Thetownend.com

So where are people originally from on here and why do they support swindon?

My family are 4th generation Strattonians.

I am adopted, but originally born in Bath and adopted at 8 weeks.

Dad took me to my first game in '74 and that was it

like it or lump it I have to put up with it

I'm a Town fan

Swindon

My Dads side of the family is pure Swindon and goes back as far as can be traced.....

I was born in Chatham but moved to Swindon when I was a toddler.

Just started supporting Swindon because it seemed better to support the town you have the closest bond with. It probably helped that we were doing well when I started getting into football as well.

I have no family from Swindon.  Mum is from Ireland, Dad from Exeter.  Support Town because I was born here and Dad used to take me when I was younger.

I was not born in Swindon, moved here at a very young age, none of my family were into football grew up Liking Spurs (Hoddle & Waddle era) as they was the big team at the time, used to listen to Swindon matches on the radio though (GWR I think !) until I was really old enough to go to matches on my own.

Used to go with a mate to selected games as could not afford to go regular, quit my Sat job to buy my first S/T so I could go regular - would not know what I would do now without STFC it is like an addiction that you don't want treatment for.

Grew up in Malmesbury, came to Sussex 14 years ago aged 20.

Got taken to a couple of games aged 16 by parents friends, and started going again after moving down here.

Expensive move that's turned out to be. Bastards.  :)

Born here. Gramp used to watch the town and played for the youth team back in his day.

Born in Berlin (My dad was serving in the BAOR at the time) moved around a lot until I settled in Swindon in the mid-eighties. Always had an interest in football, but more playing than watching.

Went to my first Swindon game in '87 (I think) away at West Ham, persuaded to go by a mate who was a hammers fan.

And that was that :D Moved away from Swindon in '94, but carried on supporting Town.

I was born in Oxford JR overlooking the old Manor Ground, so I supported Swindon

I was born in Swindon, my dad supported the Town and took me to my first game in '86

was that the 1nil win when the black fella got sent off, paris i think?

i was born in the same place as birdy.

father was born and raised in county waterford and moved to the UK, mother is from norfolk originally but grew up in oxfordshire.

dad started watching swindon in the late 50s/early 60s when there used to be a bus from oxfordshire which went to matches.

i didn't get a choice in the matter. my chosen team is real madrid...

It was a 1.0 win yeah, can't remember the sending off, which isn't surprising as I don't remember much from games last season :D

Just looked it up and it was actually in '89, not '87.

i was at that with my old man.On that seasons video you can see me behind the goal 8)

Drove up in my dads capri

Come on then Macca you nosey git, what are you reasons for supporting the Town?

Always wanted a Capri when I was younger....................

my mum's from Surrey and me dad is Northen Irish, but i was born in Swindon so i support the town.

family were all city and man utd fans , my first ever game was against Chelsea I think when I was four after that I joined the junior robins and didn’t look back after that

I love this thread its so interesting

I was born in Swindon but Grew up in Calne - my Grampy supported Swindon and so did my dad

My dad took me and my sister to Wembley in 93 on a coach trip with Goatacre cricket club and that was it Ive been going ever since  

incidently my mum is not from Calne - hates football especially swindon town and my dad  :soapy tit wank:

 :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:  :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:  :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

how ace !

Dad's family Scottish - mostly Jambo's apart from my Grandad and Dad (who as you probably already know are Hi-bees).

Mum's family Londoners, Grandad was a Leyton Orient/West Ham fan back in the day, but moved to Carterton and had an unhealthy interest in Oxford (my nan still likes to see them do well, so whenever I see her i always ask her how they got on - she replies she doesn't know - so I reply they lost, they're now non league nan, they're that bad...)

I grew up in Calne, went to my first town match in 86, Jimmy Allan's testimonial v Chelsea, went off and on for a few years until my brother could drive then went most weeks from 91.

Gave up when McMahon turned up, then started going a little from 98 (every now and then), then came back properly under Kingy.

No-one at out school supported Swindon except you and Ian though Jan - all the girls in my year were jealous of me cause Ian used to say hello to em cause he knew I supported Swindon  :soapy tit wank:

My dad's side of the family are all from Alton in Hampshire but my nan and gramp moved here when my gramp left the army in the 70's. My dad's a Chelsea supporter (spit) and my gramp supported and played for Southampton, growing up in Alton they were his local club.

