A SPEEDWAY fixture has fallen casualty to tomorrow's crunch match between England and Portugal.

Swindon Robins, now in the 56th of an unbroken run of seasons, were due to face Manchester team Belle Vue at Abbey Stadium in Blunsdon.

But the fixture has been put off to a future date yet to be decided.

It was decided that running races which would clash with the match would be unfair to loyal fans, as well as having an adverse impact on the usual gate of 2,000 which a home appearance by the Robins generates.

David Prowse is commercial manager of Swindon Speedway, which owns the Robins' home venue.

He said: "We were due to face Belle Vue in a Skybet Elite League fixture tomorrow.

"That has now been postponed, simply because it clashes with the England game.

"Our next fixture will be against Peterborough on Monday."

Elsewhere in Swindon, the motto in entertainment venues seems to be that the show must go on, even if it does compete for attention with the exploits of Rooney, Beckham and comrades.

At the Beehive pub in Prospect Hill, for example, a planned appearance by jazz guitarists Merv Carswell and Brendon Murphy will go ahead, as will a screening of the match on the TV.

l If your entertainment venue is cancelling a show because of the England game, alert the Evening Advertiser on 01793 528144, so we can help to pass the message to your customers.