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Attendances started falling in the 80s when the Danes and Yanks took over from the Brits as top dogs. Admission prices have gone up faster than inflation, but facilties have hardly improved. Britain is now well behind Poland and Sweden for quality of line-ups and training facilties.

Dont talk so bloody daft, the County Ground pitch perimeter is the wrong shape for speedway(the corners are at right-angles meaning a danger for bikes entering the corner at 70 m.p.h.)

Good news in the Adver re; the new stadium with new youth training facilities. A new stadium would attract more sponsors and fans. Local MP says "We are supportive for 2 reasons. Firstly as we will provide a sustainable and long-term future for the speedway team that,having won the league, is a real jewel of our sporting entertainment". About time, in a home that hasn't changed much in over 60 years.

Batch and Doyley top 2 by a long way in first round of Oz champs at Gillman. Shame the Turban Twins are not there, or Kid Morris. Bruv, who lives in Adelaide, was chatting to Batch, The Sedgmens, and Tommy Cox(Leigh's former mechanic.) Mr.Adams was in attendance.

Good to see The Robins duo top 2. Bruv, who lives in Adelaide, was chatting to Batch and the Sedgemens. Leigh Adams was also there.

Briggo Adams Crump Ashby Broady Kilby Autrey

Last years top 7 looking strong again. Will go for Somerset Ipswich Leicester Newcastle top 4.

Batch was only headed in the away averages by The Turban Twins, KK, and Iversen, the top 4 in EL. Eddie only just above Steady away from home. Steady averaged more than Batch at Blunsdon. Only Iversen and Doyley in top 40 scored more away than at home. Was expecting to see Batch in top 10 of averages as he was 6th. the previous year. If Peter K. had not have had the mid-season engine problems sure he would have been top 10. Eddie K. and Steady should be top 20 next year with the Schleinmeister Barker and Janowski. Would like to see Cookie Kingy and Worrall up there.

. Subtle tasteful and speedway dont go together!! Would you walk around Aldi/Lidl/Tesco/Asda in a Swindon Wulfsports jacket? sadly some do!! That Robin is bloody big and scary though. Hopefully some purple stuff will be available..original colour, like the French rugby team that play in pink. I like the new gear meself. Hopefully wont keep changing design like these money-grabbing football clubs. Will be purchasing before Xmas at club-shop at The Abbey...good idea.

Thanks for the reply Gary

Saw him in first race when we moved to Swindon in 1968, we 've supported the Robins ever since. Superb fearless competitor. For me Fundin was number 1 in 63 to about 65 with Briggo edging him out about 66-68, then Mauger top dog for a few years, until Olsen edged him out taking over as world number 1. Saw Briggo in untouchable form around Wimbledon in British semi around 66. Knutsson also one of the best in the mid-60s. Only Nielsen Gundersen Crump Rickardsson anywhere close for me since. Wardy should be as good as in future. Better than Holder IMO, judging by his Blunsdon performances.

Which is in contast to the Excalibur site saying there is a store. Who's correct?

Says there is a new store in Brunel selling merchandise, didnt see it advertised on club website?. Some people would rather look at gear or try on first, and some are not on t'internet

Picked up the only leaflet from stall in Brunel Plaza today advertising Excalibur Communications and Swindon Robins...Passion Pride History follow The Champions in 2013 with action shot of Hansi Andersen. Win some great new Robins merchandise on Twitter.com/Excaliburcom. Website address www.ex-c.co.uk/robins ..says about merchandise including scarves etc., on sale for Chrimbo. Have requested some leaflets to leave with local companies, hotels, pubs, etc., Rosco looks well dodgy in that red hoodie! Edward good signing IMO.Hope he can reproduce some of the form he showed at Cardiff in GP 2008.

