STOKE new boy James Holder says Potters skipper Jason Bunyan was the key to his joining the club.

The 23-year-old Aussie rode alongside Bunyan at Isle of Wight during his first season in the UK.

He explained: "When I first came over in 2008, Jason took me under his wing.

"It was he who mentioned that Stoke might suit me as a home track and when (Stoke promoter) Dave Tattum contacted me, we quickly reached a deal."

Holder, who raced for Newport last season, is now back home in New South Wales where he qualified for the Australian Championship.

He scored eight points in an event won by his brother, Peterborough Panthers star Chris. But Holder junior was pleased just to have qualified.

"My season with Newport ended early after I broke my wrist, so I hadn't raced for a couple of months going into the Australian Championship," he said. "I crashed again in the first race of the opening round and hurt my wrist again, which made the rest of the championships even harder. But it was a great experience."

Holder will initially race at reserve for Stoke, but is taking it all in his stride.

"It was a tough time at Newport last year and I didn't progress," he admitted. "But that means there is only one way to go, and that is up.

"Starting out at reserve is okay because it means I can get extra rides if need be.

"But every rider wants to increase their figures and if I can do that and be an effective team man I'll be delighted."

"I've only raced at Stoke a couple of times, but the track has a good reputation and I can't wait to get there."

"I'm based down in Ringwood but the travel is no problem and a home track at a weekend will suit me. This is all the racing I have lined up but that suits me because I have to up my game over here.

"This will be my third home track (after Isle of Wight and Newport) in as many years and I have a good feeling that it would work out really well.