Thetownend.com

Seems the trust are pushing for us to take 5k to Cov on March 19th

http://www.truststfc.com/5k-to-coventry/

 :hmmm:
Not sure where they plucked that figure from as most we have taken there is 3k.
Might be doable if there was subsidised transport, ie an old time football special

My local match

I'll go. Never been to the Ricoh. Really enjoy the away games, much, much better than the home games

Here an idea: why don't we try and boost are own fucking home attendances! What a waste by the trust

Train from London is currently 10 E/W. We took nearer 4k in the 2-1 win after they opened the gates! Do agree though we should be trying to boost home attendances.

Absolute bullshit from the trust try banging the only £2 for an under 11 admission at home games and flood all the primary schools nursery schools soft play and any cub youth association with e mails and posters all over the schools including youth football clubs(there are thousands of kids registered at youth football boys and girls and at least 600 kids in Melksham alone and that's 27 miles from Swindon) anyone successfully involved in marketing would explore your current customer base rather than try to jazz up an away day to improve a competitors income .Amazed that stfc don't try to increase income,interest and the community spirit and leave it to the trust ( if I was Lee power with his £1 million % businessman interest I would be asking why we don't maximise our product and produce better financial results with such an easy target ie youngsters)

We'd need to be pushing p/os big time to get 2k. If we are 14th we'll take 500-750

Out of interest, have we ever (last 20yrs) taken 5k to a standard league game?

1k will be a surprise

How many did we take to Cov when we were doing well and won in the last minute?

Epic away day that...

I'm going, and that doesn't happen very often !

3pm - Cov V Town
8pm - Fra V England in the pub
Later - crash at my nephew's house

Wouldn't have thought so...you'd need a bigger away end than most lower league clubs have, it to be reasonably local and for thegame to be a key promotion battle.

Think the author might have a problem with exaggerating numbers, if they think Coventry is 90 miles away.

Just over 3000. New ground, doing well, PDC.

'5k to cov' is a phrase we'll hear in ricidcule in late march.

PDC had gone by then. Sure that was KMAC's first game.

It was.  Jed leading the ROOOOOAARRRRRRRR!.

But yeah lets work on getting an extra couple of thousand on our gates rather than fannying around with stupid figures at away grounds.

It was. My bad. That last min winner plus the equaliser at Brentford almost killed me. Point is that season had a different feel to it altogether and we managed 3k.

The trust could pick their battles more wisely, but generally do a good job.

25 mins from uni by train. Ideal

We dont even sell out Oxford away so this is all a bit of a waste of time

Lots of people avoid oxford games like the plague, as you never know what will kick off, from either set of attendees.

OK - I'm going, never usually go away

Back in "the good ol days" at the Manor i would of not missed it for the world.
Segregation ,all seater stadiums and over zealous stewarding has killed the atmos.
(tin hat ready)

Well that initiative has been greeted will all the enthusiasm of Vigs rolling it out to a man-marked Branco or Turnbull.  

For chrissakes Trust, Get it Forward!

Would be useful to have a Trust mover and shaker on here to explain and motivate as the idea feels a bit random and for the target 5k seriously underprepared.

Last time we took 5k for a standard match in the last 20 years - Reading?

Fair play to the Trust for trying to drum up some numbers for a positive day out - and it's hardly either / or in relation to promoting home games too.

I think the official number given for the KMac game at the Ricoh was 3,000 - but given the chaos and the extra section that was opened it was more like 3,800.

Last time we managed 5,000?  How about Villa in the Premier? 

Funnily enough it wasn't too long after another huge number turned up at...Coventry.

So why on earth should we not aim high and take an impressive number?  Many of us occasional away fans have had few decent opportunities this season...so let's get on with it!

Only match at all I can remember is Fulham in the FA Cup. Would be fairly confident we've not taken 5k anywhere else this century!

Seem to remember we took 5k plus to Brentford. Think it was a Easter Monday  fixture? It was impressive though I'm sure we lost . :sherlock:

Also what about the time we played Gillingham in the playoffs at Selhurst Park? Now that was an army!!

Even for an eternal optimist, this looks a bit daft.

We've not taken 5k to a league game in my lifetime outside of the Premier League.  We rustled up 8k for Man Utd away in 1996 in the league cup and we've had the odd important game where we've been doing well and managed 3k plus,  but not a chance of this happening without some huge subsidies and promotion in place.

Brentford's ground isn't big enough for 5k away, even on the occasions where we've filled the away end and spilled over into the side stands.

Much better would be an effort to replicate the Birmingham home game in 92/93 where tickets were something like £3.  Sadly it was 0-0 and freezing cold.

Now I need to search this? We definitely out numbered the home support without a shadow . Maybe other oldies can help me?

Not knocking the Trust but even the most optimistic of our resident happy clappers would struggle to see 5000 as anything other than a non-starter. Realistically I don't see more than 1000 travelling unless we are in the top 6. Ffs we barely mustered 500 for Millwall in October.

Umm !!!

May 1979 O my Swindon moment? Seems like yesterday ha!

Brentford tie 8 May 1979 crowd was 13320 easily more town than home fans (away end was all terrace at the time not the 2 tier stand)Blackburn 1990 play off was near 5k .Arsenal away 1979 estimated 8-9k in the clock end terrace and wolves away semi would have been the same if all the town fans could get in!

That's how I feel about it... desperately short of decent away games this year... So a few of us are going now....So much negativity to this initiative - no wonder people are afraid to try new ideas...

Afraid to try new ideas? Like going to Coventry!  :girlgiggle:

No doubt a lot of people will go to this match anyway due to its locality compared to the rest of the treks this season. No doubt about it, if we took 5k it would be fantastic, but let's try and push any campaigns towards our own ground and try an initiative where by you end up financially supporting our team than some foreign owners in Coventry.

This has got to be our closest club this season hasn't it?..

I'll be going but realistically speaking unless the club subsidises travel, we will be lucky to get to 2k. 5k would be bloody brilliant but can't see it happening

Its for a regular game though, this was a playoff final. We had about 2/3 rd's of at 18500 attendance iirc. We had the big terrace down one side.

