SWINDON Robins team boss Alun Rossiter has blasted criticism of the club in the wake of last night's aborted SGB Premiership clash with Leicester Lions at the Abbey Stadium.

The meeting was abandoned without a heat having been completed after home skipper Nick Morris fell on bend three of the opening lap of the first race, with Leicester's duo of Martin Vaculik and Michael Palm Toft also hitting the deck and sustaining potentially serious injuries.

The Lions fear Slovakian number one Vaculik, who was taken to hospital after the incident, has suffered a suspected broken ankle and while Palm Toft returned to the pits, he is thought to have suffered a sprain.

A unanimous decision by riders of both sides and the referee subsequently saw the meeting called off amid drizzly conditions, but Rossiter has hit back at criticism, especially aired via social media, in the wake of last night's events.

Rossiter said: “Before I go any further I just want to repeat this – everyone at Swindon Speedway would like to offer our sincere best wishes to Martin Vaculik for a quick recovery from his injury. Nobody wants to see that. Similarly Michael Palm Toft.

“There are certain issues which need addressing here and I’m keen to point out the facts. Not just opinion gleaned from reading a timeline, facts.

“I was stood with two top Leicester riders just minutes before the first race and at no time did either rider express any concerns about the track to me.

“At no time did any rider express any concerns about the track to the referee, Chris Durno.

“On the contrary, we were complimented for the way the track appeared after all the rain it had taken.''

Rossiter insisted it was conditions generally, rather than the state of the Abbey Stadium track that was causing the most concern last night.

“The biggest concern was the mist and the risk to visibility – not the track,'' he added.

“Our clerk of the course told riders we weren’t doing a normal parade but they were free to go out and try a lap on the track – nobody took him up on this offer.

“Nobody was forced out there, nobody was told they must go out and ride, nobody said they wouldn’t, the consensus was simply get on with it.

“I’ve read a broad spectrum of opinions and the truth is hindsight is a wonderful thing. Some riders involved have been on social media saying certain things, well why didn’t they say it to the referee, clerk of the course or myself?

"Anybody who knows me knows I’ll always listen, I’m a former rider remember, I want safety for the boys.

“I feel for the injured boys and feel for our fans and sponsors, it was a bad night and the weather has made this the worst possible start for the sport across the country.

"Speedway in the UK is in desperate need of a break in the weather, more than ever before.”

Lions skipper Danny King added: “We thought the biggest problem beforehand would be the visibility. The track didn’t seem too wet when we walked it, and I don’t think anyone complained about it.

“Obviously underneath it was a lot wetter but from walking on it, it seemed dry enough to race on. But it was damper than we thought, and it caught the riders out because as soon as they got to peak speed and tried to turn, none of them could.

“I’m just a bit speechless really. It doesn’t look good for Martin, our thoughts are with him and we just keep our fingers crossed it isn’t as bad as first feared.”

The Robins management have confirmed arrangements for supporters who attended Thursday’s abandoned meeting.

Those who purchased tickets at the gate can use their re-entry ticket issued when payment was made for entry to any Swindon home meeting held in 2018, excluding the play-offs.

Season ticket holders attending their next meeting should enter through the club office, where they will gain entry without the use of a voucher from their book. This does not have to be the next meeting the club holds.

Lottery tickets purchased at the meeting will also be valid for the re-arranged Leicester meeting.