PIRATES chief Matt Ford has revealed he is close to making his first signing for 2012 – but admits any plans will remain on ice until after next month’s BSPA AGM.

Ford confirmed he had held positive talks with the mystery rider and that both parties had expressed a desire to work together next season.

However, the Wimborne Road promoter is holding off on naming members of next year’s Pirates team.

He is waiting for the outcome of the British Speedway Promoters’ Association summit, which will be held from November 17-20 in the Midlands, where team-building restrictions are likely to be at the top of the agenda.

Key to Pirates’ plans will be the controversial rule that allows teams to name just one rider with an average above eight points. If that remained in place, it would prevent Poole from picking Turbo Twins Chris Holder and Darcy Ward in the same line-up.

Speaking to the Daily Echo, Ford said: “I have spoken to one rider in particular who would be new to us next year, with a view to him joining the Pirates in 2012. That was met with a very good response.

“He is someone that would enhance the club and certainly come in on a lower average to replace somebody I am clearly going to have to let go with a higher average “That was one person I wanted to talk to in order to get an intent that he wanted to come to the club and he does, so I’m really pleased.

“I don’t want to say that is progressing because, until the AGM, there is little I can do.

“But what we have done is verbally agreed that we both want to work with each other, so I am confident that it would not be too difficult to confirm something with him at the time.”

Ford politely declined to comment on the identity of the potential signing. Pirates have been linked with a number of possible targets in recent weeks, with Ford previously admitting his interest in the likes of Martin Vaculik, Sam Masters and Kevin Wolbert, who starred for the club towards the end of last season.

Meanwhile, Ford reiterated his desire to keep Holder and Ward next season and insisted he was ready to speak up for his club at next month’s meeting.

He added: “Everyone knows that if there is an opportunity of keeping Chris and Darcy, it is what the fans and sponsors want, and it is certainly what the club would try to achieve.

“I have said to everybody I will do everything I can to try to keep those two boys but, sometimes, things are out of your hands.

“We have just got to be a little patient now and wait for the AGM, where we can go and fight our cause as everybody else will be fighting theirs.

“I want everyone to be competitive but it can’t be at the expense of Poole’s business being damaged.”

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