Thetownend.com

Just got my ticket. Somebody at the club agreed to let me collect at Carlisle after my half-hour call to Ticketmaster resulted in them telling me I have to drive 200 miles to collect it from the County Ground.

(Prices go up by £3 on matchday, something the OS has failed to mention)

So, on a lighter note, who's going? Rumours of 500+ which would be a great way to start the season.

I'm going. I don't think it'll be 500+ as we've only been allocated 400 or so tickets according to the club. I'll confirm numbers later.

I can't see more than 400 making the trip TBH but would love to be wrong and we take a massive following.

I think a lot of fans "mojo" has still not returned yet after the last couple of years of crap that was served up as football...hopefully that will come back soon with some good results.

I will be passing Carlisle at about 11am on the way to Fort William....that was bad planning on my part, I would have liked to have gone.

457 miles for me + a flight to Penzance - I'm out  :doh:

I think people were adding pay on the day too. The away section holds 2,000 so even if the club only has 400 tickets there'll be room for everyone.

Think you're right about the mojo, but if we do get 500 at Carlisle and get the win I think it'll start to return. At the end of last season I was seriuosly contemplating not bothering at all this year, but steps have been made to turn things around and I'm certainly more upbeat that I was in May.

Fun fact: Duncan Shearer comes from there.

I don't know why I remember that. If only I were have as good as remembering useful stuff as I am at remembering stuff that's useless, I'd have an easier life.

I think this game will be a tough start to the season for us, but high confidence and "winning mentality" will get us a 3-1 win.

My fun fact is that the Roman name for Carlisle was Luguvalium... I've always liked the way it seems to unite the lugu of lugubrious with the chemical cosh of valium. Quite fitting that it should be our first fixture back in Div 4... difficult to get too excitred about it.

I'll be happy with a draw.

Early season is very unpredictable, remember when we opened with a 5-0 loss to Gillingham...

The same day ColU won 7-1 at Norwich.  Norwich still won the league.... Gills went down.

We started off last season with 2 home wins on the spin without conceding a goal!

2009/10 we lost 5-0 to Gillingham on the first game and still got to the Playoffs (Millwall) under Danny Wilson......

I won't take much notice of the result tomorrow, after a few more games will give us some form of idea where the team stands..

To spoil the mood, I'll go with a 3-1 defeat.

I will also be passing around the same time on the way to Northumberland, will give you a wave.

I would definitely have gone, although its not bad planning on my part, more the FL not consulting me on holiday plans when deciding upon the fixtures......

There changed for you.  The last time we won an opener on the road was when Wise was in charge in Div 4.

We went up.

The time previous to that was 95/96, a 1-0 win at Hull under McMahon.

We went up.  The time previous to that was 90/91 we won 2-1 at Charlton under Ossie...the first game after the 2 division relegation, so an odd game.

Then back to 86/87, a 2-1 win at Bolton...we went up.

So an opening day win on the road is quite rare, of course we're home more or less every other year... so 4 in 30 years is more like 4 out of 15.

However in 3 of those 4 it did indicate a decent season.

I'm not going and am barely interested in it right now. Really not bothered by the upcoming season.

How are Fulham shaping up?

There are lots of adverts for season tickets around Putney station

I'd imagine quite pricey... is the Serb still gaffer?   

I will be the one on the M6 in the car waving, you can't miss me....

Yes ours is the yearly holiday that was booked back in January well before the fixtures were announced or even which division we were going to be in was known.

380 Tickets sold so far.

My 11 year old self shouted in my head, 'Nope he's from Fort William' when I read your Carlisle bit. Then I read the whole thing. Congrats you're correct.

Still don't know if we've met. In any case... it would be exactly the same journey for me too  :nod:

Northumberland (along Hadrians wall) is a lovely drive. Won't take long to nip back to Carlisle for a few hours  ;)

oh ffs!


DF | "Kyle Knoyle has got an unfortunate injury. He's going to be out, not sure how long for, but we hope it's not serious."

#STFC

Sounds a bit ACL.. just as well RB is a slot where we have cover.

