It may not have been an easy decision to make, but Ashley Birks is convinced it was the right one.

After a season starring for Sheffield Tigers, the former motocross rider has opted to spend 2012 with his parent club, filling one of the Scorpions' reserve spots.

Part of the attraction was the enthusiasm of Scunthorpe promoter Rob Godfrey, who hopes this will be the year to realise his ambition of winning the Premier League.

Birks too, shares that dream having already experienced title success in the third tier with the Saints.

"This was a really good year, as good as it could have gone," said the 21-year-old.

"I'm happy to have done that for Sheffield and finished the season expecting to go back there next year, but it wasn't to be.

"It was a big decision. It took a lot of thinking and I spoke about it a lot to people.

"I spoke to Rob and his enthusiasm just convinced me.

"He was so enthusiastic about next year and wanting to do well.

"I think it's a good team.

"Apart from David Howe and Tero Aarnio, who isn't really old but is a more experienced rider, we've got a lot of improvers.

"If everyone does improve, we've got a really good team.

"I reckon we can challenge for the league title with the riders we've got in there.

"We've got the two Danes (Thomas Jorgensen and Michael Palm Toft) who have had their first year over here and know what to expect.

"I saw Tom Armstrong ride last year and he was going well.

"David Howe's going to have a big year. It should be good to work with someone like that.

"And I rode with Josh Auty last year. He's so fast. He generates so much speed, when he gets going he's one of the best riders."

Birks turned to speedway after injuries curtailed his motocross ambitions.

Although keeping his cards close to his chest when it comes to his goals in the sport, the Scunthorpe asset, who will also ride for a National League club next term, believes he has the mental strength to succeed.

"Obviously I want to improve, but I always keep those things to myself," Birks said when asked of his aims for the season.

"I've been doing it for a couple of years now and I've got a really good team behind me, which helps.

"I'm confident I can score points everywhere next year, there's no track I'm really dreading.

"A lot of speedway is what goes on in your head. I'm quite a confident person and can just rock up having not been thinking about the meeting.

"Some people feel sick beforehand and you can tell they're not enjoying it, but I'm not like that.

"As long as I keep enjoying it, keep having fun and keep smiling, I'll keep improving."

It is a sentiment shared by Scunthorpe promoter Godfrey.

"At the end of last season, Ashley, without being rude to the other riders, he was the pick of the Saints," he said.

"He's got the drive and ambition and the backing behind him.

"He's expecting himself to have a big, big season here.

"He was torn between going back to Sheffield, but he made the right decision to come here, and I'm very, very pleased."