NICK Morris believes he proved a lot people wrong this season after winning the Swindon Advertiser’s Swindon Robins’ Rider of the Year award.

The Aussie, who enjoyed a successful fifth season with the Abbey Stadium side, was a mainstay throughout the Robins’ title-winning campaign and took the award with 56 per cent of the readers’ vote.

The 23-year-old won a total of 54 heats throughout the season in what was a breakout year for the youngster in Alun Rossiter’s side.

Compatriot and last year’s winner Jason Doyle came in second with a quarter of the votes, followed by Tobiasz Musielak with 10 per cent, while Frenchman David Bellego came fourth with four per cent.

“It’s really good to be recognised by the people who watch us, especially after the year I had last year,” said Morris, who believes he has repaid the faith shown by Rossiter.

“I think a lot of people and fans were doubting me in the team this year, so to go out and have the season I have had and proven everyone wrong is good and it means a lot to me.

“I’ve never doubted Rosco, he knows what I am capable of and he always believes in me. He copped a lot of slack over it too, so I think he’ll be just as happy I’ve had the season I’ve had this year.”

After a successful season with Swindon, Morris was able to continue his good form into the SGB Championship Riders’ championship, where he claimed victory in Glasgow last weekend.

With that in mind, Morris says the Swindon fans played a pivotal part in the team’s success this season, which saw them pick up a record of 17 straight league wins. “The Swindon supporters were really good and it really helps when you’ve got the support of the fans,” he added.

“There were pretty big crowds at every home meeting this year which was awesome, they’ve been really good.

“I guess it makes it a bit easier when the team is winning, but they stuck by us and it was great to get the trophy for them.

“The winning run was really cool as well, Rosco made a little change to the team (Musielak) which made us strong all the way through.

“We had a good team and we kept winning really, we didn’t really think much of it until we got to 15 wins and that was when people started talking about records.” Adver reader John Hancock, of Lower Blunsdon, claimed the VIP Speedway Experience prize and also voted for the 23-year-old.

n Robins celebrate SGB Premiership title triumph with Abbey Stadium party: Turn to P39