MATT Ford thanked Volvo Cars Poole for their support of Poole Speedway before admitting the club was looking for a new main sponsor.

Last winter, Volvo Cars Poole committed to Pirates for a second season despite protracted negotiations between speedway bosses and BT Sport over broadcasting rights.

And Poole were able to repay their sponsors with an SGB Premiership title in the club’s 70th anniversary year.

Boss Ford told the club website: “Volvo Cars Poole showed what they are all about by coming on board at a time when the TV deal was very much up in the air.

“They believed in the club when we really needed them to and our heartfelt thanks go to David Kelly and James Litton, who have been a pleasure to deal with.

“Winning the title meant the club and Volvo Cars Poole received almost 50 hours of live and playback coverage on BT Sport in six months.

“When you add that to the amazing coverage from other media sources, including the Daily Echo, whose coverage of the club is immense, BBC South television and radio, who have walked every step of the club’s success, and publications like Speedway Star magazine, the amount of exposure the club receives is incredible.

“This is an ideal opportunity for a company to join the Pirates on their 2019 journey as champions of the SGB Premiership, hitting a world-wide audience through BT Sport’s coverage.”