Not a bad shout, certainly a good turn out. That was our last trip to the MadStad, seems like a lifetime ago.

Haven't been to an away game yet but this is the closest one for me (and many others I'm guessing) so I might try and get up there. We won't get near 5K though!

Get off the Trust's back and support the team

5k? Don't want to knock the trust but jesus this is a bit silly. Half that would be nice.

I think even the biggest optimist realises we won't get 5K, but it might drum a few peoples interest and add a few extra to the attendance. If our form continues to go the way it has been (and whisper this quietly) we could, potentially, be in with a shout of the top 6 by the time this game comes around. I don't think this will be the case, but it's not impossible and it would certainly attract a few extras.

Everyone has pipe dreams I suppose. No harm in it.

I think 5k might be a shot too far but 4k is achievable. If promoted enough people may turn up as so many others are. Also promotion this early means people may save money for this game as opposed to potential other away games.
Closest ground probably this season (bar maybe Walsall or Millwall?), could get 5k if on a really good run at the time.

Took 6000 to Fulham in FA Cup 2010 didn't we?

Fuck me was that 6 year ago?
I remember Henshall was on the bench and hoping he'd get on the pitch and save us as he was supposed to be our great hope!

And look how far he got.

According to Wiki he's still at Ipswich. Never plays though, weird how he hasn't been loaned to a league 2 team

He was and he was shit

I love this.

Saw what they were doing and I'm all for it! Yeah, probably not going to get 5K, but if this even makes a dent in getting a good number to rival our 2013 attendance up there, it'll be worth it.

I think they've gone for Coventry because it's the nearest (or one of) away days this season. Plus, if form continues, it could a really good game that COULD mean a lot in terms of the table...

Besides, the reason why they haven't done anything at home is because STFC are very difficult to get anything going. I know I've tried to do some stuff and gotten nothing out of them for weeks. I know that's the case when it comes to the tickets for school-kids. It's up to the club, really.

What's the point in berating them for this initiative? We haven't had a 'huge' away day this year, so why not make Coventry it? Nice big away end, nice stadium, not *that* far, we usually get a good last minute goal against them.

I know I'll be going and getting as many people as I can to come with me!

 :beers:

People do realise the Trust isn't "them", it's "us" right? The negativity on here aimed at people who are actually getting off their arses and trying to do something positive for the club pisses me right off. And if you don't like what they're doing, get involved and do better.

Seriously, people really need to start giving the Trust some credit. They've done great work over the past year, and show signs of making a real difference if we get behind them. I can't pay the club at the turnstile week after week, but I give the Trust £6 a month as a Bronze member to support their projects, something practical I can do to be a bit less "plastic".

Just a thought for those out-of-towners who want to be a supporter in more than just name.

And mine is a tenner per month. Come on, dig deep chaps.

I might have to go back and amend my post now...

I'm getting involved helping them out with graphics and some bits and pieces hoping to drum up support for the idea. If anyone else can, get involved! :)

Great post, I completely agree.

This isn't some sort of secret organisation that refutes all communication or dialogue (not that I can think of any companies who run a business like that). Surely if you have a better idea, go for it. Get in touch, make suggestions. Don't just moan because 5k is too high a figure.

Really depressing that. The club really don't have a clue when people are volunteering to do their bloody jobs for them.  :crash:

I'm an out-of-towner now... I'm not even sure if I'm still a member! I'll up my donation as I now struggle to get to every game.

To be fair to the Trust, this initiative definitely increased my want to go to the game. Before it was a ".. yeah I could go to that". All they need is to achieve this with 4K others who were probably in the same boat!!

A few Trust board members are normally half way along the Town End on Saturday matches from 1.45-2.45 mostly advertising the Red Army Fund, but will discuss anything that is asked.

You can also email them at [email protected].

That's their prerogative, I guess. It's hard to think of it from their point of view though. Most of us would happily work in our evenings for no pay (some do) for the betterment of this club, but I guess we're fans. For some of them it's just a job, or even a 'favour for a mate'.

So in that instance it's easy for them to just say no to something if there's no clear indication that they'll make any money out of it.

Here in lies the problem - our average home attendance is between 6,500 and 7,000 ish at the moment (excluding away fans).  You are talking about mobilising around 70% of those people to going.  It is not impossible, as previous cases have been noted, but in every instance this becomes possible it requires a significant incentive - Man Utd, Premier League opposition in London, Cup Semi Final etc.

Having a goal is a great thing, making it at least achievable is imperative to ensure you don't end up with the sneering brigade out in force.  Lets say they go for 3k instead, and do some work with the coach providers to get local business to sponsor them for that game, then you are onto something because you create a sense of "something" to be part of.  3k is also possible without those huge incentives needing to be in place so you may well create momentum a lot more easily.

We struggled to hit much more than 5k season ticket holders when we were offered a once in a lifetime rate by Fitton.

It's not a bad idea, just that early signs suggest lacking in planning and a realistic aim.

Good post fella fair play.

Oh, and for the record, I think some of the stuff they do is excellent.  The roof on the bank only makes sense if the plan I think they are going for is in the pipeline (essentially running that stand to replicate their recent promotions for schools) - but I'm not clear if they've confirmed the overall strategy on that?  Bu that and this idea aside, I think it's all been well conceived and delivered.

Maybe 5k will go, most likely not, but the point more people will attend and the 'car pooling' site the Trust have arranged is making it easier/cheaper for our own fans to travel to a game.

Crucially, unlike, say, putting a roof on the bank, this doesn't cost the Trust anything, other than people's time, that they give for free anyway.

 

So are Coventry helping the trust with this then if not what's to stop this being done for some home games which would in turn raise revenue for us rather than another club?

I do fear there may be some chance of the roles of the Trust and the Supporters Club getting blurred?

Anyway hope its a great day out.

I don't know for sure, because as I was living away, I didn't get much chance to go during the Premiership season, but didn't we take 8k or something to Old Trafford ?
(or was that in the cup ?)

Cup in 1996 . Paul fucking Scholes scored the winner, back when he was still a striker.

