PIRATES co-promoter Danny Ford admitted he was “over the moon” to welcome back Adam Ellis for the club’s 2020 SGB Championship campaign.

The 23-year-old makes his return to Wimborne Road having mainly represented Poole at reserve back in 2016, helping the Dorset club reach the Elite League play-off semi-finals.

And with the fifth member of his new-look septet now announced, Ford insisted he was excited by the return of the World Cup silver medallist.

He told the Daily Echo: “I am absolutely delighted to welcome back Adam. I am over the moon to have him back in the team.

“He was with us in the past when he came in at reserve a few years ago and, since then, his stock has gone up massively.

“He has won the (Premiership) title with Swindon multiple times and has shown what kind of potential we saw in him in those early days.

“He has represented team GB on multiple occasions now, has had opportunities in Poland at the top level of the sport. It just goes to show what a talent he is and how highly-rated he is.

“He is still a very young guy with bags of potential.”

Marmande-born Ellis joins the likes of Danny King and Steve Worrall, along with Stefan Nielsen and Josh MacDonald as riders set to don the skull and crossbones at the start of the new season.

And Ford believes the British heat-leader trio of King, Worrall and Ellis will provide a huge boost to the Dorset club’s title hopes.

“Those three can really spearhead us into a title challenge,” he said.

“We are delighted to welcome Adam back in a heat leader position, which will be a big step for him but he was riding at number one for Birmingham last year.

“This year he will come in at number five, supported by two other heavy hitters in Danny King and Steve Worrall.”

He added: “It doesn’t look like much of a Championship team! I think those guys would give a lot of Premiership teams a run for their money.

“It’s an all-British top three, which is a massive, massive change for Poole fans. They won’t have seen that in a long time. I can imagine all three riders will be challenging for that number one spot, all rode at number one for their respective clubs last year – it’s a fantastic position we have put ourselves in.”

Ellis, who comes in on a 7.80 Championship average, is set to double up with Premiership Swindon as well as riding at Poole.