SWINDON’S YOUTH POLICY HAILED A SUCCESS

Swindon’s junior policy, notably  the re-launch of the Sprockets team in the Conference Trophy, has been hailed as both successful and pleasing by promoter Peter Toogood.

His stated aim has always been that if the team can produce a potential No. 7 for the Premier League Robins the following year, then it is worthwhile. So far, however, it is a case of objective exceeded in every sense.

“Already we can see two potential future Robins in Thomas Allen and Simon Dyminski. Thomas has the aggression and Simon the style, but both are still on a steep learning curve,” he observed.

“With all of Ritchie Hawkins’ injury problems, we took Thomas to Glasgow and he won Heat 2 there. Simon got a paid win in his first race for the Robins at Somerset on Friday. It really is encouraging and bodes well for their futures, and also ours as a club developing its own talent.

“We named Thomas as our No. 8 at the start of the year, at which time Simon was having his first-ever ride on a speedway track. His progress has been remarkable and it is also a bonus that he is a local boy, and a lad who conducts himself very well.

“So far  too, the fans have responded well. Attendances are almost double what they were the last time we ran a Sprockets team, because I think the public can see what we are trying to achieve.

“It helped so much when Pro­Fit came on board as team sponsors, with Pharmaccord Products sponsoring all five fixtures in the Conference Trophy.

“I do expect the crowd level to have dipped for our Tuesday fixture against Buxton,” he said on Monday.

“That is because there has not been Tuesday night speedway at Blunsdon in livivg memory, and also because we are running two home meetings in one week. The same will apply when Wolverhampton visit us next month.