Thetownend.com

I just thought I'd start a thread about this game specifically cause it's being mentioned here, there and everywhere.

Looks like we have the options of:

5. Sheffield United
6. Chesterfield
7. Rochdale (very unlikely)

It's currently going to be us away at Sheffield United unless they keep losing or drawing every game and Chesterfield keep winning every game which seems to be the current pattern.

Who would everyone rather get? A not-so-in-form Sheffield or an in-form Chesterfield?

Either way I've booked hotels in both places. Who's going?

I'll be finishing work in Plymouth at around 4am on the Wednesday night/ Thursday and jumping on a train to Swindon to travel to wherever the game is.

It's going to be a long couple of days I fear.

Ouch. I'll be driving up from Bath at near midday then staying in wherever overnight so I can have a bevvy or two. ;)

Good luck with your travels.

I'd rather play Sheff Utd over two legs than in one game I think. There's something about us having beat Chesterfield twice (quite comfortably, scoreline wise) that also makes me feel uncomfortable.

They were very good 2nd half at the CG despite being 3 down.

Good team.

And yet 2 years ago, Yeovil beat Brentford twice 3-1 and 3-0 and beat them at Wembley....whereas Brentford beat us twice, but required pens in te PO after 2 draws....whereas we beat Yeovil twice etc.   Not sure it makes too much difference.

Oh I'm fully aware its just susperstitous nonsense, but I dread complacency in that situation.

I'm tempted to get people that are up for going to the first leg to buy paper crepe streamers for when the players come out...

I've spoken to Brammal Lane and as long as people buy ones that say 'fire resistant' on the packaging they're OK with them. But the thing is, if we're in the purple and black kit we should really use purple and black streamers.

But, like us, couldn't defend for shit.

Just realised that on 7th a May I shall be at a meeting. In *Sheffield! So on one hand it's a Bazinga no brainer. On the other hand it's Election Day! Is it to late to postal vote? If not how do I go about it?

* Other teams are available to play, like Chesterfield!

In terms of the election you can nominate someone to vote for you.

I'm missing the 1st leg, due to being abroad (well, Scotland). I'm praying that the home leg is on the Sunday, as if it's the Monday night I'll be in Manchester.

It's Monday

Sauce?

I've seen it mentioned a few times that everyone knows it'll be Monday but nothing is confirmed, irrelevant of where we finish.

Andrew from FLIC tweeted something like "Well that's settled then. It's the Monday."

I haven't seen an official notice from the Football League or anyone though.

Expect second leg of League One play-offs to be as follows: 3rd vs 6th on Sun, May 10 (12.15pm); 4th vs 5th on Mon, May 11 (7.45pm).
@sam morshead

Cooper has said he's pleased about the dates as it gives us an extra day's rest/preparation beteeen 1st and 2nd legs than the other semi final

It's on the football league website

http://www.football-league.co.uk/news/article/2015/dates-for-sky-bet-football-league-play-offs-confirmed-2323292.aspx

Nice. Looking forward to it. Might have to actually come have a few beers out in Swindon if all goes well on the Monday.

Tempted to book the Monday off or have a half day. Not sure I can hack a sober 2nd leg if its close.

Reg?

Thanks.

Shitballs. I'm working. My last shift before leaving. What to do....

17:30 on a Sunday for the final, What a load of bollocks

Premier league games on by any chance.

Going to make getting home more interesting. But at least it gives us more time to get to the pubs! :)

Esp as no trains running from Swindon to London that day, not sure about the reverse

Shit, yeah... I'll probably find a designated driver to take me up then.

Hopefully SAS Travel are prepared to hire every single BARNES coach for a lot of other fans.

Bloody hell, I've slept through the playoff semi-finals :)

Chesterfield just got back to me about using streamers or anything at their ground for the POs... this was their reply:

"<name> does not want to tempt fate by talking about a game that might not take place."

Very helpful.

Tbf they aren't nailed on for a spot yet
Obv a bit nervy

That does underline the different paths that other sides are going to take to the Play Offs.  If Chesterfield do get there, it's going to be blood, thunder & adrenaline...compared with our more sedate acceptance over several weeks that that's where we'll end up.  That could play to our advantage, but maybe not.  Psychology will be interesting in the first leg game.

Well then ask them about their policy for whoever they're playing next week.

That's what I did. I just said "forget about the play offs. What are your rules on streamers etc throughout the course of a season?"

More smoke bombs a la Orient - fuck streamers

 :doh: I'll leave that to someone else...

In other news... Louis is allowed to play for us in the Play Offs if he's fit enough!

Good news. Only one problem with it  :hmmm:

I think they'd go with L. Thompson, Stephens, Turnbull and Swift.

Then it's either Ricketts or Toffolo to be the unlucky sixth loanee, depending if Town want HT next season, I think it'll Toffolo to miss out.

Louis Thompson must be absolutely fit mind you.

Oh yeah, I'd forgotten about the loan limitations. I'm not sure if Ricketts' "has to play' clause includes the play offs. It's a tough call. Toffolo is a part of the team and deserves to be at Wembley.

That's a proper headache for Cooper. I wouldn't want to have the conversation with whoever he leaves out.

If Louis was 100% I'd leave Swift out. Do the same Coops and blame me.

Tempted to start organising a streamer display for the away end of the Play Off first leg as the players leave the tunnel.

I know we should be doing a streamer display to match the colour of the kit we're wearing but as Chesterfield and United seem to be unable to decide who we play until the last day we're going to have to go with Red & White regardless. If we wait until the last day we won't have enough time to promote it and get streamers ordered.

Pay for postage so buy a few
WHITE: http://www.partyonup.net/white-crepe-paper-streamer-roll-81ft-365-p.asp
RED: http://www.partyonup.net/red-crepe-paper-streamer-roll-81ft-359-p.asp

Free postage but a bit more expensive
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/81-FT-CREPE-PAPER-STREAMER-26-COLOURS-PARTY-BIRTHDAY-DECORATION-ROLLS-WEDDING-/111301287399?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&var=410292457592&hash=item19ea12dde7

Start spreading the word and get people buying & bringing streamers to Bramall Lane or the Proact Stadium. Also, bring some newspaper to tear up for confetti or anything along these lines.

As it's the playoffs I feel we should be putting something on.

