SWINDON Robins will remember one of the greatest riders in the club’s history tomorrow at the third staging of the Bob Kilby Memorial Trophy, writes ANDY WARREN.

Kilby was member of the Robins’ historic 1967 British League title-winning team and is the club’s fifth-highest points scorer of all time He amassed 4,192 points in 556 meetings during three spells at Blunsdon spanning 14 years, during a career that also saw him spend time with the Oxford Rebels and Exeter Falcons.

But after suffering from ill health for a number of years, Kilby passed away peacefully with his family by his side in 2009 after suffering heart failure at the age of 64, leaving behind wife Shirley and his two children Lee and Emma.

The first Bob Kilby Memorial was held in March 2010 to remember the club legend and was won by Nicki Pedersen, with a three-team tournament taking place in October which was won by Exeter.

This time around, the likes of Pedersen, Hans Andersen and Chris Harris will ride in the third staging of the event, and Robins co-promoter Gary Patchett believes the field is a perfect tribute to Kilby.

“The majority of the field includes Robins riders past and present, and that was a route we went down as we thought it was a perfect tribute to Bob, who is one of the greatest Swindon riders of all time,” he said.

“Of the riders who have not ridden for Swindon, Nicki Pedersen has a special interest because he won it the last time it was an individual meeting.

“It is a great field and the fans will be entertained I am sure, and it is set to be an exciting meeting.”

Kilby acted as a mentor for current Robins team manager Alun Rossiter, who paid tribute to a man who played a big part in launching his career.

“It was a very sad day for me and the club when Bob died, because he was a superb influence on me and a great ambassador for the club,” he said.

“He was an excellent rider who served the club superbly, and as a man he was a great character who rubbed off on other people. He was strong minded too, and I respected that about him.”

Tapes go up at 6pm for the meeting and gates open at 4.30pm. Admission is £20 for adults, £15 for concessions, while children aged 11-15 cost £8 and under 11s are free.