NEWSDESK
WINDON Borough Council Leader Jim Robbins has reaffirmed their position that the Abbey Stadium is designated for leisure and entertainment.
Robbins for Robins S
His statement came in response to news over the weekend that owners Gaming International ‘appeared’ to have sold the stadium to Legal and General Affordable Homes (Development) Limited.
Initially, Greyhound Weekly’s website, www.thefinalwhistle.co.uk, reported it and supported the claim by publishing the first page of a 28-page document from Companies’ House, which revealed the chargee to be Legal and General – their full title was sufficient to cause consternation among local politicians and Robins supporters. The site has since taken down their article and updated it as being ‘used as security’.
“We’re trying to find out exactly what the deal is at the moment and we have officers trying to get hold of someone at Legal and General to understand exactly what is going on,” said Robbins.
“There is a chance that they’re just trying to refinance and we’ll get to the bottom of exactly what it means. As soon as we can, we’ll try and set out something so the residents can understand what is going on.
“The situation for the council is still very much that the land is zoned for leisure use – we’re not looking to change that at all. We certainly don’t want to see the stadium go or housing on the site, so nothing has changed from our point of view.
“We’ll be looking to protect the stadium and would love to see speedway back in Swindon as soon as possible.”
The erroneous story has given impetus to prospective Robins’ promoters Alun Rossiter and Lee Kilby, who last week announced their attempt to resurrect the sport in the town through their own links. Subsequently, the aptly named Robbins has publically requested a meeting with the duo. Does he think the Abbey could remain Swindon’s nest?
“I really hope so. That’s what residents want, what speedway fans want and certainly what the council wants, so we’ll all do what we can to make that happen. I’ve always been a fan, and I’ve been a few times, so if we can bring it back it will be great for the town.
Fans wait FIVE hours
THE rearranged Stal Gorzow v GKM Grudziadz fixture that was to be held on May 28 ended in a bilateral walkover, which means neither club scored a league point. Both clubs may expect serious consequences and, in the meantime, financial penalties have already been imposed on their riders.
By WOJTEK SZOLTYSEK
“As soon as we can get that meeting in the diary with Alun and Lee, we’ll get it done, because we’re really keen to have that conversation to see what they’re looking for in terms of the stadium, or an alternative venue. If we can support them at all, we will.”
Senior riders will need to pay a fine of 50,000 PLN (almost £10,000) each, with juniors facing a 10,000 (nearly £2.000) PLN penalty.
Polish speedway has yet again received much negative publicity after last year’s farcical Polish Individual Championship Final at Krosno.
This is all quite incomprehensible in the light of the requirements PGE Ekstraliga clubs need to meet when it comes to track infrastructure – obligatory track covers and linear drainage systems, which cost Polish clubs substantial sums of money.
The match itself was due to start at 6 pm when it was raining in Gorzow. The track had been protected by a tarpaulin cover but after the downpour stopped, track protection was removed. Unfortunately, the cover leaked, which meant the shale was dry in one place and very wet in another.
Under such circumstances, the referee and the track curator ordered repair work. This ended at about 9 pm, when Gorzow riders Szymon Wozniak and Jakub Miskowiak performed a track-test.
On the other hand, in the next day’s Canal+ TV feature, Szymon Wozniak (Gorzow) and Vadim Tarasenko (Grudziadz) didn’t clearly say that they had not wanted to race. The Gorzow star revealed: “After the track walk there was no talk between our team and the team management on whether we would race or not. We rather focused on how the track looked and what bike set-ups to use.”
Tarasenko didn’t sound too concerned when asked by Canal+ journalists on the details: “If the referee had said we were to race, we would have had nothing to say and we would have probably appeared at the tapes.”
The farcical events at Gorzow will be thoroughly examined by the Polish speedway authorities, including the PGE Ekstraliga board.
As for the aforementioned two-sided walkover, this has still to be confirmed by the Extraliga authorities in a separate statement. n FULL POLISH LEAGUE COVERAGE FROM PAGE 44
Interestingly, Grudziadz riders reportedly opted not to appear on track, although other sources claimed that even some home riders didn’t feel the urge to test the surface.
After the track-test, there was a lengthy deliberation on what to do next as riders argued that the track too dangerous for racing.
Eventually, at around 10 pm, referee Michal Sasien called-off the meeting...even though some fans had spent approximately five hours waiting patiently inside the Edward Jancarz Stadium.
The official said the track was ‘regulatory’ and that it was the respective team managers that signed the protocol stating both sides refused to race.
King’s Lynn team-mates Patryk Wojdylo (yellow) and Benjamin Basso on opposing sides in Poland last weekend for Krosno and Lodz respectively. Picture: JAREK PABIJAN
Kilby welcomed council backing, adding: “Alun and I are open to discussions with political representatives and the council. I hear and read that the stadium has to be built and finished so it is fit for purpose – for speedway. Swindon Borough Council could be crucial in this.”
Report: Brian Burford
GRAHAM REEVE GRAHAM Reeve died on Wednesday of last week (May 29) after a lengthy illness.
Exeter-born Graham, 71, was one of speedway’s longest-serving referees, having been on the panel for a quarter of a century and also spent two spells as manager, consultant and then Prime Officer with the Speedway Control Bureau, his service stretching to 18 seasons in all.
He stepped down from the SCB at the end of 2016 but continued refereeing for another two years before retiring.
There will be a full tribute to Graham, one of speedway’s most popular figures, in our June 29 issue, although we will publish the funeral details as soon as we know them.
4 speedway star June 1, 2024
