MAX Clegg says he has landed the dream job as Cradley skipper for the new season.

Clegg will lead the Heathens into action at Birmingham next Wednesday, March 18, in the first leg of the Travel Plus Challenge.

Clegg, who will be riding for the Heathens for the third consecutive season in 2015, says he can’t wait to get going and is predicting another ‘amazing year’ for the side.

“It’s been my dream ever since I started with Cradley to become their number one and to be captain as well is a pleasure knowing that I can be such a big part of the club,” he said.

“If I could guide the club to a hat-trick of league titles in my first year as number one and captain, that would be such a big thing and such an amazing achievement – it would be heaven for me.

“All of the teams have got really strong heat-leaders but I think the reserves and the riders in the lower part of the team are going to be key.

“I think Mike (Neale) will have a good year and there’s a lots of expectations from Ellis (Perks) – they will give it their best but if they do what we know they can do, then I don’t think anything’s going to stop Cradley again this year.”

The young Yorkshireman, who turns 18 next month, feels he has been handed the ‘ultimate reward’ following his excellent run of form from the second half of the 2014 campaign.

He is also hoping that he can use his own previous memories to make him the perfect skipper.

“I remember when I started at reserve, Lewis (Blackbird) and Ash (Morris) were brilliant with me and then Starkey (Paul Starke) was excellent last year," he said.

“I think if I can help the boys this year like they all helped me then we’re in for a good season.

“It will be slightly tougher to be Cradley captain this year because we’re at a different track which is new to all of us really.

“I think it will be a disadvantage for us to start with – but only for the first few meetings.

“I think once we get dialled in and we get our heads in the game we’ll take some stopping again.

“I struggled in the first half of 2014 then all of a sudden something just clicked and everything was good for me from then on in.

“I started picking up a fair amount of maximums and paid maximums, especially at home, and I felt really confident and want to continue that this season.

“I’m doubling-up with the best club in the Premier League and I’ve got the best club in the National League so I’ve got two brilliant teams and I think if I can have a good year for Edinburgh then I think I can be outstanding for Cradley.”