My mum's side of the family have lived in Purton for at least 4 generations. None of them football fans.

I have my uncle (on my mum's side) to thank for getting me into supporting Swindon. He has been going since the late 70's, was (and still is to some extent) a bit of a lad. I think Spencer White probably knows him. He used to take me in the early 90's when you used to get kids in for free on an adult season ticket and then when it was kid for a quid.

Don't tell Ian that he'll be back in Calne before you know it trying to find these "jealous" girls, in an Escott style.

I was born in Kent, Dad was born in Devizes. First game in 91 vs Southend at Roots Hall. We lost.

carterton seems to be a hot bed of STFC support

Same as.And i'm not ashamed about it either,after all wasn't really a lot i could do about it was there  :P

My Grandad was from Pewsey and my Dad was born in Savernake forest,so there is a bit of Wiltshire blood in me at least.Although  there is Berkshire and Oxfordshire in the mix as well.

i'm swindon born and bred.as are my parents and both theirs exept my fathers dad who was a londoner.
my grandad ie mums dad was the only town fan in the family.he died when i was 3 so have no memory of him. my cousins on that side are town fans and they introduced me to stfc as a 11 year old.until then i was a liverpool fanatic.
but i was hooked and its been stfc ever since.will be forever

Isn't that a really really rough area or am I thinking of somewhere else?

born in Oxford and raised in Middle Barton, but my parents were brought up in Burford and supported Swindon.

For a while it was touch and go when i was small cos everyone else in Middle Barton were Oxford fans.

First Game was Swindon v Oxford in '87 (i was 9)
Swindon won 3.0 and the rest is history.

Swindon, and started watching Swindon with a friend.

Came out to go back-packing for 6 months or so and just never made it back.

my ex is from Carterton so yes it's a shit hole!!!

wouldn't say rough just full of squadies who think they own the place which then makes for some interesting nights in the Beehive!!!! :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

Born in Swindon.

Went to 1st game with my mates dad in 86 (I was 10) when we won promo from div 4, beating chester 4-2

Then went with my uncle 'til I was old enough to go on my own and used to go home and away with arriba and others.

Moved to Bath in 97 and have been a part time fan since really. Don't go anywhere near as much as I would like to but have other commitments.

Born in leicester moved to swindon when i was two. Had a season ticket in the late 90's when we were top of division one for a while, then we lost to stevenage and i lost interest and began supporting leicester, because of family pressure and they were doing relatively well at the time. Came back 3/4 years ago for the 4-1 cup win over sheff wednesday, got a half season tickeyt and have been pretty much a full on supporter since

Ohh Magic didn't mean it in a derogatory way as don't know the area, just heard it on the grapevine  :D

no skin off my nose Lady so no harm done. hated the place anyway when i used to go over there.

My paternal grandfather saw Fleming....my father Morris.

  My father bought a house right opposite the ground....I recall seeing the floodlights being built in 1960.....didn't stand a chance.

I was born in Shaftesbury and my dad was Swindon through and through.First game was a 1-0 home win v Orient (as they were known then) in 1968 at the age of 11.Moved to Kent in 1985 and still manage to get to 15-20 games a season

Born in Swindon, Dad's family Welsh, Mum's from London and France.

Mum's family are predominantly London, Herts and Beds, so pretty much all support Spurs, Dad's side didn't really have any football interest.

First Team i supported was Juve, mainly due to not liking Football until i was about 19 (1997) and at that time only had some Italian Footy prog on 4, so fell in love with Del Piero, Zidane et al.

Eventually decided i loved footy and decided to support Swindon. It seemed the right thing to do as it was close and began supporting the town without any outside interest as most my mates couldn't've given a fuck.

First game was against Colchester, a nil-nil, first game of the season, at the start of the Brady/Todd era, hardly missed a game since. I'm just a young gun in the fan sense.  :oops:

Born in London ... moved here at 8 with my parents ... been here ever since ... my dads family have always lived in Swindon so he brought us back here ... my dad is a big Swindon fan ( was there in 1969 ) .. he took me to my first Swindon match in 1979 (after much persuasion) and ive been going ever since (except for the McMahon era where I boycotted for a little while). My dad no longer goes .. thats the ironic thing!

From Devizes originally, started coming to games with my Dad late sixties, drifted away mid 70's to early 80's rejoined at the start of the Macari era

I may know of otans's dad. ?

