A 2017 season ticket is up for grabs for one lucky voter in our Swindon Robins Rider of the Year vote

It was a season of ups and downs for Alun Rossiter’s men which ultimately ended in disappointment as they failed to make the play-offs for the first time in five years.

After a shaky start, winning just one of their opening four meetings, Swindon went on a run of six meetings unbeaten which saw them reach the summit briefly.

Swindon had a week to forget at the end of May as they lost three meetings in the space of four days.

The Robins responded with three wins on the bounce, before enduring another dip in form.

Swindon’s season concluded with them needing only point from their final two meetings to secure a play-off berth but fell to defeats away to Belle Vue Aces and Lakeside Hammers to cut their season short.

Rossiter has now had his say on the performance of his riders to help you make your decision.

There are two ways to enter your vote.

BY POST

Complete the form printed each day in the Swindon Advertiser.

BY EMAIL

Send your nomination to competitions@swindonadvertiser.co.uk. Include your name, address and contact number and put '2016 Robins Rider of the Year in the subject line.

Usual Newsquest rules apply. For terms and conditions see www.newsquest.co.uk/terms.

THE CONTENDERS

JASON DOYLE

Rossiter says: "Jason led from the front and had a fantastic season.

"There are not many places where he didn’t score double figures this season and he was outstanding as a captain.

"I know in the past he has kept himself to himself but he grabbed the captaincy with both hands and got stuck in trying to help his teammates.''

JUSTIN SEDGMEN

Rossiter says: "It is a bit hard for Justin because he came in and did his job.

"I believe the fact that he didn’t make the Australian World Cup squad, even though he was doing very well at the time with Swindon, affected him.

"We couldn’t expect any more from him and he had a steady season.''

ROHAN TUNGATE

Rossiter says: "It was a late arrival for Rohan, coming in for Dakota North.

"Away from home, everything was ok but he was really struggling around the Abbey.

"We did look at maybe making a change but we hung in there and then all of a sudden he got that big score at Swindon and turned it around from there and was on the crest of a wave.''

JOSH GRAJCZONEK

Rossiter says: "I think Josh would admit that his biggest downfall is his gating.

"If he could gate, he would be dangerous.

"He is a breeze to deal with from a management point of view.

"He is really easy to get on with and one you can have a bit of a conversation with.

"I was hoping for him to kick on to the next level this year but it didn’t really happen unfortunately and he wasn’t consistent enough.''

NICK MORRIS

Rossiter says: "Nick had an up and down season.

"We saw what he could do but I think that he didn’t have enough meetings and that was a major factor for his topsy-turvy campaign.

"I think once he started getting a few meetings under his belt, we saw the real Nick Morris, but too often we saw the one who didn’t score enough to contribute.''

CHARLES WRIGHT

Rossiter says: "Charles, I think for a rider who really came on a couple of seasons ago, would admit that it was probably not his best season.

"For a rider who was one of the top EDR riders, he was always struggling with machinery and things were going wrong for him.

"It was a little bit frustrating for him because he was another rider we hoped would kick on to the next level.''

STEFAN NIELSEN

Rossiter says: "Until he got his injury with his hand, Stefan was starting to come good.

"His average didn’t justify what he was doing in fairness and we could never replace him during his spell on the sidelines.

"When he came back from injury, he didn’t seem to be quite the same rider that we were getting just before his accident.

"He was starting to show a glimpse of what he can do.''