COMING from behind to win the prestigious Craven Shield, as well as finishing runners-up in the Elite League (a contest which the Pirates were really deserved winners) rounded off yet another great season of the sport in Poole's Wimborne Road stadium.

There have been many highs, a few lows - possibly the worst of those when the team let slip a massive 16 point lead to lose by four - and perhaps the most encouraging factor of all, a consistency in the attendance figures.

There have been quite a number of meetings where the crowd has been the size envied by EVERY other track ...and not a few football clubs, either!

Despite, or perhaps because of, the sponsorship of speedway by Sky TV, the sport no longer enjoys the interest of those sections of the national press that for many years were totally involved with it.

But thankfully, down here in Dorset, we are more than amply served by the Daily Echo. On very few days of the week during the season is there no speedway news or statistical updates.

And throughout the closed season (November to February) we are generally kept informed as to major decisions and plans - proposed or agreed - for next season.

We all understand that speedway news has to compete with cricket, football, rugby, swimming and the rest.

But if this letter - which I am sure echoes the thoughts of all who go to Pirates speedway - helps to assure the newspaper's top brass that we, they, the speedway folk, really do appreciate how we are treated by the Echo. It means we can cheerfully stick out the winter until season 2002 arrives.

Name and address supplied