Speedway - Screen test for Joe

Eastbourne's new big-money signing has already tasted title success with two of his previous clubs, Belle Vue and Bradford.

Now the ace, with his trademark flying tassles, reckons it's time some of the big Screen magic put Eagles in the championship picture.

The 27-year-old Grand Prix ace cost the Sussex outfit £21,000 during the close-season, making him the second most expensive signing in the club's history.

Only American superstar Bobby Schwartz cost Eagles more when he joined them for £25,000 in 1984, while they paid £20,000 for Martin Dugard seven years ago.

Eastbourne promoter Jon Cook is in no doubt that Screen is an outstanding investment for the club and the rider is ready to prove him right.

Screen said: "I think we have a good chance of winning the league. The top five in the team are all England riders, we know each other well, and I'm sure the team spirit will be great."

Screen joins fellow internationals Dugard, Dean Barker and David Norris in the Eagles line-up alongside another new signing, Paul Hurry, the Brighton Bonanza champion.

Cook said: "Even at the price we have paid, I think we have a steal.

"Joe will be in his prime in the next five or six years, and it's a terrific signing for our supporters.

"He is the most entertaining and flamboyant rider in the sport and, when you consider we would have probably had to pay a £5,000 loan fee for him for just one season, it's a great piece of business for the club."

Screen has spent the last two seasons on loan to Belle Vue and Hull after his club, Bradford, closed down, but Eastbourne stepped in with an offer to buy him and landed him in the most expensive transfer deal so far for an English rider.

Apart from his league title wins, Screen has won the world under-21 championship, the British individual championship and the League Riders' Championship.

Last season, he finished fourth in the world championship Grand Prix in Vojens, Denmark.

Chesterfield-born Screen made his debut for Belle Vue at the age of 16 and he admits it will be a big change for him not to be riding for a northern team.

"I will still be living in Warrington, but I have moved my workshop to London and don't see a problem. I like the Arlington track and held the record there in the past."

Screen will, however, be doing plenty of travelling. Apart from riding for Eastbourne, he is contracted to ride in the Polish League on Sundays and the Swedish League on Tuesdays.

Throw in the Grand Prix meetings, a few guest appearances and the odd grass-track, and you have a rough idea of the pressure on Screen to perform well.

"It's something I've done for the last five or six years, so it's nothing new for me. I like being busy and I think it's good for my form."

It means Screen has at least eight bikes scattered around Europe, but he did not enjoy the best of starts when he blew his two best engines at the Eastbourne practice day last weekend.

He went straight from Arlington to ride in an open meeting at Sheffield the same day and came fourth behind Billy Hamill in the final.

Screen ended last season on the sidelines after suffering a compressed vertabrae and torn ligaments in his right hand in a grass-track crash.

He rode in Australia during the winter, however, and will be raring to go when the tapes go up on the season proper next week when Eagles open their Elite League programme at Kings Lynn on Wednesday and then entertain Coventry at Arlington on April 1.

Before then, there is the little matter of locking horns with two of his best mates in the business, Gary Havelock and Mark Loram, against Poole.

The three were all members of Bradford's championship-winning squad, and Screen was best man at Havelock's wedding.

"Gary and I often play golf together, but when we are rivals on the track our friendship goes out the window.

"We both want to win, and neither of us gives anything."

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.