Monarchs win battle with Glasgow over Friday night slot

Edinburgh Monarchs have won their battle with bitter rivals Glasgow over the staging of Tigers' second leg British Final semi.

Monarchs boss Alex Harkess. Pic: Ron MacNeill

Monarchs lodged an objection with the British Speedway Promoters Association over Tigers’ original choice of date on Friday May 20 – which is Monarchs’ regular race night.

Monarchs were furious that Glasgow were intending to run in direct opposition to them and today Monarchs chairman Alex Harkess said common sense had prevailed after a new date of Sunday, May 15 at Ashfield was set.

Harkess said: “Dates have now been switched with Scunthorpe hosting the first semi-final on Friday, May 13 and Glasgow hosting the second two days later. This is what should have happened in the first place if someone had put any thought into it.

“Glasgow’s Friday date was not set in stone and now they have been given the Sunday which I thought would have suited them better anyway.

“Glasgow revealed the Friday date before anything had actually been sorted out. What they should done was to have announced they had been awarded the meeting with dates to be confirmed forthwith.”

Meanwhile, Monarchs will hold their pre-season practice session at Armadale on Friday, March 25 but whether they will have a full seven man squad on show remains in doubt.

Australian Mitchell Davey is still waiting for a British passport which he needs to claim the final reserve position, and Harkess admits he has no idea how long this will take.

“I have not heard anything and it is possible he may not be available to us and we will have to find someone else to fill the role.”