Mums side of the family from Didcot, dads side Bristol-ish. Dad watched football wherever he was and when him & my mum lived in Harwell, Oxfordshire they started watching Town. They took me regularly from 95 onwards, home & away every week without fail from then until about 2001. We had season tickets in the Kingswood. When you've spent that long doing something you don't stop! Parents didnt get ST's from 2003 onwards so the only way I could get in was as a ball boy, been a ST holder in the TE since 2005.

Born in Malmesbury, grandparents and parents all lived and worked in Swindon.  Moved to Somerset when 6, supported Leeds, it was the 60'S / 70's, until I wanted to go to games.

On one saturday afternoon visit to Grandparents in 1976, escaped with my dad to see Grimsby beaten 3-0. Been traveling up from Bristol on and off ever since.

Born in Swindon started watching town in 1948 moved to kent in 1956 but travelled back to most saturday home and away games until 1973. when I got married and could no longer afford it .Although I have moved around  a lot and I have never lost my love of STFC and even now living in Caister-on sea Norfolk I still manage about six games a season otherwise I listen to STFC World( crap Brunel commentary) .
Like to thank all of you who go to the games and post you coments on here

I was born here, my parents aren't from here and have never really had any interest in football. Went to a few games and have been vaguely following what's going on ever since.

Born in Swindon, family hate football, mum sent me with mates parents to get me out from under her feet

20 odd years later im still here

I fucking love this club I do

Born in Greenock, Scotland (home of the mighty Greenock Morton) and moved to Swindon when we were 4 as my Dad's job re-located.

Joined Junior Robins in 1989 and have been regularly attending Swindon games ever since then.  Consider Swindon my home and love watching the Town all the time, don't think I could ever follow another team like I do Swindon  :D

My mum, dad, grandads, nans, uncles, aunts you name it, all support Swindon! And i was born in Swindon. My dad when he was driving ships got my grandad to send out newspapers clippings of what was going on and the other week gave me all the newspapers he saved from when we were promoted into the premiership  8) So i think his love of STFC rubbed off on me and his passion for the club was contagious! Anyway! I went to my first game when i was about 6 because it was kid for a quid and begged for a season ticket until i got one when i was about 12! Ever since been to every home match, and quite a few away ones too. :D

Thats quality

i was born in swindon. started going to the county ground in the early 60s-bert head was manager. unfortunately moved to winchester 30 years ago but still used to go to all home games and a lot of away.et to as many games as  i can now but not as much as i would like to .

Born and Bred in Swindon 5th Generation Swindonian and 4th generation Swindon Town Fan, moved to Somerset in 2001.

 :shock:

Fair play!

Born in Scotland - most of the family are Rangers supporters but moved down to England when I was 6 months old.  grw up in Malvern which wasn't close to any football league team.  T'other Grandad - Spurs fan - took me to the odd game at West Brom and Villa.  When Hereford got in the League I went with the lads from school for a few seasons. Then it's been a case of going along to support the local team where ever I've lived.  Saw both Bristol clubs on the odd occassion when I was at college but started going to football properly when I moved to Swindon in 1992.  Been going to the Town ever since.  Not very dyed-in-the-wool and romantic I know but no point bullshitting  :D

Born in Swindon went to my first game with my dad in 1983... Moved to Canada but moved back to Swindon. Fan 4 life!

Born in Kent, moved to Wootton Bassett 20 years ago, hated football until I was 12, went to Swindon versus Wimbledon and we lost 4-2, started supporting Swindon from then on apart from a very brief 4 month stint supporting Middlesbrough because of Jan Aage's transfer (I'm not proud of that)

Not born in Swindon and have nno family there, but my old man was a Town fan and took me when I was too young to know any better. I was hooked immediately!

Born in PMH back in 1979, Granddad and old man also born in Swindon and supported the Town. Old man played for the youth team as well, or so he tells me!

