Edinburgh chairman Alex Harkess is hoping that recent signing Ross Brady will stay ofor two years before moving up to the top division.
Monarchs paid a fee, believed to be in excess of £10,000 to secure the contract of the 19 year-old from Winchburgh. Brady has made it clear he wishes to move up to the Elite League in the future and Monarchs have promised that they will not stand in his way.
Harkess commented in the Edinburgh Evening News:
"At his age we beleive that Ross's value will increase. He is a prize asset and we hope to play a major part in his career. Realistically we hope to have him for two years. I think that Ross acknowledges that it will be two years before he moves on."
Ross himself is relieved that the transfer has been concluded after the long running saga and the tug of war with Glasgow. Ross's loyalty to Edinburgh was never in doubt. He added:
"I gave Edinburgh my word that I'd stay and I'd delighted to do so. I'd never go back on my word. However I'm very glad everything has been settled, it was begining to drage on a bit. Now that Edinburgh own me I hope this might help gain me a bit more sponsorship."
Brady is clearly attracted by the glamour of the Elite League and the international stars. He is not making any rash decisions. He would have had little difficulty getting an Elite League reserve berth this year but is determined to to stay in the Premier League until the time is right:
"I'll only move up when I feel I'm ready, although you've got to move up before it's too late. If I establish myself this year I'll think about it. Edinburgh know about my ambitions and are very understanding about the situation. They have been brilliant, in fact."
Brady has obtained a good financial deal from Monarchs although he played down stories that he was on heat leader pay:
"My deal is between the Edinburgh promotion and myself, nobody else. Maybe I'm on big money, maybe I'm not!"
Having pushed up his average from three to close on seven points over last season, the weight of expectancy is on Ross. Ross moved out of reserve at the first opportunity and maintained his scoring afterwards. By contrast, a number of others riders who scored freely at reserve struggled after moving up. By the end of the season he was easily outpacing his riding partner Kevin Little and finished the season on a high with an immaculate 15-point maximum against Glasgow. His target is to become a heat leader by the end of the season. That would entail getting a better average than Peter Carr, Ross Brady or, more realistically, Kevin Little.
"I will be disappointed if I maintain the form of last season, I want to do better. I'm a confident person, confident within myself and will always give 110 per cent effort. I'm not one to shout about personal goals just in case I don't acheive them."