CHRIS Holder believes Pirates new boy Dakota North will prove a shrewd signing and has thrown his backing behind his compatriot.

Formerly on Peterborough’s books, North has been made a full asset by the Dorset club and will begin the 2015 season on a 6.57 Elite League average.

The 23-year-old enjoyed a memorable top-flight campaign at Swindon in 2014 after being signed as a replacement for the axed Nicolai Klindt in April.

And Holder insists his fellow Aussie will shine in the skull and crossbones.

He told the Daily Echo: “I think it’s a really good move. This year he went really well.

"He raced a lot abroad as well which brings you on pretty fast because they don’t really muck around over there – if you don’t have a good meeting they drop you straight away.

“Towards the end of the season he was one of Swindon’s best riders. I’m sure he will be keen to carry on where he left off and I’m sure he’s looking forward to being in the team at Poole where there is a good atmosphere,

“He’s got a lot of potential for improvement. At the end of last year he was on fire so, hopefully, he can keep doing what he was doing when he was banging in 10-plus points every week.”

Meanwhile, Poole co-promoter Gordon Pairman has given financial backing to Worcester-born rider Ellis Perks.

The youngster has been learning his trade in Australia but is fixed up with Scunthorpe and Cradley Heath for 2015, with Pairman instrumental in securing both deals.

The 65-year-old has provided financial support to Kyle Newman and Kyle Howarth in recent seasons.