Andersen handed Robins captaincy (From Swindon Advertiser)

SWINDON ROBINS: Andersen handed Robins captaincy

6:00am Thursday 12th January 2012 in Speedway By Ned Payne

ALUN Rossiter has urged Simon Stead to be more ‘selfish’ after relieving the Yorkshireman of the Swindon captaincy.

Robins manager Rossiter has elected to hand the armband to Grand Prix ace Hans Andersen for 2012, and says Stead needs to focus on getting his own racing right in the Elite League.

Stead was given the captaincy for the 2011 campaign by ex-boss Ronnie Russell but endured a torrid summer due to major rib injuries and subsequent loss of form.

His disappointing year was mirrored by the team he skippered, as the Robins finished bottom of the standings, well-adrift of the play-offs.

And Rossiter said: “Looking from the outside in, I think being captain affected Steady.

“If he had a bad race it was very difficult for him to come into the pits and gee everyone else up.

“He couldn’t concentrate on himself and with everything else not going right with the team, I think there was too much pressure on him.

“This season he needs to worry about himself and be a little bit selfish.

“He was a little bit disappointed when I first spoke to him, but he understood when I explained the reasons behind it.

“He’s fine with it now and is just going to concentrate on being the best he can be.”

Rossiter has given Stead hope by leaving the door open for him to return as captain in the future, a move that would be hugely popular with the Blunsdon faithful.

“I’m not saying I’d never go back to him because he’s a lovely lad,” said the boss.

“Never say never in this game. We all know what Simon’s capable of doing and in a year or two we might go back to him.”

However, for 2012, Andersen will lead Swindon in the Elite League and Rossiter believes the Dane is the right man for the job.

“We’ve got someone who has been there and done it,” the manager continued.

“He is a team man and a good team rider, and I think all-round it will be good for everybody.

“Hans wasn’t my captain at Coventry last year, but I think it will give him a good feeling and he will relish the challenge.”

The Robins’ Elite League play-off tilt begins on Thursday, April 5 with a home clash against Birmingham. Swindon will meet the Brummies again the following night at Perry Barr.

• SWINDON have raised admission prices for the 2012 season but Robins co-owner Gary Patchett believes an evening at the Abbey Stadium still remains ‘tremendous value’.

After two seasons in the doldrums, the Robins welcomed back popular boss Alun Rossiter during the winter and he and Patchett built a new-look team, giving fans hope that their side could make the Elite League play-offs this year.

And although supporters will have to pay slightly more to watch their favourite team, Patchett insists it would still be money well spent.

“Increasing prices is never a popular move and we appreciate that,” he said.

“However, we have frozen admission prices for several years now and have absorbed a substantial increase in VAT.

“With the inclusion of a complimentary matchday programme, as well as the other incentives and discounts, the season ticket still represents tremendous value.

“The pre-Christmas offer to hold season ticket prices at 2011 levels was very well-received and this is obviously due, in no small part, to the very encouraging off-track news.

“Alun returning to the club has really got people in the town talking speedway again. He has put together a very attractive-looking team and we are all looking to the start of the season.”

General admission prices are £17 for adults, £13 for senior citizens and students, £5 for children aged 11-16 while under 11s get in free.

Season tickets are £270 for adults and £210 for concessions as the early bird promotion has now ended.

These are valid for the Bob Kilby Memorial (Sunday, March 18), all Elite League meetings (excluding play-offs) and Knockout Cup matches.

Meanwhile, Troy Batchelor has pulled out of the Australian Championship following a disastrous opening round at North Brisbane, Queensland.

The Swindon number one, who was suffering from food poisoning and experiencing bike problems, twice came together with Kozza Smith in heat eight and aggravated a back injury, while Smith came off worse with a broken leg.

Batchelor will play no part in the remaining rounds at Kurri Kurri, New South Wales and Gillman, South Australia, as he focuses on returning to full fitness ahead of league campaigns with Swindon, Polish outfit Leszno and Swedish side Hammarby.

• FOLLOW Advertiser speedway writer Ned Payne on Twitter at @nedpayne1.