Poole Speedway in Poole, Dorset, United Kingdom | Family Entertainment Centre

If their first season in charge was something of a dream for Golding and Ford, year two rapidly turned into a nightmare. A winter long dispute over the continued employment of World U21 champion Lee Richardson concluded with the youngster getting his wish to move to Coventry, the Poole promoters then tempted Newport's Craig Watson to Wimborne Road, the Australian targetted by a number of Elite league clubs. Watson was joined in Dorset by Emil Lindqvist who boldly decided to make the step up in grade after a chequered debut year at Premier. With Loram, Nicholls and Havelock safely back in the fold it was believed by many that the key man to the season's fortunes would be Lars Gunnestad, making comeback after a season's sabbatical.
The investment in Watson soon became an expensive one. Crashing in his fourth ride in his debut meeting seeking his first points of the night, Watson sustained a broken arm and scaphoid and an extensive period out of the saddle - long enough for him to return home to Australia whilst the Pirates sought a replacement. Waiting in the wings was former club captain Alun Rossiter, in favour with the Poole promoters who generously agreed to give up a Wednesday night to allow 'Rosco' to stage his long-awaited (twice postponed) Testimonial.
Whilst team results were not too favourable for the Poole club, Mark Loram was flying the flag high in the Grand Prix. Runner-up in the opening two rounds Loram soon found himself as the series leader and seriously threatening to relieve club captain Gary Havelock of the title he had held for 8 years as the last Englishman to win the World Championship. By the final round Loram needed a top six place to guarantee the title and to the delight of British speedway he duly delivered, although nerves certainly won the better of him on that unforgettable night in Bydgoszcz, Poland.
Despite the lack of team success crowd figures stood up, attracted by the blend of good racing and entertainment that was rapidly becoming a Golding and Ford trademark.