Scott Somerville
My introduction to speedway and the Edinburgh Monarchs took place on the 1st August 1986 Monarchs v Eastbourne Eagles. My dad, John Somerville, used to attend Meadowbank in the 1960’s and he’d spotted that Powderhall was running speedway.
So, a family outing was on the cards, dad, Martin (my younger brother) and I. We turned up a little tight for time and entered the Powderhall Stadium at the car park end and arrived just in time to see four riders’ barrel their way into the car park bend.
What a sight!! What on earth was this sport? I did and do enjoy most sports but had never encountered this frenzy of machine and rider before.
I didn’t know at the time but later found out that the rider that impressed me most that evening was none other than Les Collins. So, I’ve got to thank both my dad and Les, don’t worry I have thanked both on many an occasion, for the love of the sport and the Edinburgh Monarchs in particular.
Whilst it took until 1988 for us to attend every week at Powderhall, we’d already broadened our speedway track visits to include, Shawfield, Berrington Lough and soon many many more followed. With any excuse and location being used to take in as many meetings as we could not just confined to the Monarchs matches. We’d regularly visit my uncle and aunty in St Ives (near Peterborough) each summer, only for dad, Martin and I to head out, each day, to whichever meeting was taking place in the vicinity. Peterborough (trying to time it for the Fours Final each year), Kings Lynn, Ipswich, Mildenhall, Arena Essex, Swindon, Wolverhampton, Cradley, Long Eaton.. the list goes on.
We took in the 1990 World Final at Bradford, still one of my favourites of all time. The crowd, the noise, the track and a chance to see a couple of my favourite riders at the time Per Jonsson, Shawn Moran and soon to be favourite Henka Gustafsson. Henka around Kings Lynn was a sight to behold.
There are so many aspects of the sport that bring me joy, undoubted joy, the racing, for me although so incredibly dangerous is almost an art form, the way they slide the bikes and dice at such close quarters will always enthral me there is nothing else like it in sport, the fact that the riders will take time to chat to you, and the fans are very friendly. I’ve created some of my best friendships in life along the way, thanks to the Edinburgh Monarchs.
Following the Monarchs has also opened up some unusual opportunities. Which leads me to Jimmy MacDonald and Peter Elliott who, whilst I was standing next to the old wooden shed one evening in Powderhall, invited me along on a European speedway trip extravaganza in 1995. Why not I thought. Many a meeting was taken in along the way but the Golden Helmet in Pardubice being the biggest of the lot. Pardubice has become one of my all-time favourite tracks and by an odd quirk of fate my local track for five years when I lived nearby. That trip also introduced me to one or two legendary Monarchs fans Norman Ross, Jean Black and John Horne (although I already stood next to John during meetings) and of course Peter and Jimmy.
The Monarchs just get into your blood; the Club has flirted with survival from time to time. When reviewing the list of tracks, we visited during our summer holidays it’s sadly notable that not many of them still operate. So, when after that truly incredible 2014 season the Monarchs were considering closing the doors, we just couldn’t let that happen.
The Club has given me so much, so it was a simple choice do nothing and let the Club die or do my bit and help it survive.
Thankfully many many other folks shared that same view, perhaps for the same reasons as I, the racing, the favourite rider, friendships and the Monarchs Fans Trust was formed.
If you can, come and join the Trust and help us keep the Club alive for generations to come. So, they too can; experience the thrill of the racing, the excitement of chatting to their hero and meet their best pal along the way.
I love this Club.
