Stars Flyin' In!

It’s another break from Premier League action this week as we take time out to celebrate the British career of the one and only Ryan Fisher.

Flyin Ryan as he is known first was introduced to the Monarchs faithful back in 2008 but his time on these shores stretches back further than that all the way to 2002 and Ryan has served Coventry, Oxford, Belle Vue, Swindon, Plymouth and Peterborough with some distinguish during his UK career.

Of course for the majority of fans present on Friday they will remember his time in the Blue and Gold between 2008 and 2010 when Ryan was top man leading us to two league championships, a league cup victory and 2 PL playoff victories (before the Playoffs decided the league championship) in three memorable years.

Ryan’s signing was seen as somewhat of a gamble when we brought him back from the cold after a spell outside of the UK and a disappointing year in 2007. It was clear to see from the start we had pulled a rabbit out of the hat Ryan immediately won over the fans with his determined and flamboyant riding. If there’s one thing the paying public love it’s a trier and no one could ever accuse Ryan of any less than 100% effort in all his races. Even if his antics if he did not get the result he wanted could lead to the amusement of the opposition. Almost from the start though the points flew in alongside these performances and it wasn’t long before Ryan was popping up with maximums home and away topping a 10 point average and making Armadale his own lowering the track record time after time.

While seen as tough performer on the track it is very unusual anyone has a bad word to say about Ryan off the track and it is no surprise he has managed to put together a diverse line-up of friends and team mates both past and present all happy to help him celebrate his big night.

Number 1 in the field is none other than the man of the night himself Ryan Fisher. Fisher will no doubt be hell bent on winning this meeting in front of a vast array of friends and family and who would bet against him. Mon The Fish!

Number 2 is our very own young Englishman Dan Bewley. We are all enjoying watching Dan progress week on week and he will have been delighted to pick up his first victory in Monarchs colours last Friday and will be looking to build on that with the pressure off this Friday.

Returning to Armadale action at number 3 is quite possibly the single best proponent of inside riding the track has ever seen Andrew Tully. Andrew fell out of love with the sport a few years back when he perhaps felt he wasn’t ever going to get to the level he wanted. It’s always nice to see Andrew on track though and having been a former teammate of Ryan’s he was keen to attend.

Number 4 is Newcastle’s Matej Kus. A very quick return to the Dale after his 4 point effort last week in the Diamonds close defeat. Matej can be devastatingly quick on his day though and could be a dark horse.

Number 5 and part of an American quartet on the night is Workington’s number 1 Ricky Wells. Ricky is off course quite possibly the best visitor we see at Armadale these days and as a world cup team mate of Ryan he will be keen to impress.

Number 6 is another returning Monarch league winner. This time though from a later era than Ryan this being only last year it’s Rob Branford. Rob will feel aggrieved that the change in rules cost him a team place this year as he did not qualify to fill a number 7 berth. He has put this behind him though and is consistently banging in the scores for Rye House’s National League it can’t be long till a PL team calls a calling and we will wish him well.

Number 7 is Adam Roynon. The now experienced Cumbrian probably has the unwanted tag of the unluckiest man in British Speedway due to the itinerary of injuries he has suffered over the years many complete flukes. Roynon appears to be putting an injury free run together just now and long may it continue.

Number 8 and a man who will gather great interest is Charlie Ermolenko. Dukie as he is known is a former Glasgow Tiger of the early to mid-nineties and is off course brother of former world champ Sam Ermolenko and back in his day was a classy performer.

Number 9 is home top man and potentially the favourite for the meeting. It’s Sam Masters. Sam is perhaps the most inform man in British speedway just now racking up double figures home and away for both Edinburgh and Wolves and is now only 5 rides away from a GP berth after qualifying for the GP Challenge last week.

Number 10 and another former Monarchs number 1 and league winner alongside Ryan is William Lawson. There have been some rumblings that Willie may be keen to get back on the bike on a more permanent basis and it will be interesting to see how he performs in a line-up of this calibre.

Number 11 and yet another of the league winning 2008 Monarchs septet is Aaron Summers. Spud is now one of the main men along the M8 at Glasgow and is always a fearsome visitor to the Dale.

Number 12 and last of the Americans on show is Billy Janniro. Billy and Ryan have been long time friends and have vast experience riding both with and against each other all over Europe and the US. They were perhaps viewed as successors to the Hancock and Hamill pairing that had so much success in the late 90’s and early 2000’s. They may never have hit those heights but it will still be great to see Janniro back on these shores.

Number 13 is young Englishman James Sergeant. Sergeant is looking to consolidate after a promising first season at PL level and while his scores have been somewhat inconsistent so far we all know on his day and with his gating boots on what he is capable off.

Number 14 is another Newcastle rider in Ludvig Lindgren. Ludvig who is the younger brother of GP star Freddie has been a consistent performer at PL level for a few years now and can always be counted on to be in the mix.

The penultimate rider in the line-up is young Glasgow rider Fernando Garcia. Garcia has been a revelation so far this year and the Tigers faithful have taken him to their hearts with his never say die attitude and his presence around the club helping out as required outside of race days.

Last but not least is another man who will be looking to put himself in the shop window. It’s Mitchell Davey. Mitch was all set to be the Monarchs number 7 this year but for his now well publicised passport problems and is another who will be out to put himself in the shop window on Friday.

So a diverse line-up of past and present stars will turn out to honour Ryan and it is somewhat apt for Ryan having said he views this year as a homecoming that he will have his night in front of so many friends and family from the USA and Europe.

I’m sure a truly successful night is ahead for Ryan and the party in the bar afterwards may almost be a match for the racing.