Thetownend.com

What it says in the title. Always better to have home leg 2nd so happy with this

Good stuff.

Great news.

Lets hope its televised too.

They often do, all extra pennies in the pot.

Second leg to be televised it seems.

2nd Leg is which is a pity. It means that the "plastics" will not be at the ground. We need an amosphere for a big 2nd leg semi-final!

Yay, that means I can at least watch the 2nd leg, and then maybe final!

decent result for me. can go to underhill and watch the home leg on tv

Midweek + work commitments = plasticfantastic.

Good news.

Just hope im not working that night as i hate missing games ! and you know that the plastics will all be there should we get to Wembley.

Good news, glad the second leg will be on TV, will probably go but at least if I decide against it, I can still watch the game.

What are the dates for this?

First leg's on the 10th Jan. No date for the return leg as yet as far as I'm aware.

 Although it's good that we've progressed in both cups...it does represent a danger. You can look at a season like 94/95 for probably the last time we were in two cups in January, and the disappointment and distraction led to relegation.  Previously in 78/80 a very fine Town team, suffered and ultimately failed in the league because of distraction by cup runs.

 We should end all further talk of Barnet for at least a month...and focus on Rovers.

It's a fair point Reg. Would be nice to get at least 4 points out of these next two games before Xmas to keep in touch with Southend/Crawley.

This.

3 points Saturday is more important than the Barnet games anyway.

....I also think making our worst transfer in the clubs history and selling Fjortoft for 1.3m played a part that year

Of course it did.....but we can already start to see the problems...eg Connell gets injured, Ritchie gets suspended....I may be wrong in this but I suspect only one team has won the paint pot and won their league....that was Brum.   I'm sure you'll check for me  :)

Paul Ince led Franchise...

Good call, not sure they won the league but did go up...

Chance to do a double, not fuck up promotion.

I wouldnt have posted it if they didnt win the league, which they did...

Good shout then...shows it can be done even if difficult.

Who won JPT last year? Who won the league?

Think Carlisle....Div 4 Chesterfield.

southampton beat carlise 4-1, southampton were second in league one the same year.

We knocked southampton out the jpt last year.

Carlisle beat brentford last season

are you sure?

Yes

Yes, he is.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010%E2%80%9311_Football_League_Trophy

my mistake,

I don't really think discussing the Barnet game on an internet forum will really affect the player's form.

Do you think the players live in some sort of bubble....bit like John Travolta in that film, where they have no contact with the players and their thoughts...I daresay the Duke of Banbury is already working ears for his VIP Wembley package.

Fuck that - the players are only winning because SuggWillSugg starts the match day threads!

word

word ...again

That was the year before when they missed out on the playoffs, though that was down to a shit start to the season and the points deduction. It didn't affect their league form though, so I'm not convinced by that argument especially as the PL / FA Cup double has been done 5 times in the last 15 seasons.

Although the club has said the first leg is on Tuesday the 10th Jan the official football league web site still has the fixture down to be played w/c 16th Jan and the 2nd leg to be played w/c 6th Feb ?

Might be due to the w/c 16th Jan being when the FA Cup 3rd round replays are played.

Standard away allocation is about 1,000 at Barnet. Sometimes that increases to 1,500 but I wonder if they might actually be able to draw a decent home crowd for this one and restrict us to the smaller allocation? Either way, I should think there are going to be plenty of Town fans who don't get tickets.

Was funny the last time we were there, just before and after kick off the stewards were asking Barnett fans to vacate an area so we could have the side bit and the terrace behind the goal.

Want Town to win this so badly, after our last abysmal showing at Wembley, I want to go to the new Wembley and actually have a day to remember, don't think under Di Canio he would allow Town to not show up at the big stage.

Yes, Barnet won't be easy, the JPT is their big chance for glory this year as they won't make a promotion push, form is improving aswell, but we should do it we've knocked out League one opposition's and the leaders of League 2.

COYR - seriously exciting times at this club all down to Di Canio.

 If we get to Wembley for the JPT final i reckon it will be much more of a relaxing day without the stress of winning or loosing promotion. Still be really up for it and like someone mentioned we may have a few less fans there than v millwall but it should be the true Town Supporters instead of day trippers.
Keep trying not to get ahead of myself regarding making the final but really think we will be to strong for Barnet over the two legs.

To be frank, i'd be embarressed if we could not beat Barnet over two legs, especially with the advantage of the second leg at home.

Ok, you can be Frank, but only if I can be Earnest.

Can I still be Garth?

I have no doubt in my mind that we'll be heading back to Wembley. Just read Vics latest entry on the Washbag and I have the same bizarre feeling of confidence as he mentions... It's almost unnerving to feel this confident but this team just keeps living up to expectation.

Know exactly what you mean b3nny. The last couple of months have been fantastic, and its been a while since I've gone into every Saturday expecting us to win, regardless of opposition, home or away.

2-1 up with 10 minutes to go against the league leaders - any other year for the past god knows how long I would have been preparing myself for the last minute equalizer and 2-2 draw.

