PROMOTER Matt Ford is hoping lightning will strike twice as he begins the crucial search for a new main sponsor for Pirates.

Poole's two-year, six-figure deal with plant hire company Readypower has expired and Ford is on the lookout for fresh investment in the decorated Dorset club.

The Wimborne Road chief wants his plea to find the "right people" and says Pirates – winners of three straight Elite League titles between 2013 and 2015 – have much to offer potential sponsors.

Ford told the Daily Echo: "We've had a wonderful contract with Readypower but Rick Frost and Julie Mahoney, who own the company, will seemingly be playing a less active role in the sport now.

"We thank them greatly. They have been quite brilliant to deal with and it's with regret that our contract has come to an end.

"Now we are looking at new horizons and you know never know what will happen. Going back 12 years, the Daily Echo ran a story and Andrew Marchington, the managing director of RIAS at the time, stepped in and sponsored the club for four years.

"He then moved on to Castle Cover and continued to sponsor the club for another three years. We were very fortunate the story hit the right people at the right time and we remain very grateful to the Daily Echo and Andrew.

"We are hoping lightning will strike twice. Given how social media and the Internet works, I'm sure this story will be seen far and wide.

"I'm hoping it falls on someone's coffee table and gets seen by the right people and that they will look to be involved in the club in the near future."

Ford admitted the position of main team sponsor was pivotal and explained those who come aboard would be rewarded with exposure across many forms of media.

He continued: "It's an important role and a lot of thought is given to it. It needs to be someone we can work with and in return, we can make sure a company receives plenty of exposure.

"On average, with live and playback coverage on television, we are probably looking at upwards of 60 hours annually, and we are very fortunate locally in that we probably pick up in the region of 500 colour photos a year in the Daily Echo.

"We have a great rapport with all different forms of media, including television and radio, so getting involved with the club is a total package, rather than just one form of media.

"With our television associate we hit in the region of 150 countries. Whether it be the Mediterranean or the Pacific Rim, we are shown live.

"We are very fortunate in that we are one of the few sports where the club is named after its main sponsor. We were known as the Poole Readypower Pirates previously and now there is an opening for someone else."

Any interested parties should phone Poole Speedway on 01202 681145 or email information@poolepirates.co.