Got a puncture on the way home.

Loved the stream of cars at about 12:30am along the 417 from Birdlip heading back to Swindon.

A lot of day trippers/Man U fans went to that one. Not complaining, but its a bit different from Coventry in the league.

I prefer it when there are less, more room at the bar! Was a pain in the arse PDC L2, we kept selling out and I could never get a beer at half time. Burton, Stevenage, Northampton, Aldershot and Dagenham spring to mind (although daggers may have been the year before)

Agree, for normal league games I think Reading was the best in the last 20 years. I remember we took a fair few to Stoke around 2000? Last game of the season and we were staring relegation in the face towards the end of it. However Bristol Rovers managed to secure the last spot before that match by losing all their games in hand.

I doubt if we've ever took 5k away since the premier season. Not including cup or play off games.

Didn't we take 4K to Coventry for Kevin MacDonalds first game in charge?

Officially it was 3000, but there was definitely a lot more than that.

I went to that Stoke game. Sat behind Ian Woan!! Didn't think there was 4000 there! Does their away end even hold 4k? U normally only get half of that stand behind the goals!

I was there, we packed out that whole stand. Their attendances weren't as big those days. Think we got dicked about 4-1, O'Halloran for us IIRC. We were the first league game played at the Britannia actually. Won 2-1, no idea who scored as I was only a kid, but good to ruin their party.

Reading away was brilliant too! Would love another away game against them, they're my local team nowadays.

That day at stoke was crazy.

I vaguely remember a tom jones look a like being on the pitch?

It's not unusual.

Mornin' all.
I sit on the Trust's board now so, though I'm not sure I count as a 'mover and shaker', I thought I'd quickly pop on to explain.
This is very much an effort to simply get as many fans to an away match - one of the club's closest and quite possibly most attractive for occasional travellers - as possible. Yes, the 5k figure is silly but it's not really a goal that MUST be achieved. But fuck me would it be good if it was.
It's not taking up much Trust resource to put together, it's not costing any money from the RAF fund to put together and it's just a daft notion to try to get supporters talking about going to an away game. In all fairness, we know 5k isn't going to happen but it'd be great if, in encouraging such a ridiculous attendance, two dozen kids encouraged their folks to take them to an away match for the first time.
For those who are saying 'why waste time and energy on this when you could be going out into schools?' the Trust has been heavily engaged in efforts to get more youngsters through the County Ground gates for many months and continue to be active in that initiative right now.
A lot of ideas to bolster home attendances and CG experience have taken a lot of effort to get through the club, but the board will continue to put ideas to the club and hopefully get a good response in time.
If the car-pooling option to games that has come up from the 5k to Coventry initiative gets a few more people travelling, taking their kids etc, then this has worked. If people want to ridicule it come March 20 then that's okay with us. Hopefully, if you can make it to the Ricoh on March 19 you'll join us. If not, no worries. It's only an idea.

Can you give me a lift

Good post. I've had a titful of those who knock the Trust tbh.

At least the Trust is trying to encourage people to follow the Town which is more than the club is doing.

Without meaning to sound overly negative, but by setting a target that is almost certainly impossible, you invite criticism when the target is inevitably not met. Pointing out that fact is not knocking the Trust.

I would fucking love us to take 5k to Cov, mind.

It's better to aim high and miss than aim low and hit.

It has to be a relatively high figure otherwise no one would bother.
Psychologically, if someone says "let's raise £100" you're going to be more likely to donate than if they said "let's raise £20". In that case you'd just say sod it, they'll get that anyway so I don't need to get involved.

Exactly.

I don't believe any true Town fan would be negative towards an attempt to get more Swindon fans to an away game. Some people on this forum clearly need to cheer up and get a dog/girlfriend/hobby.

Aldershot was packed. I remember one of their stewards saying that we were a bigger handful for them than when they played Man United at home in the cup the same season.

Most have married and now have kids. Hence while we are all miserable gits.

Many moons ago, the TEF was a different atmosphere.

I'm not sure there's a lot of evidence to project your situation onto the TEF collective...

This

Just going to throw this out there, but isn't the maximum allocation for away fans around 4,000?

There you go, there's always someone that goes and ruins the party. Bloody realists.

Are you trying to reach out Si? I can see what you are calling out here. We need to understand the upside. Please keep us all in the loop.

(You can berate me in person tomorrow before the match for taking the piss  ;D )

I don't think they'd struggle for space to move the netting along a bit.

Won't take that many anyway so no issue.

Personally I think the trust should concentrate on home games. Not that I'm anti this cause of course, unrealistic as it is.

I won't be attending tomorrow Talk Talk. Just to cover all bases I'm sure you can have some banter with the other #lads

I would imagine away allocations are agreed months in advance with the local bill and stewarding levels arranged so its somewhat more than just moving netting.

I think a lot of our midfielders share this opinion....

Don't the away team (us) have to pre purchase batches of tickets as well - creating some risk on buying too many - hence why we sometimes see lower numbers available than an away end may be able to hold.  That doesn't stop teams from selling tickets on the day though, but you create a potential blocker if the club are not involved, I think.

The initiative is a good one - Sam's message suggests there won't be any engagement with the travel providers though (beyond the car sharing bit), think that might be a miss opportunity to push this with sponsorship.

Relevant board members are having conversations with travel providers - but I don't want to go about making promises we can't keep.

Ha, yep. We knew there'd be criticism or doubt or piss-taking. Par for the course. As you say, if by some stroke of peculiar luck there were 5k fans at Coventry, it'd be one hell of an afternoon.

I can promise there have been plenty of efforts to improve home attendances/experience etc and those efforts will continue. Hopefully we'll have a breakthrough there eventually.

Top work Sam. If it happens, the more the merrier.


As a general rule I think we just sell tickets on behalf of the away club and don't have to "buy" in advance. Can't imagine Coventry will be any different given how big their ground is. Think some clubs have operated this policy in the past but only when the ground is likely to get close to selling out. i.e. they could sell some of a particular block to home fans instead.

