PIRATES are set to bring back race jackets for the forthcoming season as boss Matt Ford aims to breathe nostalgia into the club's 70th anniversary year.

It will be the first time in 19 years that the entire Poole team will wear uniform race jackets with different race suits underneath, a move likely to please traditionalists.

And while Ford admits the switch is a cost-cutting measure, he insists that with television funding yet to be secured for 2018, it is a case of "needs must".

Ford told the Daily Echo: "We're turning back the clock and there is no better time to enjoy a bit of nostalgia than on our 70th anniversary.

"Since the start of the TV days, we have gone more down the team suits design. But for the speedway purists who have been coming for decades, many of us believe the individuality of each rider is actually more appealing.

"Timing is something which needs to be taken into account and while I think most teams in the league will go with team colours, given the state of affairs with the TV contract, this is something we will try for the year.

"To a degree it's a move which has been slightly forced upon us. With the lack of television money coming in, turnovers are down by as much as 20 per cent and it's a case of needs must.

"We will eventually make a collective decision on what we and the fans feel to be the right move for the future."

Ford admits the decision to go with different suits may get a mixed reception. But he believes the shift to race jackets will largely be received in a positive manner.

He said: "I think most of the riders will have new Kevlars done and it will be like watching the Grand Prix where everyone turns up in different suits.

"I know some people will prefer it and others will think it's not necessarily a good move.

"There needs to be cuts within the running of the business and this is one of those cuts. But, rather than looking at it negatively, I think most people will be keen to see the return of race jackets.

"I know Kacper Woryna is looking at bringing back the colours used by his grandfather, Antoni, who of course rode for the Pirates.

"For people who have been around the club long enough, it will be wonderful to see those colours coming back into use.

"While there are twinges of sadness that to a degree this has been forced upon us, I'm looking forward to seeing everyone turn up at the start of the year."

Press and practice will be held at Wimborne Road on Wednesday, March 21 with the season-opening meeting taking place on Friday, March 23.

A host of top names will battle it out for individual glory with Niels-Kristian Iversen, Bjarne Pedersen, Brady Kurtz and Linus Sundstrom among them.