LEICESTER are delighted to welcome Australian star Nick Morris as their new No.1 for the 2020 campaign.
Morris joins the Watling JCB Lions after racing for Somerset in the second half of last season, and despite being just 25 years of age his CV already includes a remarkable total of six domestic league titles.
Three of them came at Championship level with Glasgow, Scunthorpe and Somerset in 2011, 12 and 13, and he has regularly shown a liking for the Paul Chapman & Sons Arena with many of his visits and high scores coming at top-flight level.
Morris was actually brought into British Speedway by Lions boss Stewart Dickson back in 2010 when he was in charge at Glasgow, and the pair are now set to be re-united a decade on.
Said Morris: “It’s a great move for me, and one that really does excite me.
“Last season didn’t work out for me for whatever reason and it wasn’t until I joined Somerset late on that my form did improve.
“I have always enjoyed riding the Leicester track as a visiting rider so to have it as my home track next season is a good thing for me, and hopefully I can have a good one and we can be a strong force.”
Morris, who won the Championship Riders’ Individual two years ago, suffered an injury-hit 2019 season with a late start and a lack of meetings prior to his move to Somerset, but Dickson is convinced he can be re-established as one of the league’s top men.
He said: “Nick comes in at 8.38, but for me he should be a 9+ rider all day long in this league, and we’re going to work very hard to try and get him back there.
“I think he’ll have competition for the No.1 slot from other riders in the team, and hopefully that will drive him on.
“Coming to Leicester will do him the world of good, and hopefully we can get him back to what he should be doing.
“It’s always difficult to defend a league title – you have to make changes, and supporters will all have their opinion on what the team should be.
“I know you can’t please everyone, but I feel on paper we look to be in decent shape, and it certainly looks like it should be exciting!”
WATLING JCB LIONS 2020: Nick Morris, Ryan Douglas, Kyle Howarth, Ty Proctor, Ellis Perks, Dan Thompson, Joe Thompson.
