WIMBORNE Road supremo Matt Ford believes Poole's 2005 team are capable of completing British speedway's first hat-trick of top-flight titles since Belle Vue in 1972.

Speaking at RIAS Pirates' press and practice, he said: "Certainly we believe that the team we have put together is capable of winning one or more trophies this season.

"Of course that is our goal. We really want to win.

"Everything the club has achieved in the past few years will look a bit stale if at the end of 2005 we haven't got any more silverware on display in our trophy cabinet.

"In terms of priorities, we really want to bring the league title back to Wimborne Road.

"That is the one trophy the riders, promoters, management and backroom staff hold so very dear to us all.

"Every effort will be made to win the title again. We will be as competitive as we can on track."

Stability is the key for Poole as they look to build on their two-year total dominance of the Elite League.

The Dorset club have managed to retain their top five riders who finished last season on such a high as they reeled off a league and Knockout Cup double.

Any side that can list captain Ryan Sullivan, two other World Championship stars in Bjarne Pedersen and Antonio Lindback, former GP rider Matej Ferjan and Krzysztof Kasprzak at the top of their team sheet is really going to fancy their chances of glory.

Ford, who has brought in Ray Morton and Ricky Ashworth as their main reserves with Edward Kennett and number eight Antonin Svab on stand-by, agrees.

The co-promoter said: "It is an extremely good position for us to be in to be able to bring back the top five from last year.

"It is unbelievable really. But we firmly believe in continuity at this club.

"We build up a rapport with riders over a number of years and work out how to get the best out of them.

"It does help when we know what makes them tick. For example we know when someone is feeling low, which tracks someone prefers and, perhaps, which ones they don't.

"We work on people to their strengths. We get the best out of them on any given day at any given track.

"Neil Middleditch is quite exceptional at this and that shows at both club and international level with Great Britain."

Some critics may think Poole are a little top heavy this year and might not have the points scoring power required at reserve.

But Ford said: "I would be shocked if people believed that. You do need two scoring reserves and I think we have two who can score in every meeting.

"I have known Ray well for years and he is capable of doing a very steady job for Poole at reserve.

"It is a crucial year for Ricky. He has to make sure he does well and can set himself up for at least a successful 15-year career in speedway.

"He didn't start out in the sport until something like 19 and this is only his third full season.

"And you've seen what Antonio has been able to do at 19.

"Ricky is going to have to try and make a massive move forward this year and we believe he is capable of doing it.

"So if Ray and Ricky are chipping in with four and maybe five points you have the basis to win meetings.

"On top of that, I think the other guys in the team are capable, very much at home and on certain tracks away, of scoring enough points between them to ensure we get some wins."

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