LOYAL Pirates servant Neil Middleditch – the unsung hero of Poole’s record-breaking start to 2012 – is the best team boss in the world.

That is the opinion of Pirates promoter and owner Matt Ford, who has formed a hugely successful partnership with his colleague at Wimborne Road.

The duo have steered Poole to numerous league and cup triumphs during their lengthy spell at the helm.

Middleditch has this season continued his impressive record by helping the 2012 Pirates complete a remarkable 18-match unbeaten streak to write a new chapter in the club’s history books.

That run was ended on a controversial night at King’s Lynn on Friday but the Elite League leaders will be keen to return to winning ways against Eastbourne at Wimborne Road this evening (7.30pm).

And speaking ahead of the showdown, Ford labelled Middleditch an “immense” figure.

He told the Daily Echo: “When you work with an exceptional team, you up your game as well. I think Neil has been even better than before this year.

“He just has a way of getting guys to understand what he wants and his track knowledge, having been a rider for many years, also gains him respect from them.

“Neil has that experience and he is just incredibly popular with all of the team. He has a very good understanding with everybody he works with.”

A member of Pirates’ hall of fame, Middleditch made his Poole debut in 1974 and went on to represent the club with distinction as a rider.

Now a long-serving team manager, he is also the boss of Team Great Britain.

Ford said: “There are some very good team managers out there – the likes of Peter Adams and Alun Rossiter are very good team managers – but I wouldn’t swap Neil for anybody, and that is with the greatest respect to everybody else.

“He is the best in my opinion, not just in this country but, potentially, in domestic league speedway across the whole world.

“He has got such a good rapport with people.”

Meanwhile, Adrian Miedzinski has agreed to ride tonight as replacement Krzysztof Kasprzak has not yet been confirmed in the Pirates one-to-seven.

Former Poole captain Davey Watt has again been booked as a guest for number one Darcy Ward, who remains sidelined with a broken hand.

Ford added: “I am pleased that Adrian has extended his time with us for this meeting.

“Once again, I am indebted that Davey has agreed to cover for Darcy and I think we will all want to congratulate both Davey and Adrian on qualifying for the GP Challenge in September.

“Davey has been a first-class guest for us and has been a virtually seamless replacement for Darcy. I can’t praise him enough.”

Poole: Holder, Watt, Miedzinski, Andersson, Kling, Masters, Howarth.

Eastbourne: Kylmakorpi, Bridger, Gustafsson, Woodward, Dryml, Gizatullin, Lahti.