Henry loan completes Diamonds.

The name on the lips of the Newcastle Diamonds promotion is the Australian Gold Coast-born Christian Henry. Henry completed the Diamonds line-up yesterday by signing on loan from Edinburgh.

Christian felt he didn't do himself justice in 2003 and stayed in Australia during the 2004 campaign in order to stabalise his finances and rebuild his machinery. He was quoted earlier this year as saying "I feel better prepared than ever to return and I can do a good job for somebody, I'm just waiting for the phone to ring."

He received that much-awaited phone call from Newcastle and a deal was quickly agreed, much to Newcastle's delight.

Henry hasn't had the best of luck over the years for one so young riding in the UK. In the early part of the 2003 season he sustained a wrist injury which kept him out for a number of meetings and just as things started looking up for him, he suffered the theft of his bikes, although they were thankfully returned.

Newcastle Promoter George English was in happy mood announcing this signing, saying "I can only praise Christian's speed and co-operation with this agreement, after the severe disappointment of losing Adam Allott when King's Lynn's averages went badly wrong, Christian came to our minds as a rider still full of potential to do well over here, and he joined, eager to please."

English was also keen to point out that despite suggestions elsewhere, at no time have Newcastle come to an agreement with the Middlesbrough Speedway organisation to allow them to stage 20 second half events at Brough Park in 2005.

"We have not even had formal sit-down talks as to whether this will happen or not at this stage, so any reports to the contrary are well and truely premature. It has been suggested Middlesbrough will run mini matches in our second halves, but as yet this is certainly not the case. It may well be that an agreement could possibly be reached in the future, but not until we have spoken to the 'boro contingent, which I can assure you, has not happened yet."

Newcastle run their practice session on Sunday March 6th, after which the riders, including Christian Henry will be attending a "meet the riders" night for the fans to get to know their very new-look team. On Monday March 7th, Brough Park will see the Press day as well.