History
Origins
Speedway in Edinburgh began on 19 May 1928, with an open meeting organised by the Scottish Dirt Track Motor Racing Club at Marine Gardens in Portobello. Several team challenge matches were staged during 1929, including visits to London and Newcastle.1930s
The team joined Northern League for the 1930 season. Several open meetings were held in 1931 but speedway ceased. The Greyhound Racing Association secured a lease on New Year's Day 1931, which resulted in the disappearance of speedway for seven years until March 1938, when J. W. Fraser brought it back. In 1939, the team raced in multiple challenge matches and the Union Cup before the season ended early due to the outbreak of war.1940s
Marine Gardens was used for military purposes during the war and never re-opened as a sports venue but the potential of Old Meadowbank, then the home of Leith Athletic F.C., was said to have been spotted by Ian Hoskins. The Monarchs (Meadowbank Monarchs) were re-established in 1948 by a consortium including Frank Varey, ex-rider and Sheffield promoter, and R.L.Rae, a local Edinburgh businessman. They applied to the Speedway Control Board to participate in the 1948 Speedway National League Division Two but finished bottom of the league that season. They did however improve to 5th place after Jack Young was signed to support Dick Campbell. Young would become twice world champion in 1951 ad 1952, the first of those titles was won as an Edinburgh rider.1950s
The team continued to operate at Old Meadowbank in the National League Second Division, securing a 3rd place finish in1960s
With the creation of the new Provincial League in 1960, Edinburgh Monarchs returned to action under the new promotion of Ian Hoskins, following a six-year absence. New riders for 1960 included the Templeton brothers Doug and Willie, and George Hunter, joined in later seasons by Bert Harkins and Bill Landels. Five years of Provincial league speedway brought little success but George Hunter did top the league averages during the 1963 season and the team retained the practice of employing primarily Scottish riders. The Monarchs raced in and were founder members of the newly created British League from1970s
Speedway returned to Edinburgh in 1977, with the Monarchs finding a home at Powderhall Stadium. The return after missing another seven years required significant changes to the greyhound racing venue and Mike Parker spent £30,000 on renovation. Bert Harkins returned as captain of the club1980s
George Hunter came back to the club in 1980 and Neil Collins was signed which led to a 5th place finish. The following season in 1981, the long wait for silverware ended when the team won the Knockout Cup and fours championship final, held at the East of England Arena on 26 July. Unfortunately, the only other success during the decade was winning the pairs championship in 1986, with Doug Wyer and new signing Les Collins.1990s
2000s
The Monarchs experienced a period of success, starting by winning the2010s
Edinburgh secured another Premier League title in the 2010 season, their third in seven years. They later won the Premier League Four-Team Championship, held on 14 July 2013, at the East of England Arena The 2014 season was Monarchs best season to date, led by Craig Cook and Sam Masters the team won the treble of League, Knockout Cup and League Cup, while going on a 27 match unbeaten run. Masters and Max Fricke also won the Premier Pairs. The success continued in 2015, when the Monarchs became the first team to win consecutive Premier League titles, by beating the Glasgow Tigers in the Grand Final. The Tigers held a 7-point lead after the first leg at Ashfield, but the Monarchs won 14 of the 15 heats in the second leg at Armadale, winning 99–80 on aggregate. It was one of three titles won by the Monarchs in 2015; in the Premier League Cup, the Monarchs beat the Tigers again, while the quartet of Cook, Masters, Erik Riss and Justin Sedgmen won the Premier League Fours. Changes due to points/averages restrictions resulted in a much quieter period for the team from 2016 to 2019.2020s
Following a season lost to theSeason summary (1st team)
Season summary (juniors)
Previous riders by season
2006 team * * * * * * * * 2007 team * * * * * * * Also Rode * * * 2008 team * * * * * * * 2009 team * * * * * * * Also rode: * * * * 2010 team * * * * * * * Also Rode: * * * * * * 2011 team * * * * * * * Also rode * * * 2012 team * * * * * * * Also Rode * * 2013 team * * * * * * * Also rode * Signed but failed to obtain necessary paperwork * 2014 team * * * * * * * 2015 team * * * * * * * 2016 team * * * * * * * Also rode * 2017 team * * * * * * * 2018 team * * * * * * * Also Rode * * * * * 2019 team * * * * * * * Also Rode * * * * * 2021 team * * * * * * * 2022 team * * * * (C) * * *Notable riders
* Dick Campbell * Michael Coles * Les Collins * Craig Cook * Robert Eriksson * Ryan Fisher * Bert Harkins * George Hunter * Scott Lamb * Bill Landels * Sam Masters * William Lawson * Kenny McKinna * Bernt Persson * Josh Pickering * Brett Saunders * Frede Schött * Doug Templeton * Willie Templeton * Dave Trownson * Chris Turner * Matthew Wethers * Kevin Wölbert * Jack YoungTeam honours
*Premier League Champions: 2003, 2008, 2010, 2014, 2015 *Premier Trophy Winners: 2008, 2014, 2015 *Premier League Knockout Cup Winners: 1997, 1999, 2014 *Premier League Four-Team Championship Winners: 1981,1993, 2013, 2015 *Premier League Pairs Championship Winners: 2014 *National League Knockout Cup Winners: 1981 *National League Pairs Winners: 1986 *Scottish Cup Winners: 1951, 1964, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1977, 1984, 1985, 1988, 1989, 1992, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010 *Queen's Cup Winners: 1953 *North Shield Winners: 1951Individual Honours
Championships won while an Edinburgh Monarchs rider.See also
*References
{{Speedway National League Speedway Premier League teams SGB Championship teams Sports clubs and teams in Edinburgh Sport in West Lothian 1928 establishments in Scotland Sports clubs and teams established in 1928 Organisations based in West Lothian