Tempted to shove this image below around Twitter. What do you think?

Nothing to lose mate

Unless it turns out to be me + 4 others. That could be a bit embarrassing. Maybe I'll use the last of the fan-donations money and get a load to get the ball rolling?

Alternatively - you could pocket the last of the fan donations money, fake your own death and start a new life on an uninhabited Pacific coral atol*.

Just thought I'd throw that out there.


*I may be over estimating the amount left over from the fan donations.

I don't even think I could afford to leave the country ;).

So you're saying you haven't ruled out faking your own death?  :hmmm:

We'll see how the play offs go. I may have no choice but to disappear from the world for a while...

It's always best to keep an open mind on these things.

I think I'll use the money on streamers and give them to the SAS Travel guys to hand out on the coaches or something. At least  that way we're guaranteed some sort of display.

Karl Robinson is somehow trying to suggest that Swindon fielding a weakened side against Preston has fired his side up, as though Town had a chance full strength or not.  It's like a quintessential Cotterillism but it'll probably work.


This is mostly because the final day could easily swing in the favour of the Franchise.

MKD are at home to Yeovil = Big win for MKD
Colchester host Preston = Potentially trickier task with Colchester still fighting (even more so if Town lose there on Tuesday)

It's only £4.60 to get into Wales

...and, if we 'rest' (ahem!) players for the Colchester and Lorient games - and then contrive to lose to both (which is quite possible the way we have been playing lately), we will have the Crawley and Notts County managers and their clubs' fans queueing up to have a pop at us as well!

Not sure I could take the Crawley fans having a pop.

It's all too much, I tells ya! Too much!

 :violin:

I think the first team need some game time to keep them ticking over, I'd like to see something like  Byrne and Toffolo come in Tuesday and mass , mass and fods for orient.

I actually was considering how many fans we would take to wembley should we get there, this week end. Place your bets 20-25, 25-30, 30-35

Maybe the mod could set up a poll to vote for? I know we're not there yet but it could be set as a bit of fun and carried on in earnest if we do. FWIW I'm in the 25-30k region.

Stumbled across this again today. Still good

If we get to Wembley, will easily be 30,000+. I reckon around 33k as per the last day out. I know for a families that didn't go to the last one purely because it was Millwall and they are c***'*. we should pull in a similar following and maybe some more as well.

I think if we do get to Wembley we will get over 30k again, probably nearer 35k.

3 of my non Swindon supporting mates have said they will come with me if we get there this time for "the day out at Wembley".

Never underestimate the pull of Wembley (despite several on here saying they hate the place).

Don't forget about the lack of trains going to London from Swindon. This could stop a chunk of people going.

There has been a lot of talk about form going into the play offs so I did a little look back at all the L1 level play offs this century.

I know its just stats and averages and TBH they dont mean a lot but here is the table of the last 15 play off winners and form going into the Play Offs.

2000 Gillingham  finished 3rd last 6 games WWDWWL then lost 1st leg of PO
2001 Walsall      finished 4th last 6 games WDLWWW then drew 1st leg of PO
2002 Stoke City finished 5th last 6 games WLWLWD then lost 1st leg of PO
2003 Cardiff C    finished 6th last 6 games WLLLDD then won 1st leg of PO
2004 Brighton     finished 4th last 6 games DWLWWW then won 1st leg of PO
2005 Sheff Wed  finished 5th last 6 games LDLDWL then won both legs of the PO
2006 Barnsley     finished 5th last 6 games DWDDDW then lost 1st leg of the PO
2007 Blackpool    finished 3rd last 6 games WWWWWW then won both legs of the PO
2008 Doncaster   finished 3rd last 6 games LDWDWL then drew 1st leg of the PO
2009 Scunthorpe finished 6th last 6 games WLDDWD then drew both legs of the PO (won on pens)
2010 Millwall       finished 3rd last 6 games WDLWLW then drew 1st leg of PO
2011 Peterboro   finished 4th last 6 games DWLDDW then lost 1st leg of PO
2012 Huddersfld  finished 4th last 6 games LLLWDW then won the 1st leg of PO
2013 Yeovil        finished 4th last 6 games WWWLWL then lost  1st leg of PO
2014 Rotherham  finished 4th last 6 games LDLWDW then drew 1st leg of PO

6 times the team that finished 4th has won the play off final with 4 of those consecutively in the last 4 years.

Only 5 times has the team that won the first leg of their play offs actually won the final.

Wow. Looking at it... winning a lot leading into it does help. Blackpool fans must have loved that.

 There are still a couple of imponderables to settle before we should start to think about how the PO's might shape, as we're the only side that know we'll finish.

 Losing at ColU on Tuesday, will give them an excellent chance of avoiding the drop, if they can get something off Preston on Sunday, Franchise have Yeovil at home.

 Chesterfield at Bramall Lane on Sunday.....ideally we'd like Chesterfield to win and Franchise to take the auto, which could mean us v Chesterfield and Blades v Preston.

As much as I hate to say it I do want MK to go up automatically so we won't have to face them at Wembley...

But saying that, I don't think I'd like to play Preston or Sheffield United there either. If we go up it's going to be a miracle.

Not a miracle, but against the odds.  But one of the charms of football is that it can happen. 

The first season of the PO's 86/87....I thought it was pretty typical Town, end up in a lottery, after finishing a close third, when that would have been an auto for a good few years previously.

Once they'd become a bit more established, I took the view that finishing outside the top 2 (or 3 in Div 4), showed you weren't quite good enough, but you got a dog's chance.   I still hold this view....if we go up it'll be a surprise, but nothing really lost if we don't.

I think if we go up we'll do really well in the Championship. Our style + the quality of players we'll have... we'd stay up ok.

The way we play lends itself to the Championship. A lot less over-the-top balls.

I want MK Dongs to play Chesterfield in the play off 1st leg because Chesterfield have beaten them 3 times this season and lost once against them, as much as MKD are our bogey team...Chesterfield are MK's.

If we did go up, then one thing is for sure....our players are going to have to up their misdemeanour level, Lazy Sundae needs to become more Itchycoo Park

Hahaha. Yeah, I bet none of those Watford players had sweets!

I know several people who won't go to Wembley. In fact, my best mate booked a holiday that weekend so I couldn't invite him. Bastard! I'd say 25-27k more realistic.