Taken to my first game at some point in the 80's, either Hull or Wolves at home and fan ever since. Went to Wembley in 1990 but couldn't go in 1993 as the stupid Scots made me go to school, so I sprinted home and listened to extra time on Radio 5 live. That was one of the best memories of my life going to play football in my town top that evening after we won promotion to the Premiership!!

born in swindon, went with dad and grandad as a nipper. simple

do you have an stfc bedspread and pictures of the players on your wall?
i just picture your bedroom as that way gazza.no offence

No bedspread just a scarf on the wall, mini scarf on the wall, a print of wembley 1990 that has the scoreboard Sunderland 0, Swindon Town 1 Thats it! Am going to buy the 1993 bodin penalty pic from the club shop and the team celebrating the Alan McLoughlin goal though in the 1990 match. Got a mini scarf at work but get the piss ripped out of me at work because I support Swindon whilst everyone else supports The Yids, Chelski, Manure, The Arse etc...

Born Yeovil lived Sherbourne, London,Camberly growing up.

loosly followed Yeovil as a non League team with my dad as a kid.

Came to Swindon at 16 went along to a game with some kiddies from a course I was on.Gradually started going more often and have done on and off ever since.

 What's wrong with an STFC bedspread?

it doesn't hide the jizz

 :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

Makes really good reading,very interesting,was born in Southampton,but parents split up when i was two,so was put into a kids home in swindon with my sister,went to watch my first match v Arsenal in front of 32,000 in 1972,was hooked then onwards,my favourite season was 78,9 when we got to semis in league cup and had a great run in f,a cup losing in a replay to Spurs.Recently found out that my dad was on Southamptons books and played 2 matches at Swindon for the reserves in the fifties.So i will be SWINDON TILL I DIE!!

  Gazza obviously knows about this problem.

Born in Bath, parents lived in Melksham.
Moved to Oxoford, then Westbury. In that order I think.
Come back to Melksham.
Somewhere in there dad took me to game after he and my grandad were both fans.

My Grandad saw Morris play and his family goes back in Blunsdon more years than I remember, my dad's been a regular since the 50s until retiring to Dorest 18 months ago, and I've been a regular since 1990, increasing attendance year on year until uni, and now living away it' s more sporadic.  My mums family are mostly form Dorset so no real pressure to support anyone else.

Lived in Melksham all my life (till recently) and didn't really get into football till I was 10/11, when everyone, especially my best friend, supported Manchester United. I'm still quite ashamed  :oops:

My mums from Swindon, so my uncle is a Swindon fan, and can be credited laying the foundations for my conversion, as he took me to a handful of games between 1996 and 2000. Went on my own to the game against Peterborough, Danny Invincibiles goal had me hooked. Thats when I decided to renounce United :D

Sadly not long after I got a saturday job and went to occasional evening games. Got a half season ticket two seasons ago and have kept on since.

My dad and gramps were both Town fans, my dad was even a programme seller. Stopped going in 1990 for some vague reason he's never clarified. Something to do with Argentina. Have since made him come with me to a few games, the last was 0-0 at home to Blackpool, which I think proved his decision to stay away!

Born in Rodbourne; moved to Bedford when i was only 20 months old. But the family (Dad, Grandad, Uncles etc) supported the Town and when i went to my first match when i was 8 (32 years ago) and i was hooked.

Top idea for a thread Red Macca !

Mummy was a hostess, Daddy was a drunk. Cos they didn't love me then, I turned out a punk......

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=C51x3ixdr7I

From Stroud.


NMH

Lived near Stroud till I was 22. Dad took me to the County Ground when I was 6 in the era of David Moss, John Trollope, Trevor Anderson etc. Then we went regularly till I was old enough to go on my own (he's a Charlton fan so it didn't mean as much to him).

Moved to London after uni and tended to go to more away games than home until 1995 when I moved here. These days I have to make do with one or two games a season and being there for Hartlepool before Xmas made me realise just how much I miss it.

nothing.
its just that as gazza is one fanatical stfc fan. i  imagine him to have alot of town related stuff.

Oh ! I might know you!

NMH

Devizes boy myself, my old man (who was a season ticket holder for a while) took me to my first game in 1994/5 against Luton, 1-1 draw, when I was 6 and took me to 6 or 7 games a season until I was deemed old enough to get the bus with my mates an go ourselves and been going home and away most weeks ever since.

My parents ( Irish ) moved to Swindon as part of the London overspill in the late 50's. I was born in 61 and went to my first game in 71 swiftly follwed by the FA Cup game against the Arse and the rest is history.
No history of following Town in the family but there is now.
I follow them because I'm Swindon born and bred. I'll also die in Swindon hopefully following Town until the moment I draw my last breath.
I don't believe in reincarnation but if there is such a thing please can I come back as a Town fan.

