DAVEY Watt says a strong team spirit will be crucial if Poole Pirates are to snatch an unprecedented third Elite League title in a row.

The charismatic Aussie saw first-hand the benefits of a good atmosphere in the pits when he helped Pirates to four top-flight championships and two Knockout Cups.

Having led Pirates to the grand final in 2010, Watt skippered the double-winning side of 2011 and that experience left him in no doubt as to the value of team spirit.

He told the Daily Echo: “It might seem like success is something that just happens but it’s not. A lot of work goes into a season by the whole team.

“The reason that Poole have been successful, both with and without me, is that there’s always such a great team spirit. All the riders are excited to race on a Wednesday and see each other and have a laugh.

“That’s a huge part of winning a league and I think it’s underestimated or not noticed as much as it should be a lot of the time.

"I’ve always been very enthusiastic about making sure there is a great team spirit and I’m sure that will be no different this season with the riders we’ve got lined up.

"It looks like it’s going to be a great team and I’m really excited by it.”

The last British team to win three top-flight titles in a row was Belle Vue, who tasted British League success between 1970 and 1972.

But no club has won the Elite League title three times on the spin, a target Pirates will chase in the 2015 campaign.

Watt added: “It’s another feat to achieve. Just because no one has done it before doesn’t mean that it can’t be done.

“To win it two years in a row is pretty mind-blowing and there’s no reason why it can’t happen three years in a row. It just means a lot of work needs to be done.

“All the teams start on zero points so there is no advantage or disadvantage for Poole because they are league champions.”