DARRYL Ritchings has vowed to prove each and every Elite League boss wrong after he was overlooked in Tuesday’s draft.

The Purton youngster was one of 23 young riders put forward to fill Elite League club’s reserve positions next season as part of an initiative to bring through the next generation of British talent, but was one of three names not selected.

Ritchings had dreamed of a spot with Swindon having regularly watched the Robins since he was two-years-old, but having missed out on a shot in the top tier, he is refusing to sulk and will do all he can to prove he deserved a place.

“It was hard and I’m a bit gutted about it all but life goes on,” he said.

“As soon as I found out about the draft I was in the gym every day despite the fact I had a broken ankle, that’s how keen I was to do it.

“After the draft Rosco (Alun Rossiter, Swindon team manager) messaged me and told me to go and prove him wrong and that is what I have to do now.

“It don’t just want to prove Rosco wrong I want to prove every team wrong who didn’t take me.”

Ritchings has yet to agree a deal for a National League club for next season, but after missing out on an Elite League berth he is now looking to earn a place in the Premier League for the first time.

“Obviously I wanted to ride in the Elite League but that hasn’t happened, and I will ride in the National League, but I will love to get into the Premier League,” he said.

“If I could get a reserve slot in the Premier League next season I would be really happy, and if I can do that hopefully I can put myself in a good position for next year if they do the draft again.”

Ritchings will go onto a list of young riders eligible to replace existing Elite League reserves if they are injured or unavailable during the season.