Better late than never for Scott Nicholls

But even though it required the misfortune of another to finally make it happen, there can be no hiding his excitement at joining Wolves Speedway ahead of their Premiership campaign.

The seven-time British champion has come close to signing for the club several times before, during a career which now spans a quarter of a century.

Now promoter Chris Van Straaten at last has his man, after a pre-season injury to Jacob Thorssell left Wolves hunting a replacement. “Better late than never, I guess!” laughed 40-year-old Nicholls.

“Chris first expressed an interest in me when I was a youngster at Ipswich, my hometown team. I would say most seasons there has been a conversation between us but I have always liked to stay loyal to clubs where I was happy.

“Around 2008 and 2009 we got very close to doing a deal but for one reason and another it never happened. Now I am finally here.

“Obviously, I would rather the circumstances had been different. No-one likes to see any rider get injured, particularly in pre-season and I would like to send my sincere best wishes to Jacob.

“But I am delighted to be asked and come into replace him. My plan is to do a good job and hopefully I can stay for the season.”

Nicholls is certainly looking forward to calling Monmore home, having won two of his British titles at the track. “I’ve always gone well here,” he said. “I like the shape of the track. I prefer the technical tracks where it is more about man than machine. The surface has always been good. It’s a good track where you have the opportunity to pass.”

Wolves, who race for the first time tonight at Birmingham in a farewell meeting for Brummies promoter David Mason, are aiming to bounce back from a disappointing 2018 which saw them miss out on the Premiership play-offs.

Nick Morris, who has joined from Swindon, is the other big-name winter recruit, while the club have retained Kyle Howarth, Rory Schlein and Sam Masters.

American Luke Becker, a protege of club legend Greg Hancock, will take up a reserve spot alongside Penkridge’s Ashley Morris.

“Last year was tough for the club. No-one wants to lose,” said Nicholls. “This year I believe they have a very strong team, if not the strongest team in the league.

“This has been a very successful club over the years and they will be desperate to get another title.

“A lot of time no matter what job or business you are in, the motivation comes from the management.

“Both Chris and (team boss) Peter Adams are hungry for success and hopefully me and the rest of the boys can deliver it for them and the fans.”

Nicholls knows his own time in the team could be shortlived, with Thorssell due back in June.

For now he is determined to do the best he can and provide Van Straaten with a headache when the Swede returns to fitness following a hand injury.

“We are governed by points limits and thing might be taken out of our hands,” he said. “All I control is what I am doing at the time and that is me doing a good job. I will do the best job I can and hopefully I can stay on.”