The Non-Essential Guide to....Michael Coles

This article was first published in June 2001

Who He ?
Exeter's highest ever point scorer and still topping the scorecharts in most of their meetings. He's a local lad and is a popular performer throughout the country.

Been there a while has he ?
He started his career there in the early eighties, moved away for a few years then returned in 1996. He's been their number one since 1997.

Why did he move away ?
He wanted to get away from the massive County Ground and hone his skills on the smaller tracks.

Where did he move to ?
Initially to Mildenhall in 1988. The track was tiny and ideal for his purposes. He moved on to Edinburgh in 1989 and stayed there until 1993. He developed into a heat leader during his time with the Monarchs.

Edinburgh's a long way from Exeter
It certainly is and for the first couple of seasons he commuted on a weekly basis. Eventually he moved up to Scotland.

Where did he go after Edinburgh ?
He moved back to Devon and decided he needed a track nearer home. In the end he chose Belle Vue (Manchester) another track a long, long way from home. He spent a season with the Aces then the next (1995) with Oxford.

Any family connections with the sport ?
His father Bob was a successful rider with the likes of Plymouth, Exeter, Barrow and Mildenhall. He still competes in veterans events on grass and shale.

Anything else ?
During his time with Edinburgh, Michael married Michelle. They chose the romantic setting of the Powderhall Stadium terracing. He earned a testimonial in 1991 as Exeter had held his contract for ten years. The meeting was staged at Edinburgh.