Monarchs Fixtures for next season have now been included on the web site and can be found on the Fixtures page on the following location:
These fixtures have yet to be issued by the BSPA although they have appeared in the local press in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Edinburgh Pink.
The fixture list as planned looks very congested. This is partially because of the decision to have two Premier National Trophy qualification groups rather than three. This gives Edinburgh extra home and away matches against Workington and Sheffield. It is partially compensated by the (much lamented) loss of the Northern Fours qualifiers. While Monarchs have no testimonial match to stage this year, they do have the Premiership against Sheffield and the fixture with the touring Czech Republic side to accommodate. Only two 'spare' home fixtures are reserved apart from the dates set aside for the Cup second round, semi-final, and final. Edinburgh might have to cover rain-offs and also any Premier National Trophy knockout stage fixtures. Clearly if Monarchs are as successful as last year in knockout competitions or if they lose any matches to the weather, there could be real fixture trouble ahead. Monarchs only suffered two rainoffs at Armadale in 1997 and the same in 1999. In 1998, by contrast, they lost several fixtures to the rain. The poor weather in 1998 coincided with a year when Monarchs failed to have a cup run and also failed to qualify for the playoffs so it did not cause major problems.
The Scottish Cup does not appear in the fixture list although a home and away challenge against Workington towards the end of September. It remains possible to arrange the Scottish Cup on any spare dates that may arise or to hold it in October subject to the Young Shield committments of Edinburgh and Glasgow.
There remains speculation that one or more of Hull and Oxford, both cash-strapped Elite League Clubs, could yet appear in the Premier League this year. Both came come up short of the sponsorship needed to run in the Elite League this year. Unless something dramatic happens their only change of staying in operation will be to drop to the Premier League. Such a decision would be outside the rules at this stage of the season with fixtures already arranged but might be preferable to losing two tracks.
If this happens there will obviously be adjustments to the fixture list. This could entail revisions to the Premier National Trophy group qualifiers. This may revert back to three groups should both clubs be admitted.