Kevin Little is reported to be close to signing for Monarchs for this year. The main thing holding the deal back is the need to get agreement from his parent club, Berwick. The Edinburgh Pink reported. on Saturday 9th January, that he has given a verbal assurance that he will sign. Edinburgh continue their attempts to complete the team by signing two reserves with David McAllan and Scott Courtney in the frame.

Robert Eriksson looks likely to ride for Berwick in the coming season. They face some competition from Newcastle but Monarchs are keen for him to join their Borders rivals. This may involve a loan deal for Eriksson to Berwick for 1999 being traded against a full transfer for Kevin Little to Edinburgh.

Edinburgh were unable to accommodate Eriksson this year because of the high average he has from the 1997 season. Then six-man teams were in operation that made life much easier for heat leaders than the current seven-rider format. Monarchs remain optimistic that Eriksson will come back for the 2000 season to replace James Grieves who is committed to returning to Wolverhampton in 2000 for a testimonial season.

Monarchs are hoping that Eriksson sign for Berwick will struggle somewhat around the banked Shielfield track and reduce this average so that Monarchs can fit him in for 2000!

Kings Lynn and Swindon along with Peterborough have applied to join the Premier League for 1999 although Belle Vue have confirmed that they will remain in the Elite League. Ipswich are continuing with their attempts to blackmail the Elite League into raising the points limit from 40 by threatening to defect to the Premier League. It is anticipated that they will stay put.

If no other changes or disasters occur, the two Leagues will line up thus:

Elite League: Belle Vue, Coventry, Eastbourne, Hull, Ipswich, Oxford, Poole, and Wolverhampton.

Premier League: Arena Essex, Berwick, Edinburgh, Exeter, Glasgow, Isle of Wight, Kings Lynn, Newcastle, Newport, Peterborough, Reading, Sheffield, Stoke, Swindon, and Workington.