Thörnblom is new Bandit

Thörnblom, who is 23, has been signed as a replacemebnt for long-term injured number one Ben Barker, who is expected to miss the rest of the season.

He currently rides for Lejonen in the Swedish Elite League, Gnistorna in their Allsvesnkan League and in Poland for Lublin.

Berwick’s amendment to their 1-7 line-up is subject to normal approval, but Bandits’ bosses expect Thörnblom to be in their squad for the weekend’s matches at home to Edinburgh on Saturday night, and at Glasgow on Sunday afternoon.

“As people should know, since Ben Barker was so badly injured during the British Final, we have been investigating a replacement,” said John Anderson this afternoon. “I have already explained how difficult it has been to locate a rider who could agree to our fixture-list, who wouldn’t demand silly money and most importantly, be of a standard to go at least part of the way towards replacing Ben.

“Now we have agreed our deal with Mathias, who will become a club asset and who we feel will hit the track quickly enough to score plenty of points for Berwick. He starts on a seven-point average, which means Claus Vissing – ironically still on the injured list, will now be our No 1.”