King's Lynn Stars speedway skipper Josh Pickering reveals how he arrived at Adrian Flux Arena prior to Ipswich season opener
New Stars skipper Josh Pickering revealed he unwittingly played a part in his winter move to King's Lynn, who open their season at Ipswich in the league cup on Thursday.
The 25-year-old Australian said: "When Alex (manager Brady) and I had a little bit of contact in September, I didn't know really where I wanted to go.
"I was happy that Sheffield gave me the opportunity originally so my loyalty stayed there. But then different circumstances came about and I was fortunate enough to be in the right place at the right time.
"Next thing you know I'm a King's Lynn rider."
The New South Welshman looked a shoo-in to return to the Sheffield Tigers but the fact that he performed so well at tracks like the Adrian Flux Arena last year meant the 25-year-old's average became slightly too big to remain in the Yorkshire outfit's one-to-seven.
Confirming his departure was due to speedway's 'numbers game', Pickering said: "It was all down to the last match of the season when we reversed King's Lynn (Sheffield won 61-29 at home on September 26, 2021 with Pickering notching 13+2).
"I actually got a 13-point return which then put my average up a little bit and we then ended up putting the team over half a point.
"It was all a little bit unfortunate but at the same time, it's just the way it goes in speedway.
"I'm really glad I'm here now with King's Lynn."
Aussies are stereotyped as outgoing and extrovert; does Pickering believe he fits this mould?
He replied: "I think so. I am quite an outgoing person. A spade's a spade. If anyone wants to have a chat to me I'm always up for a conversation.
"When it comes to racing as well, like all I want to do is win. It's something King's Lynn didn't really get around to doing much of last year.
"It was a bit of a bad year for the club. That's all put to bed now. We've got a new team. Not that the old riders didn't do anything... that's just the way things go sometimes. You can't control everything."
Fostering teamwork will be among the facets of the former Edinburgh rider's captaincy style.
Pickering continued: "This time around we've got seven very, very good individual riders. The thing that ends up winning the meetings is when the individual riders race as a team.
"If myself and Alex and even the whole boys – I don't want one single job and I'm the person who needs to do something.
"We just all need to be there for each other and that's the type of morale that I like to create in this atmosphere in the pits and things like that; and just be there for anyone at any time.
"I know we can all go out and put everything on the line and we've all got each other's back, and that's the main important thing."