Moved from the wilds of Salisbury Plain in the mid 60`s. Mum was a big Man Utd supporter and took us to watch George Best, Swindon v Fulham ?`76.  Left Swindon in 1980 but continued to attend games when I could. All my sons support Swindon even though they have never lived there.
Nowadays attend more away games due to my sons attending northern uni`s

Born in PMH in '85, bred in Bassett. Mum's from Plymouth, Dad's from Oxford (used to do the old score board at the manor from time to time as a kid) and took me to Town's 4-1 home win against Cambridge in '92 as got tickets through that Swindon Town Soccer School thing or whatever it was (I think?). Then went to P/O final '93 and pretty much loved the Town since.

Was born in Southampton but moved to Swindon when i was younger now live in Trowbridge (full of city fans) most of family supported saints, but i got hooked in 1996 when we palyed the saints and drew 1-1 in the cup. im also a Yiddo mainly because of my Dad.

Ha! Beat you! I made it back from the USA for that very same game  :wink:

Born and bred in Chippenham. I grew up watching the Liverpool team in the 70's win everything - all the kids were Man Utd fans. I begged my Dad, who wasn't a big football fan of any sort, to take me to a game. The silly sod took me to the County Ground, around 1978, against Sheffield Utd, and we won 3-2. That was it really, I was hooked!

Problem was I soon developed other interests that took up lots of my weekend spare time, so I was never a regular attendee while I lived in Chippenham. Moved away from the area in 2001, to Cambridgeshire originally, and started to realise how much I missed watching Town. Made a few away games local to me, and a couple at the CG, but then the opportunity of a 3 year tour (working) in the USA was too good to turn down. I've listened to almost every game during that period, and missed it even more. Now I'm back, and there's some lost time to be made up for!

Bloody hell, mine too.  Small world.

Born: Chipping Norton, three days after Wembley 1969
Bred: Independent Republic of Witney
First game: Bolton home, 2-2 in 1974.  Old Shrivvy Road seats, rickety steps, Trevor Hubbard, black shorts.  Game over.

Grown up on Shrivenham Road right by CG so always followed town :) 1st game I went to was a bollocking from Ipswich, 7 - 0 I think? Where every one started singing, 'Come on Ipswich'. Only 17 though so should be looking at a bright future for town, unlike the uncertainty others would have had put up with.

I could be related to some of you with London connections (is there a statute of limitations for paternity suits?) or had some minor influence on your footballing ability/support. My family are east Londoners, mum and dad in their mid 80's still live in Leyton, and I was born in Forest Gate Hospital near Upton Park and spent my early years living in a Nissen Hut next to Brisbane Road and so became a Leyton Orient supporter. Eventually came to Swindon in 1988 and together with a mate helped run the Junior Robins and consequently started following Town. (Our sons played but both have been lost to Liverpool, at least it's to the red half).

Anyway, having previously experienced financial struggles, best players being sold cheap, yoyo promotion and relegation fights, including one glorious season in the top tier it has been like deja vu with brass knobs on. The plan to find a Russian oil billionairess didn't quite work out as it was supposed to, but the club is in good hands now. And if I have to come back quickly one day at least I'll be able to stay with my long lost relatives now, which is nice.

 That game was 6-0...the heaviest defeat I've seen at the CG in 40+ years,  that's a real corker for a first match.

 I recall sitting up in the Intel stand desperately hoping we might at least score 1, so that it would equal my previousheaviest a 6-1 v Newcastle in 64.

 Not to be though.....Fabian Wilnis, whoi ripped us apart that day, still plays for them.

i'm a relative newbie to County Ground attendance, no-one in my family is a football fan. I have supported Swindon for a while from a distance, having been born in Marlborough, but only last season did I start going to games regularly, thanks to eddiet, and this season I got my first season ticket and have already been to 30+ games this season. love it, love it, love it.

born in reading in 71, moved to grove near wantage in 76, my dad and all his family are qpr, used to go every home game first match  v millwall and it all kicked off my dad carrying me on his shoulders as bedlam reigned all around. was hooked

by late seventies dad couldnt afford to go anymore so my next door neighbur said he would atke me to swindon, first game 78 v rochdale fuck knows what the score was. been going ever since upt o 89 when the drugs kicked in, missed a few years seeing only a few games here and there distinctly remember being on acid in the townend and nearly getting my head kicked in for laughing at a fucking right nutcase. moved to brum and saw even fewer games but did see the 6-4 at st andrews !

moved to mexico and got hooked again, seems weird to get back into it when you are on the other side of the planet but it waslike a link to home. parents moved to swindon in 87 ad they are still there now have converted my dad and he phoned up last week and asked how "we" had got on. ace.

now live in shoreham-by-sea and attend about 30 games a season.

