BELLE Vue captain Joe Screen has admitted he is disappointed that Simon Stead has left the club but remains upbeat about the new season which starts in March.

Stead felt he needed a change of track after a disappointing 2007 campaign which was due mainly to two morale-sapping crashes, one at Belle Vue and the other at Ipswich.

The Sheffield rider has joined Coventry on loan for a season with double World champion, Jason Crump, and Danish World Cup man Charlie Gjedde being signed to pep the top end of the team.

Screen, back home after finishing a creditable third in the five-meeting Australian championship series, said: "I was really shocked to see that Simon had left us but at least we have a side that is up to the points limit, unlike last year.

"I'm delighted that Jason is back because he's a good mate as well as one of the best riders in the world.

"Charlie is a very experienced rider with a good record at Belle Vue and I am pleased he's here from a personal point of view.

"Last season, because of our team building problems, I found myself operating as the second heat leader.

"It put extra pressure on me and I was happy with my overall contribution. But this season I'll be the third man behind Jason and Charlie and that willsuit me better."

He added: "I was a bit surprised to be asked to stay as captain in view ofthe fact that Jason is coming back.

"But I'm happy to do it and, knowing Jason as I do, there's no doubt he'll have his own input. I talked to him regularly while I was in Australia. He's very excited about the new season and so am I.

"Since I got back, I've been looking at some of the teams we'll be facing and there are some very good sides out there.

"I think it will be a much better league than last season when, right from the word go, only a few teams had a chance of winning anything.

"We will have to be on the ball right from the start so I was delighted todiscover that two closed-door practice sessions have been arranged at Scunthorpe and Belle Vue before the official Press day.

"We'll be able to do work on our own equipment as well as getting to know the new boys and giving them tips on how to ride Belle Vue.

"It will help to settle their nerves about coming to a new track and I am so pleased the management have arranged this for us."

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