The ex-Hull, Newcastle and Stoke rider, had a season with the Bandits under former promoter Peter Waite.

And when it became clear that he was not in parent club Workington's plans for 2010 - he rode for the Comets last season after missing 2008 with a badly broken leg - Berwick were quick to get him on board.

Branney, who is 27, now joins another ex-Bandit, Adrian Rymel, as the only two riders confirmed by the Border outfit so far.

But promoters John Anderson and Lynda Waite, along with manager Dave Peet, are confident that further signings will be announced in due course.

On Branney's return, Peet said: "We got permission from Craig's parent club, Workington, to speak to him on Tuesday and before close of business on Wednesday the deal was done.

"There wasn't any hard-nosed negotiations to endure, however, as Craig stated quite categorically that come 2010 the only team he really wanted to race for was Berwick, and we were able to fulfil his ambitions.

"He's a hard rider on track though, as we know when he's scored points against us.

"But we also know that he is very capable of some spectacular scoring at our Shielfield track, and we see this as an excellent acquisition for us as we're looking for a marked improvement on our 12th position in the Premier League last season."

Branney joins Berwick on a lowly 3.6 average, which Peet is confident he can improve on, especially as he is likely to start the year at reserve.

"That's two down, five to go," said Peet, who is continuing with negotiations with a number of other riders with a view to completing his starting line-up sooner rather than later.

"Only last week the Bandits' boss revealed that he knew the identities of six of the seven riders he would like to track. He said the seventh place was 'still up for grabs,' but following the annual conference, when the team limit was retained at 42.5 points he now has a far better idea of what riders are available to him.

Meanwhile Berwick Bandits Speedway Club's health and safety officer and environmental marshall, George Fairgrieve has become the latest to be honoured within the club when he received one of the highest awards his fellow professionals can bestow.

Last Wednesday evening George was made a Fellow of The Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland, an award which can be conferred on a member who is considered to have rendered outstanding and distinctive service to the Institute and in the wider field of environmental health and George is now one of a select band of around 20 such award holders throughout Scotland.

Once again this shows that the Bandits Promotion is not content to concentrate on attracting the best speedway riders to Shielfield but also want to build a strong back room team as well.

Bandit's co-owner John Anderson said: "When we brought George in at the beginning of last season, many people questioned the wisdom of getting someone with his background to look at the health and safety issues surrounding speedway at Shielfield Park, thinking that he would require us to spend a fortune on safety measures, however, having been friendly with him for a number of years I knew what I was getting and he has proved his worth in our first season.

"I am delighted that Lynda and I had the foresight to get him on board and that many of those with initial doubts have changed their minds and speedway should encourage more professionals like George to become involved to help with the legislative mire we all have to face nowadays.
"I am proud that someone I work closely with has received this recognition from his fellow professionals."