POOLE Pirates riders and management have become accustomed to success over the years but in the next six months the club could top the lot.

Elite League champions in 2013 and 2014, Pirates will this year aim to become the first British team in more than four decades to win the top flight three times in a row.

The last team to achieve that feat was Belle Vue in 1972, when a 15-year-old Neil Middleditch had yet to commence his riding career.

Now 58, the Poole team boss admits that emulating the Aces’ efforts would propel Pirates to another level.

Middleditch told the Daily Echo: “I can remember Belle Vue being the side to beat back in the 70s and it’s a tough call as to whether we can achieve what they did.

“We’ve won the league back-to-back twice and to do it three times in a row would be very special.

“As it’s been 43 years since it was last done, it would be some achievement.”

Poole-born Kyle Newman, a crowd favourite at Wimborne Road who is still based in Dorset, has played a part in Pirates’ last two league title successes.

The reserve made three guest appearances in 2013, including in the grand final against Birmingham, when he scored nine paid 11 across both legs.

Off the back of that cameo, Newman enjoyed a sensational 2014 as he bagged his first top-flight paid maximum, won the Elite League and was named Poole’s rider of the year.

The 23-year-old, who attended his first meeting aged just 17 months, is only too aware that his beloved Pirates are one campaign away from a memorable milestone.

“I’m trying not to talk too much about it because I’m getting quite excited at the prospect,” said Newman.

“The goal is to get to the play-offs and as has been proved year after year, anything can happen after that.

“If we could win the league again, it would be unreal.”

Former world champion Chris Holder made 17 outings for Poole in 2013 before riding in seven meetings last year as cover for the injured Darcy Ward.

The Torun and Piraterna charger is confident that the current crop has the talent to bring yet more silverware to Wimborne Road.

Holder said: “There is no reason why we can’t. We’ve got the guys to do it but it’s about making sure everyone stays healthy and things go our way.

“If that happens, I’m sure we’ll be there at the end.”