Trio happy to suit up at new-look Academy
Edinburgh Monarchs Academy have made their first signings of the 2023 season with a trio of youngsters set to suit up at Armadale Stadium.
EMA – a rebrand of Armadale Devils who had spent the last two years racing in the National Development League – have put pen to paper with Kyran Lyden, Mickie Simpson and Alex Spooner as they look to build a competitive roster for the upcoming campaign.
All three have experience of NDL racing, with 20-year-old Lyden having spent some time with the Devils last term.
He admitted that he was thrilled to be back at Armadale and is targeting making good progress in 2023.
He commented: “I’m buzzing to be back at Edinburgh this year. I loved my time with the team in 2022.
“The team spirit was unreal and the promotion helped me out a lot.
“It was a no-brainer for me to return for the new season.”
He added: “This year I’m keen to push on further and for the team to do better.
“We have a new face in the management role and I’m excited to see what he brings.
“I’m sure that the team will be looking good and we will all want to win.”
That new manager is Scott Wilson, who takes over the role from the departing Alan Budzynski.
And the new boss says that he was delighted to get both Simpson and Spooner signed up.
Simpson (18) joins as a reigning NDL champion, having won the league last year with Leicester Lions Cubs, while the more experienced Spooner (22) was a runner-up with Mildenhall Fen Tigers.
On the Simpson signing, Wilson said: “Mickie brings with him something which is invaluable – he’s sampled the feeling of success.
“He was a key part of Leicester’s title-winning side in 2022 and I was surprised that he was not retained by the Lion Cubs.
“However, that opened the door for us and we weren’t going to let that opportunity pass us by.
“With Leicester moving up to the Premiership it is important for Mickie to be with a club which offers that progression pathway from NDL through into the Championship.
“He showed some encouraging flashes when the Lion Cubs visited last season so we know that he can ride Armadale without any trouble.”
Spooner has improved consistently in each of the last two seasons and Wilson admits
he’s excited to see what he can do in West Lothian.
He added: “The improvement Alex has made in the last couple of years is clear for all to see simply by looking at the movement in his average.
“He began 2021 on 5.65 and finished 2022 on a figure of 6.93.
“He also has a 15+1 score from the No.5 position on his Armadale CV, so there is no question that he will provide robust backup to our top end.
“I’m really looking forward to working with Alex and watching his continued development at close quarters.”
The arrival of the trio means that there’s now four roster slots available, with the Academy getting their season underway on April 14 at home to Belle Vue Colts.
I’m buzzing to be back at Edinburgh this year. I loved my time with the team in 2022. The team spirit was unreal. It was a no-brainer for me to return for the new season Kyran Lyden