Post by schumi on Jan 14, 2010 6:56:28 GMT
Similar to the Peterborough story, Phil Chard and Middlo have put together their select sides of the 00's.
PHIL CHARD’S ‘PIRATES TEAM OF THE DECADE’ MARK LORAM: Anyone who saw thrill-merchant Loramski strutting his stuff for Pirates during his two-year spell with the club will never forget the sensational outside passing he regularly provided. Loramski was in his prime at Wimborne Road. Laid-back and popular off the shale, it was a crying shame an alleged bust-up over wages with Poole boss Matt Ford signalled Mark’s premature Wimborne Road departure. Only last month, on announcing his retirement, Loram told Speedway Star magazine: “I think, at the time, Matt subconsciously fancied having Tony Rickardsson there, which I’m not going to argue with, I was a Rickardsson fan as much as anyone. I do think it could have been done better, but anyway, for whatever reason, moving on from Poole was actually gutting for me.”
GARY HAVELOCK: An inspirational leader, whose infectious character and deep love of speedway quickly won over the most ardent of the 1992 world champion’s critics after his shock signing by Poole at the tail end of the 1998 season. A bright spark and highly knowledgeable rider, Havvy never held back from saying what was on his mind. Captain Magnificent, as he often was in Pirates colours, Gary’s fading career was rejuvenated in his memorable four-and-a-quarter year spell at Wimborne Road.
KRZYSZTOF CEGIELSKI: A tall, blonde-haired Polish rider who only had one season at Poole. But what an exceptional season it was. Ceggy pulled off every passing manoeuvre possible and was the perfect antidote for Pirates fans still suffering from the hangover of losing Loramski at the beginning of the 2001 campaign. Seemingly a world champion in waiting, it was a particularly cruel blow when injury cut Krzys’s racing career off in its prime.
Bjarne Pedersen: A quietly spoken Dane, Daddy Cool is one of those riders you would miss if he wasn’t around. Loyal to a fault to Poole, Pedersen has quietly gone about his business of piling up the points for Pirates since he joined them in 2002. He’s plundered so many, he’s now fifth in the club’s all-time league and KO Cup rankings behind only Craig Boyce, Pete Smith, Steve Schofield and Geoff Mudge. He’s also helped Poole lift eight major team trophies.
TONY RICKARDSSON: Tony might have initially been a controversial replacement for Loramski, but once he was confirmed as Poole’s new number one, he quickly showed Pirates fans why he was the main man in world speedway. Quite simply different class, Ricko was lightning out of the traps and if he missed the gate he would simply roar past the opposition in double quick time. A huge favourite with the Wimborne Road faithful, the Swede won two of his record-equalling six world titles while a Pirate in 2002 and 2003.
Chris Holder: Tipped as a future world champion by Pirates chief Matt Ford when he initially signed for Poole in 2006, Holder has always handled the pressure of that label exceptionally well. The Aussie ace didn’t put on a skull and crossbones race jacket until 18 months later when he stepped up to the Elite League full-time with Pirates. Since then, he’s shown he’s a natural speedway rider with unbelievable bike handling skills.
ANTONIO LINDBACK: YOUNG Brazilian-born Swede who astonished Pirates fans by scorching to a scintillating 19 paid 21-point maximum on his full Poole debut in 2003 while still only 18. Astonishingly, the Rio Rocket equalled Craig Boyce’s then all-time club record of 19 paid 21 that had stood alone as the highest Pirates riders’ score in a single match since 1990. Only Bjarne Pedersen has bettered it since with 22 paid 23 at Arena in 2005. Anton is a speedway natural who played a major role as Poole powered to the treble in 2003 and double in 2004.
MIDDLO'S SELECTION PIRATES team manager Neil Middleditch, who has led them to nine major trophies since taking over the role in 1999, has also picked his Poole team of the Noughties.
In no particular order, it is Mark Loram, Gary Havelock, Krzysztof Cegielski, Craig Boyce, Tony Rickardsson, Bjarne Pedersen and Magnus Zetterstrom.
Knocking on the door of Middlo’s side are Chris Holder and Antonio Lindback.
