Ovalman

Rob is a regular in Waitrose Malmesbury..nice bloke

That's another thing, the difference between the 60s70s and 21st.century, you could go into the pits and get autographs, and chat to riders, half of them were local lads. You had to be on that green Bristol Omnibus sharpish, as sometimes it left for Cavi Square before end of second half final, normally consisting of Briggo, Broady, Ashby, Kilby. If you were on top deck of bus you could pick out their helmet colours. A 5 year old mascot called Alun Rossiter doing some laps! Those legendary back straight bogs with Izal bog rollSwindon Town in the afternoon, Robins at night. About 30 home meetings a year.

There were teams called Eastbourne, Arena Essex, Peterborough in top div. Oxford were Silver Machine. No Halifax, Exeter, Cradley Heath, Leicester. The worst thing was you had to pay to get in, you couldn't climb in anymore, no second-halves, or special buses.

I heard about crowds of 17000 at The Abbey, people locked out, Brits being top of the world, then the Americans and Danes reigning in the 80s. Riders such as Nielsen, Gundersen, Penhall, Ermolenko, Crump. Who was this Les Collins guy?When I returned 30 years later Wimbledon, Ackney, Mauger, Briggs, Olsen, had disappeared, Poole and Coventry were top 2, and you couldnt buy year bars or rosettes anymore. GPs at a stadium in Cardiff instead of one'off finals!

Thanks

30 year break Sid..early 70s Swindon, starting going again 2004.

Yes Barry about 10 years ago v Newport. Luke Chessell was riding for IOW, Kurtz for Wasps. Great little stadium and friendly peeps. Good luck

Swindon sorted 'em out in that 2017 Grand Finaland swamped them in the Monmore mud 2019 semi.

Abbey faves Hitch, Briggo, Ashby, Kilbs, Broady, Doyley, Zagar, Adams.Never saw Crumple, Autrey or Nilsen ride.

Even though Swindon fan since 68, and started off at New Cross, not two of my favourite tracks. Swindon, not good viewing, but track improved in recent years after being shortened. Thought Kirky Lane was poor, dangerous track and poor viewing, and not a fan of Newcastle, too small, lot of falls, or Isle of Wight, too big, not one pass.

Can see the Wolves topping league, and winning the 6 team league play-off, not the same without Swindon and Poole though.

They spent 50 grand on re-shaping the track, was much better racing.

Just drove past the Shabbey..couple of big machines in car park, but no sign of sections of new lego stadium?!

Wembley White City Harringay Hyde Road Exeter

Just come back from a holiday on the Norfolk Broads, saw some leaflets in Roy's at Hoveton advertising banger and stock car racing with fixtures, speedway mentioned as well. Can remember offering to do some leaflets distribution around Wiltshire for Swindon, free of charge, as I was travelling round for work. One sponsor said there may be some leaflets up in the bar..... no bloody enthusiasm!!! The speedway was always well publicised in local media. Speedway, like the dogs, is a bit of a council estate sport, belongs more to 20th.century, little future unfortunately ..

Cov for the quality of racing, facilities and excellent view, Worky for the view and atmosphere, Zummerzet for excellent racing. Only went to Kirky, Manchester, very poor racetrack. Isle of Wight, boring racing, but great little friendly club.

Coventry, Zummerzet, Workington, Wimbledon, Wet Spam for me.

I would go to a few meetings but couldn't support the Ox.

we're more into croquet, lacrosse, polo than these noisy motorsports

Even though Swindon has a posher more middle-class punter quite a few would make the 30-mile up the A420 to Oxford. I would attend if Swindon fold. Better than no speedway. Oxford and Reading peeps attended the Abbey, along with folk from Southampton, Surrey, Wales, Bristol, Bath, Cheltenham, Gloucester, ........the best supported team in Premier...A good chance for the Ox to attract fans from a massive catchment area, including London, with the right promotion. Good Luck Oxford.

On another day Penniket, Bellego, Kildemand, Richardson, Bomber.....

Hitch, Briggo, Simon Stead, Jimmy Squibb, Bjorn Knutson, Zagar, Doyley...that's 7!

Was talking to one of the sponsors, he thinks it the end for Swindon speedway

Sad news..R.I.P. Phil

Hope so, but it ain't looking good!