Our press and practice day was held on Friday 20th March when all the 2009 Monarchs attended. Special welcome to new signing Michael Rajkowski and returnee from exile at Newcastle, Sean Stoddart plus the five riders retained from last years Champions (did I mention that?)
Congratulations are also in order for new captain, Matthew Wethers. Also present were young Greg Blair and Tero Aarnio. Everyone had a reasonable session in preparation for the season to come.
Overshadowing all this however was the news that Sainsbury's have purchased the stadium site subject to Council planning permission for a retail development and that Monarchs have been given two more years plus a promise of assistance with locating a new site.
Already Sainsbury's contractors are drilling test bore holes all over the site so things do not look too bright for the future.
(Sounds like a good reason to start shopping at Tesco's! - Graham).
Unfortunately I have not been able to take any part in this year's pre-season work due to health reasons, but all the usual suspects were back to help. I am not sure if I will be able to do too much in the next month or so but I should be OK thereafter.
More to follow.
Best Regards
Ian
On a personal note, I'd like to thank Ian once again for his reports from Edinburgh. As I mentioned in an earlier blog, and Ian touches on here, he's been managing some pretty serious health problems over the winter and I know everyone at Blunsdon sends him our best wishes for a speedy and complete recovery.
