Ipswich Witches reserve Darryl Ritchings has agreed to join Birmingham in the National League for 2016.

The Swindon-based rider will line up at reserve for the Witches when the new season begins in the spring and, after a wait for a new club in the third tier, has agreed to join the Brummies following his spell with Coventry Storm.

He said: “It really is an honour to sign for Birmingham and I can’t wait for my first meeting with the team.

“After doing a number of guest bookings for Cradley at Perry Barr last season, it quickly became one of my favourite tracks.

“I’ve come close before but I’ve never actually won the National League.

“I’d love to finally do that next year with Birmingham and with the side we’ve got, we should have a really good chance of making the play-offs as an absolute minimum.”

Team manager Graham Drury believes the signing of Ritchings once again highlights the club’s ambitions and intentions for next year.

“Having Darryl as a third, out-and-out, genuine heat-leader gives us so much strength,” Drury commented.

“I could have gone for two middle order riders, but Darryl’s attitude, enthusiasm, professionalism and ambition really impressed me and I simply had to have him in my team.

“You know what you’re going to get from Darryl week in, week out - he’s a solid, reliable rider and I’m confident he’s going to have a big year with us and he can have a big say in our title chances in 2016 I’m sure.”