I remember their Dad Reg more. World Finalist in 65 at Wembley, won by Knutsson. Former rider for Wimbledon, West Am and others. Think he had couple of records released on vinyl.

yes thats in there as well. The gentle Moonraker folk have no hatred for the fellow west-country folk in Knobland or anywhere else in this fine land, apart......from that Oxford lot. used to in the late 60s...dont want the track ruined now I guess. In the Star article it stated that there were ugly scuffles at the 2009 Grand Final against Wolves? Dont recall that at Blunsdon, although some Wolves fans, mainly teenage girls, tried to get into the pits after the meeting and clashed with stewards. Handbag stuff. Good to see The Excaliburs building their asset base. signing Doyley as well now thanks to the influx of sponsors assistance. Shame he cant ride next season. The club is on the up again after so many lean times over the past 45 years, and hopefully with better weather can attract the big crowds back to The Abbey. Just need that new stadium now, and the purple gear!

Did any Robins fans see Rosco at the lights switch-on in town(estimated crowd of 28000 there!)? Someone said there weren't any riders there, probably nearly all Jahmene fans. Excellent article on history of Swindon in Speedway Star, and the excellent support received throughout their history. Ginger should be a good signing, does it go with purple?. Total faith in Rosco/Patch for title defence next year. Would like to see Eddie in team.

Were you buying purple clothing and some supersoft bog rolls for next season?

Probably none as the karaoke singer with the charisma and charm of a bluebottle is running late according to the local TV news, who were at the Big Screen on Wharf Green with 15,000 screaming girlies(and Rosco!!! ). All soddin' day police have been on crowd control at Asda at the Orbital, and Gorse Hill Community Centre, the kid aint even won the bloody talent contest yet! VOTE FOR CHOWMEIN or whatever he's called. Wont be enough room on stage for Cheggers, Swindon Town FC, Excalibur Communications Windon Robins, and that Chowmein kiddie.

Patch was saying in SS that Steady lost his place because of his poor away performances. If the Excaliburs are looking for top away riders both Batch and Doyley had better away averages than at Blunsdon. Batch was only bettered by the top 4, The Turban Twins, KK, and Iversen, and Doyley wasn't far behind. Also states lack of quality reserves will mean some teams maybe sacrificing points in the top 5 to get a reserve with a 5.00 average. Rob Mear at Lakeside will be the only full-time rider on below 4.50. Cant see Doyley coming back which is a pity.

Is that Tory Batchelor?!!

According to Swindon Link magazine North Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson believes detailed plans for the development of Abbey Stadium and the houses proposed for St.Andrews Ridge are not far off. "I understand the legal issues to do with land values from the change of use for the site from light industrial to housing have now been resolved, now the developer can move forward. To ensure continuity the developers are required to build a new stadium before the old one is redeveloped.. Swindon Robins success becoming Elite League Champions for the first time in 45 years is absolutely fantastic news for our town. Only five years ago the Robins seemed set to lose their home. In my former role as Abbey Meads councillor I stood shoulder to shoulder with Robins fans, leading the campaign to not only save their home, but also to secure a new, modern and much-improved stadium as part of the proposed development. The whole town rallied round to secure their future, and this victory showed that it really was worth it. We should all be very proud of the efforts of Swindon's speedway community, and congratulate the team who who have now secured their place in speedway history. A new stadium and a replacement covered market is central to the plan". Steady in Adver today saying" I want to thank everyone for their fantastic support, sticking with me through thick and thin, they are very very special". He wanted to stay at Blunsdon and as a Robins asset hopes he can return one day. Sad to see such a loyal rider depart, great with the fans, and The Robins only Englishman.Great way to go out with the champions medal.

Disappointed Super Si has gone. After a 30-year break from the sport he was the reason I got back into it at Worky 2004. Thought he would be up there with Matty Zagar by now in the GPs. Swindon through and through. Superb Grand Final performance beating Harris and Holder and with Killer was the reason Swindon won it. Good Luck mate.

Nicky the Kid Morra,another superb signing for the Excalibur Communications Swindon Robins. Klindt would make a verygood reserve or second-string.

You need team men like Doyley, Steady, Hansi, not individuals. Perhaps with the number of Friday tracks now in The Elite that might go against riders who ride for PL teams on that night and who could double-up(Doyley, Kid Morra). Dont like this doubling-up system with PL teams having priority.