PIRATES team boss Neil Middleditch hailed Davey Watt as a "great servant" and a "talisman" after the experienced Aussie called time on his British career.

Watt, who won the Elite League title five times in the skull and crossbones, announced his retirement on Wednesday following his release from Rye House.

The 39-year-old will continue to ride for Polish club Rzeszow until the end of the campaign but his 16-year spell in British racing is at an end.

A lodger at Middleditch's Sturminster Marshall home, Watt is a popular figure at Wimborne Road having skippered Poole to a league-and-cup double in 2011 among a string of trophy successes.

Middleditch told the Daily Echo: "Davey has been a great servant to the Pirates and he was always our talisman when we won the leagues.

"There are plenty of riders who have not won even one league title as a rider, myself included.

"He will be missed by everybody, I'm sure. He brought the entertainment to British speedway."

Watt's last stint with Pirates ended in underwhelming fashion when he was axed by promoter Matt Ford just five matches into the 2016 campaign.

The Queenslander's fortunes followed a similar path this term when Rye House decided to part ways with the three-time World Cup silver medallist after he scored just 11 points in four meetings.

Middleditch added: "Davey is Pirates through and through and never wanted to leave.

"He was disappointed last year when Matt released him but all in all, he has had a great career, not just for the Pirates but in the UK as a whole.

"It is sad he has decided to retire. I think he felt he wasn't competitive any more and had perhaps lost that edge.

"You know in your mind when it is time to retire and now is the time for Davey."