HAVEN Wildcats hopes of a top six Conference League finish this summer have been boosted by the arrival of British under-21 star Dan Giffard.

The Sussex-based teenager joins Weymouth from Stoke Spitfires and will make his debut in Monday's four-team challenge at the Wessex Stadium.

Giffard, who has also had spells with Isle of Wight, Rye House and Wimbledon, shot to fame in unfortunate circumstances last August when suffering multiple injuries after being catapulted over Stoke's Loomer Road safety fence.

The 19-year-old was lucky to escape with his life from the horror crash and is now desperate to put the incident behind him.

He explained: "It was a bad crash and I know I'm lucky to be here. But it's not something I can afford to dwell on but unfortunately it tends to follow me around. Everywhere I go people want to talk about it where as I'd rather put it all behind me and move on."

He added: "Hopefully that will happen at Weymouth and I'm really looking forward to riding for the club. It's a new team and a new challenge for me and I'm determined to make it work.

"Riding for Stoke meant a lot of travelling and to be honest it just wasn't proving financially viable. So I decided to take a couple of weeks breather and make a decision from there.

"Fortunately Weymouth boss Brian White got in touch and offered me a contract and I'm delighted to get the opportunity to ride at the Wessex Stadium. I live very close to David Mason, which will make life a bit easier and know most of the lads like Chris Courage, Jason Prynne and Wayne Barrett because I've ridden with them at either Rye House or Wimbledon.

"Also I'm looking forward to the Wessex being my home track because I came down with Stoke the other week and loved it and went home with 10 points."

Getting Giffard is a major coup for chairman White although he now has some reshuffling of his pack to do.