Was born in Wakefield.
My Mum is from the Wakefield area and my Dad is from Blackpool. He worked for National Power in Harrogate until they relocated a lot of jobs to Swindon when I was 3. He took me along to watch Swindon in either 1994 or 1995. Can't remember who we were playing but it was Easter time and Joey Beauchamp was playing, and I think we drew!

Went every so often until I got a ST in the TE with Johno and Duff_Red, sat right infront ok Kinky Tom. Then I got a job, now I'm at uni in London and am making it to whichever games I can!

Same as Birdy and Youthy, born at the John Radcliffe (where i now work), a stones throw from the Manor. Followed Spurs and Leeds in my pre-teen years, went to a few games at Elland Road and got several complimentary tickets for Oxford games, through the soccer schools they used to run in Cowley.

Started going to STFC games in the Prem season and was on-off for a while, think my first full season of going was the 2nd division (now League 1) promotion year, champions under McMahon. Never looked back since, well until this year, when funds have gotten a little tight, but i still follow keenly from afar and fully intend to get an S/T next year. My family (Mum, Dad, Grandad & Brother) all go to 30+ games a year

Born in Swindon.  Went to my first game with my mum who is a big town fan aged 7 in 1976 vs Peterborough.  Went pretty regularly to home and away games until the MacMahon days then became disillusioned with the style of play and the type of players he signed.  I also moved away from Swindon to go to college and for work etc so couldn't justify the expense to travel to games.  In recent years have drifted back to the CG and love it with a passion again.  Most of my family haved moved from Swindon to different parts of the country but we often use an STFC match as the chance to meet up which I quite like.

Forces child.  We moved every three years while I was growing up.  My Dad had a Lyneham posting in the early 1980s during which time my parents bought a house in West Swindon - still a building site in those days.  Moved away soon after but returned three years later for another 6 years (1986-92) and it was during that period, my teenage years, that I started watching STFC.

I have no family connections with Swindon and neither I nor any other family members live in the town these days either.  If anything, the family history is much more closely connected with Reading/Wokingham and the surrounding area.  So while I'm not really very attached to Swindon any more, I'm umbilically attached to STFC - as are several of my brothers and sisters.  Whether we manage to pass this on to the next generation remains to be seen.

If I was am to lose interest then it usually means that I don't stay up until 3 A.M. for a mid-week match. Otherwise I don't miss a match (Over the net of course)

But then I guess that absence makes the heart grow fonder blah blah.

Whoops, I actually posted ^^^ in the wrong thread. Hey-ho.

Good Lord, that's the only period in 20 years of following Swindon that I've seriously considered knocking it on the head!

Born in Solihull, Mum from Swindon, Dad from Brum (blues fan)
First game was Play-off final against Leicester as a birthday present - i was turning 6. I remember going to Town-Chelsea on New years day in 1994, me and my parents were in the Chelsea end for free (uncle was on the gate) and an innocent me went up when we scored (later disallowed) - stern looks from chelsea fans and my parents had to explain i was too youg.

Growing up at school/playing footy in local kids team in Tamworth said i was villa fan, peer pressure, which annoyed my bluenose dad. But still looked out for town results oddly. Got to a few games here and there whenever saw family in Swindon. Interest in town grew and around 2002/3, couple years before the play-off season, i would say thats when i was a proper town fan - rather than just watching out for them.

Came to Uni few years ago, tried to make as many games as possible from Manc, or ones close to home. Me going got my brothers interested more and we (2 brothers, me and my mum) go together now to maybe a dozen games a season and meet family who follow town.

Snap mate, my first ever game was at Home to Peterborough in 1976...Feb 21st 1976 to be precise and I only know that cos its was my 10th birthday!

Happy Birthday John!  :D

Born in JR, and brought up near Witney in the middle of nowhere!

