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FORMER Poole promoter Pete Ansell sadly passed away on Sunday after a long-term illness.Ansell, who took over the running of the Pirates along with Mervyn Stewkesbury back in 1985, became a stalwart of the club and provided considerable support to current promoter Matt Ford.Said Ford: “He was here from day one for me. When myself and Mike Golding bought the interests from Mervyn we were blessed with the fact that Pete stayed on to guide us, and he remained part of the infrastructure here until May this year when sadly his illness began to take a hold on him.“We are only a small administrative team taking responsibilities for the day-to-day running of the club but Pete provided superb support to myself and Giles (Hartwell). “I have to say it has felt very strange since May not having Pete around. He was more to me than just a work colleague. He was a good friend too and I would like to express my sincere condolences to his wife Roz, their two sons and the extended family at this very difficult time for them.”

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NEW-LOOK Wolverhampton have been given the seal of approval by long-serving club legend Freddie Lindgren.The Swedish World Cup winner is currently the only survivor from last season’s Wolves side going into the 2016 season with Joonas Kylmakorpi, Mikkel Bech, Kyle Howarth and Max Clegg all arriving at Monmore.Lindgren said: “It’s a really important year for Wolves, we’ve had two bad years now so we need to try and make sure next season is better.“The team is looking good, and I think the management have done a good job with the riders they’ve brought in so far. It’s always difficult to say how things will go when the teams aren’t complete, but I think my average can be a benefit for the club if I get back to my best and there is room for improvement with the other riders as well.