SWINDON Wildcats have announced that British D-man Neil Liddiard is returning to the club where he began his career for the new season.

The 37-year-old, who has spent the last 12 seasons with the Guildford Flames, began his career with the Cats in 1993 before he moved to Peterborough Pirates in 1997.

Liddiard has also featured for the Billingham Bombers (now Stars), Oxford City Stars, Basingstoke Bison and played Down Under with the Adelaide Avalanche (now Adrenaline) during his 22-year career.

However, the Swindon-born player is delighted to be returning to his home town and believes he has a point to prove.

“I’m really excited to be going back to my home town team,” he said.

“I always thought that one day I would love to go back and I have lots of good memories from my junior days in Swindon.

“It was a big decision for me to leave Guildford after 12 successful years there but I felt it was time for me to move on.

“I have a point to prove this year and I am looking forward to being a Wildcat again and helping them to achieve their goals.”

Along with the vast experience picked up in the league, Liddiard also featured for the GB U18s, U20s and Senior side and has more than 900 appearances under his belt to date and is only one of seven players ever to ice 700 times or more for the Surrey outfit.

Despite finishing as league runners-up, the Flames had a disappointing campaign by their standards last season, but Liddiard still managed to ice 47 times for the side, making three assists and recorded 73 penalty minutes.

Swindon’s player coach Stevie Lyle had Liddiard as one of his main targets and believes he will bring some much needed stability to the Cats defence.

“As soon as the season had finished I thought about the defence side of the team and Neil was high on my wish list,” he said.

“He comes to play every game and is physical in and around the net, which I feel was our week point last season.

“He has a great attitude both on and off the ice, and his experience will only help the team and I expect him to be a leader in our own zone.

“I know he is looking forward to the move and I’m just grateful he chose Swindon next season.”