Ovalman

Good feature on BBC Points West about the Robins. Some good old racing footage, packed terraces, and interview with Mike Broadbank, Rosco, a Robins fan, and an MP? called Justin Tomlinson, saying Swindon are the Man City /Liverpool of speedway. Just need a millionaire farmer to buy the land from GI then.

One property owner served tea and larrdies to riders and staff in their garden adjoining the pits.

As Briggo once said of Crashby " Was the best rider in the world at one time but didn't realise it". Visited the Marlborough Flyer at his workshop in the town about 7 years ago, probably retired now. Such a modest, quietly spoken guy.

Was stood with the Poole fans at the Pairs at Oxford. Good bunch of friendly Dorset folk, lots of girlies and kiddies following them, but annoying screaming from a couple of lasses. Posher than those raucous Glasgow lot, straight from the Ibrox and Celtic terraces, also friendly and love a drink. No hate amongst speedway fans compared to football. Even Oxford and Swindon fans chatting to each other. Gotta love the speedway fans and the 10 -team tournaments.

Wot a bleedin awful track

Noticed a few sombreros on the terraces. How did this Madchester Mexican thing originate? Saw Swindon up there years ago, a bunch of foul-mouthed chanting Sombrero-wearing buggers. Superb from Lambert and Zagar, Doyle met his match. Ipswich totally outclassed. Good to see Swindon lad Brennan and Wootton Bassett boy Rowe. Seemed a good attendance last night, and great race track compared to Wolves.

It's ironic they spent 50k. to alter the track, which produced some great racing not seen at Blunsdon for a while. Seemed to win more titles when not wearing the traditional red, but purple and then orange! At the end of the day when they weren't riding well the crowds were poor. I can remember the time when the sponsors saved the club by paying the riders wages. Many years ago 3000 was considered a low attendance. It became overpriced for what it was. A hard-core fantastic fanatical fanbase those Robins fans. But crowds are falling at most tracks.

The best race I ever saw at the Shabbey was Swindon v Exeter late 60s, Briggo and Crashby neck and neck for 4 laps, Martin winning by a few inches.

Coventry 2007...Adams and Korneliussen lying on the track after a coming together in heat 1. Then Adams and Chrzanowski needing a 5-1 to win 46-44 in heat 15, holding off Schlein and Nicholls to send the visiting Robins fans wild. The last meeting in 2019 hammering Ipswich to clinch league and cup double. Incredible atmosphere, 3500 singing chanting fans, not knowing it would be the final meeting. 2012 Grand Final v. Poole, winning by 7 points at home on a rain-sodden track, then winning the title at Poole losing 45-44, the first title since 1967. 2017..near the bottom of league, then signing Tobias Musielak, and winning 17 matches in a row., smashing everyone. Losing home leg of final to an understrength Wolves, then winning in last heat at Monmore Green to lift trophy.

Fantastic memories. First meeting for me 1968...Swindon 56 Belle Vue 22, Briggs and Kilby max. Other highlights, last heat wins at Coventry 2007, and Somerset a few years ago, beating Poole 2012 Grand Final, first league title since 1967, winning 2017 title at Wolves, after winning 17 matches in a row, and clinching the league/cup double in 2019, thrashing Ipswich in front of singing, chanting Robins fans, the last match at the Abbey. Unfortunately sometimes not much more than 1000 at the Abbey in recent times, compared to the thousands that were there in 60s, 70s, 80s. Just the occasional trip up to Oxford now, impressive stadium and crowds, better than no speedway at all. We need to support these tracks or the sport will die.

Thought Ipswich would walk this after first 2 heats. Witches one man team. Excellent from Doyley as usual, no back-up.

I see the new buy a home at Robins Gardens sign has mysteriously been damaged...what a shame Shoddy way to treat the loyal Robins fans, fantastic supporters. Although the numbers were shrinking over time, and it was becoming financially unviable. Sometimes only around 1000 paying fans in there. So different to 60s, 70s, 80s crowds. But a huge thanks to all the peeps that have put in loads of hard work over the 70 years of speedway at the Abbey to keep us entertained, mainly unpaid volunteers. We just hope for an Oxford style comeback.

Or the cycle speedway track if still there!

Greater Swindon could mean outside of Swindon Borough Council area, classed as Wiltshire council.

At least I was there for the last ever meeting in 2019 when Swindon did the Double in front of 3500 chanting, singing fans. Some great Abbey memories of Briggo, Broady, Kilby, Ashby, Crumpie, Adams, Doyley, etc., Just be the very occasional trip 30 miles up the road to Oxford now for me.

Tatum..erm err, err, annoying. Well done Zmarzlik. Poor crowd and poor racing.

Not that many fans from overseas, and very few from Britain at Cardiff this year. For me British League speedway is overpriced..

Well done Rasmus..the ex-Swindon double winner, now Danish champion. Hopefully future GP rider.

Agree..Nearly 20000 gave it a miss this year. Tele for me next year. A Bewley win saved the day for the organisers.

Fantastic Doyle, 4 wins in a row

There was talk Andy Hobbs, owner of Man and Van and many properties, based at Stone Lane, Lydiard Millicent was interested in investing. His place is outside of Swindon council boundary. The Aussie guys used to have workshops there. Swindon council have no interest in much sporty, arty or recreational it seems, closing a leisure centre, two pitch n putt courses, golf course, museum etc.,

A friendly atmosphere as well, Swindon and Oxford fans mingling and chatting. Wouldn't happen at Football!

Having done 2 trips to Oxford they must be the best supported club in Britain. Packed both times a real successful return.

Dantastic win, and great racing!