Ritchings turned down the chance to return to Newport for 2010

Dudley Heathens have completed squad-building for their debut season in the National League.

Talented teenagers Tom Perry and Darryl Ritchings have signed up for the club that will share its home meetings between Perry Barr and Monmore Green.

Wolverhampton-born Perry, 17, is better known as a grass track rider, but is eager to switch to racing on shale.

Ritchings already has some National League experience gleaned from a handful of meetings with Newport.

"Tom is a bit of an unknown quantity in speedway terms, but he comes recommended by a number of people including our captain Lee Smart," said Heathens promoter Will Pottinger.

"As for Darryl, I haven't seen a great deal of him as he only rode a few meetings for Newport towards the end of last season, but those meetings have given him some idea of what the National League is all about."

The Heathens open their inaugural season at Birmingham on 7 April when they take on a USA Dream Team.

Their first National League outing is on 13 April when they host Buxton in Wolverhampton.

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