asset despite interest from Swindon Robins – his loan club in 2014 – and Elite League finalists Coventry Bees.

When quizzed ahead of Pirates' annual awards ceremony tonight, Ford politely declined to comment on links with the highly-rated charger, who finished last season with an average of 6.57 in the top flight.

Ford told the Daily Echo: “There are many things to be discussed and decided at the AGM and until then we are not in a position to talk about individual riders.

“We make no secret of the fact that Poole prides itself on having its finger on the pulse when it comes to up-and-coming riders and there are one or two people we are closing in on deals for.

“It's going to be a hard winter because, as always, we're going to end up upsetting the people because we cannot offer positions due to point limits.

“The hard work has already started. Talks are going on with the possibility of us signing riders on full-time transfers from other clubs and I'm excited by the future.

“There are a couple of young guys being linked with the club and that shows we're planning for future and not just one season.”

North represented Pirates as a guest during their regular season run-in, racking up eight points at Coventry and 10+1 at Leicester as Poole claimed maximum points from each away day en route to top spot in the table.

Meanwhile, hometown hero Kyle Newman received the coveted Rider of the Year award, while Maciej Janowski scooped a trio of accolades, winning riders' rider, team man and club website rider of the year. 

Vaclav Milik was crowned best newcomer.