Speedway: Stars line up for Wethers’ big night

The field for Edinburgh Monarchs’ skipper Matthew Wethers’ Testimonial meeting at Armadale on Friday, August 17 is beginning to take shape with former favourite Rory Schlein and Berwick Bandits ace Lee Complin the first two names on the star-studded list.

Schlein and Wethers rode together for Monarchs in 2003 and 2004, but the Australian duo go back further than that as Schlein, who now races for Elite League side Belle Vue Aces, revealed.

He said: “I have probably got more memories of Matthew from our junior days together in Australia. I was fortunate enough to win the Under-15 Best Pairs championship meeting with him.

“We weren’t even rated to get on the podium but we managed to clean up, and the next night I won the Under-15 individual title, that was in Darwin and it was a pretty memorable weekend as I recall.

“Our success was more of a surprise than anything and we didn’t even know we had won. Our parents told us, and we were amazed!”

Schlein never doubted that Wethers would go on to become an accomplished speedway performer, adding: “We had some really good races in the junior days, and when Matthew came across to Edinburgh in 2003 he was pretty much thrown in at the deep end. But I thought he handled himself pretty well.

“We both picked up league winners’ medals that year and of course Matthew has gone on to win two more and establish himself as a heat leader for Edinburgh.”

Berwick captain Complin also had no hesitation in lining up to salute Wethers, saying: “I’m happy to turn out for Matthew, although we have never been team-mates, we always have good races between us and I have a great respect for him.

“He has been brilliant for the Monarchs over the years.”