Dad is a Swindonian from a family that came down from the downs to work inside, and I am am the first one for 4 generations not to have worked in the works at some stage. So I had no chance, although had a brief flirtation with Chelsea in 1980 when I started primary school and Chelsea was the only shirt they sold in Giles in Carterton for me to play game in! Mum from Gloucestershire.

First match was v Chelsea in something like full members cup, early/mid 80's I recall that we won 4 nil?

What a great thread.

Swindon-born, Shrivenham-bred, went to my first match with my uncle (a Town Ender for 40+ years - when he died in 2000, Don Rogers came to his funeral) in '73. Don't get to as many games as I'd like now I'm living in the smoke with a missus and 2 kids, but still get the cuttings from the Advert from my old man every week and go to all the London games plus half a dozen home matches a season. Now planning to inflict my love of STFC on my kids...

Dads side of the family is all Scottish and Rangers daft. apart from one rather strange uncle who played in goals for Celtic. Mums side of the family is all Irish. I grew up in Shrivenham, but my dad never took me to watch Swindon. I remember the ricketty old stair leading up the back of the shrivvy road stand and wanting to go. Never got the chance until my mother, who being Irish will chat to anyone, started chatting to Dave Mitchell and became friends. He got me free tickets to Wolves at home i think in 1992/3 season i think. although I remember being on Holiday in florida for the sunderland play off and there was another family from Swindon there and we were calling back every five minutes to find out the score. Was also on holiday at relatives in Ireland for the Leicester game :evil:

When ever my mother moans about how much money I spend on watching football around the world, I remind her that if it wasnt for her I probably would never have gone to see Swindon.

I was born in PMH in 81...
One side of my family is from Marlborough, the other is a crazy set of Polish people after my Gran and Grandad came over after the war and settled in Swindon.  Polish side all nuts about the Town, Marlborough side much less interested in football.
My first (live) game was at the CG v Man U in our Premier league season, I was on Stratton Bank at the front and loved it!  Been going as much as circumstances/finances allow ever since.

I was born in Trowbridge and my old man is from Chippenham -  he has been going to Swindon since the 60's and took me in 1990 (I lived in Germany at the time - forces child) and that was that.

I support Swindon (although my dad has lost a fair bit of the faith). My step-dad supports Aberdeen while my older brother supports Man Utd (supported Swindon up to the age of about 13), my younger bro supports Arsenal and one hates the sport.

I was born in Swindon and my first game was with my Grandad against Southend which we drew 2-2, I think we were in Division 1 at the time. My Dad and my Grandad are Swindon fans I started going properly when I was old enough to go with my mates. Now at Uni I go when I am able to get there.

Cheers mate, :)

Swindonian from birth as were my parents and their parents etc.  My connection with the Town started in 1981 when my Dad took me to my first game and really took off, as luck would have it, at the beginning of the 1985/86 season.  Lived aorund most areas of the Town, schooled at Hreod from 86 to 91.

No other choice on clubs, my Dad was once on the books at Swindon in the 60's so it's sort of in the blood.  He used to get picked up by Eddie Buckley I think, for training.

This really is a great thread as it has led me to discover that Nomoreheroes is an even cooler guy than I previously thought since we have worked out that we went to the same schools and used to play cricket together about 25 years ago.

woop. were mr mann and mr perkins really teaching there that far back?

Swindon born and bred, living just down the road from the CG.

First game against Exeter in '81 (3-1 win), and was an inagural member of the Junior Robins, in '84, paying 50p a game...and haven't missed a home game since.

Born in Longsight Manchester in a family of Stoke and Cheshire desent, lived in Alderly and  moved to Swindon very early, before getting my own place in Lechlade last May and moved to Putney Laandon last December which is a fuckin shithole worst place I've lived so far. Supported Town since I was about 5 as my mum would take me to games as it was the local club and have been hooked ever since.

Oh yes, Mr Perkins used to have an unhealthy facination with boys quad muscle size.

Swindon born and bred.  The old man is a Glasgow Celtic follower, but no other footie interest in the family.

1st match ever in 1983 or 1984 (I forget) against Gillingham - sat in the top teir of the Shrivvy road stand.

1st full season - Prem, as I could not afford it before then.  Missed the start of the Gorman Div 1 season, but season ticket holder since McMuck Div 2 championship winning season.

 :D Perkins is a ledgend!

