SWINDON Robins are entering a new era off the track after a consortium of local businessmen purchased 50 per cent of the club.

The six-strong Downers Racing group, fronted by former Swindon Town director Mike Bowden, are the new co-owners of the town’s speedway institution and their arrival has led to the formation of a Robins board of directors, with Bowden appointed CEO, Per-Axel Warensjo made financial director and Terry Russell, the owner of the remaining 50 per cent of the club, becoming chairman.

New chairman Russell, pictured, has welcomed the fresh additions to the Robins hierarchy and is looking forward to working with Bowden and co to help Swindon thrive.

The Robins co-owner said: “It’s good for me because over the last few years, I’ve run things a bit like a one-man band.

“I live in Kent and it’s nice to get a few more local people involved.

“We’ve got a good team and we’re looking to move into a new stadium, and I wanted to have a board of directors so that the club is run properly.”

The Abbey Stadium club, who were founded in 1949, ride in the Elite League – they were champions in 2012 – and in 1964 and 1969, superstar Barry Briggs became world champion whilst a Robins rider.

Team manager Alun Rossiter and co-promoter Colin Pratt are in charge of on-track affairs, the latter playing a big part in Bowden first falling in love with the sport.

The 56-year-old, who lives in Wroughton, said: “When I was 15, I attended my first meeting at Rye House against Workington – unbelievably, that was Colin Pratt’s debut as team manager for Rye House.

“So it’s something of a coincidence, 40 years on, that we find ourselves back at Swindon, with Colin very much part of the furniture there.

“(Russell) thinks that Swindon speedway should be managed by local people. We’re a group of mates that don’t take ourselves too seriously and we’re here to have a good time but those of us who are executives of the club will be working very, very hard to not in any way interfere with the running of the team – that’s Alun Rossiter and Colin Pratt’s domain.”