Lights Out On The Scottish Derby

NEWS Saturday 8th October 2016, 0:59am

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

On what was in every sense one of the blackest nights in Edinburgh Speedway history, our match against Glasgow was postponed and we could not bring our league programme to a conclusion.

The problem was not the weather, which has beaten us nine times this season, but an electrical failure which could not be solved quickly enough. The lights went out just before start time and in spite of incredibly hard work by our dedicated staff, great patience from the vast majority of the supporters of both sides, and an almost unbelievable willingness by the riders of both sides to try to get the match on, the situation could not be resolved.

It did seem that we were close to providing enough light, and the two captains came out on track to test the situation, but just at that moment another third bend light went out and we had to abandon our efforts.

It is our intention to restage this fixture. We can’t say when yet, and with Ryan heading back to his family on Monday, Sam away on Saturday for the Australian Grand Prix and our German riders with plans laid to get equipment home, we can’t say either what our lineup might be. If it can be organised, we will stage the match.

It should have been a great night – thank the fans, Ryan’s Farewell, the Linlithgow Lightning reunion and a Scottish derby to watch, but it became a nightmare for everyone.

As John Campbell said from the centre green, we thank everyone who came and apologise to them. We thank our riders, and Glasgow’s riders and promotion. We will provide news as soon as we can.