Below is Neil Middleditch’s selection and his view on why he chose the riders:- MARK LORAM: A tremendous rider who was always providing excitement for the crowd. Gating was his weak point, but that’s what made him exciting. Mark would always give 100 per cent, and you knew a race wasn’t over until the chequered flag dropped.
GARY HAVELOCK: A great servant to the club who always gives 100 per cent on and off the track. His heart was always in Poole and when the chips were down you could always count on Havvy, not just when riding for Pirates, but for Team GB as well.
KRZYSZTOF CEGIELSKI: He was only at Poole for one season before the dreadful accident that curtailed his career. But Ceggy would have gone on to become a fantastic rider. He’d be on the Grand Prix stage now without a shadow of a doubt. Always professional, he worked to his own dimensions.
CRAIG BOYCE: He proved the doubters wrong when Matt Ford brought him back into the side in his late 30s. People turned their noses up at that decision. But Craig does his work on the track and he proved age was no barrier to success. Boycey’s a Pirates legend.
TONY RICKARDSSON: In my book, Tony is the greatest ever speedway rider. I know it’s hard to compare different eras, but Tony, for me, is by far the best rider I have seen. He’s got everything, his equipment, attention to detail, tenacity, all second to none. You don’t become six-times world champion without being something special.
BJARNE PEDERSEN: A great servant to Pirates again. He’s always there for the club through thick and thin. You can always count on Bjarne. He’s been loyal to the club and always wants to do well. He’s not the most exciting rider on a bike to look at, but you can count on double figures from him.
MAGNUS ZETTERSTROM: Mr Entertainment with a capital E. People love to watch him ride, and his antics after the race. Zorro never gives up on the track, where he always gives his best. He’s proved his class, and point, by qualifying to be in the Grand Prix this year.
CHRIS HOLDER and ANTONIO LINDBACK are very, very exciting riders who have great futures in the sport. Unfortunately, Anton lost his way a bit, but under Tony Rickardsson’s guidance is getting back on track. Chris is a great professional who doesn’t know the meaning of giving up. He can go on to become one of the greatest Pirates of all time.
From: www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/sport/speedway/piratesnews/4847361.Feature__The_stars_who_put_Pirates_back_on_the_map/
PHIL CHARD’S ‘PIRATES TEAM OF THE DECADE’ MARK LORAM: Anyone who saw thrill-merchant Loramski strutting his stuff for Pirates during his two-year spell with the club will never forget the sensational outside passing he regularly provided. Loramski was in his prime at Wimborne Road. Laid-back and popular off the shale, it was a crying shame an alleged bust-up over wages with Poole boss Matt Ford signalled Mark’s premature Wimborne Road departure. Only last month, on announcing his retirement, Loram told Speedway Star magazine: “I think, at the time, Matt subconsciously fancied having Tony Rickardsson there, which I’m not going to argue with, I was a Rickardsson fan as much as anyone. I do think it could have been done better, but anyway, for whatever reason, moving on from Poole was actually gutting for me.”
GARY HAVELOCK: An inspirational leader, whose infectious character and deep love of speedway quickly won over the most ardent of the 1992 world champion’s critics after his shock signing by Poole at the tail end of the 1998 season. A bright spark and highly knowledgeable rider, Havvy never held back from saying what was on his mind. Captain Magnificent, as he often was in Pirates colours, Gary’s fading career was rejuvenated in his memorable four-and-a-quarter year spell at Wimborne Road.
KRZYSZTOF CEGIELSKI: A tall, blonde-haired Polish rider who only had one season at Poole. But what an exceptional season it was. Ceggy pulled off every passing manoeuvre possible and was the perfect antidote for Pirates fans still suffering from the hangover of losing Loramski at the beginning of the 2001 campaign. Seemingly a world champion in waiting, it was a particularly cruel blow when injury cut Krzys’s racing career off in its prime.
Bjarne Pedersen: A quietly spoken Dane, Daddy Cool is one of those riders you would miss if he wasn’t around. Loyal to a fault to Poole, Pedersen has quietly gone about his business of piling up the points for Pirates since he joined them in 2002. He’s plundered so many, he’s now fifth in the club’s all-time league and KO Cup rankings behind only Craig Boyce, Pete Smith, Steve Schofield and Geoff Mudge. He’s also helped Poole lift eight major team trophies.
