Swindon Robins 2020

[EnglishRoundabout 1,752]

1 hour ago, thecoombdog said:

FFS, Shovlar is down to you ER!!! I always thought you were alright!!!

Afraid so Coombers. When he was a Robin and not a pesky Pirate!

[hagonshocker 1,956]

8 hours ago, thecoombdog said:

The club is dead so all we can hope for now is that SBC keep refusing a change to the planning permission and the site just sits there empty earning GI and others absolutely nothing. No doubt Swindon Motorsports has been set up  so they can say they need the funds from the housing development to build a new stadium and people will believe it again and the houses will get done with no sign of a stadium. It's all too predictable.

Spot on! They are trying to dangle a carrot to SBC in the hope they allow the next phase of House build ,I just wish Kilby and Rossiter now disassociate themselves from this sham company 

[StationRoad 8]

I've not been following the minutiae of what's been going on but read this on the Racing Post website Greyhounds page today:

NEWS: Swindon not closing says Osborne

BY RACING POST STAFF10:15AM 29 SEP 2022

RUMOURS doing the rounds on social media in recent days were on Thursday morning refuted by Gaming International CEO Clarke Osborne, with a sign put up by Taylor Wimpey at the site plugging new homes pouring fuel on the fire, writes Paul Brown.
"It was an 'interesting' day in the media, triggered by a leak of a memo from the Swindon speedway promoter that gave the excuse of the imminent closure of greyhound racing as the reason they were disbanding," said Osborne.
"We are not closing and have no plan to close on the December 23 [as was mooted] or any other date.
"We have no idea where this emanated from, but I can only conclude that it is as a result of our request to swap our scheduled meeting on Boxing Day as we are unable to accommodate the public in the numbers expected.
"The sign has been erected by Taylor Wimpey as they are the developers of the housing next to the stadium, the scheme of which has been in the public domain since before the covid crisis.
"As you can imagine, all this has again spooked the staff and trainers, and I have every sympathy with them. We just need to reassure them. I expect the speculation will ease when the erection of the main buildings physically starts on site."

[orion 7,615]

15 minutes ago, hagonshocker said:

Spot on! They are trying to dangle a carrot to SBC in the hope they allow the next phase of House build ,I just wish Kilby and Rossiter now disassociate themselves from this sham company 

Spot on ...all the fans want nothing to with Gaming int..surely they know that .

 

 

[Lefty 1,268]

Looks like someone is telling 'porkies pies' then?

'Swindon Motorsports' directors need to speak to each other. Otherwise their 'honesty and integrity' could be severely harmed.

[old bob at herne bay 828]

Inevitable news. How ANYONE ever thought that speedway racing would return to Blunsdon with a new housing estate over the safety fence, or near enough to splatter their washing with shale must have been dreaming i

Really makes  Oxford look like a remarkable achievement considering the pressure on land usage, and the lack of support from the powers that be in assisting them with a choice  of race night !

I assume that this thread will now be moved to the "Defunct Tracks"   folder

 

[one of clubs 116]

Way back when the Sky broadcasted the Elite league, in a deal by Terrry Russell, I was told that TR took a sizeable slice of the Sky money. Along with this, he took 20% of all the advertising revenue from every track, as well as pulling all the strings with his violin brigade. It is no accident that nearly every club he has been associated with has gone to the dogs (forgive the pun). Speedway is much the worse because of people like him. The chap who told me was a very knowledgeable fellow, who has supported Speedway in general, and BV in particular, for a very long time and was in the know so to speak.He walked away from our great sport because of this and has not been back since. He told me then TR would suck British Speedway’s blood and was not to be trusted.I t seems he was right.

I feel saddened at the plight Swindon find themselves in, as I lived in Swindon for a few years back in the seventies, and hope that something can be sorted on a permanent basis securing the clubs future.

[Bald Bloke 3,287]

10 minutes ago, one of clubs said:

Way back when the Sky broadcasted the Elite league, in a deal by Terrry Russell, I was told that TR took a sizeable slice of the Sky money. Along with this, he took 20% of all the advertising revenue from every track, as well as pulling all the strings with his violin brigade. It is no accident that nearly every club he has been associated with has gone to the dogs (forgive the pun). Speedway is much the worse because of people like him. The chap who told me was a very knowledgeable fellow, who has supported Speedway in general, and BV in particular, for a very long time and was in the know so to speak.He walked away from our great sport because of this and has not been back since. He told me then TR would suck British Speedway’s blood and was not to be trusted.I t seems he was right.

I feel saddened at the plight Swindon find themselves in, as I lived in Swindon for a few years back in the seventies, and hope that something can be sorted on a permanent basis securing the clubs future.

Wonder if he ever sold his medal ?

https://www.express.co.uk/news/royal/1238691/queen-elizabeth-ii-news-princess-Anne-shot-terror-attack-Ronnie-russell

[mikebv 10,292]

1 hour ago, StationRoad said:

I've not been following the minutiae of what's been going on but read this on the Racing Post website Greyhounds page today:

NEWS: Swindon not closing says Osborne

BY RACING POST STAFF10:15AM 29 SEP 2022

RUMOURS doing the rounds on social media in recent days were on Thursday morning refuted by Gaming International CEO Clarke Osborne, with a sign put up by Taylor Wimpey at the site plugging new homes pouring fuel on the fire, writes Paul Brown.
"It was an 'interesting' day in the media, triggered by a leak of a memo from the Swindon speedway promoter that gave the excuse of the imminent closure of greyhound racing as the reason they were disbanding," said Osborne.
"We are not closing and have no plan to close on the December 23 [as was mooted] or any other date.
"We have no idea where this emanated from, but I can only conclude that it is as a result of our request to swap our scheduled meeting on Boxing Day as we are unable to accommodate the public in the numbers expected.
"The sign has been erected by Taylor Wimpey as they are the developers of the housing next to the stadium, the scheme of which has been in the public domain since before the covid crisis.
"As you can imagine, all this has again spooked the staff and trainers, and I have every sympathy with them. We just need to reassure them. I expect the speculation will ease when the erection of the main buildings physically starts on site."

