RICHIE Worrall revealed how he had always wanted to return to Pirates for 2019 – despite parent club Belle Vue being “keen” to retain his services.

The St Helens-born star, part of Poole’s SGB Premiership-winning team last season, was snapped up by Pirates boss Matt Ford in December.

Ford said at the time that Worrall had initially “appeared in many of Belle Vue’s team plans”.

But the 27-year-old insisted he had always hoped to don the skull and crossbones and had held talks with Aces team manager Mark Lemon about his future.

Worrall, who returned to Dorset on a 5.46 average, told the Daily Echo: “Matt kept his cards close to his chest until after the team trip we had to Abu Dhabi (in November).

“I didn’t know where I was at or what was happening – neither did anyone else.

“I was a bit worried. Once we had got the trip out of the way, Matt said he was getting on with organising everything and we did a deal.

“I am made up to be back and I’d love at least another year at Poole now I am settled in and have a feel for it all.

“I wasn’t close to joining Belle Vue, in my mind. Belle Vue wanted me and they own my contract, so they can say where I go and where I don’t.

“I did have a couple of chats with Mark Lemon. He was keen to have me there but performance-wise I don’t think it would have been a good move for me.

“Belle Vue isn’t one of my strongest tracks and I said that to Lemo. Mentally, when you are not doing so good at home and not scoring as well as you would expect to be, it does slowly beat you down.

“I definitely didn’t want that feeling all year. I think I made the right choice.”

Asked whether he felt more at home at Wimborne Road, the Merseysider replied: “Yes, definitely. The more time you spend with people, the closer you bond with them.

“I’m very excited I’m starting the season with them this year – the past two years I have come in part way through, which is never easy.

“The team hasn’t changed massively but it was impossible to keep the same team (from last season) with the way things ended up going.

“I still think we have a really good team this year. I did really want to be back.

“I want to stay in the main body, progress and score as many points as I can.”

Worrall, who doubles up with Championship outfit Leicester, is set to make his seasonal bow for Poole in Wednesday’s challenge meeting at Somerset.