NEIL Middleditch and Gary Havelock will continue to share team manager duties at Poole Pirates in 2024.

Poole legend ‘Middlo’ first became Pirates manager in 1999, a post he has held ever since.

In more recent years, the 67-year-old has been aided by Havelock, who takes charge of Pirates in northern away meetings.

From the 2021 campaign, north east-based Havelock, 55, has been at the helm in the SGB Championship for trips to the likes of Glasgow, Edinburgh, Berwick and Redcar, among others.

And 1992 world champion ‘Havvy’, who rode under Middleditch during his spell at Pirates between 1998 and 2002, is set to carry on in his role for the upcoming campaign.

Asked if team manager arrangements would remain the same this year, Pirates promoter Danny Ford told the Daily Echo: “They are all set to still carry on in those roles.

“We’ve won two out of a three league titles and it has been successful. Not quite as successful as it could’ve been, but it’s been relatively successful, so we don’t feel we need to change that.

“They’ve got a great rapport with the riders.

“We’re still keeping that spine of the team with the Cooks (Ben and Zach) and Rich (Lawson), they’ve got great relationships with those guys and they know most of the new guys coming in.

“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. It’s served us well in the past and hopefully it does once again.”

Discussing the away trips served up by being in the Championship, Ford said: “It’s a lot of travelling!

“With Workington entering the league, it’s another one for Havvy and Middlo misses one by not doing Birmingham.

“So a bit more pressure on Havvy, but anyone who has spoken to Havvy can see how keen he is and passionate he is about speedway, so I’m sure he is ready and raring to go.”