Tuesday night - I had no fear what so ever that we'd concede.

Yeah when we went one down I said to the Mrs we'd still win, no doubt in my mind.

I did shout Blair Cunting Sturrock out at the time though.

The sooner they ditch playing the tin pot final at wembley the better. Would be much better at villa park or a similar sized ground.
I think we will make the final but aint really excited at the prospect.

I am excited by it. Very moist infact

Think your right regarding the fans arriba but most players in the lower leagues don't get the chance to play at Wembley.
Don't like the new stadium half as much as the old especially when it's only half full. Perhaps the club suggest the town end fans and those who want to stand and sing have tickets allocated together to get some noise from the Swindon fans unlike last time.

I am excited by the prospect of Wembley as

a) It'll be a great day out on the piss

b) I don't want my abiding Swindon related memory of the new stadium to be the Millwall game

Wembley or not, I'm finding it really hard to get even slightly enthused about the JPT. I have this feeling that if we went to Wembley, win or lose, I wouldn't be particularly moved. I think it'll feel like a friendly and my emotions after will be the same - just kind of meh.

Same.

I'll still go.

I understand that.For me it's the bigger picture though.It may sound silly but irrelevent of what tournament we are in for the first time in a long time we have a team and a manager who seem to give a fuck.

Even after the playoff defeat i had the impression that bar a few of them alot of the players didn't actually give a fuck it's just nice now to watch a team who are trying and taking everything seriously

I struggle to get exited about things in general, going on holiday and Christmas etc....  But a couple of days before the butterflies and excitement starts and I enjoy them when they get here.  Football is very much the same for me especially where the JPT is concerned.  I'm sure though when/if we get to the final it will be a great day and it would certainly be fantastic to see Caddis lifting the trophy at full time!

That makes sense and it's a good way to look at it. I'm sure if we get to the final then my feelings will change. After all, if the players and manager are up for it, I really should be too - I'd be letting the side down otherwise!

I hope that if we do get to Wembley the club introduce a special white strip with 'The People' sponsor on the front, because that is what we all want!

Exactly how I feel.

I'd go to the game but because I felt I had to rather than really wanting to.  I just think the competition means nothing, Wembley as a place was an expensive let down last time and has no excitement value for me.

Maybe I'll get the buzz nearer the time but the league games either side of the final would be 10x more important.

This season only one thing matters. Promotion.

But I'll happily go to Wembley if it means ridding me of impression it made last time. Would winning there, or even just putting in a good performance, make me think that it isn't a white elephant of overpriced and stupidly located concrete?

What I mean is I want to go back to thinking playing at Wembley is special, not something to dread.

totally agree, it would be much better. not going to happen though, because raping 35,000 or so lower league fans of £40-50 goes a little bit further to paying the wembley costs back

I've never seen my team win a trophy other than lifting the divvy 2 title and I was only 10.

I want to see my team win at Wembley as the only time I've been is Millwall and I refuse to let all you old cunts have all the glory.

Sanchez to be interviewd for NI managers job, chances are he would get it, when we get to wembley how many hammers fans would turn up just to see paolo in action?

I don't think he'll play mate

Very few, if any.

Do the Football League not have authority to make their own decision on the venue?

No, this years kit will be yellow and blue!

No, they signed a long term (20 year) deal with the Devil (the FA) for all their finals to be played at the new Wembley.

So they will all be at Wembley for another 15 years.

I havent bothered with a piss poor paint pot game for years now - my opinion on its general pointlessness is well know

...and my one and only experience at the new Wembley was horrible - if anything I'd go just to right the wrong of that horrible deflated day.

Just looking at the FL Trophy wiki page and came across this... never realised at the time!

There were 3 in front of me at Southend on tuesday night. One was holding up his Shirt with Di Canio on the back when Paolo came over to us.

I admit the JPT hardly sets the pulse racing but it meant alot to the people there to come back from a goal down. I still have the scars on my leg from when my shin smashed the seat in front to prove it. We should just enjoy the run for what it is. I know we all like a moan but jeez we must be one of the only sets of fans who don't want to go to Wembley.

I know what you are sayig.At the evening with DiCanio  there were a few who had traveled down for it. Don't underestimate how uch of a legend the bloke is to West Ham fans

That would mean you going against your principles this season DV ;)

Understandably, the opinions of Wembley (mine included) are low. Also, the JPT is the smallest trophy that a league team can win, but it is still a trophy.

Wembley is an expensive day out and if the result goes the wrong way then its a double kick in the nether regions but if we win, then it will all be worth it.

I'm not sure what the prize fund is but any money for the club is welcome. Wray and co have put some serious cash into our club since they saved us and they deserve some return. Winning this match may be a bit meh for some fans but for the club it is a massive step forward.

Anyhow, we still have 2 games to go before we even get there. Let's not get above our stations and assume our place in the final just yet. I am very sure that the fans that say, "JPT, meh", will be extremely pissed off if we lose to Barnet over 2 legs.

A big day out on the piss would be welcome!

All of this.

