DOUBLE trophy winner with the Basingstoke Bison Joe Baird will once again patrol the Herd’s blue line after signing this week.

The 33-year-old was part of the Herd’s Benson and Plate winning sides in 1999 and 2000.

He holds a special place in the club’s history as he was the only player to score in both finals at Sheffield.

Having made his Basingstoke debut at 14, the Southampton-born defenceman then spent seven seasons with the Herd before signing for the Isle of Wight Raiders in the autumn of 2002.

After three years on the island, he moved to Bracknell and was part of their English Premier League winning side in 2006/07.

During his spell with the Bees Baird pulled on a Bison shirt in the spring of 2008 and helped the Herd into the final of the Elite League Knockout Cup.

For the past four years he has played in Swindon and brings a wealth of experience.

Bison player/coach Doug Sheppard is delighted to have signed the defenceman.

“He is a guy I have had my eye on and it is a straight swap for Alex Symonds who has joined Swindon,” Sheppard said. “He is a very physical player, which I found out the first time I played against him.

“He is not afraid to get into the corners, is a solid skater and can also make that first pass out of the zone.”

Looking forward to his return to the Herd, Baird, based in Alresford, said: “It is like coming home as I played in the juniors in Basingstoke. I spoke to Shep (Doug Sheppard) about the team he was putting together and wanted to be a part of it.

“Fans can expect me to play the same way I always have, which is physical – that is my style.

“I know I will be one of the older guys on the team, but I am always ready to pass on my experience to others in the locker room.”

One of Baird’s former team-mates at Swindon, Nicky Watt, who played for the Bison at the end of the last season, will not be returning to the Herd after signing for the Bison’s EPL rivals the Peterborough Phantoms.