That is a great shout, I didn't think about that

It is indeed a good call....

I've been offered a bulk deal on streamers for the play off first leg from partyonup.net.

So if we pool our money together I can order a huge stock of streamers to create an awesome display at Brammal Lane/Proact (delete as appropriate).

If you can help, donate here:
https://plasso.co/[email protected]

I had a good chunk left from the previous round and I've got another donation today from someone on Twitter this morning towards it. I know a lot of you have already donated towards these back for the Port Vale game, but if you can again, that's awesome :)

Thanks!

If we went up ( unless we changed tactics ) we'd be annihilated week in and week out. Some of those strikers would be devastating against out defence. However, I trust that Power / cooper would be intelligent enough to know this would need changing and I would love the opportunity to be proved wrong.
As for Wembley, if we got there, would think nearer 25k this time. I'm also not sure we'd get a decent home gate in the play offs even if the game is tight.

I'd be severely disappointed if we could only manage 25K at Wembley.

So would I but there's not a great deal of excitement around the place at the moment. Its been a great season with some great football played by some great players at this level. Luongo and Gladwin will attract serious money and Byrne, Smith and Kasim will attract decent money............but I know a lot of Town who do not like this brand of football and  / or don't like Cooper. I like both but I can see what they're saying whilst not agreeing with it.
We've not had a decent home game for ages and our form is crap. The place is flat. Wembley costs a bomb and I know a lot of people who have done it twice and will put their feet up in front of the telly. They're not bothered about being there. Our crowds are down and I worry about next season's crowds if we don't go up.
I just hope we can create a bit of energy around the place and that it gathers pace but I do think 25k is about right. We need a few more Jaybox's.

Surely winning the PO semi would generate a bit of excitement on its own.

I do agree about the lack of a decent home game for what seems forever - probably the first 45 mins against Bradford.

When there is no end result to our possession based style it is a bit soporific  and frustrating to watch - it's certainly the reason for the morgue-like CG.

Anyway, I can't go as I'm flying to Kefalonia on the 24th, so I'll be shouting us home in some bar in Lourdas.

Hahaha. Cheers, mate!

The Adver are donating a good wedge towards the streamer display which is awesome. A good massive help towards it so we definitely have a good amount of streamers ready to go for the away leg.

Do you keep any of the dosh for yourself?

Nope. I have records of all the money I've spent if you're worried ;)

We've been given this package to buy: http://www.partyonup.net/6-red--white-crepe-paper-streamer-roll-swindon-supporter-pack-6935-p.asp

Tweet from Sam:

Sheffield United have announced their first-leg ticket prices: £12 adults for season ticket holders, £15 otherwise.

That's pretty good as long as the away tickets are similar.

Clearly they are going all out to get a full house and a banging atmosphere. Fair play to them.

I suspect our prices are going to be around doubleish.

I'd hope not. Surely they'll have similar prices for us? (here's hoping). Apparently we're in the bottom tier, too.

I think Bob's talking about the home leg.

I assuming the club will put these at the Gold range prices.

Could still play Chesterfield, you know

Ah. Yes. That makes more sense.

(http://www.gifbin.com/bin/102011/1319738930_homer_simpson_hides_in_hedge.gif)

Great shout from them, should guarantee the home sections are sold out.

Not sure it would affect the size of our travelling support too much. Thursday night, probably on the box, a few quid saving would probably only persuade a handful more to go.

They are expecting their lowest crowd of the season for their home leg.

Surely not

I'm not looking forward to having their fans up above us though. Always makes me nervous.

I go on holiday on the 7th & return on the 14th!! Bit gutted, but tbf when I booked it (last year) I never dreamt we'd be in this position.  Hopefully find a pub showing it in Turkey

Disappointing if we don't sell out the full 3k lower tier. Decent tie, decent city for a few beers. Can't wait personally.

Sent you over a donation, Jay...good luck with it.

Last time I had that scenario was at Twatford. Fuckers gobbed on us all game

On the flip side its a Thursday night, on TV and 3 days before the home leg
No I can't get the Friday off work so non too impressed

I'd be surprised if we take many more than 1000.

You know what. After looking at the options. Like getting home @ 1am saving £25 watching it in the comfort of my own home, leather recliner, nice bottled beer etc, a sky Sports, no hassle and putting my cross on the ballot paper. I a, coming straight home, fuck it. Will be there for the home leg, but not the final if we make it.

I said to the Mrs, £200 to go to Wembley for the three of us or £200 towards the summer holiday? No brainer really.

Where in Turkey? And you'll have no problem, the bartenders over there have all the sports channels so just find a decent bar and ask them to show it. Efes and town on the telly, can't beat it!

This season we were in the top tier. Likely to be there again.

Apparently not. They're putting home fans up there for the better view.

Correct-lower tier only for our fans (but can see chesterfield beating them Sunday anyway so may well prove to be irrelevant)
http://www.sufc.co.uk/news/article/ticket-details-for-the-home-leg-of-the-play-offs-2427332.aspx

Best team for the PO's? (if Louis is fit) Any other suggestions?

Probably too late to change to 4 at the back now, I know, but don't fancy us at all playing 3 at the back at the moment - has looked horribly exposed v Dons, City and Preston. Didn't matter so much when we were banging in goals, but now they've dried up, starting to think our best chance of winning is trying to keep the game tight. Thoughts?

Edit: Also, the Foderingham to Thompson pass should be outlawed for the PO's completely!

The thing I like best about that team is that Ricketts is not in it.

Each to their own. However a Wembley win would be worth more than £200 to any swindon fan in my eyes. I was too young for the Wembley premierleague promotion, but I will never forget that night at charlton, and to see swindon firstly score and then win at Wembley would be a memory to savour.

If we got there I wouldn't want to go. But I'd have to, just in case we show up for this one.

This.

As I live a fair distance from the CG there's been a fair few games I've thought sensibly I shouldn't / don't want to attend. But then I remember the feeling of NOT being there..

Fethiye, never been there before, I'll actually be flying during the 1st leg but will hopefully find a pub for the 2nd.  Incidentally last time I watched us play in the POs in a pub on holiday I was in Florida & we beat Charlton.

