NEWPORT speedway promoter Tim Stone has signed up Tony Atkin, pictured, for another year at Hayley Stadium, boosting his already impressive line-up for next season. Atkin, 38, who overcame a broken arm last season, is delighted to have signed the deal which sees him stay on at Newport for a third year.

The popular rider, who enjoyed real success in his first season at the club, always stated that he wished to remain in Newport and promoter Stone is delighted to have secured his services.

He explained: "We are delighted to announce the signing of Tony Atkin who is back after serious injury last year.

"Tony is an extremely popular man and an essential rider in the engine room of the team and his influence off the track is as good as his scoring power on it, which makes him an ideal team-mate."

Atkin, who has celebrated his new deal by purchasing two new bikes for the coming season, admitted that he never wanted to go anywhere else.

He said: "I had two other offers for this season but I am delighted to go back to Newport, it is what I always wanted.

"2003 was a great year but injury badly damaged my season in 2004 and I feel I owe some loyalty after my spell out of action.

"The team Tim is putting together this year is stronger in every department and this is a new chance for everyone.

"The set-up at Newport, from the track to the promoter to the supporters is great - the best I have been involved with - and I think all the riders genuinely want to be here, which is fantastic.

"I have a good two or three years left in me and experience is a strength not a weakness in this sport, so I still think that I can go on and get better and that the team can have a really good season."