James Grieves: My heart told me I had to return to Glasgow Tigers

Dec 2 2010 By Fraser Wilson

James Grieves

SPEEDWAY star James Grieves insists there are no hard feelings after re-signing for Glasgow Tigers just months after being dumped in controversial circumstances.

Scotland's No.1 rider was one of four 'new' faces among the seven-man team unveiled at the weekend ahead of the 2011 season.

Veteran Grieves, 36, left Ashfield under a cloud mid-way through the 2010 season with Tigers bosses Stewart Dickson and Alan Dick claiming he had been released due to a broken foot.

Within days though that prognosis proved to be wrong and he signed for Redcar while the Tigers replaced him with former British champ Joe Screen.

Questions were asked at the time as to whether the Tigers were too quick to offload Grieves but the Elderslie-based rider is happy to forgive and forget.

He said: "It was a hard decision to return to Glasgow after what happened last season but, in the end, I had to go with my heart and it was telling me to go back.

"To be fair, when I left in June, Stewart Dickson was told by the doctor I had a broken foot so he acted on that information but it turned out to be wrong.

"Stewart has always been terrific with me throughout my speedway career. He apologised for what happened last season and there are no hard feelings.

"After finishing the campaign at Redcar I could have happily hung up my Kevlars. But after my testimonial last month and seeing the team Glasgow have put together for next season I really can't wait for the new season to start."

Glasgow unveiled their new-look side on Saturday with Grieves returning to Ashfield along with Australian Christian Henry while Theo Pijper and Michal Rajkowski have been recruited as first-time Tigers.

Joe Screen, Josh Grajczonek and Nick Morris have been retained from last season.

Grieves reckons the line-up has the potential to be the best Glasgow side he has ever been involved with.

"We had a really strong side in 2004 with myself, Shane Parker, Graeme Jones and Paul Bentley but it never really performed to it's potential," he said.

"This team looks strong throughout and with Nick Morris and Michal Rajkowski in reserve we could be scoring serious points right through the team.

"I would say we could easily push for a top six place. But if the new guys do well it could be even better."