EX-PIRATE Leigh Adams has paid tribute to RIAS Poole bosses Matt Ford and Mike Golding ahead of their season-opening clash against Swindon tonight (March 10 7.30pm).

The 32-year-old Australian star helped spearhead the Dorset club to treble glory last season while he was on loan with the Wimborne Road outfit.

But Adams, a Swindon asset, has moved back to his parent club over the winter now that the Robins are back in the Elite League.

He makes an early return to Poole in Swindon colours tonight though when he should receive a magnificent reception from the home club's fans.

And his races against his 2003 team-mates Tony Rickardsson, Bjarne Pedersen, Antonio Lindback and Davey Watt are eagerly anticipated.

Adams said: "It is going to be kind of weird going back to Poole so early in the season but I am really looking forward to it.

"There was no moving away on sour terms. It was just a case of how things turned out with Swindon going back into the Elite League from the Premier.

"It is always nice going back to Poole. I made a lot of good friends there last year and the atmosphere on race nights is always good there.

"I really have a high regard for the two promoters there, Matt Ford and Mike Golding, and we had a really good working relationship last year.

"They are fantastic promoters and I think Poole's supporters are lucky to have them in charge of their club.

"We spoke a bit about the possibility of me returning to Poole towards the end of last season, but then the Swindon thing came up and I was 99 per cent sure I would be going back to them.

"I always knew that if Swindon moved back into the Elite I would be back with them. It's been like that for the past five years.

"They are my parent club so I don't know whether there will be another opportunity to ride for Pirates again, although you never know what is around the corner in speedway.

"If it never happens again before my career ends, at least I can always sit back and know I went to Poole, did my job and we won the league.

"The whole year was fantastic."

Adams added: "It will be weird being at Poole and racing against the likes of Tony so soon, especially after last year.

"But we ride against each other all of the time in Poland, so really it is not such a big deal.

"He is just another competitor I have to try and go out to beat.

"I left Poole on good terms and am looking forward to going back and David Ruud and Krzysztof Kasprzak are in the same situation.

"They are also going back to the track they rode for last year, although maybe they will feel they have a point to prove.

"It is hard to say how tonight's meeting will pan out. But whatever happens, I wish Poole well this year."

Both teams are at full strength with Jason Lyons making his Pirates debut following his winter move from Belle Vue.

Former Pirates captain Alun Rossiter returns to Poole for the first time in his new role as Swindon promoter.

Pirates: 1 Jason Lyons, 2 Bjarne Pedersen, 3 Magnus Zetterstrom, 4 Davey Watt, 5 Tony Rickardsson, 6 Antonio Lindback, 7 Daniel Davidsson.

Swindon: 1 Charlie Gjedde, 2 David Ruud, 3 Steve Johnston, 4 Oliver Allen, 5 Leigh Adams, 6 Claus Kristensen, 7 Krzysztof Kasprzak.