TONY RICKARDSSON: Tony might have initially been a controversial replacement for Loramski, but once he was confirmed as Poole’s new number one, he quickly showed Pirates fans why he was the main man in world speedway. Quite simply different class, Ricko was lightning out of the traps and if he missed the gate he would simply roar past the opposition in double quick time. A huge favourite with the Wimborne Road faithful, the Swede won two of his record-equalling six world titles while a Pirate in 2002 and 2003.
Chris Holder: Tipped as a future world champion by Pirates chief Matt Ford when he initially signed for Poole in 2006, Holder has always handled the pressure of that label exceptionally well. The Aussie ace didn’t put on a skull and crossbones race jacket until 18 months later when he stepped up to the Elite League full-time with Pirates. Since then, he’s shown he’s a natural speedway rider with unbelievable bike handling skills.
ANTONIO LINDBACK: YOUNG Brazilian-born Swede who astonished Pirates fans by scorching to a scintillating 19 paid 21-point maximum on his full Poole debut in 2003 while still only 18. Astonishingly, the Rio Rocket equalled Craig Boyce’s then all-time club record of 19 paid 21 that had stood alone as the highest Pirates riders’ score in a single match since 1990. Only Bjarne Pedersen has bettered it since with 22 paid 23 at Arena in 2005. Anton is a speedway natural who played a major role as Poole powered to the treble in 2003 and double in 2004.
MIDDLO'S SELECTION PIRATES team manager Neil Middleditch, who has led them to nine major trophies since taking over the role in 1999, has also picked his Poole team of the Noughties.
In no particular order, it is Mark Loram, Gary Havelock, Krzysztof Cegielski, Craig Boyce, Tony Rickardsson, Bjarne Pedersen and Magnus Zetterstrom.
Knocking on the door of Middlo’s side are Chris Holder and Antonio Lindback.
Below is Neil Middleditch’s selection and his view on why he chose the riders:- MARK LORAM: A tremendous rider who was always providing excitement for the crowd. Gating was his weak point, but that’s what made him exciting. Mark would always give 100 per cent, and you knew a race wasn’t over until the chequered flag dropped.
GARY HAVELOCK: A great servant to the club who always gives 100 per cent on and off the track. His heart was always in Poole and when the chips were down you could always count on Havvy, not just when riding for Pirates, but for Team GB as well.
KRZYSZTOF CEGIELSKI: He was only at Poole for one season before the dreadful accident that curtailed his career. But Ceggy would have gone on to become a fantastic rider. He’d be on the Grand Prix stage now without a shadow of a doubt. Always professional, he worked to his own dimensions.
CRAIG BOYCE: He proved the doubters wrong when Matt Ford brought him back into the side in his late 30s. People turned their noses up at that decision. But Craig does his work on the track and he proved age was no barrier to success. Boycey’s a Pirates legend.
TONY RICKARDSSON: In my book, Tony is the greatest ever speedway rider. I know it’s hard to compare different eras, but Tony, for me, is by far the best rider I have seen. He’s got everything, his equipment, attention to detail, tenacity, all second to none. You don’t become six-times world champion without being something special.
BJARNE PEDERSEN: A great servant to Pirates again. He’s always there for the club through thick and thin. You can always count on Bjarne. He’s been loyal to the club and always wants to do well. He’s not the most exciting rider on a bike to look at, but you can count on double figures from him.
MAGNUS ZETTERSTROM: Mr Entertainment with a capital E. People love to watch him ride, and his antics after the race. Zorro never gives up on the track, where he always gives his best. He’s proved his class, and point, by qualifying to be in the Grand Prix this year.
CHRIS HOLDER and ANTONIO LINDBACK are very, very exciting riders who have great futures in the sport. Unfortunately, Anton lost his way a bit, but under Tony Rickardsson’s guidance is getting back on track. Chris is a great professional who doesn’t know the meaning of giving up. He can go on to become one of the greatest Pirates of all time.
From: www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/sport/speedway/piratesnews/4847361.Feature__The_stars_who_put_Pirates_back_on_the_map/
