LEE Complin has stunned Premier League runners-up Sheffield Tigers with a transfer request.

The Owlerton club, widely regarded as one of the best promoted and well run in the country, are set to circulate his name to all clubs after failing to hold suitable talks with the rider.

It is a bitter blow to the club after they also received a demand for a move from Canadian Kyle Legault recently.

And it's the second time Complin has quit the club after retiring at the end of the 2002 season.

Sheffield co-promoter David Hoggart said: ""We were set to offer Lee a place back at Sheffield for next season - at his own request!

"More than once Lee had said he would like to be included in our plans - until something and someone changed his way of thinking.

"We had an offer prepared and there was a lot of sponsorship on the table for the lad. Now the sponsors have been left scratching their heads wondering what has gone on and I can't blame them."

Meanwile Tigers owner Neil Machin is furious with the way the two transfer requests have been handled.

"Somebody is advising my assets, like Legault and Complin, to leave Sheffield Speedway and I don't like it," said Machin.

"I hate what's going on behind the scenes and, quite frankly, it stinks. We went out of our way to get Kyle Legault fixed up elsewhere and, when Lee Complin decided to make a comeback in April, we again worked hard to find him a team place elsewhere.

"They have had advice, clearly, about the wording of the letter and the timing of the request and when I find out just who the culprit is I will take it all the way.

"There is a total lack of respect being shown to the good name of Sheffield Tigers Speedway and our superb fan base."