SPEEDWAY boss Alun Rossiter is on the hunt for thieves who stole the Robins' Swindon Advertiser Team of the Year trophy.

The Robins picked up the trophy at the end of last year after celebrating their most successful season of speedway at Blunsdon for almost four decades.

But the thieves appear to have struck when Alun was sunning himself in Florida on a family holiday.

Alun, landlord at Stratton's New Inn pub, returned to the UK to find his trophy gone and a ransom note taking its place.

The note reads: "The cup will be damaged or you will be hit, believe you me. For failing to comply with our demands. A fractured jaw. Wait for call."

The Robins boss admitted his immediate reaction to the ransom note was to panic.

But after taking in what had had happened, he believes that he might have an idea of who the culprit or culprits might be.

"I'm shocked and upset the trophy has been taken because it is something the team and I are extremely proud of winning," said Alun.

"I think they must have struck when I was on holiday or while I was in holiday mode and wasn't looking.

"I had a text from a number I didn't recognise while I was on holiday to ask if I had received the note' yet but I replied saying what are you talking about?' and since then I have heard nothing."

The ransom note claims the thieves will call Alun but the Robins boss is still waiting.

"I just want to appeal for the trophy to be returned," he added. "I am desperate to get it back, and get it returned undamaged. If any witnesses saw who took it or has any information I would appeal for them to contact me asap.

"That said I do have an idea who might have taken it. I think and hope this is a practical joke and I'm pretty sure I know who might be responsible.

"I think the thief or thieves may be suffering from a bout of jealousy after we won the trophy last year."

Alun revealed that the trophy, previously won by Swindon Rugby Club, was taken from the kitchen in the New Inn.

Another trophy, Leigh Adams' Sports Personality of the Year for 2007, was left - leaving Alun convinced he knows who did it.

"I suspect it must be a team effort and something to do with the culprits having sour grapes because we won the trophy last year," added Alun, who has not contacted the police yet in order to let the offenders come forward.

"It is something to do with jealousy about the Robins winning that trophy, otherwise why would the Leigh Adams one be left behind?

"I want the culprits to stop being cowards and come forward."