Workington speedway rider Ryan Blacklock thought his chance in the sport had gone.

Opportunities in the Premier League had been few and far between, limited to guest bookings, and Blacklock had a young son to consider and a full-time job to work around.

But one phone call from Berwick, asking him to join them in the rebranded Championship in 2017, and he couldn’t resist the chance to achieve his dream with the Bandits.

“I’m over the moon,” he said. “I’m finally being given the opportunity to get into the higher league.

“I feel I can do well, especially with the help I’m going to be getting up at Berwick and with the likes of Gary Havelock in my corner, and what the captain Kevin Doolan doesn’t know isn’t worth knowing.

“Since I started, all I wanted to do was ride for Workington – but now I’ve been given this opportunity at Berwick so, if I can cut it, I’ll stick by them.”

Havelock, a former World Champion whose dad Brian rode for Workington Comets in the 1970s, called Blacklock when reserve Luke Chessell decided to quit speedway.

Blacklock had retired himself after last season but was identified as a hidden gem by the Bandits’ promotion and he is eager to pay back their faith.

“To be honest I can’t wait, I just wish March would come now,” he said.

“It’s proved that I have been noticed because I felt like I was stuck in a rut.”

The 28-year-old’s chances to ride in the second tier before have included a memorable guest booking for Comets last season, which gave him a crowd-pleasing win around Derwent Park.

“It was brilliant,” he said. “Every time I get on the bike I go out to race, so to win in front of my home crowd, was phenomenal and to hear everyone cheering.

“I just wish I could have had that opportunity a lot more.”

Blacklock is something of a late bloomer, only coming to speedway five years ago from motocross.

He said: “I bought a bike just to have a little play on with me being an ex-motocross rider.”

After only riding the machine four or five times on a beach, Blacklock received a phone call which he initially dismissed, saying his bikes weren’t for sale.

It was actually National League club Buxton, asking if he would ride for them.

Since then, he has never looked back, with a never-say-die attitude making him a popular member of their side.

He said: “Even if I fall off and I’m at the back, I’ll always get back on and finish the race because you never know.

“I think with good equipment I can go well because I never get on the bike to give less than 100 per cent.”