SITTINGBOURNE AC Associates Crusaders Speedway club have made a major new signing to bolster their Conference League challenge.

Shane Colvin, 23, has made more than 90 appearances for Reading in Speedway’s Premier League and a number of Conference League outfits.

His signing for the Iwade-based club represents something of a homecoming for Colvin. His father, Eric, is a well-known figure and Shane helped lay down the track he is poised to star on as a youngster.

Colvin's highest average is an impressive 10.44 points when riding as Carmarthen’s number one in 2002. That form earned him prolonged spells at Reading Racers, and other Premier League sides Workington and Sheffield Tigers.

Shane has tasted Conference Trophy glory when riding for the Mildenhall Fen Tigers in 2000.

Colvin will make his debut riding at number five in place of Tony Dart against Wimbledon on Sunday. The match at the Old Gun Site against the unbeaten London side is set to be one of the best attended in the Kent club’s history.

The action gets underway at 1pm.