SHEFFIELD Tigers have appointed Ricky Ashworth as their new captain for the 2009 season.

Ashworth, a product of the club’s youth policy, will replace Andre Compton who retired at the end of last month.

The popular Mancunian is still recovering from a broken wrist sustained at Glasgow in August but will be fit for the launch of the new campaign in March.

Sheffield owner Neil Machin said: "We had some very positive talks about going forward here at Sheffield and Ricky made a bee-line for the captaincy when it was offered.

"He knows what goes with the job and will lead by example. We've seen what he's capable of and I believe that Ricky will become a good no.1 next year.”

And the rider himself is determined to grab this opportunity with both hands.

He said: “When I first rode for Sheffield we had Sean Wilson as captain and he was marvellous, such a great leader and a great rider.

“My challenge is now to raise my own performance levels to try and establish myself as a top Premier League star at the same time as leading the team as skipper and I’m determined to make it a success.”