While all appears to be going smoothly for Monarchs, there are problems ahead for local rivals Glasgow and Berwick. Newcastle appear to be secure and newcomers Workington are well on course.
Glasgow Tigers
Glasgow have proceeded to build their team from the bottom. They have signed Stuart Coleman (3.00) and Scott Courtney (3.00) to ride at reserve. Edinburgh and Berwick were believed to be chasing Courtney Junior. Three of last years' team, Sean Courtney (5.45) , Will Beveridge (5.35), and Brian Turner (4.49) have re-signed. This leaves two heat leader berths to fill, one of which may go to Mick Powell (9.18) on his return from Australia. This will leave Tigers with 10.53 points to play with for another heat leader. Former Monarch Robert Eriksson (9.61) and Kaj Laukkanen (9.14), who rode the second half of the season for Glasgow in 1998 are reputedly in the frame but Shawfield specialist Paul Bentley (9.19) remains the favourite.
The problem for Glasgow is that since they have applied for planning permission to turn Ashfield Stadium in the North of Glasgow into a training track. Shawfield owner Billy King fears this will mean that Tigers will stage their Premier League campaign there and has threatened to kick Tigers out of Shawfield if they continue with the bid. The planning application for Ashfield has deferred until next month although only one objection was received. Any further delays could leave Tigers homeless for 1999.
In a bizarre twist, Tigers promoter, Brian Sands, appears poised to make a bid for the Long Eaton Stadium in conjunction with an Edinburgh property developer. Sands has threatened to move the Tigers team south if they are frozen out in Glasgow and the deal come off.
Berwick Bandits
Berwick are suffering from their usual financial problems. A move to get supporters to stump up £10,000 in pledges to keep the Bandits afloat for 1999. This move appears to have fallen short but current co-promotor John Robertson appears to be mounting a take-over bid to replace Mike and Yvette Hope. This could affect Monarchs' team building plans since both Kevin Little and David McAllan are both Berwick assets.
Berwick have been quite in terms of team building. The uncertainty over the future, according to Robertson, has contributed to the failure to land Ross Brady and Scott Courtney who signed for Edinburgh and Glasgow respectively. Monarchs' assets Robert Eriksson, Barry Campbell and Paul Gould have been linked to Berwick.
Newcastle Diamonds
Newcastle are set to have a change in the promotional team with Dave Rowland prepared to step down if one of the new investors wishes to replace him. There is little movement in the team building side. Nicki Pedersen has been transferred to Wolves and Brent Werner has signed for Workington. Reputed Diamonds target Paul Bentley appears set to sign for Glasgow.
Second string match winner Stuart Swales has had to drop out for this year at least due to work commitments. His new job makes it impossible for him to ride the away meetings. Jesper Olsen is assumed to be staying and former Monarch Steven Jones is also expected to get a starting place. Paul Gould and Barry Campbell have declared an interest in riding for Newcastle.
Workington Comets
Newcomers Workington have had few problems
in commencing team building. The involvement of Tony Mole means that the
former Long Eaton assets are available to the Comets. Carl Stonehewer (9.98)
and Brent Werner (8.29) have signed to give a strong top end. Grant MacDonald
(6.77) who is (relatively) local coming from Barrow-in-Furness has
also signed. James Birkinshaw (3.84) who rode for Newcastle last
year became the fourth signing.