SWINDON Robins owner Terry Russell has released a statement on the future of the Abbey Stadium and has stated that the Abbey Farewell meeting was not ‘a con’.

It was reported in the Adver on Tuesday that the club’s new £5million home was delayed and not expected to be completed until next June.

However, while admitting the delays have been frustrating, it is still the club’s aim to race their home meetings from May, whether that be in the new stadium or the Abbey, which will not be brought down until the new stadium is built as per planning conditions.

“Sunday’s meeting went very well, we couldn’t have done more with the appearance of club legends and the variety of racing on offer,” said Russell.

“I can clarify that Sunday was, and always will be, the official Abbey Farewell meeting.

“Three weeks ago I checked with our landlords, Gaming International, and the developers about the progress for the new stadium. I made the point I didn’t want to be left with egg on my face over the Abbey Farewell.

“There have been delays which are frustrating, but the final planning issue should be resolved by the end of October and the contractors are ready to go.

“It is our intention to start racing our home meetings at the new Abbey Stadium in May and we will be informing the British Speedway Promoters’ Association accordingly.

“I made the point to our landlords and developers that if there were not assurances made for next season I would put the Swindon licence on ice and there would be no Robins team next season.

“I haven’t done that, it is all systems go. The safety net is, of course, that the old Abbey would not be touched before the new one is ready to go.

“I have done what I believe is in the best interests of Swindon Speedway by safeguarding next season, but let me assure everyone there will not in any way be another Abbey Farewell meeting – that’s been done and very successfully.

“It is our intention to start next season in the new stadium, but at least Swindon supporters can relax in the knowledge there will be a team in action next season rather than just closing down for a year.

“The Abbey Farewell was staged with all good intentions, it was not a con as has been labelled towards me by some.

“Sunday was the official Abbey Farewell meeting and that will never change in the history books.

“I would like to thank everyone who made Sunday such a massive success, all the fans who came along, the hard working staff behind the scenes, the former riders who came along and the riders competing at the various levels throughout the event.

“It was a fitting way to say farewell to the old site and look forward to next May when we will, hopefully, be starting a new season at our new track.”