CO-PROMOTER Danny Ford described as a “match made in heaven” the arrival of Steve Worrall to Wimborne Road as Pirates announced their first team member for 2020.

The St Helens-born star, a twin brother to Richie Worrall who featured for Poole in 2019, is set to arrive on a 7.39 average having featured for Newcastle in the SGB Championship last season.

Ford told the Daily Echo: “My dad (owner Matt) has had a great relationship with the Worrall brothers for a long time now.

“Steve has come in on a very attractive average from last season. With Newcastle’s future unsure, it was a match made in heaven and we welcome Steve to the club.

“We know the quality Steve has. He has done multiple meetings for Team GB, so someone of that calibre is fantastic to welcome to the club now.

“It just goes to show the strength of the Championship that we can bring in guys like this. I am really excited the team building has already started.

“He will come in as one of our heat leaders. With two more strong heat leaders, it should give us a strong base for the coming season.”

Merseysider Worrall, British Under-21 Championship runner up in 2011, arrives just five days after Poole’s Championship status was confirmed at last week’s British Speedway Promoters’ AGM.

Ford added: “Everyone knows his quality.

“He has had his fair share of injuries in the past couple of years but just before his big injury (a broken leg in April 2018) he was showing what a quality rider he is.

“If he can replicate any of that form it will be an amazing signing for us and we are looking forward to welcoming him at Wimborne Road.”

Next season will mark the first time since 1990 Pirates have competed in the second tier.

And Ford insisted the phone had not stopped ringing with riders looking to don the skull and crossbones.

“All of the guys want to ride for Poole,” he added.

“We have been inundated with requests already with riders phoning up to see if there are any team places available.

“It’s fantastic that the reputation the club has, and the way the club has always been run, that we are not short of riders who are willing to ride for us.

“That’s a fantastic position to be in. Now it’s a case of putting those pieces into the puzzle and putting out a strong, Championship winning side.”