Basically if 5,000 want to go then I'd be very surprised if they aren't allowed to. Can't see Cov wanting to turn down the extra income either.

I wish that Sam wins the lottery/befriends an oligarch and takes over STFC and provides free travel to all away games, including return flights and hotel for expat fans.

Depends if they're pushing for promotion still

Yep, not sure where I got that from, although a quick look at the rules may explain I'm just thick:

34.2.2    Clubs are required to sell tickets for their away matches if required to do so by the Home Club and similarly Home Clubs are required to supply tickets for their Home Matches to the Away Club for sale by the Away Club to its supporters if so requested by the Away Club.  These tickets are to be made available on a sale or return basis and must be ordered by the Away Club at least five weeks before the League Match to which they relate.  The Home Club must deliver those tickets to the Away Club at the latest four weeks before the League Match to which they relate.  Where any match is arranged at shorter notice the above steps shall be taken as soon as is reasonably practicable.  Visiting Supporters should also have the same opportunity to take advantage of pre-booking discounts that apply to home supporters.

Does provide the issue of us needing to advance order them though.

Oh - and we are entitled to 5% commission for any sales of tickets STFC process for away fixtures, so this could make the club a small sum (v small).

I assume they will be selling on the day at Coventry anyway which will negate the issue - I have never bought tickets for an away game through the club always just buy at the ground. Only time I ever did was away at Blackpool donkeys years ago (Invincible missed a last minute penalty!) and the club would not sell me a ticket over the phone as I wanted it posted to a Lancashire post code!

I am not sure what is stopping the Trust trying this for various home games (possibly to try and get the gates up for unfashionable games!?) it would be more financially beneficial for the club?

Anyway should be a jolly day out an to take 5k away would be some achievement at this level (or in fact noting our historical travelling support) at any level!

In short, nothing is stopping us. The Trust have tried/are trying to bolster home attendances but have found it harder to sort out 'incentives' to get numbers through the gate for one reason or another. Hopefully that'll change at some point. If it became a little easier, then you'd get to see the fruits of the labour of a number of board members on that front.
There have been active efforts to stage another kids' event, like the one held for the Fleetwood game last season, for several months with precious little success. It's not something that the Trust can do alone - whereas we can at least state a daft target for away fans, try to help with transport and persuade the local media to push the campaign.
Honest guv, we're trying.

 
 :dito:  :plane: :pint:

In the meantime, if you aren't following the Trust on Twitter then you should be, as they're giving away a brilliant prize to one Town fan tomorrow, it was provided by some bloke called Sam. He seems alright him.

https://twitter.com/TrustSTFC?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor

Sam mouse head please spill the beans. You have tried to increase home crowds incentives but they have not worked out for one reason or another What reasons please ( stfc owners?????) .As per my previous post is £2 kids is it really that difficult to engage with club fans and some media outlets to increase income ( power is million % a businessman)surely more turnover will make the club look a more saleable asset .Conspiracy theories aside I fail to understand why the club does not FULLY engage with the community .And mr power if you are reading this please don't refer this item to Steve Anderson as we all know when you say that it is to deflect criticism from you and eventually it gets forgotten about .Fitton wray may have got lots wrong but they at least tried to engage with the community ? Now you have nothing to lose Sam (without slandering yourself )please step up to the mark and prove you are the man we all thought you are by answering

Oh and by the way I am all up for a good away day but am starting to question the power business plan ( which previously I did not )Maybe it's me being emotional (the top 2 lottery sellers at  stfc in the late 70's have died this week 1 from Calne 1 from Melksham they raised over £1k a week even then )so anyone in business not looking to increase income and PROFIT makes me suspicious .Sometimes it makes me wonder wether we would have been better off folding and starting again ?Ownership of a ground and any other facilities ( the club not owner) are the key to success .Rant over stfc forever coyr

We can increase attendance by 1,000 by getting 1,000 Nationwide employees to buy 1 child ticket to a game - they can buy them for £1 a game for every match.

Definitely a bad move bunking off those English lessons at school

Bet he feels the same about you. Even after you hassled him on the train to (I forget where) Peterborough?

It was Posh and it was a brilliant combination of both Internet and actual stalking. Ahead of its time in many ways, and deeply troubling in others

There's a good article in the Adver about this today:

http://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/sport/14250977.TRUST_MATTERS__Adver_is_on_board_with_getting_us_sent_to_Coventry/?ref=twtrec

If you're looking for a way to get to this one, someone mentioned a £20 ticket by train if you go in a group.

Also, the Tap & Barrel are offering coach tickets for £10 until March 1st.

Can't wait for this.  First trip to Coventry for over 20 years - the last one being the mid-week game in the Premier League where the police/stewards were caught completely on the hop when 4,000 Swindon fans turned up.

Andy Mutch last minute equaliser, and we celebrated like we'd won the League.  One of my all time great away day memories.

Son is home from university that weekend so we might be able to make this:)

Thanks for the info.
Regards.
Pc plod.

Yeah no one would have told them about that. They'd have had to have come on the TEF.
 :hmmm:

Ha ha my fav live tv game. Coverage cut on 89 mins and then we saw that smug bastard keys with a glum look. I knew then we'd equalised before he said anything :)

If the likes of me are going - and that's a definate, then there's no reason why most of you lot can't go

And I'll be coming virtually straight from the Gold Cup

Love to but i'm working for sure. Went for the 2-1 great day out.

Mini bus going from here....

Hopefully have quite a few there.

I was sat in the living room on the sofa with my dad watching it.
The feed cut out then a few seconds later I jumped up and cheered. He looks at me with an odd look and I just told him 'we've scored' the feed came back on and we had.

Wouldn't believe it - if I wasn't involved, strange.

Definitely coming to this one now, quite looking forward to it! Even if we don't make 5K, it should still be a decent turnout.

It's getting a lot more people to consider going than if they did nothing, im definitely going to this and really looking forward to it. Missed the game when we won 2-1 with 3800 odd there so should be good fun

I'm up for this one. Got a car load. Should be a proper away day !

Last minute filler game as Leeds got got called off I think.

Terry Yorath was one of the studio pundits...

