LONG-SERVING Poole Pirates boss Neil Middleditch won the services to speedway award at the annual World Speedway Riders’ Association gala dinner.

Middleditch, 66, became team boss of Pirates in 1999 and has piloted the club to an astonishing spell of success, winning 29 trophies in that time.

The former Great Britain manager has now added a personal accolade to his collection, courtesy of the WSRA, an organisation which first formed in 1957, before taking on its current guise in 2006.

Held at the Leicester Marriott, the gala dinner saw a host of gongs handed out, including Middleditch taking home a trophy for his long service to the sport.

Former Pirates star Chris Harris won the rider of the year award, while Glasgow Tigers were crowned club of the year, after beating Poole in the Championship grand final.