Viewed as an idiot by the Sky armchair fans, a plastic by STFC season ticket holders, and a loser by the victorious opposing fans isn't the best feeling but hey, you are right Singing iiiffy, winning at Wembley cannot be experienced in your front lounge however good the camera angles.

Nope, not doing the playoffs whatsoever.

Whoever ends third in the league should get promoted.

It's all a fucking con. I hate Wembley...

new song for play offs sung to the same tune as city fans sung about us.
fuck off swindon town
were not staying down
flint says yes yes yes
flint says yes yes yes

It makes no sense.

That said, it's a football chant and sense isn't always high on the criteria.

You all can justify you actions WRT the club. There are after all regular posters to this forum who never or rarely go to games, to those who never miss a game. For me a fan who has been following town home and away since the early '70's I feel entitled to my decision, after all I have helped keep a club going in it's darkest hours for most of you young punks to enjoy. At this moment in my life the hard decision to relinquish our three ST was a tough one. With a young lad who trains on Saturday and plays on Sundays losing 3/4 of your week end to football is getting tedious. And I could not make the lad and Mrs go week in week out.

I have been to the old Wembley twice to watch us and twice to the new one. Give me the old one any time, the old Wembley was a treat to savour as you had to achieve something special to get there, nowadays the FA are in so much debt they fucking have to play everything they can there to pay for it thus IMHO the specialness of the place and the occasion are greatly diminished. We will be back at Wembley sooner rather than later as history has shown us irrespective of whether we get there this year or not. Can you see the malaise?, I also feel there are many who feel the same.

My going will have no baring on the outcome of the PO final should we get there. The added unsaid complication is we have promised our son we'd go camping that weekend, fortunately he's forgotten about it so far, though I will make good the promise if he remembers in time to book something.

Its your choice; but it took us 17 years from Leicester (which I missed) -> Millwall to get back to Wembley. I'm 41 now, although I very much plan on being here when I'm 58 I'm not taking the risk!

I do get what you mean about the weekends, on a home game for me:
Sat: footy training 10-12, nip home for lunch, Town 1:45 -> 5pm, Swimming 6:45->7:25,
Sun: match (home) is 9:30->11, then finally some free time! Away games can really knacker your day..

Goodness knows how much more time is taken up by football for the coaches.

Still it is working for us. And the lad only has one game left now, so it'll be end of season tournaments and a wind down soon.

Next season got to find an U7 team for the youngest.

has your face forgiven you yet for cutting off its nose

I've had a few really good donations for the streamer display since yesterday. I think I can get around 500-600 so far which is a great start!

I've also had some people tell me about how they've bought some, which is great.

Im just imagining all the grumbling in the arkells when an old folk gets hit in the head by a roll of tissue....

I have bought 2 packs. will use 6 at home leg, 6 away leg I reckon!
#turningtownredandwhite

Haha. Good shout. I'll talk to the club and see if we can do it at home, too. They only look impressive in a huge group though, so I'll see if we can have a few hundred away then a few hundred at home.

Someone is suggesting we don't do it at the away leg if we play United due to the colour clash.

Surprised we need 'permission' as such.

With regards to away leg, god hope we aint in purple! Have a feeling chesterfield might nick a win at Sheffield!
Fingers crossed

I'm crossing my fingers that happens too. Saying that... Chesterfield have been on a bit of a roll of late...

It's no so much getting permission, it's more letting them know. When we go to away games we have to ask to use them, so why not at home?

What role have they been playing?

Hahah. Good spot. I'm blaming error that on my current bout of manflu.

Sheffield Utd wore red & white stripes at Tottenham in the cup this season. Could Town not wear white tops at Bramall Lane?

I don't go often these days but the apathy on this thread towards the play-offs is remarkable. These happen once every 5-10 years if we're lucky. Surely the days we work towards as fans when going to shit games and in shit seasons. Not judging anyone, just think it's shame. Is the apathy generated by the manager? Or "poor" end to the season? Other major social factors that are wider than being a football fan?

We've just had our best season in 20 odd years (95/96?) and there's talk of taking Less than a 1000 to a play-off semi-final against sheff Utd.

All a bit sad really.

An anti-climactic past couple of months - hopes/excitement were high and we've had to keep adjusting expectations downwards. Plus the fact we've been to Wembley a couple of times within the past few years (so it's not "once every 5-10 years") and we know it's shit. And very expensive.

You have to realise that the majority on here are non-attending, grumpy halfwits.

Thank God they are not representative of the fan base as a whole.

We're still able to round up our share of plastics for a trip to Wemberley

If we got promoted there I wouldn't care how shit it is.

Tickets on sale Thursday for our home leg.

£15 for Town End

£19 for side stands

Very good

+ nearly every town fan I know thinks we will definitely not win the playoffs.

It strangely looks like our fans have been a bit spoilt with their wembley trips. the can't be arsed to go because we've been before and we will go again view point is incredible, we support SWINDON TOWN! Wasall have just been for the first time in their history. Similar sized to us. I think 20 other teams in this league would bite your hands off to get to wembley playoff final this year, but not us? Thankfully its a minority from this forum.

You need to note that a lot of those who go to Wembley are tourists, or the wives etc, of regular Town fans along for a day out.

Which is why say for the Millwall game we took 30 odd thousand, and get 8-9 on a good day at the CG.  Once the novelty wears off, especially factoring in the shitness of the place and cost etc, it's understandable.

Well of course not. But I don't think I'm alone in feeling an impending sense of doom at the prospect of another expensive wasted trip to Wembley. If we get there, I'll still go, of course I will. But I won't be travelling with the sense of anticipation and relish that I did for the bobble final, more a sense of obligation

Most people on here had completely written us off before we played Brentford, and that could easily have gone either way.

You're absolutely right and that's one of the things that gives me some hope - despite all the hype about momentum etc we'll be going into a 3-game tournament with all slates wiped clean.

Agreed - in defeat.

We don't know that the new Wembley would be shit if we won though, do we?  In my view, it would be bloody good value for money.

It's ALL about the result, innit? 

No one moans about Town's comical surrender of a 3 goal lead in 10 disastrous second half minutes when we beat Leicester City at the old Wembley, I know that much.

No, I still think it would be shit. But a LOT more enjoyable at the end/on the way home

When their third went in I don't think I have ever felt so utterly gutted at a game.

