PIRATES team boss Neil Middleditch insisted he did not mind being one of the most “hated” clubs in the SGB Premiership – provided his side kept winning it.

Poole are set to go into another league campaign as bookmakers’ favourites this season, looking to defend the crown they dramatically won having come from the bottom of the pile in 2018.

Wet weather thwarted Middleditch’s chance to see Pirates’ septet get track time over the past few days – with rain dashing hopes of a challenge meeting at Somerset on Wednesday, as well as the practice on the club’s press day less than 24 hours later.

But the team manager admitted his desire to capture a ninth league title burned stronger than ever – and said annoying rivals only provided added motivation.

Speaking at the event at Wimborne Road, Middleditch said: “People always say to me, ‘you have won eight titles, do you still feel that hunger?’ and absolutely I do.

“Poole is probably one of the most hated clubs because we keep winning all the time.

“Particularly these days with social networks, you see all the coverage and things - that just really spurs me and the probably boys on to do better, just to annoy people!"

Pirates’ team includes four of the side which claimed league glory last season – in the form of Brady Kurtz, Josh Grajczonek, Richie Worrall and Nicolai Klindt.

The defending champions have added in the returning Jack Holder as number one, as well as power-packed reserves Nico Covatti and Nikolaj Busk Jakobsen.

Middleditch added: “What Matt (Ford) has done this year is he has assembled a team similar to the one which won the league last year with strength in depth. I think that’s the key to winning.

“What I have got here is seven riders and every one of them is capable of being a number one. That’s great for the competition among the team with some friendly rivalry.”

Pirates will be hoping to begin their campaign at King’s Lynn on Monday, in the first leg of the Premiership Shield.