WATERING down the SGB Premiership’s quality to act as a cost-cutting measure isn’t the answer to easing financial pressures that speedway clubs face across Britain, in the opinion of Swindon Robins chairman Terry Russell.

Russell, who in Tuesday’s Adver revealed the Robins are set to run at a loss this year, matched the opinion of Swindon team manager Alun Rossiter – who has always stated his belief that watering down the SGB Premiership product is detrimental to the sport’s selling point.

Swindon can boast former world champion Jason Doyle and ex-Grand Prix regular Troy Batchelor in their ranks.

But across the league, fans are experiencing a stark contrast in the quality of riders on track compared to as little as four seasons ago – when the likes of Fredrik Lindgren, Adrian Miedzinski, Chris Holder, Maciej Janowski, Andreas Jonsson and Matej Zagar spearheaded the then Elite League.

Huge pay packets in Poland have somewhat restricted top riders’ commitment levels to the UK, according to Russell.

But while the quality of the SGB Premiership might have slipped, the Robins chief insists attracting the stars to Blunsdon remains a key part of his business plan.

He added: “Speedway racing will always be good, but I still want to see the stars riding.

“At Swindon, we’ve always had one of the best number one riders in the country – it was Leigh Adams and now it’s Jason Doyle.

“Riders are on such good money in Poland, you can only take your hat off to the likes of Jason who remains committed to the UK.

“If I wanted to run weaker – cheaper – teams, I’d be applying to run in a lower league.

“If you watch Rasmus Jensen, he is as entertaining as anybody. There is nothing wrong with riders racing at a lower level, it’s just as entertaining.

“But for the public of Swindon, we want some big star names in the team that will only read in the top league.”

We also asked Russell about his opinion on a return for weekend racing – a move some fans have suggested on social media.

The hosting of greyhound racing on Friday and Saturday nights denies the Robins the opportunity to fulfil this possibility – in addition to the Premiership’s Monday and Thursday fixed race-night ruling.

But the Robins chairman believes a new generation of fans can be attracted under the current fixture dates, with a few tweaks.

He added: “This year we have had the problem of Sweden racing on Thursdays.

“That’s why there was no meeting last week, because Jason (Doyle) was riding in Sweden. I’m happy with two fixed race days, but I don’t want us to have to give way to other teams in different countries.

“In time, fixed race days can work. But only providing that we know riders are committed to racing in Britain on a Monday and a Thursday without exception. That clashes with Sweden need taking away.”