LONG-SERVING Swindon Robins heat leader Nick Morris has departed the club following a seven-season stint at the Abbey Stadium under team manager Alun Rossiter.

Morris, 24, first arrived on the British speedway scene in 2010 when racing for Buxton Hitmen and Glasgow Tigers in the National and Championship leagues respectively.

The Canberra-born star’s impressive displays during his debut season in England prompted Rossiter – then manager of Coventry – to snap up the talented Australian international to lead the Bees’ charge in 2011 following their dramatic Elite League play-off final success over Poole Pirates the year before.

Following Rossiter’s departure from the Brandon Stadium at the conclusion of the 2011 season, Morris followed his boss’ path and made his debut for Swindon against a Somerset Select side at the Abbey Stadium in March – a meeting which the Robins comfortably won 53-41, with Morris scoring nine points.

Morris’ first Elite League play-off title was secured later that season when the Robins lifted British speedway’s most prestigious domestic crown for the first time since 1967 after beating Poole in a rain-soaked grand final.

Morris continued to learn his craft throughout the next five seasons before Rossiter handed the Rzeszow star the role of club captain at the start of 2018.

A turbulent season though saw Morris lose points on his average, which has prompted a switch to Wolverhampton Wolves for the 2019 season.

Rossiter paid tribute to Robins’ 15th highest all-time points scorer and wished him luck at his new club.

He said: “I didn’t really want to lose Nick, but he’s at a good club and we wish him well.

“Nick indicated he’d like a season away from Swindon as he feels it will benefit his career.

“We really didn’t want to let him go because we think there’s so much more to come from him still.

“But Nick is someone we all get on great with at Swindon and someone we’ve watched grow and if he feels a year away from Swindon will help him then I guess we have to co-operate.

“Hopefully it works out for him and I’m sure he’ll be back in Swindon colours again one day in the future.”