While it is quite normal for teenagers to ride in Championship teams this year, assisted by the lowering of the points limit to 38, it was far less common in the 1960s. In Scotland only home grown  Alex Hughson, Brian Collins and Bobby Beaton rode for their respective teams while teenager, while Kiwis Wayne Briggs (16) and Alf Wells (19) were teenagers when they started with the Monarchs. 

Eighteen year old Alex had a handful of appearances for Edinburgh at the end of an injury hit season in 1964, scoring 8+4 from six meetings in the Provincial League. His personal highlight was 3+2 from two reserve rides in the 39-39 draw at home to rivals Glasgow Tigers. With the Monarchs being part of the newly founded British League the following hear, opportunities were scarce until 1967 when Bill Landels emigrated to Australia towards the end of the season. Alex scored a reserve paid maximum of 4+2 from his two rides against Cradley on the night before the 1967 World Final at Wembley, a feat topped by Brian Black who scored 6 from two rides a fortnight later in the meeting against Long Eaton – see Speedway Star averages.

Brian Collins, another eighteen year old, made two appearances for Edinburgh in 1966 but was just starting to press for a reserve berth in 1967 when he crashed at Hackney and suffered a broken thigh which kept him out for much of the rest of the season.