Edinburgh's Blair Scott denied rumours that he is set to join Berwick Bandits for next season. Blair did, however admit that Berwick might be an option if he doesn't figure in Monarchs' plans for the Millenium season.
Blair has always denied that he wants to leave Monarchs. Last year he went on record as saying that he hadn't asked for a transfer and he would never ask for a transfer. Blair said:
"It's true that Berwick have shown an interest in me. Words have been exchanged but no deals have been discussed."
Blair had a largely disappointing season despite pushing his average up by just over one point. He started at second string and survived the first set of green sheets in the tricky number two position. Stewart McDonald dropped to reserve as Ross Brady stepped up. McDonald soon moved back into the team with the second set of green sheets and this time Blair dropped down to reserve. He was to remain at number seven for the rest of the season.
Blair was, at times, virtually unbeatable around Armadale but had a "disastrous" time away from home. He did have his moments away with a few solid shows notably in the Premier League at Exeter. Ironically he looked set for a super show at Reading before the match was rained-off after eight heats.
"I'd like to remain with Monarchs but right now I haven't got the slightest clue if I will or not. I scored some really good points at Armadale but I was pretty disappointed with my performances on the road."
Brian Collins, who has been advising Blair for the last two years has suggested that Blair's career might benefit from a spell away from Armadale.
"Brian feels leaving Edinburgh for a couple of years may help me and a lot of people have said that. I'm not convinced, I'm a bit scared of a change, although it might cure my poor away record. However Brian doesn't think joining Berwick would aid me because I already know how to ride big tracks. He thinks I should move further south. But I'm not keen because of all the travelling that might be involved."
Blair came in for some stick from John Campbell after a very poor show at Newcastle.
"John and I never talk except about speedway matters. We don't talk socially. But I'm an Edinburgh rider through and through. And I'd like to think I could find another club if Edinburgh don't include me in their plans. However I would prefer any possible move to be on loan and not a full transfer so that I could return to Monarchs."
Blair's former Linlithgow and Monarchs teammate, Barry Campbell, has been riding with Workington and has impressed. However it should be pointed out that Barry's average has gone down since leaving while Blair's has gone up.
"I've thought about Barry a few times and it has crossed my mind that a move might be good for me. It was disheartening for me to start off at second string and then drop down to reserve."
"Although it helped my wage packet, I don't want to be a permanent reserve. It did my head in that I got beaten by young lads I had beaten in the past. It made me think I haven't made the progress I ought to have, and this is disappointing.
Monarchs appear to be trying to build a team around James Grieves, Peter Carr, and Ross Brady. The hints that Ross will initially be at second string, if he signs, suggest that Kevin Little is in the frame as third heat leader. With a top four of Carr, Grieves, Little and Brady it would be difficult to fit Blair into a 45 point team. It could just about be done, assuming that two three point reserve were signed.
I suspect that most of the Monarchs' supporters would like to see Blair remain in the team. However, if he did go and return at heat leader in a couple of years time, then maybe it will be best for all concerned.