So the dogs are not closing...?

Meaning the track will be viable...?

So the Speedway can run....?

As Jim from Friday Night Dinner may have said. ..

"Confuuuuuused"!!!!....

The other question of course is that even if the dogs were closing, (which they now 100%, no chance, err err, no sureee, never on my watch, are now doing)...

How do the many non dog track stadiums that run Speedway keep it viable and Swindon (with a bigger than most fanbase) couldn't? 

Must have been some serious crossed wires when they launched this new company mustn't there? 

[thecoombdog 2,367]

3 hours ago, EnglishRoundabout said:

Afraid so Coombers. When he was a Robin and not a pesky Pirate!

To be fair,  he does make me laugh. Dip in and out of things these days and whenever I look at a Poole thread he's winding up a new set of fans!! They bite every time. Hope you are doing well mate.

[thecoombdog 2,367]

58 minutes ago, mikebv said:

So the dogs are not closing...?

Meaning the track will be viable...?

So the Speedway can run....?

As Jim from Friday Night Dinner may have said. ..

"Confuuuuuused"!!!!....

The other question of course is that even if the dogs were closing, (which they now 100%, no chance, err err, no sureee, never on my watch, are now doing)...

How do the many non dog track stadiums that run Speedway keep it viable and Swindon (with a bigger than most fanbase) couldn't? 

Must have been some serious crossed wires when they launched this new company mustn't there? 

Hang on, the last line of that statement says they are still going to build the main stand!! WTF is going on?!! 

[Grachan 7,362]

I wonder if the statement from Tomlinson forced GI to come out with that? 

[mikebv 10,292]

16 minutes ago, thecoombdog said:

Hang on, the last line of that statement says they are still going to build the main stand!! WTF is going on?!! 

"Hello Mr Left Side"...

"Good evening Mr Right Side"..

"What are your doing?"..

"Absolutely no f'king idea"...

NB: Given it involves UK Speedway there is a perverse synergy about this isnt there? 

Fred Karno will be turning in his grave...

Edited September 29, 2022 by mikebv

[noggin 1,390]

21 minutes ago, Grachan said:

I wonder if the statement from Tomlinson forced GI to come out with that? 

Almost certainly, they've just had the perfect summer for building yet next to zero has been achieved, habitual liars don't change their tune.

[Steve Shovlar 10,439]

17 hours ago, EnglishRoundabout said:

Like everyone on here, I’m saddened to hear the news about Swindon Speedway. Personally I have been going since around 1971, with the odd break for a few years, and then returning like so many others. 

I caught the final season of Barry Briggs. I was totally hooked. The smell, the shale that in those days peppered you if you stood anywhere near the corners, and the noise! No silencers, or deflectors! In those days it was every Saturday night too  

The crowds were huge. I remember at least 4 double decker buses arriving to ferry people back to Swindon after the meeting.  The car park was always packed. The atmosphere terrific. I’m told in those days the crowd was consistently over 3k and on occasions rivalled Swindon Town for the biggest crowds. 

The seventies, despite the crowds, were a difficult time for the Robins. The trophy cupboard was bare. But the racing was excellent. Martin Ashby was the master at Blunsdon. His last bend passes were exhilarating. His gating exasperating! Bob Kilby was the complete opposite at the gate. Reflexes and anticipation like lightening. Sadly, this skill is rarely seen, or allowed by referees these days. Geoff Bouchard proved one the best signings of the 70’s...a real trier and a thrilling rider to watch. 

I missed most of the 80’s and 90’s, but the desire to see Leigh Adams every Thursday did the trick. Adams was absolute mustard to watch. His team riding was second to none. I saw him nurse the likes of David Rudd, Travis McGowan, James Wright around Blunsdon in majestic style. His heat 15 riding with Zagar was up there with the best. 

Then came the title winning seasons. The crowds remained very decent, the racing, in my opinion started to decline on a somewhat tired track. The reshape certainly helped, and in the final season, once the track bedded in, there were some superb meetings. 

Speedway at Swindon was my life as a teenager. Every Saturday night, regular away trips on the coach. Often there were 2 or 3 coaches at an away match. 

When I left the stadium after that last meeting, having won the title, I drove home to my home ( now in Cornwall) and didn’t dream for one minute, it would be the last time I watched Speedway at Blunsdon. 

Most people on here have said what I think about the management and it’s treatment of the supporters and indeed many predicted the stadium would never be built  I perhaps naively, thought it would be  

I had some great times at Blunsdon, met some great people and even introduced “Everyone’s friend” Steve Shovlar to the sport! A sort of claim to fame! 

RIP Swindon Speedway. 

EnglishRoundabout. 

That’s a great post. All spot on. I heard the news on Wednesday and it’s all so expected and all so disappointing and predictable. The sad thing is like Coventry, down to greed from stadium owners. The club, like Coventry, was profitable with good crowds and a decent atmosphere. I shall certainly miss my trips up to Blunsdon, like Brandon, with the banter and rivalry. 

Gutted for the fans.