Ryan Fisher To Retire

NEWS Monday 26th September 2016, 11:30am

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

Monarchs’ legend Ryan Fisher has decided that he will bow out of British Speedway at the end of this season, though he will be giving his all as usual to try to extend our participation in the Playoffs past Friday’s visit of Ipswich!

He did consider doing another season but he has now made up his mind – he’s going home for good.

He said “It’s basically just being split up from my family. The last two years I’ve had to come over, I’ve missed Easter with them I think the last three years. I have to come over two months before the family who can only get here for a short amount of time before they have to go back. Same thing at the end of the year, they have to go back before I do.

“We have opportunities we can pursue in Las Vegas so we’re going to go ahead and do that.

“We did talk a short while back about possibly doing another year, we’ve had so many good years here, but I thought about it and decided that we are just putting off the rest of our lives, it would just be another year later and we would be no better off.

“We have had many cool experiences over here but I think the wise thing is to go back and start our lives again back home.

“The family are the number one priority for me. My career has been a big part of our lives, our lifestyle has been built around speedway. But with being split apart because of the visa situation that we have had made it not as enjoyable. It’s tough being away from my family.”

In 2016 Ryan has averaged over 8, and he has maintained a four-year average with Edinburgh of over 9, so is he reasonably happy with how this season has gone?

“I’ve had an OK season – I’ve had some ups and I’ve had some downs. I’ve not been very consistent, I don’t know why I haven’t been as consistent as I think I should be. I try to do everything the same and have the same routine, and have the bikes exactly the same. If I had a good night the week before than I expect to have the same again, but sometimes it doesn’t happen. Sometimes it might be my riding, or different things.

“I’ve had an OK year but I would have liked to have been better. I guess many riders feel the same way.”

Ryan especially wanted to close by paying tribute to his wife Daelyn. “I want to say how much support I’ve had from Daelyn in everything I’ve done over here. I really look up to her, she always gave 100% to supporting me in my career. She’s an amazing person.”

Will he be coming over to visit in the future? “Maybe I’ll be back here in ten years time when Harley’s making a go of it!”

Read the full interview with Ryan, reflecting especially on his years with Monarchs, in Friday night’s programme. There will be some Fisher T-shirts and hoodies available at reduced prices via the Monarchs’ website and the Track Shop.