1996 Season next up on EMTV+

NEWS Tuesday 18th April 2023, 4:50pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

The next season we are making available to our EMTV+ customers is the very unusual one which we spent at Shawfield in 1996 as the Scottish Monarchs. The Edinburgh team, basically, racing at Glasgow's track after the Tigers had pulled out of the sport at the end of the previous season.

It was a very unsuccessful season financially for the Club, and we would not have been able to continue thereafter had we not received permission to then go to Armadale. However it was an excellent year for Speedway entertainment, with Alan Bridgett working on the well-shaped Shawfield track and using more dirt than had previously been the norm there.

Watch 1996 Season

Mike Hunter's Highlight

Our recommended match to be viewed first is Monarchs v Eastbourne on 17th July, featuring some good heats and a bit of controversy involving Martin Dugard and Mike Faria. There were also a few fallers early on and the commentator was giving the home men a bit of stick!

Back in those days I used to rate the quality of each match on video, and the Eastbourne one earns 10 out of 10. There are also four matches which get 9 marks – Coventry (2nd June), Hull (11th August), Belle Vue (8th September) and Poole (13th October). And numerous 8 out of 10s!

I get a lot of good feedback on these historic old matches, so I hope all of those who subscribe to EMTV+ like the service, and maybe a few more might join up.

Watch Monarchs v Eastbourne

New to EMTV+?

If you're new to EMTV+, you can join now for just £4.99 per month and get access to the incredible back catalogue of Edinburgh Monarchs Speedway!

Join EMTV+