Scunthorpe promoter Rob Godfrey has hailed the return of play-offs to the Premier League following the British Speedway Promoters’ Association’s AGM.

The system was abolished for 2010, with a decision to split the table into two to determine fixtures for the second half of the system.

However, next year the top six will once again battle for the title, being split into two groups, with the winners of each then facing each other for the right to be crowned champions.

Teams placed seventh to 12th will also compete for a trophy.

“I wanted to have the top six. I believe that’s the best way forward,” said Godfrey.

“That means, even if you’re 10th in the last few weeks of the season, to get into the top six is still achievable.

“It gives everyone something to play for.

“It’s a fantastic transformation from what we had to where we are now.

“I really do support it, I just hope it produces.

“It didn’t work at all this year. We were fortunate, our last phase of fixtures had local teams coming to us, so our attendances were quite buoyant.

“At other clubs people lost interest and dackered off.

“I’m pleased that this time we will have the play-offs, and we expect to be in there.”

There will also be an, as yet unnamed, early season competition, with Scunthorpe placed in the northern section, alongside Berwick, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Newcastle, Redcar, Sheffield and Workington.

Each side will have five home and five away fixtures, with the winner going on to meet the pick of the southern section.

In the Knockout Cup, the Scorpions have been drawn against Workington Comets.