This will be my first game since Wembley. Can't see us making 5k though.

Dunno if it's been mentioned anywhere but SAS travel doing the first 6 coaches for a tenner for this game, good deal

SAS? Who needs SAS when you have the tap!!

i think i'll be going to this. went to the 1.2 game which was brilliant. atmosphere was something else

Have we started selling tickets for this yet

I saw the Trust tweet them last week regarding the #5KToCoventry campaign in the hopes they'd be able to help and CCFC got back to them saying they'll look into it this week, so I guess it'll be nearer the end of the week?

We've been given an initial allocation of 1,900 for this. But they've said to the club & the Trust they have up to 5,000 available if we require them.

I know we won't sell all 5,000, but if we can get a good 2.5k or 3k again, that'd be amazing!

Any idea what's been sold so far?

~300 last I saw. I know a lot of people are getting paid this week so I'm sure a lot will be sold this week to come! :)

How long have tickets been on sale?

Since Monday I think.

EDIT: Sunday.

http://www.swindontownfc.co.uk/news/article/coventry-ticket-details-2962388.aspx

I'll be getting 5 next week!

Apparently SAS have sold about 5 coaches so far. So with about 75 people per coach, that's just under 400. Plus the 250-odd sold by the T&B last I heard, that's almost a good thousand, right there!

75 per coach? Nearer 50!

Good point. Just checked on Barnes' website and their luxury coaches have 61 seats, but the older ones they use for footy might have more. I don't know where I got 75 from, but it rings a familiar bell regarding their capacity.

Just bought our two

For 75 it would have to be a double decker - I cannot see a fleet of old double deckers making a convoy to Coventry, unless this is part of making it a proper old school away day with wooden rattles and wrecking the train on the way home?

Haha. I was just making a rough calculation. I've tweeted them and the ones that SAS use have 61 seats. 61 * 5 = 305. Still not bad. If they sell two more coaches that'd be 427 one one company + the T&B coaches. Could be a good amount!

I passed through Coventry yesterday on the train, its bloody miles from Lancaster.... I will not be attending!

339 tickets sold as of 16:38 today.

Barnes do have some modern double decker coaches.

We have to get at least half of the 5k target to avoid a huge embarrassment.

I've not bought a ticket yet, so that makes it at least 340.

I was assuming I could just pay on the door - am I being optimistic ?

I think you probably are.  The OS says it's all ticket for us.

Part timer.  ;)

Travelling from Cheltenham with both brothers.  Can't wait for our day out in (historic) Warwickshire's largest town.

I thought about going, looked at the train prices...

As much as I'd like to go (week in/week out), I can't justify it.

Our plan from Cheltenham is to get the train.  But to be honest, I'd be prepared to drive this one and forego the beer if I had to for this.

Im not going. Cant be arsed.

Renewed my season ticket though, so that means im better than most of you

From Banbury? Pff.

Yep :D

They said that when we won 2-1 and panicked and let everyone in free who didn't have one. Probably goes some way to explaining the financial mess they've been in. And the fact we had at least 500 more than the official away attendance.

That's shocking.  I thought he was the Croydon one, and was about to give him the benefit of the doubt.

Get yourself down there.  No excuses.

No the croydon one is the pavement fighter ;) That being said is Otanswell alive? Or is he chewing satans balls?

Yeah Otans is very much alive and well when I spoke to him a couple of days ago and awaiting delivery of his brand new Astra in a few weeks, almost the same car as I got delivered on Monday.

I see this....(http://regmedia.co.uk/2012/02/24/ipad_1.jpg)

I get my ticket for this Saturday :) but TBF the wife has a seminar in Northampton from Thursday to Sunday so we are staying locally that weekend so its silly not go.

I'll be getting my tickets on Saturday when passing through Swindon

Just ordered mine , it's my boys first away game aged 6. COYR

I'm still wondering whether to take my two (same age, pretty much) tomorrow.  I'd also take them to Coventry were it not for the fact that my brothers & I already have this marked down for a bit of a session pre-match.  And we all have marital permission for this!

I would love a pre match session but the lad keeps on like a pair of nuns knickers about an away game, so a decent stadia and good following is too much to say no to.

It appears this game is going to be a lot of little lads' first games! The 'what was your first away game' thread on here in 20 years will be really boring! >.<

I would take him today I always liked going to posh, but the wife is working and my daughter doesnt give to hoots for the beautiful game. Strange girl!!!!!

Pretty sure they only have the one.

Would love to go to this but I'm working in Scotland that weekend. Sounds like a lot of people will be buying this weekend so that should give it a bit of momentum.

You're right they do, back to school for me, or proof read prior to post!  :doh:

You could have said Cathedria...

Virgin seat sale now on. Picked up tickets from Euston for £4 each way. Useful for any other London/West Coast mainline based reds.

This is a bag of shit. Even if we are 1 0 up.

Fuck wrong thread. Says it all.

Continue this run and this game could be huge now!

If we win our next two... Coventry currently lie in 6th place...

I am starting to hate this season even more. I'd reserved myself to an 'off-season' without the play off stress.

Definitely looking forward to the few thousand we take to Coventry!

801 so far sold according to stfc store 15 mins ago

Relax Mr Box. The relegation battle is all but won, now time to sit back chill out and see some young players get a chance.

At the start of the campaign you recognised, that we operate on a sort of 2 year timetable...we should be able to go into next season in a much better state with a number of the inexperienced players we've blooded showing some promise, and key players like Ajose and Obika still under contract, meaning the player churn should be reasonable.

Who are you, and what have you done with Reg?

Has inept and crass logged in as Reg?

Hello all. Quick update on 5k to Cov. The Trust have benefited from a little financial help from Excalibur and we'll be handing out 100 free, special edition scarves to youngsters for the Ricoh trip. Any parents keen on grabbing one for their kids should get in touch via our Twitter or Facebook pages, or emailing [email protected]
http://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/sport/14318497.Young_Town_fans_can_show_their_colours_at_Coventry_clash/
Good to see we're approaching the 1,000 mark with a couple of weeks to go.

