Staggs Bar Monarchs have signed former captain Sam Masters to help lift them from the bottom of the 11-strong SGB Championship table.

Also signed is 19-year-old Mildenhall rider Matt Marson but the changes are subject to BSPA approval.

Leaving are Swedish duo Victor Palovaara (pictured courtesy of Edinburgh Monarchs Speedway) and Joel Andersson.

Masters said: “It’s about time I got back to Edinburgh. I didn’t really think it would happen though, it was so difficult for Edinburgh to organise.

“Leaving the club became a big regret. I had to try it to see what I could do overseas but I didn’t realise it was going to be so hard to get back in. I wouldn’t have left if I had known what it was going to be like. I can’t wait to get started.

“I never wanted to ride for anyone else in the Championship. It gives us a good top four and we’ll all be going for it – don’t worry about that.

“I’m sorry for the riders who have to be left out, it’s never nice.”

Marson, who was born in Perth, Western Australia, has been at Armadale this season as he won three support heats at the Scottish Open and expressed a liking for the Armadale circuit that night.

A Monarchs spokesman said it means a change in the balance of the team from a reasonably solid side to possibly a top heavy one.

After Sunday’s performance (defeat at Newcastle Diamonds), most will agree it is time for change added the spokesman.

Website | + posts

Experienced news, business, arts, sport and travel journalist. Food critic and managing editor of a well-established food and travel website. Also a magazine editor of publications with circulations of up to 200,000 and managing director of a long-established PR/marketing company with a string of blue-chip clients in its CV. Former communications lecturer at a Scottish university and social media specialist for a string of successful and busy SMEs.