HOMETOWN boy Simon Stead will lead Sheffield Tigers back into the top division of British Speedway next season.

The club have confirmed Stead, a former rider who won two Second Division titles on track with Tigers in 1999 and 2002, will stay in the hot seat and work with a new-look side.

Stead says it’s a dream come true to see the side get promotion and he’s been blown away by the stunning reaction with so much excitement greeting the move.

He says the search is already on to bolster the side up to Premiership standard.

“Obviously, we are going to have to strengthen up and if that means looking abroad and looking at bringing some big names back to British speedway then that is something that I would love to do,” he said.

“Now that it has been announced it is all about putting the feelers out and seeing who is interested. Obviously, the Grand Prix lads and the top riders in the world have got very busy calendars and it needs to fit their calendar.

“So, once we have found out how the league is going to be structured, how it is going to look and how the fixtures will look, only then we will have a better opportunity to go to these riders and tell them how it is going to look and perhaps tempt them back over here.

“We are blessed at Sheffield to have what I believe are the best facilities in the country and I challenge anybody to rival them now, especially with the new investment that we have had with a good carvery too, although I have never had it yet because I am too busy!

“The Stadium is looking fantastic so we’re blessed with that and I am looking forward to it all kicking off and enjoying our time there.

“The reaction has been brilliant, it’s so exciting to see and hear everyone so excited.”