Chris ‘Bomber’ Harris, the British speedway champion who is Belle Vue’s new No 1, has an extra reason to be thrilled with his transfer.

The 28-year-old has always been a Manchester United nut, despite being  born and raised in Cornwall.

Even his soccer boots are red and black – the same colours as United and the Aces.

So how is someone from Truro such a staunch United fan?

“Lucky I guess,” said Harris, adding: “I always have been a big United fan. I got it from my dad.

“Red has always been my favourite colour and now I’m riding for a club who ride in red and black after wearing yellow for seven years at Coventry.

“I play football during the winter and even my boots are red and black.

“I can’t remember the last time I went to Old Trafford but I watch them on TV whenever I can. Belle Vue boss David    Gordon is a season ticket holder and he has promised to take me.”

Harris has been resting at home since his grandstand end to last season, when he finished sixth in the Grand Prix to book an automatic place in the 2011 World championship.

He had a fantastic surge in his GP form in particular and feels that will serve him well when he begins action for the Aces in March.

Harris said: “It was great to finish sixth and it could have been better because I could have been joint fourth or fifth.

“I made a lot of changes off track and away from speedway during the season and that’s what made the difference. I got my focus right and I got my head right. It was nothing to do with the mechanical side, I didn’t change anything on my bikes at all.

“It was all down to me and how I prepared myself for meetings. I needed to sort out things in my mind and, once I had done that, everything was brilliant.

“It certainly seemed to have worked for me and I was very pleased with what I had achieved by the end of the season.

“My confidence was high and I didn’t want the season to end because I was having such a     fantastic run.

“But I ended on a high which is good because I believe I will take that forward into the new season. Now the challenge is for me to carry on from where I left off.”

He added: “I was ready for a break because it had been a long, hard season and I had some heavy falls, especially at Poole in the league play-off final. But I’m fit and healthy again.

“I’m really happy to have the move to Belle Vue sorted out. The recent embargo on transfers meant nothing could happen and it was a real pain. Everyone was asking what I’d be doing and I just didn’t know.

“I was getting fed up of all the waiting around and all the rumours about where I was going. I was getting ready to     forget about racing in England and concentrate on Poland and Sweden and the Grand Prix.

“But this chance to join Belle Vue came along and I am able to ride in England after all. Riding abroad wasn’t something I wanted to do because I enjoy riding my bike in my home country.”

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