Return of Swindon speedway delayed until 2023
They will not be competing in the 2022 season
Last updated 6th Oct 2021
Swindon Speedway have today announced that they will not be competing in the 2022 season.
According to The Robins, it's due to uncertainty surrounding the sport this year.
They say another reason is because of the planned Abbey Stadium upgrade works.
Director of Swindon Speedway, Steve Park said: "It’s very tough for supporters to understand the decision to be made, and it’s tough for everybody involved with the club.
“We sincerely hope this is the last issue that we have to deal with, and that we will have a brand new stadium and that we will be racing.
“Anybody who has followed Swindon Speedway for the last few years will know that the stadium is a significate and long term project.
"We hope that fans bear with us, and we can only wait to see what transpires.”
The last two seasons have also been cancelled - due to the pandemic.
In a statement, The Robins promoter Terry Russell said: “We have to commit to the league now and we do not have enough certainty around the stadium works to make such a commitment.
“We have been liaising closely with the Stadium owners and understand their frustrations coming out of planning delays and the pandemic. The timetable for works cuts well into the 2022 season and prevents us from forming a team and promotion.
“I have read local press coverage saying that the works will be complete by the end of this year and many speedway supporters will have taken this to indicate that we are going to be ready for 2022. The article I am afraid is misinformed and the actual timetable of works will take those facilities necessary for speedway racing into the summer.
“This is a real blow to everyone connected with and supporting the club, but the circumstances have been out of our control and out of the control of the Stadium owners.
“We will continue to work with the Stadium owners and will provide updates as the works starts and progresses."
Earlier in 2021, in January, The Robins pulled out of the 2021 season, and said they hoped to return to action in 2022.
In January, they said it was for the same reason of uncertainty surrounding the sport.
The Stadium MD, George Edwards said: “This status is disappointing for everyone and very frustrating. The world changed in March 2020 and I expect that we will be feeling the consequences for some time to come.
“We have reacted to shorten the build time and to start work as soon as possible, but we have faced a set of extraordinary circumstances. Despite making changes to the delivery programme and cutting every corner possible, we simply cannot deliver the facilities in time for the 2022 season.
“Building a new facility whilst operating the old with 5 sessions per week, presents many logistical hurdles and inevitably extends the construction time. But, this was always the case and I believe we have organised the plan to provide the shortest possible timetable with the minimum disruption to greyhound racing.
“We will continue to work closely with Terry during the construction programme.”
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