SHEFFIELD's 15 year wait for league glory is over as they were crowned SGB Championship Champions on a night to remember at Ipswich.
Already holding a 16-point lead from their home leg, the Tigers claimed victory in Suffolk too, snatching a 46-44 win in a last race decider.
The Owlerton outfit crucially restricted the hosts to just two heat advantages in the opening eight races before coming on strong in the latter stages to inflict just a second home defeat of the year on Ipswich.
It was a night that will live long in the memory of everyone connected to the Sheffield Tigers, including team manager Simon Stead who was a part of the last league winning side back in 2002.
"I've been a rider for the club, I've been the captain, I'm team manager now and it feels amazing to be a league Champion with Sheffield again," Stead said.
"We finished top of the league for a reason and thankfully the boys were able to continue their superb form in the play-offs and we deserve this.
"This bunch of riders have made my life so much easier because they're passionate, they're hungry for success, they're dedicated and they've been a pleasure to work with.
"The team spirit has been unbelievable all season long and I'm delighted for everyone connected with the club.
"It's been a long time coming has this. "Obviously it's great for the team we've got at Sheffield right now, but for the management, the staff and of course the supporters, it's moments like this that you'll treasure for the rest of your life.
"While we knew we'd done a great job at home on Thursday, we knew we couldn't afford to be complacent and we had to treat it as a one meeting decider.
"In all honesty, the plan was to always come to Ipswich and win on the night.
"While we knew we had to ride sensibly, we never once talked about defending a lead.
"That's not a mentality I like and it's certainly not the mentality of Sheffield Speedway.
"We wanted to come here, finish the job off in style and I think it's fair to say we did just that.
"On behalf of myself, the riders and the rest of the management, I just want to say a big thanks to the many Sheffield fans who came to Ipswich to support the boys and to all of those who have been through the journey with us all season long."
Sheffield's 2017 campaign is far from over yet though - and upcoming fixture details will be confirmed in due course.
