JUBILANT Poole Speedway management duo Matt Ford and Neil Middleditch paid special tribute to teenager Antonio Lindback following the club's Elite League championship win on Monday night.

The young Swede, who joined the club midway through last season, was top scorer for the team in the play-off final first leg at Wolverhampton, but it was his contribution to the team earlier in the season that has earned additional praise from the Pirates hierarchy.

Co-promoter Ford told the Daily Echo last night: "Winning the league has been a team effort and I have thanked all the riders. To defend the title after losing five-times world champion Tony Rickardsson in April and Leigh Adams in the close season - two of the top four riders in the world at the present time - makes it even more stunning.

"Anton was so important to the team earlier in the season when we were going through a transitional period.

"Jason Lyons was finding it hard to settle at Poole and Davey Watt had trouble in the difficult number four slot.

"We were struggling, but the teenager was inspirational: Paid 17 points at Peterborough, paid 18 points against Oxford, paid 15 against Swindon and another paid 15 against Peterborough at home where we just won in a nervewracking last heat decider.

"Without him, I am convinced we would have struggled to stay at the top of the table during the wobble. He was magnificent."

Team boss Neil Middleditch added: "In my eyes all the team are heroes. They have all been prepared to give a little bit more for the team and I cannot thank them enough. I just hope they can produce it again for us in the Cup Final against Ipswich next week.

"As far as Antonio is concerned he's one of those riders who can turn on the overdrive button just when you least expect it. He has formed a potent partnership with Matty Ferjan lately and the part he has played in this title success cannot be underestimated."