Monarchs chairman Alex Harkess attacked reports that former captain had been forced out of the club following criticism by supporters.
After a proposed swap deal with Newcastle involving Kevin Little, Will Beveridge, and André Compton collapsed early last week, it was reported that Little would leave Monarchs immediately. Whatever was said, Kevin was at Armadale last Friday ready to ride against Exeter until the match was rained-off.
Harkess admitted that the swop deal had been considered. It certainly would have made sense for Monarchs and propably so for Newcastle also. However it required the agreement of two tracks and three riders. Harkess commented:
"There was interest in a swap deal. But only if all parties involved had reached agreement. But the deadline passed on Tuesday. The plan was then dead in the water. It couldn't move forward because no-one could agree."
"It was very unsettling that this particular story was made public. The move was discussed during our visit to Stoke, and too many ears were listening. At that point we hadn't even spoken to André."
The reports suggested that Kevin was prepared to sit out the last two months of the season however Harkess insisted that he would remain in the team until the end of the season. He added that Kevin was unhappy with his form:
"Kevin has not been happy with the way he has been riding. I don't dispute that and neither does Kevin. Some of the criticism has been justified."
"However I'm sure Kevin will want to try pastures new next season. Meanwhile our relationship with him is excellent. Kevin wants to race for us. Hopefully, he now has a point to prove and will show the fans exactly what he's capable of producing."
Harkess refused to be drawn on whether Compton was in the frame to come into the Monarchs team next season. André has already declared that he wishes to remain in the Premier League. His close friendship with Peter Carr and that spectacular way he rides Armadale has prompted speculation for some weeks that he would be moving to Monarchs. Harkess commented:
"It's too early to say what shape our team will take next year. No-one knows what the points-limit will be for instance."
There appeared to be some sort of agreement last year that the Premier League would no longer mess around with the points limit each year and would instead stick with 45-points for the foreseeable future. If this is the case, the Monarchs team would not need to be radically restructured. This would permit the retention of Peter Carr and Robert Eriksson at heat leader, provided of course that Robert could be pursuaded to stay on. Ross Brady and Blair Scott could stay at second string and Christian Henry could remain at reserve. In order to accommodate Compton as third heat leader, a new three-point reserve, for example Derek Sneddon, would have to be brought in. Clearly there will be plenty of other options and unknowns. It is also likely that half the Premier League tracks will be after Compton's signature for next year.
Now that the transfer deadline has passed, at least the speculation over team changes will cease. Maybe now Kevin and other members of the team can concentrate on improving their consistency.