MATT Ford has warned Pirates’ SGB Premiership rivals that title-winning nous will play in their favour in 2019.

A resurgent Poole stormed to play-off success last season despite having been bottom of the table at the start of July.

Four members of that team – Brady Kurtz, Josh Grajczonek, Nicolai Klindt and Richie Worrall – have been retained for the upcoming campaign.

They will be joined by club asset Jack Holder who has returned following a year away at Somerset, and reserves Nico Covatti and Nikolaj Busk Jakobsen.

And boss Ford is optimistic on his septet’s chances of a ninth league crown in 17 years.

He told the Daily Echo: “As I look at the teams now, there are some very good ones. I like the look of Wolverhampton – although losing Jacob Thorssell is a body blow – and Peterborough look formidable.

“Of course, there was a change at Peterborough where Chris Harris came out and Rohan Tungate went in but on a track like Peterborough, you just don’t know.

“It wasn’t Chris’s best track when he rode for them in the league below and Rohan, being such a trapper, it may improve him, particularly at home.

“Swindon have a great top end but I’m sure Rosco (team boss Alun Rossiter) would admit there will be question marks over the bottom end.

“Then again, I’m sure people could pinpoint something similar in our team. It has been mentioned that we are not quite as heavy at the top but we have strength in depth and reserves who are capable of beating heat leaders.

“Let’s get going and see how we go. We know how to win leagues and that’s always a vital cog. When it comes to it, experience does matter. It’s relevant to how you go into those big meetings.

“I’m hopeful we’ve got the right seven. If not, of course we would need to make adjustments quickly. But certainly, at the moment, I’m confident.”

Since the play-offs were introduced ahead of the 2002 season, Poole have missed out on just three occasions – and not at all since 2009.

Ford continued: “The club has been successful and we don’t want it to change at all.

“The two new promoters have come in and they are desperate to have success immediately because we all know it makes our lives a lot simpler.

“They say success breeds success and it certainly does. We have 25 trophies and I always say the next one is the most important.

“I'd like to finish the season with one or two more trophies on the mantelpiece.”

Holder, Grajczonek, Kurtz and Worrall will be taking questions from supporters at Wednesday’s Riders’ Equipment Fund event at Wimborne Road (7.30pm).

Ford is set to be joined by son Danny and his fellow new promoter Anthony Tilley.