Spiller ready for trip into unknown with Eagles

But his new club bosses have told the 17-year-old former 250cc world champion it will be their fault if he fails.

Spiller is preparing for his debut away to Rye House on Saturday after agreeing a deal which sent shock waves through the rest of the National League.

British-born but resident in Germany for more than 12 years, he qualifies for an assessed three-point average but could treble that figure if he lives up to widespread expectation.

Spiller is not setting any targets but he is ready for a big challenge.

He told The Argus: “Eastbourne have been asking me to come over for quite a while.

“Every rider wants to come and ride in England.

“German tracks are completely different to what you have here and I need to get used to it.

“In my opinion English tracks are better.

“I want to have fun with the team and gain some good experience.

“I’m not putting pressure on myself but I think I can help the team and score some points.”

Spiller’s forthcoming meetings include an international outing for Germany against the Czech Republic.

But his only previous Arlington run out was in a Union Jack race jacket at the British Youth Championship.

He said: “I was born in Maidstone but we moved to Germany in March 2003 because of my dad’s job.

“I got into speedway over there. We were looking for somewhere to ride motocross and we came across this speedway training school outside the track at Landshut.

“They asked if we would like to ride some speedway and, once you get involved, you get bitten by the bug.

“When I came over to Eastbourne for that meeting people were saying there was this boy from Germany but in fact I’m English.”

Former Eastbourne No.1 Bjarne Pedersen rides with Spiller in Germany and put in a word for him at Arlington.

Spiller said: “I didn’t know anything about that but it’s nice to hear a professional did it.”

If the new boy does not see his average soar. Eagles chairman Martin Dugard knows where to look.

Dugard said: “He has got the talent. We are setting him up with bikes.

“Riding here shouldn’t be a problem unless we mess up with the bikes.

“He is more than good enough to put plenty of points on the board.”

Spiller replaces injured Mattie Bates at reserve as Eagles look to inject a bit of spark back into the side.

They go to Rye House tonight and Kent on Monday.

Richard Andrews could return soon after a hand injury but there are fears Georgie Wood’s knee problem could rule him out for the rest of the season.

Meanwhile Dugard senior admits to frustration in the camp after prospective Eagles rider Tom Brennan missed out on a final spot in the 250cc World Championships in France last weekend.

Brennan looked well set after a first and a second in the opening heats of the rain-delayed semi but then suffered mechanical problems.

Dugard, who led the pit crew at Lamonthe, said: “We had good practices. We were up there with all the top people.

“It was quite frustrating because we had been there almost a week, trying bikes all the time.

“But that’s what the experience is all about.”

Tom Woolley of guests for Eastbourne tonight.