Speedway: Edinburgh Monarchs sign up Sam Masters

Masters, 21, who was the Premier League Riders’ Champion in 2011, has just finished contesting the World Under-21 Final which ended in Argentina, and finished tenth overall.

The capture of Masters will surprise a lot of people and the rider himself admitted: “I’m surprised myself.” The shock move came about through Facebook after Masters contacted Monarchs to let them know he was available for next season.

“I wrote on Facebook a couple of days ago,” said Masters,”But wasn’t sure if anybody had seen it.” Director John Campbell’s son Gordon alerted his dad who quickly made contact with Masters to make the necessary arrangements.

Masters comes on loan from Somerset Rebels and scored 14 points on his last Armadale appearance when he was unbeaten from five outings, and his record suggests he will be a major scorer home and away.

He said: “That last visit to Armadale was in October when I guested for Scunthorpe Scorpions, and I was very pleased with how I rode especially as I hadn’t done that well round Armadale on previous occasions.”

Masters also fired in a late season maximum guesting for Glasgow Tigers and also featured in the Poole Pirates side who narrowly lost out in the Elite League play-offs, and Masters intends to double-up again in 2013 if he can. “I hope I will, but I haven’t got anything organised yet but i really need it. I will still be based down in Somerset, I stay with a good family there, but I’ll be staying up in Edinburgh some of the time.”

Masters is spending the winter back in Australia and isn’t resting on his laurels, revealing: “I’ve got State titles this weekend then the Australian Championship which starts in January, so I will keeping busy.”

Campbell said: “I’m really pleased with this signing and I think Sam is capable of adding a point to his average with us.”