This review is conducted anti-clockwise around Britain starting at Edinburgh and finishing at Berwick.
Edinburgh Monarchs
The Monarchs line-up was settled a couple of weeks back. They have managed to track three genuine heat leaders (Peter Carr, James Grieves, Kevin Little) who should be capable of scoring points home and away. Monarchs have true number 1 in Peter Carr and arguably James Grieves also comes in this category.
Monarchs have two useful looking second strings in Stewart McDonald and Blair Scott. McDonald looked the part as heat leader with Glasgow in 1997 and always rode Armadale well. The two reserves are probably more experienced than many in the Premier League this year. David McAllan rode a full season with Berwick and Newcastle and finished marginally ahead of his 3.00 starting average. Ross Brady had several outings with Peterborough and as a guest with Berwick. He only completed 5 Premier League meetings which is just as well as he was averaging 4.29!
Prospects: Monarchs should be championship contenders provided that the team can avoid the mechanical disasters of 1998 and Stewart McDonald can recapture his Glasgow form.
Glasgow Tigers
The team appears to be complete so long as a stadium can be found to host them. Tigers appear to have gone with a dual number 1 line-up with two heat leaders, three good second strings and two reserves. The team has a solid look and the reserves are likely to be above average. If there is a weakness, it will be in the third heat leader spot where neither Sean Courtney nor Will Beveridge looks quite the part.
Prospects: Tigers might be outside contenders for the title if someone rises to the challenge of taking the third heat leader role. The introduction of a genuine third heat leader with the first issue of green sheets could make the Tigers a very strong team for the latter part of the season.
Workington Comets
The top two of Carl Stonehewer and Brent Werner are excellent although I suspect that Grant MacDonald will struggle in the third heat leader position. James Birkinshaw has some way to go to convince as a second string so a lot will depend on the other second string and two reserves yet to be announced. Barry Campbell might make a go of the former but the pool of decent 3.00 reserves is rapidly emptying.
Prospects: Again far to early to call but any team containing Stonehewer and Werner can never be taken lightly. At this tage mid table is the best estimate I can come up with.
Stoke Potters
The Stoke team seems to be taking shape based on two heat leaders (Paul Pickering, and Paul Fry) and three good seconds strings in Rene Aas, Tony Atkin and Mark Burrows. Rob Clarence will probably be at reserve although he made little progress last year.
Prospects: Much though I would like to see the Potters prosper this season for the sake of their support, I can see them struggling. They lack a cutting edge at the top with too little support available for Pickering. They will probably be weak at the bottom end. They are likely to be solid in the middle order but this may not be enough.
Newport Wasps
Newport have three genuine heat leaders, one excellent second string in Scott Pegler but not much else. Craig Watson and Frank Smart should be capable of scoring points anywhere and Henriksson is OK. Chris Neath showed some encouraging signs last year but Andrew Appleton and Bobby Eldridge remain unproven at this level.
Prospects: Certainly good for mid table but they need one or more of their rather long tail to progress if they are to challenge for honours.
Swindon Robins
A very strong team with Cunningham and Masters at the top and assisted by the under-rated Neil Collins. They have good second strings in Krister Marsh and Oliver Allen and some experience at reserve with David Mason.
Prospects: Definite championship contenders. They have a good top end and strength in depth. The parallels with Peterborough last year are all too obvious.
Exeter Falcons
A typical Exeter team built around a strong top four of Michael Coles, Peter Jeffery, Mark Simmons and Graeme Gordon. The bottom end looks rather thin on experience.
Prospects: Some have seen Exeter as championship contenders although unanswered questions remain. The key issue is who is going to score points away from home consistently apart from Michael Coles. Last year the Falcons had Frank Smart to help out and the year before they also had Leigh Lanham on board. They will probably win most if not all of their home matches but could struggle away. They remain excellent prospects for the knock-out tournaments such as the Cup and the Young Shield.
Isle of Wight Islanders
They have a strength in depth side with few weaknesses although two of their heat leaders are perhaps a bit lightweight.
Prospects: As with Exeter they will be difficult to beat at home but may travel badly. In order to challenge for the title, they will need to have Neville Tatum back to his best and some progress from their reserves.
Reading Racers
Reading have an excellent, strong all-round team with one glaring hole. That is the third heat leader place. Dave Mullet and Petri Kokko are two of the top riders from last year. Paul Clews and Phil Morris look two of the best second-strings around and their reserves look promising.
Prospects: With a good third heat leader (not easy to get on the points available), Reading would be sure fire championship material. However, if as suggested, Phil Morris is promoted and Justin Elkins comes in a second string a good mid table place appears more likely.
Arena Essex
What can be said other than 'watch this space'. Arena have no team apart from Leigh Lanham, Matt Read and the prospect of Troy Pratt returning. Time and riders are running out rapidly.
Prospects: Impossible to say with only two two riders named but unless the promotion can pull a few rabbits out of the hat they look like facing a (losing?) battle with Stoke to avoid the wooden spoon.
Sheffield Tigers
Many good things have been written about this years' Tigers team. They have a very strong top five and fair reserves. Some doubts remain about how Sean Wilson will adapt to the Premier League and can Scott Smith return to his past form. Andre Compton looks a good prospect as third heat leader and Simon Stead and Paul Lee are possibly the best second string pairing in the Premier League.
Prospects: Should be championship contenders but Wilson will have to go some and Smith improve dramatically if they are to go all the way. Away form, particularly on small tracks is likely to prove cruicial. Mid table may be a more realistic prospect.
Newcastle Diamonds
Newcastle have three good heat leaders and a sound second string in Paul Gould. While Robert Eriksson is carrying a crippling average of 9.61 (only Stonehewer, Mullett, and Cunningham are higher) from his 1997 campaign, both Jesper Olsen and David Walsh appear to have rather low averages for their ability.
Newcastle still have to name their other second string and a reserve to accompany Steven Jones. If they can get David Meldrum and a decent 3.00 rider in, they will look a useful side.
Prospects: Too soon to say until the team has been finalized, but I would expect mid-table at least an maybe better.
Berwick Bandits
Unfortunately there will probably be no
Berwick side in the Premier League at least.
| Northern Teams | Edinburgh, Glasgow, Berwick, and Newcastle |
| Central Teams | Sheffield, Swindon, Stoke, and Workington. |
| Southern Teams | Exeter, Newport, Reading, Isle of Wight, and Arena Essex. |