SWINDON Robins favourite Adam Ellis has revealed how he thought the club’s withdrawal from the Premiership for 2021 would cost him a place in British racing, writes NIGEL PEARSON.

Ellis was unveiled as a Sheffield Tigers rider last week where he will link up with fellow Robins racer Troy Batchelor.

And he says the persistence of the Sheffield manager Simon Stead, a former Swindon rider, played a major part in him moving to South Yorkshire.

He said: “Swindon pulling out came as a big shock to me and I thought with only six teams in the league I wouldn’t have a chance of getting fixed up elsewhere.

“I had a few calls from a couple of clubs, but Steady was very persistent shall we say.

“It was frustrating at first, but you could tell he was genuinely excited and you do kind of want to be wanted, don’t you?

“At Swindon that’s how I’ve always felt - it’s nice to feel wanted.”

The 24-year-old won the League and Cup double with the Robins back in 2018, and Ellis is hoping to achieve a similar level of success with his temporary club this season.

He said: “Rosco (Alun Rossiter - Swindon team manager) has always got my back and sticks by me even during the rough times, and that’s how it’s been for the past four years.

“Speaking to Steady gave me a similar feeling and I’m really looking forward to my year with Sheffield.”

Swindon are taking a year out of the sport due to stadium redevelopment work and ongoing concerns over the pandemic.

Club bosses have stated their plan is to return to the Premiership at the Abbey in 2022.