IT was back in 1967 that the Swindon Robins speedway team were last crowned champions.

Alun Rossiter’s team are currently top of the Elite League and in their 60th year the team are gunning for long-awaited silverware.

By coincidence, Wiltshire auctioneer, Richard Edmonds will this weekend be hosting an auction of Robins memorabilia.

When Richard, from The Chippenham Auction Rooms, was originally given this vast collection of Swindon speedway memorabilia to sell, he knew exactly whom he had to contact.

He took the collection of badges, programmes, autographed photos and flags to Swindon Robins manager Alun Rossiter in an effort to inspire the team to their first championship since 1967.

A majority of the collection is from the ‘67 season with autographs from stars like Martin Ashby, Ole Olsen and Ivan Mauger.

Alun said he was surprised at how well the items had stood the test of time.

He said: “I used to have some of the books that are in this collection.

"It will be interesting to see what the rest of the team think, especially of the signed card team sheet of the ‘67 team.

“I wonder how much they will make at auction.”

The memorabilia has come from one man, who over the years has collected items from not only the Swindon speedway team but also from Swindon Town Football Club.

There are more than 1,000 different programmes from various matches and race meetings, including signed copies.

The whole collection will be divided up into about 40 lots, each containing 10-80 items.

They will then be auctioned at The Chippenham Auction Rooms Collectors sale on Saturday.

Richard, a keen speedway fan himself, hopes the collection goes to a good home.

He added: “It is a fabulous look back at sporting history and an achievement that could be repeated if Rosco’s boys can do it this year, which I am sure they will.

“There is plenty here for the real fans from that period.

“There is even a rare People’s Speedway Guide from 1948 for the collectors.”