2:00pm Wednesday 17th February 2010
By Brian Owen
New skipper Cameron Woodward has revealed he came within a whisker of leaving Eastbourne Eagles.
But the Aussie is convinced he can help his side upset the pundits already writing them off after turning down a move to Swindon.
Woodward admits he is due a good season as he takes the captaincy of Eagles’ all-overseas line-up.
There was talk of him linking up with his idol and compatriot Leigh Adams in Wiltshire in the coming term.
That would have been a hammer blow for Eastbourne on the back of losing Lewis Bridger on loan to Peterborough.
Instead, Woodward remains in Sussex after discussions with co-promoters Bob Dugard and Trevor Geer.
He has also signed a deal for Hungarian track Miskolc, who races in the Polish second tier.
Asked how close he came to leaving, Woodward admitted: “Pretty damn close.
“Leigh Adams really wanted me to go. It’s his last year in Britain and I thought there was the potential to learn a hell of a lot from such an experienced rider.
“I put it to Bob and Trevor and they weren’t keen on it at all.
“One of the main things was Lewis went so you can’t afford to give all your assets away.
“I’m due a good year. Last year should have been my good year but I had that back problem from the start of the year and didn’t see anyone about it.
“I’m over that now. I’m fit so this should be my year.
“That was the main reason Bob and Trevor didn’t want me to leave.”
Woodward will attempt to increase his bargain 5.33 average on new equipment having lost the backing of former Eagles promoter Martin Hagon.
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