Thank fuck for Steve 'Tripalot' White!

not forgetting David Elleray

Not shitter than Colchester though, Shirley

(http://i.imgur.com/iFmCqKu.gif)

Is 1st leg likely to be televised?

All play off games are televised, although both first legs kick off at the same time so not sure if they'll be different channels or one will be accessible through 'the red button'.

It might end up being Sky Sports 1 and 3 or something. It'll be announced in 2 or so days.

Helpful links:

http://www1.skysports.com/watch/tv-guide/05-05-2015
http://www.live-footballontv.com/live-football-on-sky-sports.html

Interesting article

http://m.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/32417417

It's fair enough describing us as minnows....but including Burnley, does reveal a total lack of knowledge about English football which renders the article meaningless.

They've based it on the relative size of the actual towns - not the club's history.

Strange then, because Bournemouth is a bigger place than Southampton, Portsmouth,  Brighton etc

Brighton and Portsmouth are bigger than Bournemouth by population. I take your point about Southampton though.

Exactly Bormuff conurbation is massive, 400,000+

No it's just shit lazy journalism....plenty of it about.  Bormuff squad cost about 10 mill to assemble in transfer fees, not stupidly massive by Championship standards, but surprising for a club in admin 6/7 years ago

I see in today's Adver, in next fixtures, they've got us down for Sheff Utd in the play-offs, despite it coming down to this weekend.

Chesterfield it is then.

I see 2nd leg tickets are already on sale, a day earlier than originally advertised

I thought this was quite funny. There's a few people on Twitter trying to get them to open the Stratton Bank for home fans.

They are.. and I can't buy a ticket for my own season ticket seat online!

Tomorrow morning it is!

I'll be getting mine on Sunday.

Remember to get your streamers to join the away end display at the Play Off first leg: http://www.partyonup.net/6-red--white-crepe-paper-streamer-roll-swindon-supporter-pack-6935-p.asp

If it's Chesterfield we should just give them the Bank a la Charlton 2010. They won't sell the full 3400, they'll probably struggle to even fill the Bank.

I'd love for the bank to be for home fans, too. 50/50 would be interesting ;).

Don't think the shrivvy road turnstiles are usable so that won't be happening.
P!us be a struggle to sell out the other areas of the ground as is

They''ll be taking around 4000 to Sheffield United on Sunday so is it unreasonable to suggest they'd bring half that here for a PO second leg?

Genuine question, guess locality and tv coverage would bring that Sheffield figure down somewhat.

This, even with the cheaper prices. Can see there still being seats availe when we play the 1st leg and result of that will influence whether we sell out.

It is when the game this weekend is a local derby.

Chesterfield fans are probably the most up for the POs
We have been treading water for a few weeks and the blades not a great deal better off
Franchise customers may well be gutted on missing out on autos ( if all goes well ).

Some of it will come down to what the first result is. If they're 3-0 down, some will give it a miss.

Southampton And Portsmouth are both bigger places than Bournemouth

Goes without saying and also the reverse for us  >:(

Who from the forum is going to be going to the away leg, then?

Who is bringing streamers? I spoke to the company and they've made like 2 or 3 sales :P. I have had enough donations to make a good impact but the more the merrier. If you're coming and able to spend a few quid, please do if you can :)

http://www.partyonup.net/6-red--white-crepe-paper-streamer-roll-swindon-supporter-pack-6935-p.asp

I'll be at the away leg, will probs grab some streamers before we go

If we play Sheff Utd then surely you don't red and white streamers??

bring you own bog roll

We've spoken about this, but I'll need to order my giant batch of a few hundred today for them to arrive by the game. Monday - Thursday isn't enough time to order and get black & pink ones to arrive.

From this point of view I'm hoping we play Chesterfield. The players and everyone will know it's us.

Everyone will know its us anyway, because it'll be in the away end. Plus we are red and white. Makes perfect sense. When would an away team change their flags/displays because of their kit?

I know we have in the past when the L&P guys did it. But personally I'm not a fan of changing our colour display because we're away. Throwing pink & black streamers and singing "WE ARE THE RED & WHITE ARMY"...

Or nick it from the away end bogs

Great idea.

I'll be following their scoreline religiously during our game on Sunday.

I'm planning to. I just hope it's a better day out than it was in January!

Such was the volume of bog roll acquired from various sources, that ended up adorning the back of goals during the 60's....70's, that Franny Lee saw a business opportunity and set up a bog roll manufacturer.  It made him a multi millionaire when he flogged it in the 80's.

Franny, was quite the innovator, more or less single handedly, or should it be leggedly, introducing diving into English football.

Tell me about it. The only highlight for me from that game was tagging along with a group of Town fans out on a Stag do in Sheffield after the match...

Am going to try to fly over for the first leg, but given the venue will only be known on Sat and Monday's a Bank Holiday, how are Sheff or Ches going to manage ticket sales with 48 hours' notice? Hope I'll be able to pay by phone and pick up at the ground, but queues are going to be monstrous… Has anything been mentioned about how ticketing will be managed?

We won't even know on Saturday. We'll know on Sunday.

There's been no mention of how ticketing will be managed as of yet though. I'd tweet @ClareScarth or @STFCStore about when/how to get your away ticket.

True. I'll leave tweeting to the twitterati, but do let me know when you have an idea. It's going to be messy trying to issue potentially 20+k tickets in three days. Might need to get to the ground early.

Ours are already on sale so it wouldn't surprise me if theirs were too. But I don't live in Swindon, so if I order mine online on Monday, I'll have to make my way over from Bath just to pick it up from the ground...

I might get on the blower to some mates that way and get them to collect mine for me.

Got my tickets today.

They just state play-off semi final, so they don't have to wait to know who we will actually be playing

Know its off topic,

cooper will be changing the formation for sunday, Hilton, Williams and Smith front three.
Wes, Gladwin and Luongo all out injured. Branco back in.

 ???

Probably time to start a new Pre-Match Orient thread then ;)

Sorry, thats my first post, new to this.

But yeah, probably time!

Nandos was my highlight!

We went to a pub (Walkabout) for a few, had pizza then went to a punk & Motown club night. Pretty rad. Might do something similar this time around.

I'll be there provided I can get tickets...I don't mean pay for them (I expect it'll be fine)...I mean actually get them...if they're not on sale until Tuesday, this could be a problem.

