Thetownend.com

It's only 7 weeks away, we need to start planning!

I've been reliably informed by Sam that train prices are pretty decent for this (If booked well in advance) 21 quid being the lowest he found.

Anyone found lower? I'll be getting my in the next week or two, once I've put some money back on the plastic.

I should wait for kick off time confirmation if I were you Herthab.

Get the 8.30 departure and we'll be there whatever.
The last time we played them the kick off wasn't changed, was it?

Yeah it was 12 o'clock the season before last. That way Medway's finest get a full days pay.

Was it? I went to the game but don't remember an early kick off. Total overkill by the police on the day, they outnumbered us!

I felt a proper hoolie, being escorted back to the station with every single side road blocked.

Yeah i know. That was good fun though. Gave a nice insight into wat its like without getting your head stoved in.

The highlight was obviously the 3/4 Pikey's running down the hill to goad the Swindon fans, then realising how many there were and subsequently being pummelled back up the hill by the old bill.

Was defo 12 o'clock. I remember as its not everyday i have 5 pints in a morning.

It wasn't a midday kick off was it? Although my memory of that day is a bit shabby, 6 cans by paddington, one on the tube and another on the train from victoria (which a 12 year old tried to buy for 50p) saw to that...

I'll be holding off buying my ticket until they confirm the k.o. time. It'll seem wrong if we have to kick off at 12pm on the opening day.

It was a total waste of money and resources last time - the police probably did outnumber us!
I'm looking forward to this - hopefully it'll be a nice day in the sunshine again, eh axs? ;)

I stand corrected. It was 12:30 but i was close. Had to look it up as i know how bad my memory is though.

http://www.skysports.com/football/match_facts/0,19762,11065_2849394,00.html

Was complete overkill so this time it'll probably be a low key police presence and we'll take double the numbers...

Yeah, one sided sunburn is fun.

Herthab is right.If we get an early enough train we should be ok even if they decide to change the ko.

Plus it would mean i'd have an excuse to drink beer before 9am in the morning  :D

Ooh I'm thinking this could be the perfect time to use a friends & family discount on FGW

Reckon I'll get the train to this...

Grrr. wish I could go.

Pah, getting married in the football season. What kind of loser does that...

 :creep:

Train leaving Swindon at 8.41 will get us into pikeyville at 11.20. Plenty of time to get to the ground for a 12 o'clock kick off. Get two singles (5.29 out of pikeyworld) and it's 21 quid.

Sounds good to me.

How much do u think will make the trip to Gillingham??

About £21 plus the cost of a ticket and a few pints should make it ;)

Hmmmm I might come.

Ummm what are the dates?

bout 1,000 Swindon fans??

Are you going?

Yeah and looking forward to it,
you going?

Got to be done  :D

Yep.
Never been there before tho, couldnt go the other season as i had football match, whats it like there?
Iv seen the ground pics but whats the area like and there support?

Gillingham is very picturesque and their fans are a delight

 :)

I can't help but read Con in the middle of your username.

Gillingham is Pikey central and their fans are pikeys. The away end is scaffolding, literally. I quite like some of their stadium but their fans inside the ground are pretty quiet and rubbish.

If you make it to the ground without seeing anyone with a white vest, mullet and at least one fake diamond earring than you are a lucky chap.

I'll keep an eye out for you  ;D

;)

That's advanced tickets, the rail companies have price bands depending on availability of tickets. The more in advanced you buy your ticket, the cheaper you usually get it for.

.......Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!

****BUMP****

Anyone going on the train better get booking if they want it cheap.

The outward bound ticket is still only 10.50, but the return ticket is now 15 quid.

Do you know what time that train stops at reading as that is where i shall be joining ya.

i'm guessing its this one

Station Arr Dep Travel by Service Provider
 READING STATION         09:16    Train    FIRST GREAT WESTERN   
 LONDON PADDINGTON    09:44    09:44    Tube       
 LONDON VICTORIA    10:33    10:33    Train    SOUTH EASTERN TRAINS   
 GILLINGHAM (KENT)    11:20                 

 :D :D :D

Have you booked yours?

Edit - possibly a stupid question but I want to make sure before I book mine!

I'm going to organise a couple of business trips to London that week, then use the weekly season ticket for the London part of the journey if I decide to go.

I cannot see any flaws in this plan, other than not being able to arrange the meetings for the same week.

I'm  going to wait a little while to see what time the game will kick off.

Yep, booked yesterday:

Journey 1: swindon to gillingham (kent) on Saturday, 08/08/2009

Passengers: 1 Adult(s)
Departs             Arrives       
08:41 - swindon    09:44 - london paddington    Train (FIRST GREAT WESTERN)    Coach: C - Seat: 37A
09:44 - london paddington    10:33 - london victoria    Tube ()    No seats reserved
10:33 - london victoria    11:20 - gillingham (kent)    Train (SOUTH EASTERN TRAINS)    No seats reserved

Ticket Type: ADVANCE SINGLE - Standard Class

Route: This ticket is only valid for routes passing through Slough.

