MATT Ford admits Pirates find it tough to compete for up-and-coming British riders but insists: We are showing an interest.

The Poole chief’s comments come as two of the club’s assets – Kyle Newman and Kyle Howarth – prepare to launch their bid for glory in tonight’s British Under-21 Final at Monmore Green.

Poole Coastal Aluminium’s 2012 line-up contains no Brits, with the reigning champions opting to defend their Elite League title with a team of international stars.

Pirates are hopeful that Newman and Howarth will soon make the grade as they bid to break through in the sport dominated by top talents from countries such as Australia and Poland.

However, Ford confessed that the restrictions of Pirates’ Wimborne Road home had hampered their attempts to recruit and nurture more homegrown riders – including Jason Garrity.

Ford told the Daily Echo: “I think Jason Garrity could potentially be a very good rider and we wanted to throw our hat in the ring for him.

“We showed an interest because he is the British under-19s champion and clearly has something to offer in the sport.

“It isn’t that we don’t show any interest at all but you have to respect that those clubs offering facilities like Eastbourne and King’s Lynn, where riders can go and ride and train, are going to get the pick of the young British riders before I do.

“We are in a town centre where we can only use the track purely when we are riding on race nights.”

Outlining the difficulty of selecting British riders, Ford added: “With the established Brits – the guys at the top of their field – Tai Woffinden is clearly a Wolverhampton rider and they want to keep him. Lee Richardson is at Lakeside and has been now for a few years and is in their plans. Coventry own both Chris Harris and Scott Nicholls and chose to use both of them this year.

“You have to accept that unless you actually own one of the British guys, there is a good chance that you won’t actually get one of the top guys to ride. There are others that become available but our asset list hasn’t got too many Brits.

“We have tried to enhance that in the past year or two. We have a big hope Kyle Howarth and Kyle Newman will make it and go on to achieve good things within the sport. They are our great hopes for the club. I am in touch with both of them.

“Kyle Howarth is a few years younger than Kyle Newman so has a little bit more time on his side.

“Both myself and Gordon Pairman (co-promoter) contributed to their flights to go out to Australia in the season and we also made a further contribution to Kyle Howarth. We have tried to help the lads on their way to get to the top but it is not easy for them.”