This time last year, Leicester Lions had just completed their line-up for the 2011 season.

The dream was rapidly becoming a reality. Their new venue at Beaumont Park was taking shape and the club had been admitted to the Premier League.

When their seven riders were confirmed, it meant the final piece of the preparation jigsaw was in place and speedway would definitely be back in the city after a 28-year absence.

Sure, there was still work to do, things to be ironed out. But this was the point of no return.

For the fans who had only memories of Blackbird Road, and who were disappointed that Lions were unable to race in 2010 as originally planned, this truly was a happy new year.

That final signing was rising star Richard Sweetman, an exciting and ever-improving rider who straight away was earmarked as a heat leader.

The Aussie joined forces with Russian duo Sergey Darkin and Ilyia Bondarenko, Richard Hall, John Oliver, Jan Graversen and Jamie Courtney, son of former Lions star Mark.

In January, promoter David Hemsley announced that Lions would race for the first time at Beaumont Park on April 2 in a special challenge match.

At the time, legend and club ambassador Ray Wilson said: "It can't come quickly enough, that's got to be the view of everyone that's involved with what's happening, it is so exciting." The wait was finally over when, on that first weekend of April, the Lions, who had secured a sponsorship with Breedon Aggregates, raced in Leicester for the first time since October, 1983.

Around 4,500 people packed into Beaumont Park. Many of the old riders were present, as was Martin Rogers, their final promoter from the Blackbird Road days, who had flown in from Australia.

It was a tremendous occasion against Sheffield Tigers, which finished in a 46-46 draw after Sweetman and Darkin won the final heat 5-1.

That whetted the appetite. Now how would the Lions go in the Premier League?

Things began well with three wins from the first five fixtures, including a 45-44 victory at Edinburgh Monarchs, the reigning champions and who had lost only once on home soil since 2007. But, after they trounced Rye House 56-35 at the end of April, the team hit a downward spiral, losing 13 and drawing one of their next 14 fixtures.

New riders were hired in the shape of Mathieu Tresarrieu, Charles Wright and Henning Bager. Sweetman, Darkin and Courtney departed.

The situation did not improve, however.

At the start of July, Jason Attwood took over the team manager's role from Hemsley.

Then, with Finnish national champion Kauko Nieminen joining, the first shoots of renewed optimism emerged.

They started with a draw at home to Ipswich. Two of the next four matches were also tied but a league win proved elusive.

In general, though, performances improved.

Attwood continued to shuffle the pack, bringing in Magnus Karlsson, Jason Garrity and Viktor Bergstrom. Hall, Oliver and Wright moved on.

Finally, after going 26 meetings without a win, Lions triumphed at Scunthorpe in mid-September and followed up with a victory over Somerset in front of their own fans 24 hours later.

Lions won four of their final seven league fixtures. It was a finish to reignite the enthusiasm of the fans, who had supported their team in numbers throughout the campaign, with attendances always above the four-figure mark.

The team finished bottom of the 14-strong Premier League.

The way they ended the campaign, however, should spark confidence and, with the line-up Attwood has assembled for 2012, there is every reason to think the only way is definitely up.