Is it all ticket or is there scope for pay on the day? That number after all the publicity a fortnight before the event makes 5k (or even 4k) look a bloody long way distant?

Currently all ticket. Let's face it... did any of us really feel 5k was likely? It's about getting as many as possible to go when usually they'd talk themselves out of it - and bring along sons, daughters, wives, husbands, boyfriends, girlfriends, old friends etc at the same time. I think anything over 2,000 would be excellent for atmosphere. Given it could now be a game of significance makes it a little more enticing.

Would love to go but haven't got a pot to piss in right now - a real shame.

Think 801 with 16 days still to go is a great effort

A very good turnout will be lost within the cynical eye rolling of fans who like to point out such 'failures'.

Looking forward to this now, due to illness and being too busy its my first game since Wembley.

I must admit to being impressed, geekily, when my brother sent through suggested train times - and being pleasantly surprised that Coventry Arena has it's own train station.

A suruban rail network is something that Swindon could really do with.  If you really want to regenerate the Town Centre (and I'm not really sure that anyone in a position to do anything about it does), build suburban stations with parking facilities on the existing lines near Blagrove, Peatmoor, Stratton...and also further east when the Eastern Villages development is built.

Only problem is no trains call at Coventry Arena for over an hour after the game because they haven't got trains big enough to cope with the demand.  :doh:

Is it? They've been out for 2 weeks nearly, can't see us getting a significant amount more...

Go to the casino after the game, then. You might win your train fare home!

was this never built?

Halts on the Golden Valley line would possibly work, at Peatmoor and Purton but there's no way that they could be accommodated on the GW main line, particularly at peak times. GWR/Network Rail run very tight timings for sequential 125mph services and stopping trains would just not work. Not unless they quadrupled the line or built a load of passing loops which is just not going to happen.

Trams would be a better alternative. For example the Manchester tram network is ace, quite a lot of it is built on former railway track beds where they speed up. Think in terms of the old M&SWJR line, running from Hayes Knoll to Old Town with branches into the town centre. That would be sweet.

I did wonder about that, but then thought about Tilehurst station in Reading...which is also on the GWR.  Is the track doubled up that far out (from London)?

Sadly the time for this has passed. After Dr Beeching got to work in Swindon, there was an opportunity for some sort of light railway or local station development.  Highworth branch would have been ideal, The Loop between Old Town and New Town. Stratton Park Halt. The M and SWJ (north) to Cricklade and Ciren ideal for West Swindon and the Northern stuff...and (south) to Marlborough, through Chiseldon. Alas not to be.

Yes, it's quadruple from Paddington through to Didcot where it splits between the Oxford and the Bristol/South Wales routes into double track. Which explains why Goring & Cholsey, Pangbourne etc. still exist and why Shrivenham, Wantage Road, Stratton Park Halt (nod to Reg) etc. have all gone.

Six tickets for my group this afternoon.  This has the makings of a great day out.

Got my one ticket for my group of one today too!

Hey...you should join our group of 6!  We could be a group of 7.

Sorted!

Just ordered my 5
Online ticket site has changed a bit since last used it

Impressed by the prices.  Only £18/ticket.

8 sorted for me...

Great to see ticket sales have passed the 1000 mark. We all have 2 weeks left to invite that friend to their first away game, or try to persuade someone who is on the fence about attending.

In the mean time,
A few of us are wanting to paint up a banner for Coventry to go along with the 24ft flag, the Red Army Banner and any that other fans bring. That little something extra. What would you guys fancy seeing?

We have had a few small ideas, but we'd love to get some outside input.

"THE RED WALL" (this would go really well (if) everyone hold(s)ing up their scarves)
"WE LOVE YOU, SWINDON"
"PLAY FOR THE BADGE."
"ACHIEVE SOMETHING GREAT"
"RED. LOUD. PROUD."
"WE BELIEVE"

Any thoughts or comments, or further ideas?

"THE RED WALL" (this would go really well (if) everyone hold(s)ing up their scarves)
hmmmm

"WE LOVE YOU, SWINDON"
No

"PLAY FOR THE BADGE."
God no

"ACHIEVE SOMETHING GREAT"
Sounds like a lazy middle manager phoning in an uninspiring motivational speech.

"RED. LOUD. PROUD."
Maybe

"WE BELIEVE"
Could massively come back to haunt us.

Could we not just have a 'Swindon Town'?

Woah... is this a banner splinter group?

Appreciate that.

The above were/are very quickly drafted up ideas from friends of/people who help with Town End Displays, hence why we are asking advice from other people who would like to give it.

What's wrong with good old fashioned "Red Army"?

Or a Robin soaring over an Ox as it languishes in the Robins shadow would be appropriate and accurate.

We have the Red Army banner already that we are planning on taking, and working under wraps on a design for the unfortunate likely return of the Pox next year.

Im not knocking the idea, I like it, but they all sound a bit generic like something Reading would do (along with a song sheet). The Red Wall could work, but as tails said may as well just have red army. Other suggestions:

'Salubritas Et Industria'

'Can't help falling in love with you' - probably a bit long but much better than 'we love you swindon'

'Forever in our shadow' over a picture of Ells' avatar.

for me it has to be Salubritas Et Industria as it's unique to Swindon (i assume it is anyway)

We do have a smaller Salubritas Et Industria banner. We weren't too sure about it being the centre-piece of a huge banner supporting the team away at Coventry.

But we'll add it to the list.

"Senses Working Overtime".

I'm curious as to who the ubiquitous 'we' are in this sentence?

Probably been mentioned but anyone going from London on the train?

There are, but i havent been too well and havent kept tabs on the mails about which ones. I'll take a look back in the morning. Normally it will be one that gets in at 12ish and leaves around 6pm back

Many years ago (about 25 or 30) I had some t-shirts made that sold like hot cakes.
Happy for you to rip off the design.

