Brennan buzzing to join up with Poole after email exchange with Matt Ford

Tom Brennan became the latest member of Pirates’ 2024 septet before declaring them “the one club I really wanted to race for” at SGB Championship level.

The British star detailed how he emailed owner Matt Ford in a bid strike a deal for next season, after he had remarkably not been approached by any second tier clubs.

Explaining how the move came about, the Swindon-born youngster said: “I was puzzled at the end of last season when I heard stories that I wouldn't be returning to the Championship.

“I don't know how or where those rumours began but once it struck me that I had not received any offers for 2024, I decided to take matters into my own hands and dropped an email to the owner of the one club I really wanted to race for.

“Matt responded to the enquiry and said ‘let's make it happen’ and so here I am, ready to ride for the Pirates and the challenges that will bring.

"Poole has always struck me as a highly professionally run club with big expectations on their riders and is the only club I was really interested in, as it is the sort of place I could improve at and that is really what my aim is, to improve year-on-year.

“And I believe that Poole can give me that. Looking from the outside in it seems a really competitive club and that is what I want to be involved in and I am really looking forward to this new start, a new adventure for me and I am really grateful to Matt and Danny and also to David Adams of Wessex Marine, as those guys have really made it happen and I am here."

Brennan, who is set to ride for Birmingham in the Premiership, has spent most of the past three seasons with the Glasgow Tigers.

Despite helping the Scottish side to league play-off glory in 2023, he was deemed surplus to requirements at Ashfield next season. He arrives at Poole on a 7.15 average.

Giving his take on snapping up the 22-year-old, Poole promoter Dany Ford said: "It came something out of the blue to be honest, as we thought initially that Tom would not be racing in the Championship level because of his commitments in other leagues.

“But he approached us to see if there was a chance of a place with us as, being a midweek track, it would fit well into his schedule.

“When you have the opportunity to sign a rider of Tom's potential then obviously it is well worth re-evaluating your options and we were able to quite quickly complete a deal with him and it looks as if we are set to have one of, if not the, strongest heat leader trio in the division.

"Tom actually had a better away average than a home one last year, and so that augurs well for us and whilst he may not have the greatest record around Wimborne Road, his last two appearances here have been encouraging and of course his contribution for Glasgow in the play-off final had quite a bearing on the destiny of the league title.

“Once he gets some regular racing around Wimborne Road under his belt then I think that Tom will find greater consistency at home and it would be great for us if he were to become a league winner for a second successive season, of course!"

Pirates have now confirmed the signings of Brennan, skipper Ben Cook, Richard Lawson and Sam Hagon for next season.  

(Picture: Taylor Lanning Photography)