A better walk. 

http://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/hadrians-wall-path

I've done various sections, and would regard it as a bit bumpy to drive.

Did that one in 2012.
Got cellulitis and right leg nearly fell off.
Other than that, it was good fun.
Carlisle will bring back fond memories of moving around at 10 yards per hour.
Would still recommend it though.

 :)

I had my first foray up that way back in 71. A very different time to today.  The Lakes I suppose were relatively busy, but Northumberland was quite empty, save for a few locals. You could get haggis and chips in Carlisle.

I fell over at Hadrians wall. True story.

I'm going...first time to Carlisle away in, um, 30 years.

But luckily I'm not old or anything, oh no.

That must have been the 3-0 win towards the end of the season. Scott Endersby was in goal for Carlisle IIRC. I was there as well and like you, I am not old  :)

Another non oldie who was there albeit not for the full 90 when I accidentally climbed the fence and got on the pitch. The copper who threw me out was decent though.
Also went there the year we got relegated to Div 4 for the 1st time. 1-1 Beardsley for them, Rideout for us. Even though it was a few years earlier, like Christy and OSt, I'm not old.

http://swindon-town-fc.co.uk/MatchCentre.asp?MatchID=20090144

My only trip to Carlisle. Didn't realise the free kick was deflected!

Talking to somebody yesterday who had to drive to Preston last Saturday, took almost seven hours because of traffic and roadworks!!  Leave enough time guys!

I do that drive a lot and that's very rare, usually 4 hours max to Preston, the longest I've had was 6 hours around Christmas time. Another 1.5 hours to Carlisle. Leave at 7am and you'll likely be there in plenty of time for a pub lunch!

I agree, maybe they were unlucky!

What does everyone reckon Swindon's starting XI will be tomorrow and the formation?

Toss up between Norris and H Smith but think Norris will get the nod. Same as Goddard v Mullin.

SHows we need depth at the back - another LB and CB before the end of August, along with a utility forward (like Woolery) and think we're done.
---
LV

Purkiss
Lancashire (c)
Conroy
Hussey

Dunne
Linganzi
Thomas

McDermott
Norris
Goddard
---
Henry
T Smith
Robertson
Brophy
Iandolo
Mullin
H Smith

I imagine that Twine will at least get on the bench as Flitcroft seems very keen on him?

Think Twine will be used more in the checkatrade and other cup games, same for Tom Smith. They both have been spoken highly of by Flitcroft so definitely will get chances at some point.

Surely must be 4 or so to come if gone so public in saying Starkey/Evans and Ouldridge not in the reckoning.
We already have one, possibly long term, injury. Starting 18 pretty much nailed on Vigs,Purkiss,Robertson,Conroy,Lancashire, Hussey,Dunne, Lingzani,Thomas, T Smith,Goddard,McDermott, Iandolo, H Smith, Norris, Mullin, Henry,Brophy. Couple of kids Twine and Young to supplement that but that's not going to be enough to cope with inevitable knocks, suspensions that will happen before end of August.

I expect DF has two or three in mind, not to mention a couple of loans which inevitably will be used to bolster the squad

There will definitely be some additions but unless he comes across an exceptional player who will greatly improve the team, they will be bit-part or backup players, I think DF has his 11 already worked out and I can't see that changing, depending on where we are in January that may change.

this team looks short of goals. Give it a year and maybe Twine might be player we need but could really do with another forward who can knick a few goals right now.

Couple of injuries and we will be really struggling for injuries at the back. Old lags likely Purkiss and Robertson unlikely to remain fit all season so surprised we not added to defensive numbers too.

1-1 draw

A dull, boring start to our promotion campaign

Could be worse. Carlisle have got 4 midfielders out injured already. Including Etuhu and Kennedy, who's meant to be their best player.

It's strange starting the season without knowing the team. I don't follow results in pre-season but usually we make signings that I know, there aren't as many signings to the 1st 11 and I usually watch a home pre-season match just to see the new ones.

Who ever they are I hope they win! Go with 2-0 town, why not

F*****g Tap and Barrell cancels the coach at the last minute, lots of pissed off people in Stroud

not surprised, bang out of order.

Wow, that's not on.