Speedway: Monarchs excited as they firm up plans for move closer to Edinburgh

Published on Wednesday 27 January 2010 09:27

EDINBURGH Scotwaste Monarchs chief John Campbell today said the speedway club want to leave their Armadale home in a "blaze of glory" before moving to a new base in 2011.

Monarchs are expected to quit Armadale after this coming season if planning permission is granted for Sainsbury's to build a supermarket on the Bathgate Road site.

However, West Lothian Council, who have given staunch backing to Monarchs since they moved to Armadale in 1997, haven't yet given the green light to the proposed plan, one of six potential developments in the town. But Campbell said: "It's no secret this is our last season at Armadale and we would be foolish to make plans other than that."

While Monarchs haven't received written notice to quit their home of 14 years, Campbell is fully aware that it will be served sometime this year.

Campbell and his fellow directors have earmarked a new site which is closer to Edinburgh than Armadale, but are unable to reveal its exact whereabouts for the time being.

However, Campbell said the club have a firm idea of what they want to do when they eventually move into their new facility when they will usher in a new era for the club.

"We are proposing a covered enclosure with 500 seats with all the facilities at the back of the enclosure.

"We will have hospitality suites on the first corner as we currently have at Armadale, it's the best place, you get the best view."

With Monarchs owning their own stadium from 2011 this will rid them of the need to pay rent and it will ensure a legacy is left for future generations of speedway fans. Said Campbell: "If we are going to leave a legacy as all the directors want to do, we have got to do it now.

"We regard Sainsbury's buying Armadale as the jolt we need to move and we are determined to make the new stadium happen.

"We are determined to leave a legacy, and the best legacy of all is a secure home for the Monarchs."

Campbell added: "Armadale has been the most successful stadium for the Monarchs and probably our happiest home as well.

"No matter who has been our landlord we have been left to get on with what we have wanted to do ourselves.

"The only time Monarchs have won the league was while we were at Armadale.

"We have had two league wins now and Knockout Cup successes and I'd like to think we are one of the Premier League big boys.

"We will make the best of the stadium this season and we will not be shy of spending money to make something right during our final campaign."

Campbell has had a number of discussions with the local authorities over their proposed move and said: "West Lothian Council have made us incredibly welcome and I cannot believe how much in favour speedway is in Armadale.

"We are the biggest summer sport by miles and the most successful team, ahead of Livingston Football Club.

"We want to go out in a blaze of glory and that's what we will be setting out to do.

"I think we put on a good show at Armadale and we will continue to make people come along to watch us."