Kelsey Dugard is resigned to starting a new season on the sidelines after losing his place with treble-winning Eastbourne.

The Eagles reserve says he was let down by two National League clubs who went back on verbal offers of a team place for 2016.

But he has been given hope of a swift return to action by former Eagles skipper Cameron Woodward.

Dugard made progress in an up-and-down debut season in the National League last term and should now be looking forward to putting lessons learned the hard way into practice next term.

Instead, he is left waiting for the first team changes of the season and hopes his developing talents on an average of 4.49 help him squeeze in somewhere.

He said: “I won’t have a team place for the start of next year.

“I had a verbal offer from a club and then a text telling me management higher up in the club said they preferred to use their own assets. Now it has happened again.

“I saw another rider put a post on Facebook saying it was heartbreaking to be dropped by a team.

“Now I know what Brendan Johnson went through last year when Eastbourne left him out.

“Last season was a real learning curve for me. I probably wasn’t going flat out at tracks I didn’t know but I’ve got my confidence up now and I’ve seen what I can do.

“I’ve got a van and bikes sorted. I’m ready to go.

“It’s just so disappointing when I’ve got everything ready and to then be let down.

The Argus:

Kelsey Dugard, left of picture, celebrates Eagles' treble with Ben Hopwood and Daniel Spiller

“I got a comment on Facebook from Cameron Woodward who said a place would soon become available somewhere.

“Nobody wants to see riders get injured but it will happen.

“Danny Warwick was injured in our first league meeting last season.

“I thought my average would be awkward but I was getting offers of team places so it obviously wasn’t.

“But I turned them down.”

Dugard is son of Eastbourne chairman Martin and grandson of Arlington Stadium co-owner Bob.

He admits he had things quite easy this time last year as he took up his place in the team.

The 17–year-old is part of the Poultec speedway apprentice scheme being run by former Elite League rider Ollie Allen.

He currently attends once a month but that will increase when the season starts.

Dugard said: “We will learn how to take bikes apart, put them back together, all sorts. We’ll be riding at King’s Lynn.

“Poultec set you targets and mine was to improve my average by three points. Ollie Allen reckons I can be a heat leader in the National League.

“I had it easy at Eastbourne and I probably didn’t realise it until now.

“I want to ride. I’ve not got anything to fall back on. If Eastbourne let me practise there, I will go out and do it."