TEAM boss Neil Middleditch has paid tribute to former Poole star Vaclav Verner, who has died after a long illness.

The former Czech international rode for Pirates in the early 1980s and his gutsy style made him a fans' favourite.

Middleditch told the club website: "I knew Vaclav very well on and off the track. He was an extremely nice man and we were the best of friends, although on track he was fearless and you knew he would never give up.

“I rode against him several times before he joined Poole and it’s fair to say we had our moments.

"After one coming together he chased me around the pits with a hammer! But it was heat of the moment stuff and forgotten about almost immediately afterwards.”

Verner was a regular in the Poole side of 1980 but was refused permission to return the following season by the Czech authorities.

He rejoined in 1982 and did enough to be retained for another campaign.

However, a run of injuries affected his scoring and he turned away from British speedway, preferring to concentrate on his continental racing commitments.

Poole have also expressed sadness at the death of Bobby Croombs, who helped the club win the Provincial League in 1962.

Croombs turned down an offer to join Belle Vue ahead of that campaign, preferring to link up with the Dorset outfit.

Ever-present in the side, he spent most of the season at number six or seven, scoring more than 100 points from his 86 league and Knockout Cup rides.

Croombs was retained for the following campaign but after making just two appearances, he chose to retire to concentrate on business interests.