Yeah, I know what you mean. I'm hoping we can collect them from the other ground... Although STFC do post them out.

For obvious reasons, I'm not sure I'd rely on a first class stamp to get it to me...Collection at Sheff or Chesterfield would be handy.

I picked mine up from the Sheff ticket office last time I went up there a couple of years ago. Hopefully can do that again.

Yes you can. Just select 'collect from Swindon Town' on the online system. Those that are not collected are sent to the away ground. Sometimes you have to ask at a few places at the away ground, eg enquiries office, kiosk etc. I've done this successfully about 10 times this year as I've left getting my ticket too late but wanted the loyalty points.

This is handy to hear. But I have a mate in Swindon ready to pick mine up if needs be.

I can't wait for it. Oh by the way, I could really do with some other people putting a few pennies into the streamer display if they can. I want to make it a very powerful sight. Get some below:

http://www.partyonup.net/red-crepe-paper-streamer-roll-81ft-359-p.asp

Watched Derby v Reading today. Derby had to win to reach the POs.

They were, and have been for a while, fucking dreadful.

Wally decided to change the system they had been playing all season to 4-4-2 today and they were all over the place.

So, for those who bang on about Cooper changing our system at this late stage . . . be careful what you wish for.

We've got a secret weapon ready for the POs, I reckon - Jermaine Hylton.

You just watch!

Hylton has been excellent in his cameos, it's almost like we speed up our play with him on and he gives the other players a bit of a lift as well with his energy and enthusiasm.

£12 for away tickets for this. Incredible pricing.

I'm just ordering a few hundred Red & White streamers for this, I know we're Red & White and I've heard that a lot so far ;).

I'm also tempted to buy a few hundred balloons and save some streamers for the Town End on the Monday night. Any thoughts?

You posted this like it was fact. Don't do that.

Balloons last longer than streamers...

Actually, Jay, you could just get everyone to bring some newspaper pages in, tear them up and it'll be just as good, and a lot cheaper for you. It worked for the Ossie Wembley playoffs...

Just seen a friend of mine (Burnley fan) post on Facebook: 'Football League One Preston... or FLOP, for short'..

Hee hee..

Brammal lane said a firm no on balloons. And I'm expecting peopel to bring old newspapers anyway, they won't need any encouragement from me on that.

That's a bit of a blow !

Very deflating news

That news is going to go down like a lead balloon.

Thats popped that idea.

I've cancelled the half time show by Nena.

Oh well, balloons are getting super expensive now due to inflation.

Buzzing for this now, really think it's our time! Come on Town!!!!

Anyone able to buy tickets online yet?

Nope. Not showing for me yet!

This has probably been mentioned loads of times but I can't be arsed to go through all the thread to find it. I need to get a couple of tickets for Thursday but I'm up in the north west so ideally would pick the tickets up at Brammall Lane. I can't see an option to buy online so do I need to get on the phone to the ticket office tomorrow and request for them to be left at Sheff U for pick up?

nah still no sign online of away tickets

I just ordered mine.

Online?

Online tickets have just been released. But if you order them online and don't come and collect them, they'll send them back to Brammal Lane for you to grab.

Yep. £24 for 2 tickets. Not bad at all.

Yep. They're up for me too.

Woohoo that's me sorted, £38 for 3 adults, 2 kids... Bargain!!!

So... I had a funny realisation last night after a few...

Yesterday watching the Watford and Burton away ends on the FLS, they had giant inflatables that were yellow, like Bananas. I was thinking, what giant RED inflatables would Swindon fans be able to use?

Here is a hilarious list:

Parrot: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/75CM-INFLATABLE-RED-PARROT-TROPICAL-HAWAIIAN-PIRATE-JUNGLE-ANIMAL-BIRD-/261333600396?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item3cd8b2488c (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/75CM-INFLATABLE-RED-PARROT-TROPICAL-HAWAIIAN-PIRATE-JUNGLE-ANIMAL-BIRD-/261333600396?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item3cd8b2488c)

Lobster: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fun-Inflatable-Blow-Up-Red-Lobster-20-Fancy-Dress-Party-Events-All-Occasion-/141364655338?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item20e9fd74ea (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fun-Inflatable-Blow-Up-Red-Lobster-20-Fancy-Dress-Party-Events-All-Occasion-/141364655338?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item20e9fd74ea)

Chilli Pepper: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/15-GIANT-INFLATABLE-RED-CHILLI-PEPPER-NOVELTY-FIESTA-PARTY-TOY-FOOD-VEGETABLE-/261639572176?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item3ceaef0ad0 (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/15-GIANT-INFLATABLE-RED-CHILLI-PEPPER-NOVELTY-FIESTA-PARTY-TOY-FOOD-VEGETABLE-/261639572176?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item3ceaef0ad0)

Red Lightsaber: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/INFLATABLE-LIGHT-SABER-SWORD-LASER-FANCY-DRESS-COSTUME-PARTY-FUN-KIDS-ADULTS-NEW-/351373311231?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&var=620484849906&hash=item51cf7b3cff (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/INFLATABLE-LIGHT-SABER-SWORD-LASER-FANCY-DRESS-COSTUME-PARTY-FUN-KIDS-ADULTS-NEW-/351373311231?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&var=620484849906&hash=item51cf7b3cff)

Beachball: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/INFLATABLE-RED-10-BEACH-BALL-SWIMMING-POOL-CHILDS-PARTY-HOLIDAY-GARDEN-TOY-SEA-/221631907283?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&var=520489074999&hash=item339a4a85d3 (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/INFLATABLE-RED-10-BEACH-BALL-SWIMMING-POOL-CHILDS-PARTY-HOLIDAY-GARDEN-TOY-SEA-/221631907283?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&var=520489074999&hash=item339a4a85d3)

Shark: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/24-GIANT-INFLATABLE-RED-SHARK-SEA-ANIMAL-BLOW-UP-TOY-KIDS-PARTY-INFLATE-/391045673344?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item5b0c237180 (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/24-GIANT-INFLATABLE-RED-SHARK-SEA-ANIMAL-BLOW-UP-TOY-KIDS-PARTY-INFLATE-/391045673344?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item5b0c237180)

