DANNY Ford believes new Poole Pirates recruit Joe Thompson will want to “finish off the season with a bit of a flurry and put himself in the shop window”.

Teenager Thompson has joined Pirates as a replacement for injured reserve Adam Roynon, featuring twice for the club last week, initially as a guest.

A heat leader for third-tier Leicester Lion Cubs, alongside twin brother Dan, Joe Thompson had already ridden for three other English clubs this year, prior to being snapped up by Pirates.

He began the 2023 campaign on the books of Ipswich Witches in the Premiership and Scunthorpe Scorpions in the Championship.

But he was released early into the campaign by both clubs, allowing Birmingham Brummies to snap him up.

A collarbone injury hampered his progress, seeing him also let go by Brummies, allowing Pirates to swoop.

“We were looking around after it became clear that Adam Roynon would be taking a while to recover from his injuries, unfortunately,” Pirates promoter Ford told the Daily Echo.

“Obviously we’re going into the business end of the season, the most important part, and we felt having a full one-to-seven was incredibly important, for team morale and to give us that sense of security.

“Obviously Joe guested for us last week and I think it’s been quite some time since he had ridden the Poole track.

“His points probably didn’t reflect his effort. I think with a bit more confidence and time around the team, they can help and build him.”

Bournemouth Echo: Joe Thompson, right, in action against EdinburghJoe Thompson, right, in action against Edinburgh (Image: Richard Crease)

Last season, Thompson rode at Wimborne Road three times with Leicester Lions. After failing to score in either of the first two meetings, he showed some encouraging signs with 5+1 in the first leg of the Championship play-off final.

In his two meetings with Poole last week, the 19-year-old scored 2+1 as a guest against Redcar Bears, before improving to 4+2 in Sunday’s win over Edinburgh Monarchs.

“He’s a very young lad, so plenty of growth within that,” said Ford.

“Hopefully the guys can take him under their wing and he can be a sponge and absorb as much information as possible and help us to get some more silverware.

“It’s quite remarkable how many teams he’s ridden for in such a short career.

“He’s definitely got some great pedigree. It will be really interesting and hopefully he can settle in quickly and adapt to our track.

“He’s been there a couple of times for Leicester already last year and I’m looking forward to it, seeing how he settles in and hopefully the Poole faithful and the team help him in every way they can, because he’s definitely going to need it to get up to speed.”

Asked if he feels Thompson will want to prove himself as teams plan their 2024 line-ups, with just over a month of this season to go, Ford added: “He’s been incredibly unlucky with injuries so far this year and found himself without a Championship team place, which is obviously a huge shame.

“I think he’s been a victim of the numbers game in speedway as well.

“He’ll be wanting to finish off the season with a bit of a flurry and put himself in the shop window for maybe ourselves or another Championship team next year.

“Hopefully we’ll get the best of him.”

Thompson is set to line-up for Poole again tomorrow, when they host Glasgow Tigers in the SGB Championship (7.30pm).