CO-PROMOTER Danny Ford revealed Pirates are still set to discuss future plans with team boss Neil Middleditch but insisted: “He is of course our number one choice.”

The legendary team manager earlier this month revealed he would speak to owner Matt Ford about his position after admitting increased travel commitments could hinder his role with the Wimborne Road outfit.

Poole were confirmed as having dropped to the SGB Championship next season at last week’s British Speedway Promoters’ Association AGM.

They will face Birmingham, Leicester, Eastbourne, Kent and Somerset twice home and away in league action in the southern section of the league.

The Dorset club will contest only one home and away meeting against northern clubs Berwick, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Redcar, Scunthorpe and possibly Newcastle.

Asked for an update on Middleditch’s future, Danny Ford told the Daily Echo: “We are still not entirely sure what Middlo’s thoughts are.

“If he wants the job, the job would always be his. He is of course our number one choice. We just need to see how he is feeling.

“With the northern fixtures it would be a lot more travel. There is the option to potentially look at someone to do the northern fixtures and then Middlo does the southern ones.

“But there is no confirmation on that yet and we will see what happens.

“If Middlo does want the job, the job is always his.”

Meanwhile, Pirates are this week expected to announce their first rider for 2020.

Speaking on the club website, Danny Ford said: “Now that our move has been approved we can really focus on developing a team.

“That is something we have already been quite busy on and although the full jigsaw is not currently complete, I am really hoping to be able to announce our first rider at the REF Winter Social evening this coming Wednesday.”