CHRIS Holder has pledged his long-term future to Pirates, insisting he’s never wanted to ride for any other top-flight British team.

The Aussie ace spearheads Poole Castle Cover’s pursuit of silverware next year in his fourth consecutive season with the club.

And the Grand Prix stars says he feels privileged to have been retained as the Dorset outfit’s number one, particularly with Bjarne Pedersen going on loan to Eastbourne.

Speaking to the Echo from Australia, Holder said: “It’s an honour for me to read (Pirates owner) Matt Ford wants me to lead Poole for as long as I can.

“I certainly hope to stay with the club for as long as I can. I don’t want to leave.

“It’s the only Elite League club I’ve ridden for in England and nothing really appeals to me apart from them.

“Bjarne’s left because you can’t have two riders with averages above eight in the same team and it’ll feel strange not having him at Poole because he’s a good mate.

“You could say Bjarne’s done pretty well to do nine successive years with one club.

“No other rider will probably be able to pull that off in future because of the way the rules change so often in England.

“If Darcy Ward had an average higher than eight, we wouldn’t be in the same team next year either.

“So if the rules are the same in 2012 we won’t be in the same team.

“It’s not good. You just have to deal with it as it comes.”

With Britain’s economic climate still on a downturn, Ford warned riders not to demand “silly money” when negotiating deals.

Holder, who joined Poole from then Premier Division outfit Isle of Wight in 2008, said: “It’s not all about the money for me.

“I like racing speedway and to be able to race for Poole.

“I don’t think I’m too hard money wise anyway. We had no problems fixing up a deal.

“It’s a relief because it’s difficult hearing bits and pieces of what’s going on over there when we’re in Aussie.

“It’s good to tie up a deal before Christmas so I know what’s happening.

Holder added: “It’s cool to be going back to Poole.

“It’s great to have the chance because it could easily have been so different.

“I don’t know what the full make-up of the team will be. I’m just waiting to see what happens. But our number one aim is to win the league.”