Fan favourite Mason Campton is the first member of Workington Comets’ 2019 team.

Campton, who helped Comets win a stunning treble of the SGB Championship league title, Knockout Cup and Championship Shield last season, has put pen to paper on a new deal for next year.

Club owner Laura Morgan said: “After much speculation throughout the year about where he’d end up, we’re delighted to have re-signed Mason Campton.

“Mason is where he wants to be and he’s very confident he can still improve.

“He’s someone that fans would want nailed down because he’s become a favourite.

“As a massive part of our success last season it would have been such a shame to have lost him to another club.”

Campton showed his loyalty when he skipped a state championship in Australia – potentially hindering his chances of securing a visa to return to the UK – to be part of Comets’ finals.

He was able to secure his visa by finishing second in the Queensland Individual Speedway Championship and will come in on a 6.32 average, leaving 31.68 points to play with for the remaining six riders.

Morgan confirmed that the club are in talks with a number of riders but one member of last season’s team has had a change of heart about returning.

“We are in talks with quite a few riders and we did almost sign one rider from last season,” she said.

“We had done a deal over the phone but I think I’m right in saying that unfortunately his head’s been turned by another club who seem to be offering very silly money up and down the country to different riders.

“It’s not what this season is about; we’ve all just sat in an AGM hearing about how the aim is to cut costs in the sport and make it more sustainable.

“All they’re doing is putting another nail in the coffin of British speedway.

“The money we were asked for was just ridiculous.

“I’ve heard stories already of five-figure signing-on fees; it’s crazy.”