Although the season is far from over with two major trophies still to be decided, there is already speculation about the composition of the Monarchs team for next year. The Premier League programme is now over so the final Green Sheet Averages will soon be published and these will be used as the basis for team building in the year 2000.
Obviously, no firm plans can be decided until the points limit is decided. This will have to wait until the British Speedway Promoters conference in November. However, team building can start prior to this.
Peter Carr has already signalled his intentions to stay with Monarchs for one more season. Earlier Ross Brady suggested that he had no intention of moving up into the Elite League until he had established himself as a Premier League heat leader and saw no reason why he should not stay with Monarchs for next year. Monarchs have had informal discussions with Peterborough about Ross staying on at Armadale.
James Grieves is the latest rider to be thought to be on the verge of deciding to stay with Monarchs. When James signed originally on loan from Wolverhampton, it was assumed that he would be returning to Wolves for 2000 where he is due a Testimonial. James's testimonial follows five years service with Glasgow until the promotion closed down at the end of the 1995 season. He was transferred to Wolverhampton and retained his years service in the move because he only moved because Glasgow closed down.
James had a highly successful 1996 season with Wolves as part of their double winning side in the combined Premier League. He stayed with Wolves in the Elite League in 1997 and also in 1998 but was dropped mid-season and moved to Berwick on loan peior to joining Monarchs at the start of this year.
While next year is James's tenth year in speedway, only two and a half years have been spent with Wolves. This compares with six and a half years with the Scottish tracks. A testimonial held in Edinburgh would probably attract a very good attendance with support coming from all three tracks as well as from Wolverhampton.
The growing speculation that James would be staying at Armadale was fuelled by comment made by Chris van Stratten last Friday. The Wolves promoter was at Armadale for the Cup Final in his capacity as Chairman of the BSPA. He strongly hinted that James would be loaned to Monarchs for next season. When James signed for Monarchs he was tipped by many to be the top rider in the Premier League. This has not quite happened with the rib injury sustained at Newport and aggrevated at Exeter being a contributary factor. He has pushed his average up by point this year and has the potential for a similar increase next year if he could come to terms with some of the bigger tracks.
Should James stay with Monarchs along with Peter and Ross, this could put question marks over Kevin Little's place less than six months after his protracted transfer from Berwick was concluded. The points limit is unlikely to be high enough to accommodate all of the current top four without seriously unbalancing the team. Ross is likely to be looking for a heat leader slot for next season. He has appeared for Scotland as heat leader and has guested several times at heat leader for Berwick, Workington, and Exeter without looking out of place.
Blair Scott certainly ought to be a banker to stay on at second string given his current form although there has been speculation about his intentions recently. David McAllan is likely to return at reserve having been transferred to Monarchs ealier this season. Many will also want to see Brian Turner back after his impressive display against Arena Essex prior to his recent injury. Stewart McDonald will be much harder to accommodate given his higher average this year.
The speculation will probably continue until the points limit is resolved. The final places in the team will probably be decided on who bests fits the points available.
Certainly, should James stay this will be very popular with the supporters. He has been very professional throughout the year. He has ridden through injuries that would have sidelined most. He has certainly never let Monarchs down.