NEW recruit Neil Liddiard says he is happy to take on the role of the elder statesman in the Swindon Wildcats locker room after he returned to the Link Centre this summer.

Liddiard started his career with Swindon way back in the early 1990s and has rejoined the club for the 2015-16 season after spending the last 12 years at Premier League rivals Guildford Flames.

Having turned 37 in the off-season, Liddiard is the oldest man on the Swindon roster – he even has 18 months on player/coach Stevie Lyle.

The D-man has no problem shouldering the extra responsibility that brings and is relishing getting stuck in with his new team-mates.

“I feel relaxed, excited and I can’t wait to get the season started,” said former Great Britain international Liddiard.

“I guess I have a bit more responsibility being an older head in the side, and I will be there to help the younger players out if they need advice.

“On paper it looks like a great team and, like Stevie says, I think we will be up there competing with everyone and we will be in with a shout for every trophy that is going, there is no reason why not.

“Every year the league gets stronger. Every team has improved, even the teams that were finishing near the bottom in the league, they have got stronger and it makes for a better league.

“There were lots of things, but I felt like this year was the right year to move.

“It was time for a change and I always wanted to come back and Stevie wanted me so I jumped at the chance.”

Having had to sit in the away locker room at the Link Centre for much of his career, Liddiard knows all too well just how tough the Cats’ vocal support can make it for visiting sides.

Making their home rink a fortress will be pivotal to any chances of success this season – and that starts on Saturday night in the season opener at home to Peterborough Phantoms.

Although the Cats suffered an indifferent pre-season, losing their opening two matches before finishing with three straight wins, Liddiard says the team are better placed for those workouts.

“I think you want to make your home rink so that people don’t want to come and play you on the road,” said Liddiard.

“It has always been that way with Swindon, the Link Centre is a tough place to come and play.

“If we can win our home games we will be there or thereabouts.

“It is a bit tough with the pre-season games, they are a chance to blow the cobwebs away and I am looking forward to the season starting.”