Think a few years ago getting to the final and winning was worth around 500k. Not mega bucks but certainly not something to be sniffed at.

I'm excited about it! It's our only chance of winning a cup (other than the Wilts senior Cup), plus it's a day out to the concrete bowl without having to worry quite as much if we win or lose.

Oh I don't know, Swindon Supermarine thumped a young Chippenham Town side 1-8 at Hardenhuish Park this week. We've got to play our first leg versus Salisbury at some point before Christmas.

Elsewhere... Ol' Sanchez might be back Norn Iron by the time we next meet.

I think thats the current Wiltshire shield champions out isnt it?  Leaves it open for us to bring home the trophy.

Let us be honest, you know Chippenham are reigning champions :)

Lets hope not. They might get a good replacement for him.

I went to the game thinking, finally Ill see Swindon win.  Wrong again.

Wasn't that the game that turned a bit nasty, Said left on Crutches.

I'd very happilly have another day at Wembley. If we get there I can't see us taking more than 20K  -add about 10k for Chesterfield / Oldham and there will be plenty room.
Against Millwall was just flat. It would be good to go there anr remove those memories. 

If we got to Wembley, they'd have to give a section to West Ham fans  :)

Just what is it about this "concrete bowl" shit that a number of you are spouting on here? As somebody in there 50's who has been to upwards of 100 different grounds I can tell you that I would rather watch football at Wembley than some of the "old" shitholes (Vetchfield, Boothferry Park, Blackpool (as was). In the 70's I dont think I saw a corner taken whilst standing in the townend as the view was terrible. I think some have a romantic view of what is was like.

I admit that we all had a terrible experience last time out due to the neanderthal's that follow "wall". Personally the whole day was ruined from the moment we got off the train at paddington for the "fear" of walking into their support.

Personally I will be gutted if we fail to get through against Barnet, and if we do get there will enjoy the complete day despite the fact that there might only be 40,000 in the stadium!

Rant over. 

Think I said at the time that it seemed Bodin had had a go at the team at half time for not being physical enough, so they came out physical and it did get a bit tasty, but nothing really out of order.  Could of shit tackles and a lot of posturing on both sides.

That probably represents a 10% increase of turnover for the season. Certainly not insignificant.

1500 initial tickets for this one, only a fiver for me as well! Would of thought we would sell this out seeing as its the area final and tickets are dirt cheap!

when are the tickets available?

How much are the tickets for Barnet?  I would have thought that all 1500 tickets will be snapped up, a cold Tuesday night in January in Barnet - it is what dreams are made of.

£10 Adults and £5 Concessions (Students, U16s, Over 60s) great value and we have an initial allocation of 1500!

Ticket sales info later on in the week i think.

Possibility of us having more fans there than them again?

Depends how many they sell. If they give us enough tickets then I reckon we will.

Also, just seen that we have sold 700 tickets for Torquay away on Boxing day and 600 for Northampton on new years eve, our away support is brilliant.

Both allocations are 1000, both should sell out.

For the dates that they are on and the fact that it's all ticket, it really is quite impressive.

Away support has been brilliant all season, the numbers sold for those 2 games is really really impressive!
Hopefully the team responds with 2 good perfomances and wins  :beers:

Decent Prices, I reckon we will sell out, what are the chances of them sending us more?

I dunno, 1500 is a lot for a Tuesday night. Would be surprised if there's too much excess demand personally - good as our away support is this season.

If we did sell that out I guess it would depend on whether Barnet want us to have over half the crowd. Seeing as their highest attendance this season is 2800 that's probably a feasible scenario already.

If it was earlier in the tournament, then I don't think we would take too many but I reckon as it's the semi-final, a few more people might go.

From what I remember (and its probably been mentioned on the thread before) I think we had more fans then them last time we played them away in the league and that was a midweek game too.

I'd like to see us sell out and at those prices we have a decent chance of doing that!!!

Excellent prices. Hopefully the prices at the CG will be similar.

For me it depends on the Wigan game...if we draw that then i will go to Wigan not Barnet.

Lightweight ;) I'm really hoping it's a draw as I havent been to Wigan. Def be at Barnet I need to excorcise those penalties.

On sale now to ST holders. Then Club Red on 24th, and general sale later on if any are left.

What is the exact date of the first leg? Not being a retard, but checked the main site, thisisstfc and 8 pages of this and can't see it anywhere. That said I'm a few ciders down.

Thanks in advance

Picked up a couple of tickets Saturday for Barnet away. Tuesday 10th Jan 7.45 ko.

Jan 10th KO 7:45pm

http://www.swindontownfc.co.uk/page/AwayTickets/0,,10341~2386779,00.html

When I bought mine Saturday the ticket office never checked my season ticket number, just asked me if I had one. Didn't say they were restricted to one per season ticket either. I could now buy at least two more if anybody gets really stuck although not sure if we will sell all ours, should be close though.

Hope so Notts, be great to take at least 1k down there given the prices!

£10 can't be bad, cost me more than that for fish and chips and the parking at Underhill train station last time we were there.