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Last Updated: Nov 28th, 2010 - 10:22:29 |
Swindon Speedway is pleased to announce that Ronnie Russell has been instated as the Robins’ new team manager.
Russell is a well-known personality in British speedway and brings a wealth of management experience to the role courtesy of his long-term involvement in the sport.
London born Ronnie, brother or Robins’ co-owner Terry, is no stranger to speedway management having had previous managerial stints with Crayford, Rye House, Somerset and two separate spells at the then-named Arena-Essex.
And the 61-year-old is well-known at Swindon, too, having taken over the role of track curator during the early part of the 2009 campaign. Russell also spent a spell at the helm of Premier League Somerset during last season, but now re-joins British speedway’s top-flight with the Robins.
Ronnie Russell first experienced speedway at Hackney in 1963, aged fifteen. His interest in the sport burgeoned and some twenty years later he was handed the managerial post at Crayford Kestrels.
Soon after, in 1985, Russell joined Rye House Rockets as a promoter and enjoyed a successful eight-year stint with the Hoddesdon-based outfit.
In 1994, Ronnie made the transition to Arena-Essex in a move that saw him combine with current Robins’ skipper Leigh Adams. The two forged a good relationship during their successive seasons working together.
A break from the sport ensued before Russell re-joined Arena-Essex as a promoter in 2002, a position he held for five seasons.
Three years passed before Ronnie re-entered the sport by assuming the track curator role at Blunsdon in 2009. And, he received praise for the positive effect his input had on the Abbey Stadium race surface.
Now, Russell is thrilled to have been selected for the Robins’ top job: “I am absolutely delighted to have been chosen for the role of Swindon team manager and I’m overwhelmed with excitement” he said
“Since I joined the Blunsdon track team in 2009, I’ve been inspired by the determination, dedication and enthusiasm by all members of the Swindon set-up. From the management right through to the fans, the speedway club is powered by passion. I wholeheartedly understand that emotion and I feel equally passionate about bringing success to Blunsdon.
“Swindon is a special club, it’s unique; so for me to be handed the opportunity to manage the side is a real privilege and one I cherish very much.
“I have always embraced the challenges of speedway team management and I’m going to give every ounce of my effort to the role of Swindon manager.
“I already have a great rapport with many of the Robins’ riders, having worked closely with them throughout 2009. I also have a good understanding of how the Swindon team prefer the Blunsdon race circuit to be set-up and my work as a track curator will go hand-in-hand with the management position.
“Looking forward, our 2010 team has so much potential and I believe all the riders have the ability to increase their starting average. I’ve worked closely before with Leigh Adams and we share a great relationship, which will be of mutual benefit.
“Of course, I will aim to continue the high standard of the speedway club into the future and I’m looking forward to officially starting the role.”
Swindon co-owner Terry Russell said: “This is a really positive move for Swindon Speedway and one I’m sure our fans will react warmly to. This is a decision that the management spoke about at length and also consulted club captain, Leigh Adams.
“Leigh was keen to see Ronnie assume the team manager’s role, the two of them have shared a very good relationship since they worked together at Arena-Essex back in the mid-1990s. Leigh was very much involved in this appointment and it’s a testament to Ron that our captain was advocating his appointment.
“Obviously, having spent the 2009 campaign working behind the scenes at Blunsdon, Ronnie has built up a good relationship with the track staff and is familiar with the fans. His long-term association with the sport means he knows the Elite League well and we’re confident he’ll settle quickly into his new role.”
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