2005 Team Now Complete
Posted 24/12/04

Hot on the heels of the announcement of Jamie Birkenshaw as Glasgows 6th rider, Glasgow promotion have now confirmed as expected that the final rider to complete the Tigers 1-7 next season will be likeable Aussie Matthew Wethers.

Matthew signs on a one year loan deal and will need little introduction to the Ashfield faithful having ridden with rivals Edinburgh for the last two seasons. It was a great surprise to many when the stylish Aussie was not included in the Monarchs team for 2005 as he has improved consistently in the Monarchs race jacket over the last couple of years.

Not surprising was the amount of interest other clubs showed in Matthew when it became known he was looking for a team slot for 2005 and the Tigers would have had to fight off considerable competition from other clubs, most notably Newcastle, for his signature. There is no doubting that the popular Wethers has the potential to further increase his average and he will be a steady rider.

Matthew is currently back in his homeland and has been impressing at various venues across Australia.

This now confirms that Trent Leverington will start the season as a very strong reserve along with James Cockle although realistically he and Jamie Birkenshaw will probably swap places after the first averages of the new season are produced.

After much speculation, the promotion have managed to provide us with a well balanced team with a steady top three combined with four young riders with the potential to increase their average. They may not have the look of champions but they do look to be a team who should certainly be nearer the top than the bottom. Roll on the start of the 2005 season!