Will Beveridge spent the latter part of the season on loan at Edinburgh after suffering a traumatic time at Newcastle. Before joining Monarchs at end of May, Will had already been axed by his parent club Glasgow and then sacked, reinstated, and sacked again by Newcastle. He was an ever present in Monarchs Premier League campaign after effectively replacing Brian Turner. Will started out at number 2 but soon dropped to reserve. He still found points difficult to come by and ended up on an everage in the region of four points. This represented a drop of around two points from his starting average. This came after he spent much of the 1999 season at heat leader for Glasgow.
Will was disappointed with his form for Monarchs particularly at Armadale. He never really came to terms with the track and fell too many times as well as suffering too many breakdowns.
Will speaking to David Kinvig in the Edinburgh Pink said:
"In a way, I feel as though I let Monarchs down. I didn't do the job I was brought here to do and no-one knows that better than me. Alex and John have been great with me and gave me time to get things right. However I just couldn't get going. I bought two brand new engines at the sstart of the year but they turned out to be far slower than I imagined. I was eventually forced to switch back to the machinery I had ridden the previous season. I hardly made a penny, it's been one long struggle."
Will had a bad meeting in the Yooung Shield at Armadale with a zero return from four rides including three falls. This was a major factor in Monarchs' exit from the competition. Swindon won after a run-off and seem ceratin to take the Young Shield having a 40-point first leg lead to take to Exeter on Monday night. Will said that the whole team were gutted at the manner in which they went out:
"Some fans did shout at me. They were having a go suggesting it would be nice if I finished a race. I got slightly annoyed because I tried my best as I've always done for Monarchs. When your bike isn't going the way you want it your confidence drains away. It makes life difficult out on the track, no knowing whether you have the speed to be competitive against your rivals or not."
It has been suggested that Derek Sneddon will take Will's number seven racejacket for next season.
"I have heard rumours that my position has been offered to Derek but that's unofficial. Monarchs do not have first call on my services, Glasgow do. But I've enjoyed my time at Armadale. Monarchs are a very professional outfit."
Since Will's contract is held by Glasgow, they have first option on his signature for next season. Monarchs would come second should Glasgow be unable or unwilling to sign him for 2001. This point was emphasized by Monarchs' director Mike Hunter:
"It must be borne in mind that Glasgow own Will's contract. It's not our place to say anything regarding his future until we know what Glasgow are going to do, ad it has been suggested that they may recall him to their side. We don't have a definative line-up ourselves yet. But first call on Will must come from Glasgow. Even if Derek gets the reserve role that does not rule out Will."
That is probably alluding to the possibility that a tight points limit could squeeze one of Monarchs' second strings, most likely Blair Scott, and Will might be seen as a possible replacement.
"He got himself better organized later in the season but it's fair to say Will was never completely happy with his machinery. He's an honest trier but he didn't reach the levels of the previous season when his average was over six. Will might feel with his average now at four he might represent good value for certain clubs."
Glasgow have used Will to guest in place of the injured Aidan Collins at Workington on Saturday. This might indicate that they are considering a recall for next year. Will's former track Berwick is another possibility as is Stoke who were interested last season. However Hunter dismissed the possibility that Will would return to his local track Newcastle.
"However I think it's unlikely he will go back to Newcastle. The manner in which his spell there came to an end was badly handled."
A quick return to Brough Park for Will as part of a three way swop involving André Compton and Kevin Little fell through a couple of months back, partially because Will was unwilling to move back.