RAY Morton has labelled Pirates star Ryan Sullivan 'Captain Inspirational' following his departure from Wimborne Road.

The 36-year-old rider has left Poole RIAS to join Premier League outfit Exeter after finding it too tough to make money in the Elite League.

But Morton, whose replacement Tobias Johansson makes his Pirates debut at home to Coventry to-night (7.30pm), has nothing but praise for the top-flight title chasers. And he paid a special tribute to Flyin' Ryan following the skipper's tremendous 14-point display in the Dorset club's 54-40 win over Swindon in their last match.

Morton said: "Ryan was an inspiration to me, he was absolutely brilliant with the advice that he handed out, both to me and the rest of the Poole boys. Even though I have raced motor bikes probably for a lot longer than him, you can always learn off other people and Ryan has picked up a lot of knowledge over the years.

"When you have ridden in the world's top 10 for as long as he has, he is bound to have a great knowledge of the job and he has shown me new things about en-gine set ups, equipment and those types of things that have been really useful.

"He is doing a fantastic job as a captain and is a major part of why they are seriously challenging for the title again.

"Ryan is just beginning to hit top form and he showed that with his 14 points against Swindon last week.

"I will always be grateful for the help and support he has given me over the past two months and I will definitely be using some of the advice he has passed on when I'm riding for Exeter. It wasn't only Ryan who has been helping me out though.

"Bjarne Pedersen set up a carburettor for me and the rest of the lads were great, including the other reserves.

"We all got on well and I am sure that sort of team spirit will go along way towards helping Pirates go for their third successive title."

Isle of Wight-based Morton, currently sidelined with head, back and shoulder injuries, added: "I am hoping to go to Poole to see them ride a few times this year because I enjoyed myself with them so much.

"It is such a shame I have had to stop riding for the Pirates.

"In some ways it feels like it is the end of the season for me.

"I just wish I had been able to show people at Poole what I could really do because the problem was I wasn't doing very well at Wimborne Road.

"Also I didn't do very well in the two televised away meetings, so people didn't see my best rides at other away tracks like Ipswich."

Elite League strugglers Oxford Silver Machine have become the first club to appoint a club chaplain.

In confirming Reverend Hedley Feast in the role, Oxford boss Nigel Wagstaff said: "Many sports clubs have a club chaplain and I think it's an important step for the club as there are a lot of ways that he may be able to help."