SHEFFIELD Tigers will welcome 2017 Championship hero Josh Grajczonek back to Owlerton for their opening meeting celebration next month.

Grajczonek will appear in the club's 90th anniversary individual on Sunday March 24 alongside the new 2019 Sheffield team and more names to follow soon.

And he will immediately start as one of the favourites to make a winning return to Owlerton as he prepares to do battle with new signings Danny King, Zaine Kennedy and teenage ace Drew Kemp.

The meeting will feature 20 heats and a Grand Final to decide the winner with a bumper turnout expected for the new era of Sunday racing at 4pm.

Said Grajczonek, who won the Premiership with Poole Pirates in dramatic style last October: "I love it at Sheffield and I'm very pleased to accept the invitation to go back there.

"We had a great season there in 2017 and it was a great achievement to win the Championship like we did, I'd love to go back and win their big meeting."

Sheffield co-promoter Damien Bates added: "It was no surprise to me when he went back to Poole and did a great job for them. He was an integral part of their remarkable mid-season surge for the play-offs and, ultimately, the league title.

"He's a great rider to have in our opening meeting of the season and more names will follow soon to add to the seven Sheffield lads."

CONFIRMED RIDERS: Danny King, Ty Proctor, Kasper Andersen, Kyle Howarth, Broc Nicol, Zaine Kennedy, Drew Kemp, Josh Grajczonek.