Journey 2: gillingham (kent) to swindon on Saturday, 08/08/2009

Passengers: 1 Adult(s)
Departs                            Arrives    
17:29 - gillingham (kent)    18:17 - london victoria    Train (SOUTH EASTERN TRAINS)    No seats reserved
18:17 - london victoria    19:30 - london paddington    Tube ()    No seats reserved
19:30 - london paddington    20:30 - swindon    Train (FIRST GREAT WESTERN)    Coach: B - Seat: 80A

Ticket Type: ADVANCE SINGLE - Standard Class

Route: This ticket is only valid for routes passing through Slough.


It gets to pikeyville at 11.20, plenty of time even if it's a 12.00 kick off.

Cheers mate, will get mine now then! (Thank god I still get a railcard!)

If it stays at a 3pm, there are going to be a lot of lashed Swindon fans there!

Yes dave (to both parts).

Through Slough, yes. Stopping at Slough, no.

oh. i see. thanks or the help

Does anybody know when tickets go on sale for this?

Oh yes! Should be fun.

Breaking news on SSN:

Police forced to bring KO time of Gillingham v Swindon game forward by prospect of small army of zombie dead "Fred Elliott at MK" style drunken Town fans

Spoke to Gillingham Ticket Office this morning as want to book advance trains and they said they have a meeting with the police next week to discuss whether it can be played at 3pm Saturday or whether it has to be moved to an earlier kick off or Sunday.

Sunday? Fuck off. What a joke.

How flexible is your train ticket Hertha?  :D

It won't be moved to sunday. The first game of the season? What total bollocks.

If the last time we played counts for anything in the view of the police, it'll kick of at 3pm on Saturday.

I'm not sure if I can afford this :( Get back from Barca few days before so might be a 3pm date with Jeff Stelling!

Just booked mine. Tickets now £15 each way.

If I hypothetically drove, where would I park?

A long way away

If you're only driving hypothetically I would park right by your seat.

'There is a cheap pay and display car park (£1 for 3 hours)  on Railway Street near Gillingham station, which is less than 10 mins walk from the ground'.

...says footballgroundguide.com

Hmmm, 2 hours 30 mins according to the AA..........

Bloody pikeys

I drove last year and the car park near the station is ideal.........the Police escort right to my car at the end of the game was a particularly nice touch.

It would be rude not to go to this, especially as it's closer than a home game :)

I've now paid for my train ticket.  :D

Will you be going on the same train as us? You should introduce yourself. I'm the dood looking one with shoulder length hair.

Below are my trains. Not sure what time it passes through Swindon.

Looking at that it will be a few hours behind the rest of us!!

Seeing as I'm going by myself I didn't fancy sitting around in some pub in Gillingham on my own for ages before the game.

Spy, I hope the game isn't moved to an earlier KO with your train times!!

I know. Personally I don't think it will be. If the police wanted to move it they would have done so by now. Fixtures been out for a while. With it being the start of the season there won't have been any little incidents for them to work themselves up about.

Besides, I've checked it out and I can change the train times if need be.

Change them anyway! Come with us, it'll be far more entertaining!

Train tix are 30 quid now - still not bad!  I think I might just sod the finances and go anyway :D

Do it. You know it makes sense.

Jeez that grew quick since peterboro! Whats the secret?

"Delusion" for men.

I will be taking a mini bus to selected Saturday away matches next season..and of course week matches if enough people can be drummed up.
Gillingham will be a defo starter and for people abit worried about the drink aspect my friend will be driving and he dosnt drink...i know its a few weeks away but if anyone is interested let me now.
Obviously we will pick up from Swindon homes and do our best if you live outside of Swindon area to pick up.
I will say that we tend to go earlyish get ther and take any hassle out of being late or meeting traffic...if there is no designated away fans pub we tend to stop at a town village etc near our destination then drive to the ground after park up then straight in for the match,rather than trying to find a place near the ground...but obviously any sugestions wpuld be good.
Anyway if you dont get a car ride or jump on a train and you get stuck....let me know..Cheers.

Boxing day to Charlton would be a goer!

I may have to give this one a miss now, gutted.

Will be going to that....obviously 12,15 or 18 seater will depend on the match and numbers wanting to go.

Boxing Day to Charlton is almost a minibus must.

I take your point :)

Put me down as a definite for Boxing Day mate!

Any news on tickets for pikeyville yet?

Bet they go on sale next week as i'm going to be on holiday!!

Already on sale. £20 in advance, £23 on the day.

Nothing on the OS about these tickets.

Anyone know our initial allocation?

I will call box office!

Wicked. Ask them what our allocation is please.

I swear it wasn't on the website when i last looked  :doh:

http://www.swindontownfc.co.uk/page/AwayTickets/0,,10341~1718698,00.html

£23 for an open end is a total joke.

Looks like a 12.30pm Kick Off Boys and Girls  ::)

http://www.gillinghamfootballclub.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10416~1725490,00.html

Fucking hell that's all I need.

Oh well.Was odds on to happen i suppose.

A 12.30 KO isn't too bad, a Sunday would have been far worse.

Sounds like straight from the station to the ground then.