Red Arrow: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Humatt-Red-Arrows-Inflatable-Aeroplane-Plane-/271853105281?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item3f4bb53081 (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Humatt-Red-Arrows-Inflatable-Aeroplane-Plane-/271853105281?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item3f4bb53081)

Guitar: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Inflatable-Blow-Up-Rock-Roll-Air-Guitar-Music-Instrument-Toy-Party-Holiday-Kids-/171522974463?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&var=470543434322&hash=item27ef90e2ff (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Inflatable-Blow-Up-Rock-Roll-Air-Guitar-Music-Instrument-Toy-Party-Holiday-Kids-/171522974463?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&var=470543434322&hash=item27ef90e2ff)

And one for Mass: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/INFLATABLE-AUSSIE-KANGAROO-BLOW-UP-FANCY-DRESS-KIDS-PARTY-70CM-AUSTRALIAN-FLAG-/161085791179?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item2581761bcb (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/INFLATABLE-AUSSIE-KANGAROO-BLOW-UP-FANCY-DRESS-KIDS-PARTY-70CM-AUSTRALIAN-FLAG-/161085791179?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item2581761bcb)

Feel free to buy and bring some of these... hahhha

Celery anyone?

I have actually found an inflatable celery...  :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick: :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mix-Fruit-Vegtable-helium-foil-balloons-supershapes-/351139507757?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&var=&hash=item51c18bae2d

Just ordered 2 adults over the phone for away game.
£15 each with £4 booking fee.
Early this morning could not see these on the on-line ticket link.

You have to collect them on the night.

Nah, I'm old skool me.

Link for away tickets now on line.

Yeah, I enjoy the bag of celery too. That was more to see if someone actually makes an inflatable celery.

anyone remember flipper at Torquay during the promotion season of 2007 ?

Got 12 for my "lot" today. Absolute bargain. Be nice to think we'll get close to selling the 2,500 but I won't hold my breath.

how many points with a season ticket please?
sure theyll be plenty to go around for GS too anyway.

Just ordered 4 on-line for £36.


Has this been confirmed anywhere.

I really don't want to have to come down to Swindon to get them

A ST is 260 pts, so will be enough for you to buy 2 tickets

Great, thanks.

The bird from the club shop tweeted earlier they will be at Sheffield for collection, twas on her own account. @clarescarth
She will tweet tomorrow from @stfcstore account where to pick them up there

I see that Sheffield have only been allocated 2100 tickets for game at county ground ( only 950 on Stratton bank).anybody know why?

Thought it was 950 arkells rest in the bank  :hmmm:
Neither area to full capacity

Edit

Meanwhile, Sheffield United have been allocated 950 tickets in the Arkells Stand and 1,200 in the Stratton Bank for the second-leg.

http://www.flicwiltshire.com/STFC/Town-given-allocation-of-2500-for-semi-final-first-leg-.aspx#.VUeBxJpwZDt

Edit x2

Unfortunately I do not have the correct privileges on my account to buy these tickets. I'm guessing this is because I'm not within a certain radius of Swindon or whatever. Will ring the ticket office tomorrow, hopefully they can sort it out.

ST holder ?
Only on sale to those today
General sale tomorrow

That usually means you don't have enough points. Are you a ST holder?

Presumably an initial allocation, with more to follow if they're sold? Don't see why we wouldn't give them the whole SB.

Which makes me wonder how much we make out of finishing in the play offs. I presume we don't get much financially from the away leg, but let's say 13k turn up at home, with an average ticket cost of maybe £13. That's £170k. Plus TV money, radio money(?), programme sales, memorabilia... We're talking well over £250k even if we lose. Minus costs of course.

They've sold 550 so far.

Suppose some are waiting to see the result of the first leg first - 0-3 by the way!

They would only have gone on sale today too. Got a bit of time yet!

Anyone with a helicopter going to this from Bath? Think even finishing early at 4 I'm going to struggle to make 7:45 kick off...

Ah, that makes sense. No I'm not a season ticket holder, only get to away games up this way really. Will hopefully be able to pick up a couple tomorrow then  :D

Nope its split between all of the clubs, you only start to make a few quid if you get to Wembley.

 I presume the PO winner makes more mullah than the 82ers got for winning the League.

Even getting to the final should give us a decent financial boost for next season.

Maybe that's been the masterplan all along - promotion via the POs boosts next year's budget!

Yeah, right!

I've heard people say this genuinely; that Power/Coops had told the players to underperform or to not try too hard in the last important games of the season so we got more £ (presumably the players all went "yeah all right then")

Some of our fans  :doh:

Let's hope it's true. :D

How would that even work?

*Edit. Oh wait, yeah. I see now. Never mind.

True!

I've also been told by a Taxi driver who once carried Don Rogers that the reason is we dont want to go up because Power can't afford it.

*i didn't mention that a lot of town fans have met/know Don, my Dad used to live next door to to him
**and how the hell would he know anyway
***and it's also obvious bollocks

Was this Taxi driver a Leeds fan by any chance? I got a taxi a few weeks back to the game and he was saying how our chairman can't afford for us to go up... RIGHT.

"I've also been told by a Taxi driver who once carried Don Rogers that the reason is we dont want to go up because Power can't afford it."

Now this one is nuts. Since when has it been mandatory for any owner to spend more money if they get promoted?

He wasn't, but I think I know the guy you mean. Think the last time he took me to the CG he spent the entire journey slagging off STFC and calling me mental / stupid for going. Horrible bloke.


I suppose if redevelopments are needed there's a cost involved. But yeah, it's utter nonsense. It's the sort of thing you read in the Adver comments, it's quite astounding when you hear someone say it in real life.

I hope you treated him to a lovely blast of "six nil on aggregate"

Ha ha, that old chestnut. I'm surprised the Honda story did not get an airing.

That's the trouble with Taxis. They're expensive enough as it is and I couldn't have walked! You just sort of have to smile and nod and mutter "wanker" under your breath..


Which one's that? I'm sure I've heard it before.

Every time the club has missed out on promotion the club is per ported to have told the players not to try because they can't afford it. Honda were going to pump money into the club but the board vetoed it ('80-'90) era.

Anyone going up from London?

Looks like I will be able to get the time off now but with train tickets extortionate it would be good to share the petrol costs...

Ha, it's good to know that nothing changes.

