FOLLOWING their away trip to East Sussex on Saturday, the Robins kick-off their home campaign for 2008 by staging the return Craven Shield fixture versus Eastbourne on Thursday 20 March.
The match-up signifies the start of the club’s 60th season of racing at the Abbey, although this is not to be confused with the club’s 60th birthday, which will occur on 23 July 2009.
It’s certainly been an eventful winter for the Eagles, who, like Swindon, take to track in 2008 with a much changed line-up. Bob Brimson’s promotional rein lasted only the one season and the new management team of Martin Hagon and Bob Dugard has assembled a ‘Best of British’ side that includes just two foreign recruits.
Scott Nicholls and Lee Richardson were tempted to Sussex, whilst Edward Kennett was recalled from Poole. The Eagles retained the services of Lewis Bridger and Cameron Woodward, together with Simon Gustafsson, who rode well enough towards the end of 2007 to earn a recall.
James Brundle occupies the second reserve berth and completes what many pundits consider a Championship-winning team. Meanwhile, completing the Eagles’ squad in the No. 8 berth this term is the vastly experienced American racer, Brent Werner.
Looking ahead to the Abbey Stadium opener, Robins’ boss Alun Rossiter said: “The meeting is made very interesting due to the quick return to Blunsdon of Lee Richardson.
“Rico has been a prominent figure here for the last three seasons and it will be frustrating to see him wearing the colours of another team, but, as has been well-documented, the new points-limit meant we had no alternative than to drastically change the line-up.
“Anyway, the match against Eastbourne will give an indication of the standard for the season and we will see where we are at. The Eagles are tipped to be up there amongst the front-runners this year, so it will be a good test for us.”
VISITORS FACTFILE: EASTBOURNE HAGON SHOCK EAGLES
Lewis BRIDGER
DOB: 4 November 1989, Hastings, Sussex.
THE teenager lines-up in Eastbourne colours for a third successive season and remains one of the hottest prospects in world speedway. His elevation to second-string has been steadily achieved and he will be aspiring to add more points to his average in 2008. Bridger’s versatility is, perhaps, one of his strongest attributes, along with his exciting style and tenacious attitude.
James BRUNDLE
DOB: 15 December 1986, King’s Lynn, Norfolk.
BRUNDLE was the final piece of Eastbourne’s jigsaw and joins the club after plying his trade mainly in the Premier League previously. He is rider with international pedigree, whose progress has been hampered by misfortune and injury. Nevertheless, a fresh start with the Eagles offers Brundle the opportunity to establish himself in the Elite League and he will look to find his feet in the reserve position.
Simon GUSTAFSSON
DOB: 26 May 1990, Kumla, Sweden.
THE son of the legendary Henka returns to the Eagles’ camp after enjoying a brief spell with the club in the latter part 2007. The highly-rated, internationally experienced, youngster is expected to do well from the reserve department. Remarkably, Gustafsson is the only rider in the Eastbourne side not to speak English as his first language.
Edward KENNETT
DOB: 28 August 1986, Hastings, Sussex.
AFTER a season on loan with South Coast rivals Poole, Kennett has rejoined his parent club for 2008. The British youngster started his 2007 campaign sensationally and was rewarded by receiving a call-up to the Great Britain squad. His form towards the latter part of the year wasn’t quite as impressive, but there was no doubt overall that he had benefited from his year with the Pirates.
Scott NICHOLLS
DOB: 16 May 1978, Ipswich, Suffolk.
THE transfer of Nicholls from Coventry to Eastbourne was one of the most talked-about moves of the winter months. The British rider was a casualty of the reduced points-limit and found himself squeezed out by the Bees, who instead opted to keep Chris Harris. The four-times British Champion has stated publicly that he is relishing the opportunity to ride for the Eagles, for whom he forms a potent spearhead with former Swindon ace Lee Richardson.
Lee RICHARDSON
DOB: 25 April 1979, Hastings, Sussex.
FOR the first time in four seasons, ‘Rico’ will begin his Elite League campaign not wearing a Robins’ race-suit. His well-documented exclusion from the Swindon side, due to the average limit reduction, paved the way for him to link with Eastbourne, the club his father served so loyally. It was with a heavy heart that Swindon fans waved farewell to the Hastings-born racer, who was, of course, the club’s record signing.
Cameron WOODWARD
DOB: 8 January 1985, Mildura, Victoria, Australia.
THE Australian youngster is fresh from a very productive spell in his homeland and will be looking to hit the ground running in 2008. Woodward is a proven points-scorer at the Abbey Stadium and his ability to use every line Blunsdon has to offer certainly hasn’t gone unnoticed. He provides the Eagles with a very sturdy looking middle order and he could well be challenging for a heat-leader role later in the term.
SWINDON MAN OF THE MATCH AWARD
THE opening meeting’s Swindon Man of the Match Award is kindly sponsored by Alan Alexander. Alan is the proprietor of a long-established business in carpet, vinyl and wood laminate fitting, which includes the provision of a home selection service.
Having been a long-time supporter and friend of the club, Alan would be only too pleased to hear from any Swindon fans looking to use his services. He can be contacted on 01793 481261.
VIP PACKAGES
SWINDON Speedway pride themselves in offering one of the best VIP packages in sport, where both the ardent fan and the complete newcomer can enjoy a superb evening of fast and furious entertainment, alongside exclusive pre-meeting pit-walks, and a table in the newly refurbished Legends’ Lounge.
Bookings for these packages have increased year-on-year and already a large number of companies have booked team nights out and meeting sponsorships for the 2008 season. Tickets are available by calling Commercial Manager Paul Oughton on 01305 755607 or via e-mail at: paul.oughton@swindon-speedway.co.uk
TEAMS FOR THURSDAY 20 MARCH, Parade 7.20 p.m.; Tapes-up 7.30 p.m.
SWINDON ROBINS (Green sheet averages shown in brackets)
1. Leigh Adams (Captain, 10.30); 2. Mads Korneliussen (5.18); 3. Troy Batchelor (5.74); 4. James Wright (4.73); 5. Travis McGowan (5.34); 6. Theo Pijper (3.70); 7. Seb Alden (3.84). Team manager: Alun Rossiter.
EASTBOURNE HAGON SHOCK EAGLES (Green sheet averages shown in brackets)
1. Scott Nicholls (9.28); 2. Lewis Bridger (4.46); 3. Lee Richardson (Captain, 7.66); 4. Cameron Woodward (4.53); 5. Edward Kennett (5.80); 6. Simon Gustafsson (4.00); 7. James Brundle (3.00). Team manager: Trevor Geer.
Referee: M.J. Posselwhite.
SWINDON ROBINS IN ASSOCIATION WITH TEAM PARTNERS PEBLEY BEACH HYUNDAI, REDCARE LOGISTICS AND A.C. NURDEN LTD.
SIXTY SUCCESSIVE SEASONS AND STILL GOING STRONG!
OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE BY ROBERT BAMFORD
SWINDON SPEEDWAY PRESS OFFICER
EMAIL: Rbamfordspeedway@aol.com
TEL: 01666 823469
OFFICIAL CLUB WEBSITE: www.swindon-speedway.co.uk
OFFICIAL CLUB HOTLINE: 09068 664682 (Premium rate applies)