It was a Robin dressed as a bull fighter, with his foot on the neck of a defeated bull.
The bulls head was the logo of the yellow filth.
It said "Swindon are Back" (it was when Macari took us out of Div 4)
So it would probably make sense to change it to "Forever in our shadow" as suggested by someone else

Our group that take all this stuff to games. We have:

- bags and bags of balloons (2000+)
- few hundred streamers
- 24 ft flag
- Salubritas Et Industria banner
- 3m tall RED ARMY banner
- Fjortoft banner
- 5 or 6 flags on poles

The 'we' is our group that regularly attend away games together that lug all that stuff on and off of trains/cars/busses :). It's not the illuminati. Nothing suspicious going on, don't worry.

YEAH RIOGHT YOUR JUST A SHILL FOR BIG POWER WAKE UP SHEEPLE

is that from Euston to Coventry or Coventry Arena?

:D I hope you were wearing Double Denim when you typed that :)

Still got a "I hate Gillingham " badge ,courtesy of giggles. :toocool:

Fucking horrid aftershave that. Don't do it Jayo

Any official update on ticket sales? Last time I saw it was just over 800, but that was a week ago.

1116 this morning as per a tweet from the store.

Coventry lost again tonight, we have won 3 in a row there including the game at Sixfields. You wouldn't expect to keep that sort of run going for 4 years in a row but current form might come into play again.

I must have missed it but why did they turn to shit? Lose a couple of players in Jan?

Nah they signed Jack Stephens on loan
 :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

1118 now at the very least...

Hopefully a positive result on Saturday will encourage a few more to get involved, but that's not a bad return so far.

5k was always going to be optimistic but I think if we win Saturday we could get close to 2k, which is still a good turn out no matter what.

The lad Armstrong from Newcastle has dried up a bit....started the season like a house on fire, but since the turn of the year been less prolific, however the couple of times he's been hot they've scored a 5 and 6.  Only about 19, so going to be inconsistent, but looks to have talent so could cause us damage.

The trail has disappeared off my phone. It will be Euston to the main BR station I got a bit pissed last time and think we cabbed it via some back street boozer near the centre. Paolo 69 will know i'm sure

I considered getting the train from Northampton to the Arena, theres one train every hour going there but no train returning from 4.30pm to 6.30pm and I don't want to hang around there for well over an hour after the game to get back.

The Coventry main station to the Ricoh is about 4 miles.

Casino! :P

I think today's news makes it an easy one...

"WILLIAMS' RED & WHITE ARMY"

I've not been party to the Cockney plans I'm afraid. The station by the ground has only been up and running a couple of years i think. Will probably do what we usually do. Train to Coventry mainline station, drink in the City centre and then a taxi out to the ground and back.

WILLIAMS'S**

Not necessarily. See Rule 2a. If the word ends in an S, you don't always need a second S, as an apostrophe is enough.

http://www.grammarbook.com/punctuation/apostro.asp

possessive on a proper noun is always a s's. If you were to say it, you'd say Williamses

It's one of those things that even official bodies can't agree on. It's an interesting one. I've always done Williams', Jesus' etc. But I guess for where it will be displayed, Williams's would be clearer.

I looked in to the trains a while back.  There are articles on line about the new Coventry Arena station and the stated policy of the train operating company to not provide trains immediately after football matches due to the risk of overcrowding.  Interestingly, they are going to trial having trains call at the station after London Wasps games; and Wasps having recently been averaging crowds of around the same size (14,000) as Coventry City.

All of which means that anyone wanting to use the train to get to games needs to go via Coventry station which, as others have pointed out, is 4 miles away...so too far to walk.  Does anyone know how frequent/reliable the bus service in to the city centre is after games?  I suspect that we'll be driving, which is a shame.

Nice shiny new stadium or not, it does make you grateful for our own centrally-located ground (even if it is a little shabby).  I hope we never lose it.

It really isn't .

 :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

How about "you can stick your apostrophe's's up your arse" :) confuse most people, but not all.

WILLIAMSES'S' RED & WHITE ARMY

Happy?

1,288 now sold

Me? always. I was just pointing out its a banner, doesn't matter what's on it really

1,304 now!

https://twitter.com/STFCStore/status/707916712465854464

How about "We've got the Power" with a picture of supreme leader snorting a line of money whilst crushing Albert Brind with his fist?

 :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

I'd forgotten about him. We should name a stand after him in my opinion. Just so no one ever forgets what a monumental tosser he was.

I'm now going to attend this game, anyone in the Swindon area I can join?

Think there might be about 1300 there with you :)

Aye, I meant someone I can have a beer and sit with! ;)

Was he the moron that put all his smelly old scarves in a box and returned them to the club shop?

1623 according to stfc store at half 4
Why ppl have to keep asking them every hour eludes me

Some advice if going on train. The default route is via Reading and changing trains. Currently this is around £55. If instead you go via Cheltenham and then Birmingham and buy individual return tickets I.e. Swindon to Cheltenham return, Cheltenham to Birmingham return and Birmingham to Coventry return you can currently get the whole journey for £39. A small saving, and if you can get 4 of you going you can get a group saver making it cheaper still.

what's your advice for getting from Cov station to the ground?

You can get a further train to Coventry Arena, but return trains don't start until 1 hour after the match. We shall be busing or getting a cab, it's appropriately 4 miles.

£33.90 on http://www.splitticketing.co.uk

Even better! Worth shopping around!

Got our 7 tickets for our group today. Should be a cracking day out COYR

We are leaving Swindon station at 07.30 whilst the OB still in bed.

do you know what cab fare is like? there's gonna be 5 of us who need to go from station to ground

Can't remember the exact fare but we had a cab full and all chucked a few quid in.

If memory serves me correctly the station is at the southern end of the city centre and the Ricoh is way north of the city, used to take a good 20 or 30 minutes to drive around the ring road depending on traffic

Cheers mate

There's some info about taxi fares and bus 'tips' here:
http://www.footballgroundguide.com/leagues/england/league-one/ricoh-arena-coventry-city.html#aby-train

and here:
http://www.tothe92.co.uk/groundguide/coventry.html

For those that have been before, and tips of where to drink? From the sounds of that write up above, it sounds like it's not a case of get to the ground and find the nearest pub...

Better off getting to Coventry early, plenty of pubs in the city centre.

