(SPEEDWAY 1)

SWINDON have secured the signing of British youngster Kyle Howarth for a second spell in Robins colours.
Howarth rode for the Elite League club in the second half of the 2013 campaign before moving to Coventry this year, where ironically he played a major part in the Bees’ defeat of Swindon in the play-off semi-finals.
Manager Alun Rossiter said: “I’m really pleased to bring Kyle back. He contacted me at the end of the season and we said we’d look at it.
“It’s always great to have riders who want to ride for Swindon which Kyle certainly does, and we are pleased that with the way the averages have worked out we’ve been able to fit him into our plans. He’s a talented rider with plenty of enthusiasm and I’m sure he’ll have a good season for us.”

(SPEEDWAY 2)

TAYLOR Poole has agreed a deal to return to Sheffield next season after a positive first year in Tigers colours.
Poole ended the campaign on the sidelines with a broken femur but had previously overcome a dislike of the Owlerton circuit and is now well on his way back to fitness.
He said: “When I first joined Sheffield I had no other club to go to, so it was a case of Sheffield or nothing. I was a bit scared of the track because it’s so big and fast and I had never raced one like that as my home track – but I love it now!
“So it’s gone from my last choice of home track to the first choice within a year and I’m really happy to be back with Sheffield. The management have been very loyal to me, they’ve shown great faith and I want to repay them by having a good season.”

(SPEEDWAY 3)

FORMER British Under-21 Champion Robert Branford is to make a return to the Premier League next season with reigning champions Edinburgh.
Branford, whose father rode for the Monarchs in 1988, saw his 2013 campaign ended with a crash ironically at Armadale where he broke his scaphoid, and he took a year out of racing in the UK this season to work in Australia.
He said: “I’ve had the year off to work and I’m happy with that, it’s made me a lot hungrier. I almost needed the year off to prove to myself that this is what I wanted to do, I want to be a speedway rider. It’s made me miss it like crazy.
“I know how well Edinburgh did last year and I hope I can do well for them this year. I’ll be over some time in February, a little bit before the first meeting so that I can have everything ready. I need to get a mechanic and a van organised, I want to have a good team around me to get me going well.”

(SPEEDWAY 4)

CRADLEY star Nathan Greaves will be back with the National League champions for a third season in 2015.
Greaves, who has won the title in both of his campaigns with the Heathens, is the club’s second signing for next year as they prepare for their move to Perry Barr for home matches.
He said: “Last season I know I improved my average and I know I’ve come on a heck of a lot since first signing for the club, but I want to make sure that I improve even further in 2015.
“I want to push myself as much as I can and 2015 is going to be a big year for me. The National League should be a good league to race in again next year and I will do everything I can to make sure I score as many points as I can for the team, no matter what position I’m in and hopefully we can have another great season.”

(SPEEDWAY 5)

KENT assistant boss Chris Hunt will step up to the full team manager’s position next season.
Hunt, who was previously in charge of Sittingbourne (Iwade) and then the Isle of Wight, takes over from John Sampford who will be concentrating on his Premier League duties with Rye House.
Co-promoter Len Silver said: “In 2013 I was deeply involved in the track building and setting up of the team – with John, who has served my club Rye House superbly over the years twice leading the Rockets to Premier League titles, there to be our team manager. John has done a great job with Kent and we are all massively indebted to him for his hard work and dedication. 
“For my part I will remain as co-promoter but mainly responsible for track preparation and initial team building. Once the season starts, Chris will have full control of the team and its activities. I know that when it comes to coaching and motivating the riders and using his technical knowledge and Speedway acumen Chris will do a first-class job, and John and I know we are leaving the team in the best possible hands.”