Signing No 3: Return of Alexander The Great

AUSTRALIAN Alex Davies will return for a second successive season in Scunthorpe Scorpions’ colours in 2016.

The 23-year-old is the third rider confirmed for the Scorpions next season, joining the Czech Republic’s Zdenek Holub and fellow Aussie Taylor Poole in the line-up.

Davies was born on British shores in 1992 in Northampton, and it’s been confirmed that his application has been successful and that he is now visa-less.

Scunthorpe promoter Rob Godfrey says: “Alex was a rider we definitely wanted back.

“He came alive towards the end of the season, when we could see exactly what he was capable of.

“The fact he was at reserve for some of those meetings doesn’t bother me too much, because we were putting him in Heat 13 or Heat 15, and he was still doing the business.

“He’s another key signing for 2016 as we look to make the Eddie Wright Raceway a fortress once more.”

Davies won the Premier League championship with Somerset in 2013 and was set to ride for Plymouth in 2014, only to be ruled out due to visa issues.

“It did affect him missing the British season in 2014”, admits Godfrey.

“I don’t think he did that many meetings in Australia, so it was a genuine break from racing for Alex. It does take time for a rider to get dialled back in.

“I think he was a bit worried at one point that he was going to lose his team place. But we never really even considered doing that, because we were fully aware that he was a quality act and that the scores would eventually come.

“We stuck by him, and now we should reap the rewards of that in the forthcoming season.

“He’s now been granted leave to remain here for three years. Our thanks go to our STING fund, for their contribution towards Alex’s visa costs.

“Alex doesn’t need to worry about his visa anymore; he can just concentrate on what we know he is capable of – knocking up the points for the Scorpions. I’m certain he’s going to push his average in excess of 7.00 in any case.

“He’s a great lad, so easy to get along with, and we will look forward to working with him again.”

SCUNTHORPE SCORPIONS 2016 (with starting average):
Zdenek Holub (7.00)
Alex Davies (6.26)
Taylor Poole (6.05)

The Scorpions’ fourth signing will be revealed next Thursday.