DANNY Ford says he had little hesitation in signing up Richard Lawson for his third season at Poole Pirates, adding: “He has become a real fan favourite.”

Lawson, who turns 38 next month, is set to spearhead the Pirates charge in 2024, in a younger looking septet.

With the likes of Steve Worrall and Kyle Newman departing, Lawson is now the only member of the Pirates side in his 30s.

Tobias Thomsen, 29, is the second oldest in the team, which includes two teenagers in Sam Hagon and Max Perry.

Lawson first joined Pirates in 2022, replacing Benjamin Basso, forming an experienced heat leader trio alongside Worrall and Danny King.

With points limits in the Championship now decreasing, Pirates had to make the call between selecting either Lawson or captain Worrall for 2024, the latter departing and subsequently joining Glasgow Tigers.

Asked how difficult that decision was, promoter Ford told the Daily Echo: “The supporters have taken to Richard probably more than what we were expecting, to be honest.

“He has become a real fan favourite.

“He is a hard rider, but he is probably one of the most consistent in the league.

“He certainly finished in the top 10 of the averages, but obviously we’re losing a few of those top guys who aren’t riding in this league, so I fully expect him to be in the top five, even three, in the averages this year.

“Unfortunately it did mean losing Steve, but Richard is a Poole asset and overall, on balance, he was probably our most consistent rider last year.

“To be able to have him spearheading the team once again, while it was a hard decision, it was a clear decision.”

Lawson has won three trophies with Poole since joining, including the 2022 SGB Championship crown, and topped the charts for points at the club last season with 371 from 35 meetings. Of his 169 races, he placed in the top two 141 times.

Upon signing for 2024, Lawson said: “It was so easy for me to agree to a third time with Poole.

“I never considered going anywhere else, although I was approached by a few clubs, which is always nice to hear.

“But for me, this is now my club and where I feel I belong.”

Asked how nice that was to hear, given the Cumbrian’s longevity in the sport, Ford said: “I think Richard has had a pretty unlucky career.

“He’s been scolded by quite a few clubs. Clubs have folded while he has been there or not been paying.

“So I think he appreciates being part of a club where he knows he’s going to get paid every week and not have those kind of worries.

“He’s endeared himself massively to the Poole supporters.

“I remember when we first signed him, there was actually a few question marks from Poole supporters about signing him, then you think wow, what a signing he’s turned in to.

“It’s lovely when you hear those kind of things from riders and hopefully that kind of relationship will grow.

“He’s got a testimonial here, so it’s a relationship I can hopefully see going on for a few more years.”