KEVIN Doolan has been appointed captain of Ipswich Witches for the 2011 season.

The Australian will lead the side into a new era when they ride in the Premier League after two decades of top flight racing.

And the rider who has just turned 30 is to become a full asset of the Witches with a full transfer planned from his current parent club King’s Lynn.

Doolan said: “It’s an honour to be named new Witches skipper.

“I did the job at Workington in 2009 and really enjoyed it.

“The new team looks as if it’s going to be strong on and off the track and there are some great characters in there.

“I’m working on a couple of ideas to put to Chris Louis about some pre-season activities for the boys to get to know each other and really bond well as a unit.”

Ipswich director of speedway Chris Louis is the main man behind a move to the Premier League and his foresight has been well received by Witches supporters, who have had their appetite for the sport re-whetted.

And Louis is pleased to have Doolan, who rode briefly for Ipswich in 2005, leading his team.

“We have yet to finalise payment terms but Kevin will be joining the Witches on a full transfer,” said Louis.

“This is fabulous news.

“He was an important part of the jigsaw when it came to putting the new side together not only to lead from the front on the track but also as skipper in the pits.

“So to have Kevin joining us full time is a boost and is a positive start to re-building the club.

“I certainly don’t expect him to be the only transfer move that we make ahead of our first season back in the Premier League as we aim to keep to our promise of re-establishing ourselves.”

Doolan has ridden for King’s Lynn, Berwick, Glasgow, Workington and Belle Vue and for Vargarna in Sweden and Polish side Tarnow.

Olly Allen, who rode in the Elite League for Ipswich last season, is to step back up to the top flight full-time with King’s Lynn in 2011.

Norfolk-based Allen joined the club midway through last season after losing his place at Foxhall Stadium when the Stars were in the Premier League.

Lasse Bjerre, who is a member of the Ipswich 2011 side, will also form part of the Lynn Elite League squad.

East Anglian promotional duo Stuart Douglas and Jon Cook from Lakeside have been rewarded for the way they have been running Lakeside in the Elite League.

They have won the BBC London Outstanding Contribution to London Sport Award 2010.