Interesting (it's not really) my Dad told me recently the company he worked for thought about sponsoring Town once but chose some horse racing thing instead. Turns out being associated with a football club in the 80s wasn't desirable, who'd have thought it? It's those unambitious managers..

I am, but via Swindon where my car will be full. I'm doing the home leg on Monday and can help you out there if needs be.

I just re-watched the semi finals against Brentford.

Regret it now.

Ah ok, think I'm sorted for Monday but cheers anyway.

I had a look.. Prices were crazy. I think 16.15 to Leicester, change and wait 10mins for the 16.30 St Pancras-SHeffield and splitting the journey between Leicester and Sheffield worked out a fair bit cheaper thAn peak time London-Sheffield, if that's any help.

512 sold for this so far

Thanks but the major issue would be getting back, with the last train at 21.50 it would be very tight and if I missed it I would be fucked!

I'm not sure if this is amazingly embarrassing or good exposure for what's getting organised...

http://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/sport/12930330.Adver_rallies_behind_fan_campaign/

please note: the photo wasn't my idea. ;)

1st game milwall at wembly, day tripping glory hunter :girlgiggle: good work

'notoriously quiet'
oh dear. what a sorry label to have...never used to be like this.

Haha. I was following religiously a good few years before but it just never happened before then. Dad could never come with and being in Bath I didn't really know anyone to go with so coming to a game never really happened.


haha. That's not word for word what I said, but you can't deny the County Ground has been rather quiet of late.

Im in London for the day with meetings. Looking at trains I dont think ill be able to get there,

Any Swindon fans in London fancy meeting in a pub somewhere?

I think Langers is looking to get up there from London, so if he can't make the trip he'll be Londonwards.

There will be a meet up. Currently it's in Sloane Square, I'll post exact location when confirmed.

Yes Duke of Wellington Sloane square for the first leg, Landlord is a town fan.

great stuff, thanks guys

Just ordered my ticket. Presume I'll be able to pick it up before the game rather than at Swindon?

Was planning to get the train but it went up from £24 to £34 overnight so I'll be driving instead. Parking suggestions warmly welcomed.

There's a car park right outside the away end that we used last time, cost a tenner I think.

Double check with the STFC box office, but pretty sure they said you can pick tickets up from their ground.

I'm 100% sure they'll be sending the tickets to Brammal Lane if they're not picked up from Swindon.

Tickets not collected from the CG by midday will be sent up to Bramall Lane for collection.

See you in the Duke of Wellington Bevanoli.

I realise local news budgets are tight these days but does Bassam only own one shirt?

Just picked up tickets from the CG. Hardly anyone there.

Well done Jay!

So will you be organising anything for the home game?

Just balloons, the 12th man banner and whatever streamers are left.

Baboons, baboons!

994 sold as of COP Tuesday.

Us?

Might be a good excuse to get the Fjortoft banner out, what with it being against another old club of his...

Again Jay all I can say is well done and keep up the good work.

I'll be in the Town End so I will need two people to help roll it out on the day.

Tickets bought, driving up tomorrow. It's going to financially ruin me but still excited :)

Also, you can definatley pick them up from sheffield, right? Was a bit concerned it said 'collect from swindon only' on the booking page...

The site says "All tickets must either be collected from the STFC Store at The County Ground before midday on 7th May or at Bramall Lane"

http://www.swindontownfc.co.uk/news/article/away-play-off-ticket-sale-details-2435627.aspx

Cheers, I saw that but then when you get to the booking confirmation screen it says tickets to be collected from stfc so thought it best to check!

Cooper's words :)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32592146

@STFCStore: Ticket collections at Bramall Lane will be situated at the away ticket booth on Bramall Lane

So I'm supposed to be getting these boxes to Brammal Lane somehow...

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CEUyrYCUIAAXwZR.jpg)

Hire some sherpas. They could do with the extra cash at the moment.

One of these ?

(http://i866.photobucket.com/albums/ab225/mark_woolhouse/Sherpa_001_zpsjar2uhdd.jpg)

That advert raises more questions than answers.

What can it take? What is 'it'? Why is the van parked across the tow path (and, if I'm not mistaken, in the way of the lock gates)?

I used to drive a Sherpa... with a sliding door!

Because its a BWB van and thus working on the canals. It would not be blocking the lock gates, as the balance beams would open away from the van on these tail gates.

Horlock07 (former British Waterways employee!) - although my Sherpa driving noted above way way before my BWB time!

Would a sherpa have been a suitable vehicle? It looks quite big for waterways work.

If anyone is getting some songs going tomorrow night, I think this should be one of them:

McEveley!
McEveley!
If she don't... I'll tickle her... with Jay McEveley.

He's still a legend to a lot of us. Should get a good reaction.

If James McEveley is a 'legend' in the minds of anyone then it goes to show how overused that phrase is.

Sorry.

I reckon you could get away with writing bum on here without getting banned.  ;)

For lack of a better word. I couldn't be bothered to write "He played a lot for us and played a lot of consistently good performances and was a solid player for us the entire time so he deserves a bit of love from us"

Better?

How about one to piss off the 82ers?

"We dive, we cheat
Our players have two feet
Swindon Town
Swindon Town"


I'll get my coat...

Chelsea fans completely discredited the word 'legend' when they applied it to their racist captain in banner form.

So use it however you wish, it's utterly meaningless now

In comparison to using the word legend? Yeah, it's much better.

I felt a bit odd calling him a legend, but I gave into laziness.

Pubs. What are the ones we're heading to?

Good mate of mine is a big Blade. Reliably informs me to avoid anywhere near the ground, particularly on London Road. The Howard and the Rutland by the station seem to be the best options.

I think that's where I went ...good grub too....you look up to it from the station and cross the carriageway.

Would have been in the duke of wellington, Sloane square ...but have taken the day off and driving up from Northampton about 3ish..... Happy to provide lift for any town fan needing to get there

Are there generally a few town fans in the duke for TV games? Been meaning to go but either been elsewhere or at the games.

There will be between 20 and 30 tomorrow, Ironically the landlord will be at the game.

This is the first play off game in 25 years  that I won't be watching at the ground.

Feel rather sad, but based on my record at away matches over the last few years, it could well be a good thing!

I hope the streamers or whatever go well Jay.

Didn't know you London Reds met up in that Pub. See you all tomorrow.