Dan Thomson spent last season “on the dark side” according to the hosts of Edinburgh Monarchs’ pre-season launch show. That was a reference to his position with arch rivals, Glasgow Tigers.
Monarchs moved swiftly when he became available. Thompson has moved across the M8 and the 21-year-old former British under-19 champion is feeling positive and ready for what lies ahead.
The Englishman admitted to splashing the cash on his equipment and to working hard on his fitness ahead of the opening skirmishes.
The first is against Berwick Bandits on Friday, April 3 (tapes-up 7.30pm) in the BSN Series at Armadale. The sides square-up again in the Borders on Saturday (7pm).
Undoubtedly, Monarchs silverware-hungry fans want success and Thompson relishes that challenge.
He spoke calmly and with purpose and nobody could doubt his desire to wear the Blue and Gold with pride and to achieve. Thompson comes in as the club’s No 1 and he told The Edinburgh Reporter: “Being No 1 is a challenge in itself, keeping that No 1 place is another challenge. That is on a personal level.
“As a team, we know what the aim is and that is to win the league. I came close least year and Edinburgh were in the play-offs. If we do that this year I will be very happy.”
The winning formula is simple, everybody in the team has to fire on the team sheet, and he said: “I have my job to do at No 1, but the others down the order, their results can win you meetings.
“If we all enjoy it and do what we can do then there is no reason why we can’t win some silverware.”
His home is near Nuneaton, Warwickshire, 319 miles to be exact, a drive of 5hr 22min via the busy M6 on a good day. Matter-of-fact Thompson said simply: “When you have a good club like Edinburgh it is worth the travel.”
He practiced on the track during the Press and Practice day and he complemented the club’s hard-working track staff. The Englishman said: “The track is always really nice and it shows what good things can come from the club.”
The straight-talking racer admitted that when he first visited Armadale his scores were dismal. Thompson said: “I used to come here and score nothing and then you get overlooked by other teams because I was not scoring, but I have worked on some bad areas where I was weak.
“My start is probably my strong point and I start as No 1 this year and that is something I would not have dreamed of a few years ago.
“My bikes are the best they have ever been and I have invested a lot of money time on my equipment and, hopefully, that pays off when we get going. I have been working hard on my fitness and have done a lot of training abroad with other teams. Everything is as good as it can be.”
FULL HOUSE: Monarchs fans packed the auditorium at Napier University for the pre-season launch show. Picture Nigel Duncan
