SIXTY YEARS FOR MONARCHS

NEWS Friday 8th February 2008, 7:59am

by John Campbell

  Edinburgh Monarchs

Scotwaste Monarchs launch their twelfth season of racing at West Lothian's Lothian Arena on Friday 14th March 2008. You can now see the fixtures for what is the Diamond Jubilee year of the club.

There is an early chance to pick up silverware as Glasgow offer the opening night's opposition in the second leg of the Spring Trophy. With the Monarchs reaching their sixtieth birthday in 2008 there is a lot to look forward to during the Diamond Jubilee season.

Twenty five meetings are guaranteed for the Armadale stadium in 2008 but success for the team could add as many as nine more fixtures to the list with the Scotwaste Monarchs setting out for success in the Premier Trophy, Knock Out Cup and, depending on doing well in the League a chance to play off for a place in Britain's Elite League.

Commented Club Chairman, Alex Harkess, "We have a lot to look forward to in 2008. We have a great young team that is full of potential. Club captain, Derek Sneddon, is the man of experience and he is only 25 years old. Our cosmopolitan line up features one of the hottest prospects in world speedway in Thomas H Jonasson but I believe that anyone of our riders could shine through as the season progresses."

There are many highlights in the season with the Scottish Open Championship scheduled for 1st August and in addition to their visit on the First night arch rivals, the Buildbase Tigers of Glasgow, will also be visiting on 15 August and 24 October. 26 September will also see the return to the calendar of the Scottish Triangle with Berwick joining the Scotwaste Monarchs and Buildbase Tigers in this competition.

Perhaps the highlight of the season will be the Diamond Jubilee Celebration on 16 May 2008. All who have ridden for the Monarchs at any time in the last sixty years will be invited to attend this event on a weekend that will a feast of fun and nostalgia.

The full fixture list is now available for downloading within the fixtures section.