The return ticket only states a particular train on the London - Swindon section, so we can make a hasty exit out of caravan land and spend a few hours sampling the capital's delights (Or in a bar at the station)

does this mean we are the first game of the new football season?

We better win so we can be top of the league...go us!

I dont think so....hasnt southampton/millwall been bought forward to 12:30 because its on tv.

of course if they draw and we win.

Predicted really I guess, booooooo

FFS. Best bring some beers for the train.

Fuck that for an early start.

I have to admit i probably wouldn't have bothered taking beer if it had stayed a 3pm ko as the other half isn't happy about me going to the game at all let alone drinking on the train.But now its starts at 12.30 i have no choice.

Herthab is right  :) Its a great excuse to get in and out of pikeyville asap.The train tickets mean we can get a train back to London when we want so long as we get the 7.30 back to Swindon.Much preferable and dare i say it civilized!

I've got Brentford away booked off as well.So another train day is on the cards.How exciting :)

Great!

FOR FUCKS SAKE thats annoying. The fixtures have been out for ages now. Fucking joke. I didn't go last time but I heard about the OB overkill. This is clearly their "big fixture" potential-trouble-wise but if they wanted to move kick off why suddenly decide now??!

Yes, bastards!  fancy only giving three weeks notice. 

Im going with the old man.....Over night at Ashford and then Eurostar to Disney with my daughter....

Tickets on sale now????

You should have gone there in 1980/81. That really was fun. We lost 1-0 and our end was packed with pikeys. It emptied a bit after they scored and 2 minibuses of Town turned up.

Has everyone got their match tickets for Gills? Only I'm after a favour as it doesn't look like I'll make it to the CG before the season kicks off. So if some kind soul would get me a ticket (I can transfer the money prior if you so wish) I shall reward you suitably, most likely with a pint.

I need to get one Ian so I can pick you one up. Full adult now?

Pay on the day as well if you have trouble..though 3 quid dearer on the day i think.

If they're moving it to half 12 it would be all ticket wouldnt it? to stop any more 'trouble'

Not according to there website...best to get them up front though save 3 quid...sure you can pay on the day as well though according to our tik office as well.

Sounds good.

I still havent got mine, or booked the train. I should get sorted out really! If I remember I'll buy a ticket on Tuesday night...if I go to the WBA game.

Is everybody on the 8.30am train? And what time are y'all coming back?

Think I will have to give this a miss now :(

From Steve's post earlier in the thread...

08:41 - swindon    09:44 - london paddington    Train (FIRST GREAT WESTERN)    Coach: C - Seat: 37A
09:44 - london paddington    10:33 - london victoria    Tube ()    No seats reserved
10:33 - london victoria    11:20 - gillingham (kent)    Train (SOUTH EASTERN TRAINS)    No seats reserved

Ticket Type: ADVANCE SINGLE - Standard Class


Departs                            Arrives   
17:29 - gillingham (kent)    18:17 - london victoria    Train (SOUTH EASTERN TRAINS)    No seats reserved
18:17 - london victoria    19:30 - london paddington    Tube ()    No seats reserved
19:30 - london paddington    20:30 - swindon    Train (FIRST GREAT WESTERN)    Coach: B - Seat: 80A

Ta

For those going to Gillingham, note that there's engineering works on the tube on the 8th which makes getting from Paddington to Victoria slightly more difficult, as the Circle and District lines through Victoria will be closed.

http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/livetravelnews/realtime/by-date.aspx?offset=11

You are always better off getting the Bakerloo and then the Victoria line. Both are much faster lines than the Circle/District.

Yep. As long as you have the capability to read a tube map you should be fine

I'll just do my usual trick of following someone else who looks like they know where they're going.

Concerning, considering I usually follow you...

Its a doddle, spencer's right, that would be the way to go every time. For anyone aiming for the 11.03 out of victoria, there are a few of us MOS posters meeting in the wetherspoons inside the station, if any one fancies shuffling up to odd looking strangers whispering are you(insert internet name) from any of the forums?

To anyone who is getting the 8.30 from Swindon, does anyone fancy getting me a ticket for the game and i'll pay when i get on the train @ Reading?

You can pay on the day Whits...23 quid.

Think the idea is for as many to meet up at Victoria as possible. There's no times on the Victoria to Gillingham part of the ticket, so we might as well leave it as late as possible to arrive at that shithole. It's not like we'll be drinking anywhere there.

there's always the away pub, the one where we burnt the oxford shirt!

how much would the train cost now then

Dunno mate. Axs and three of his mates got cheap tickets as a group saver. Dunno where from though.

To get the same time train as us is now £47.

It's £26.50 if you get a group saver 4.

That seems a hell of a lot for such a shortish journey, surely four in the car wont cost you more than £6-7 each including parking.

But someone has to forfeit a day on the piss and have a car.

12.30 kick off, not going to piss too much, a pint before the game, drive back, park the car, go on the piss.

As opposed to cans on the train?

You lot are animals .... I had too many pisses in my last post. Pissssss

From the train company innit.

I can get you one Whits.
Think i've pmed you but can't remember [its been a long morning].