Yeah go city centre, cab is about £12 IIRC, and then have one or two in the casino before and after, then cab back.

Ticket sales rose quite well after the Millwall game. 1,760 sold as of this morning. Looking likely we should break the 2K mark.

Another 100 sold this morning, looks like we're on for beating 2K. Not bad going.

Is it all ticket? You'd imagine there might be a couple hundred who would pay on the day.

Yep, all ticket.

My Coventry supporting friend says they always sell tickets this way then declare you can buy tickets on match day.

Yeah I have heard this too from a Coventry fan, I think we could have a couple of hundred walk ups on the day.

Still think about 2,200 will be a good turn out.

It happened a couple of years ago. The official figure was 3,000 but there was at least 4/500 more than that, they just didn't count them when they came through the gate.

2048 sold, brilliant effort considering we're 14th in the league. Hopefully push to 2500 would be a good turnout.

3 of us planning on coming from Lincoln area, haven't got tickets though, banking on pay on the day, as we have done before

It's all-ticket for Town fans so you'd be in the home end.

Sleaford Robin...got our tickets today, travelling from Heckington. I would ring the club up and either get them to send them or they will bring your tickets up on the supporters coaches.   :)

So this Coventry Arena station that was finished in January 2016, does it allow fans to go there on match days or not? You can buy tickets for a train that arrives there at 1.49 on National Rail

Small world, I'm picking my mate up from Heckington, will sort tickets tomorrow to be safe!

That would be 7.500 ish :sherlock:

Apparently no trains for an hour either side of KO/final whistle as its a single unit powered coach so can't cope with the numbers expected.
Or that's what I seem to recall reading when it opened.

1.49 should be OK then

Getting there is OK.  Getting away again is a pain in the arse.  First train out of Coventry Arena station after the game leaves 1828.

2,165 sold at 4pm today. If we make a final push to 2,500 that would be quite an achievement.

Lets hope the team turns up.

I bought four just after 4. 2,169. Yay!

2240 Sold as of this morning! :)

Still undecided on this one.  I know it's all ticket, but can I buy online tmrw until 5pm then pick up at the ground? Thanks

Yeah. I think you can collect it from Coventry, too.

Thanks Jay.  Anymore info on the flag / display, or it hush until the day??

We painted one up on the Saturday night after the Millwall game (took over 4 hours). It's in honour of some recent news.

I'm currently recovering from a flu/virus so whether I can come is up in the air  :( :(. But Luke has a banner that will be held up when the players come out.

We just need everyone to remember to hold their scarves up, too.

Does anyone have any advice on away friendly pubs?  Still drawing a blank.  From what I've read online, most (if not all) pubs on Longford Road (ie main road near the stadium) are for home fans only.  Are we honestly going to have to meet up nearly 4 miles away in the city centre to have a beer before the game?

Go on...someone must know.

You'll be there! :D

The Longford Engine was full of Swindon fans last time we had a big following there.

Coventry usually do pay on the day ,last time we went with huge support, they opened up another block for pay on the day !

COYR.. looking forward to a great away day hopefully!

I did a little research earlier today.  All the pubs below are in the vicinity of the ground.  Does not look great over all.  City centre may be a better option for those getting there early on Saturday.

Greyhound
Allows away supporters.  Fair distance from the ground (30 mins walk), but lovely looking pub.

Longford Engine
Conflicting reports about whether they allow away supporters online.  Did not answer phone.

Coach & Horses
Conflicting reports about whether they allow away supporters online.  Did not answer phone.

Wheatsheaf
Landlord does not allow away supporters.

Bull & Anchor
Allows away supporters.  Family pub.  Hungry Horse chain, so not going to be to everyone's taste.

I can confirm the Greyhound is beautiful. Proper old school pub right on the Coventry Canal.

Due to a major childcare fuck up, I can no longer go to this.

I have 2 tickets that are going FOC if anyone fancies picking them up from Hertford, either on the way (bit of a detour) or tomorrow if you live locally.

Don't want any money, just don't want them wasted

What a gent.  Hope they find a home.

Shame that mate!!

Can anyone suggest where to park tomorrow as I have gone on the Coventry City site which is not helpful at all.

https://secure.ricoharenaparking.co.uk/events/view/65

From the "Fans Guide":

Other Parking Options:

The nearby Tesco/Arena Retail car park is well 'policed' on matchdays. Free parking is restricted to just two hours only unless you spend £25 or more in one of the shops on the Retail Park, otherwise if you over stay you can end up with a £50 parking ticket. Stores include Next, Boots and Marks & Spencers, but the minimum £25 spend does not include the Tesco Petrol Station, Burger King or Pizza Hut. You show your receipt on exit. In addition an extensive 'residents only' parking scheme has been put in place for all residential streets within a least a mile of the ground.

There is also a private car park run by Leisure Ireland, located a few minutes drive away from Junction 3 of the M6. It has 200 spaces and is then a 15 minute walk away from the stadium. It advertises as secure parking and apparently getting back to the motorway after the match is very easy. The cost to park there is £3 per car and to find the car park, follow the 'pink arrow' signs/take the B4113 towards Bedworth from Junction 3 of the M6. Fans are encouraged to pre-book their places online. However please note to then get to the stadium you have to cross a rather busy dual carriageway, so please bear this in mind if you have young children or older person in your party. Please note that this car park closes one hour after the final whistle. Closer to the stadium in Oban Road (opposite the Longford Engine CV6 6HH) are two private car parks run by Ricoh Arena Event parking. Spaces can also be pre-booked online and cost £4 per car.

Didn't know this, we have the upper hand!

http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/sport/football/football-news/can-coventry-city-overturn-52-11062657

For anyone going on the buses - any ideas on pubs where they drop us ?

Be dropped at the Ricoh
We plan on walking up to the Longford Engine
Time dependant of course

Ok I was thinking we'd get there by 1? can you drink on the bus (even discreetly)??

Still available to a caring home.............

we are :pint: have a great day all

Just got to The Litten Tree pub in Coventry. About 30 odd Swindon here already! COYR!