TITLE winners Kyle Howarth and Josh Pickering have extended their stay at Sheffield.

The two firm fans favourites played a significant role for the Tru Plant Tigers this year, including during the Grand Final against Ipswich as the Steel City side claimed the Premiership crown.

Howarth was the man who got to lift the trophy at Owlerton in October and the club captain will now be a Tiger once again for a seventh straight season.

Meanwhile, after twice signing for Sheffield part way through a campaign, all-action Aussie Pickering will begin a league programme as a Sheffield rider for the first time.

Tru Plant Tigers team boss Simon Stead said: “It was a bit of a no brainer to include both Kyle and Josh.

“They are two really popular guys who are adored by the Sheffield supporters and they’re both fully committed speedway riders who never know when they’re beaten.

“If I was asked who was my rider of the play-offs was I would have to pick Josh Pickering.

“He rode his socks off and his ultra committed riding style makes him very entertaining to watch.

“He’s got a really infectious personality, he’s an outstanding team man both on and off track and he is a real asset to us as a club.

“As for Kyle he’s the backbone of Sheffield Speedway, he’s a mainstay of our club and he’s part of the furniture at Owlerton now.

“He’s a real solid, reliable performer both home and away and I felt he rode well in several different positions in the team this season.

“These two have got Sheffield at heart and to be able to have them as ‘backup’, if you like, for our top three should mean we are genuine contenders once again next year.”

Howarth and Pickering join Jack Holder, Tai Woffinden and Chris Holder in the Tigers’ top five with just the two reserve riders left to be named.