Monarchs had hoped to fill their third heat leader berth by completing the signature of Kevin Little by this weekend. However the transfer has been put on hold until Berwick Bandits sort out their own problems.
Glasgow should finish their team building by signing last season's captain Mick Powell.
The team line up will be as follows: Paul Bentley (9.19), Mick Powell (9.18), Sean Courtney (5.45), Will Beveridge (5.35), Brian Turner (4.49), Stuart Coleman (3.00), and Scott Courtney (3.00). The team has a strong top two, a solid middle order and decent reserves. If there is a weakness in the Tigers' team it is at third heat leader where Sean Courtney may struggle having spent the last two seasons at second string or reserve. Expect some rotation of the third heat leader position between Sean, Will Beveridge and Brian Turner. The team comes out at 39.66, well within the 41.00 limit.
Tigers may have a team but they don't have a stadium so far. The planning permission application for Ashfield and the bid to buy Long Eaton Stadium remain unresolved.
Berwick have the reverse problem with a stadium but no team. The take-over bid involving a consortium led by John Robertson appears to be on course to succeed. Curiously, David Meldrum's contract does not appear to be part of the deal although he is likely to be loaned back to Berwick for the 1999 season.
John Campbell commented earlier about the situation:
"Bandits promoters Mike and Yvette Hope have reportedly rebuffed the hostile take-over bid fronted by their co-promoter and local farmer John Robertson, and have vowed to come to the tapes for the new season".
Workington have been given permission to talk to Barry Campbell (5.25). If Barry joins the newcomers they will be likely be a formidable force at Armadale with track specialists Carl Stonehewer (9.98), Brent Werner (8.29) and Grant MacDonald (6.77) also in the team. James Birkinshaw (3.84) has also signed. This will leave the Comets with 6.87 points to play with to complete their team.
Workington have recruited Glasgow Tigers legend Steve Lawson as youth officer. Lawson is based within six miles of the Derwent Park stadium.
Glasgow Tigers once moved their operation to Workington. It is somewat ironical that the Long Eaton assets are moving to Workington while Glasgow Tigers face the possibility of a move to Long Eaton!
Newcastle will probably also remain a good team around Armadale with Jesper Olsen (7.86) and Robert Eriksson (9.61) leading the charge. Reserve Steven Jones (3.00)also knows his way around the Lothian Arena having had several matches for Monarchs and also riding virtually every week for the Dale Devils or in second races.
The Diamonds have 20.53 points left to sign another heat leader two second strings and one reserve. Paul Gould (4.40) might be a candidate for one of the second string places
Monarchs have March 26th pencilled in for the first meeting. However the uncertainty surrounding Glasgow means that there is no firm news of the opposition for the challenge match. John Campbell added:
"I hope Glasgow and Berwick both run, it would be a desperate situation for Scottish speedway if they didn't. Ans I have no desire to see them fall by the wayside".