Born Bradford. Then Reading, Wantage, Harwell, Eastbourne now living on the beautiful Isles of Scilly - cost to get to a game (and back) £200+  :-))(

Supported since 1969 - saw the mighty Don Rogers once and that was it a life punishment  :soapy tit wank:

born in swindon mother born in swindon father born in swindon. 1 grandfather born in london evacuated down here during the war the other grandfather was an american in the screeming eagles based at aldbourne during ww2. my first game was 1977 home to carlisle 2-2.

I was born in Oxford and lived in Chipping Norton all my life.

My dad's family is from Wantage and have supported Swindon since the 1940's. When I was 4 years old I was took to my first match and the love affair started.

i live in oxford but as there is no league teams there i have to travel 30 miles to watch a game.

Originally I come from Liverpool, but have wandered the country like a nomad.
The Airforce brought me to swindon some 20 years a ago, and I've been here since,

went a few times in the premiership days , but it was my lad going to the footy in the community and coming back with match vouchers got us hooked and we have been season ticket holders for the last 5 years,.....and we still comeback':D'

Swindon born but moved to Bicester just north of Oxford at a young age. Now a student located in London.
Dad used to go to Oxford games, but i've never been tempted by the scum.

Good laaaaaaaaaaaaaaad

Was born in Devizes, and my early years were spent in Bromham.
Supported Swindon beacuse they are the only league team in Wiltshire, and so were my local club.

My Dad took me to my first game in the League Cup winning season.
Early memories include the FA Cup game at home to Scunthorpe, Bristol City away (3-3 draw), and the Anglo italian Cup games (esp beating Sampdoria at home)

Around the age of 13/14 I started to go to games on my own, and with mates from School. Used to either get Bodmin's coach from Devizes, or the Rimes (I think) from Calne.

Have been a regular and Lapsed a couple of times since (notably under Rikki Kunt & Steve MacMoan).

Took my lad to his first game aged 2, and he's still a town fan, even though all his mates follow the big clubs.

Have been in Peterborough for about 4 years now, and we get back home as often as we can, and go to the local games to here .

I left Hreod in 82 and had those 2 as teachers, Perkins was a wanker.

What a logistical nightmare of how to find the reasons of becoming a Swindon fan...
Born in Hagbourne near Didcot and my father who was on the GWR came from Haydon Wick. He took me to my first game at the County Ground and that was in 1963 against Portsmouth when Jimmy Dickenson (ex England centre half) made a record amount of appearances for Pompey...later to be beaten by our own JT.
Continued following the Town through some fantastic years and will forever be grateful seeing my "heroes" become greats of their time....
Moved to New Zealand mainly because of relegation to the 4th Division...terrible evening driving back from Newport County after Emmanual missing a penalty in 1982 / 83.
Swindon have had a list of magnificent players from Don Rogers to Peter Noble, Frank Burrows and the late Stan Harland. However, my hero Alan Mayes...Rowlands and Mayes made a wonderful striking force.
Long live STFC....
   

   :)

:o You moved to NZ because of STFC? That's a bit drastic!

dont knock the ledgend that is sir ian perkins  :x

This thread is ace.  Its even got some new/less frequent posters to contribute which is ace.

I remember the 6-0 drubbing by Ipswich Reg mentioned, sat in the Intel with my dad.  My cousin was a huge Ipswich fan so was sitting with the away lot.

Born and bred in Swindon.....

Always loved football - started going to football with my Nan, Mum and Cousin when I was 7 - 31 years ago (ouch) !!

Used to stand right at the front in the old Southside - bang on the halfway line.

My Nan is now 88 bless her - stopped going a few years ago as did my Mum - but she goes round my Nan's religiously on a Saturday afternoon and they sit and listen to it together....

Now managed to get my step dad into it along with my 21 year old little Sis - so us 3 along with my brother in law are all season ticket holders in the Nationwide.....

Samdy Grey....In the late 70's early 80's the feeling towards Poxford was pure hate...working in Cowley and proud to show my colours with a STFC car banner in the winter and Swindon speedway in the summer...Fuck I hated those pricks with a passion...
So, when the Town were relegated and those bastards getting promoted..only way was to emigrate...soapy tit wank
Did come back especially for the promotion play off game at Selhurst Park...and obviously for the Wembley appearance against Leicester.
Last game was at Reading when we won 3-1 ..shit, that was a great day out...
Long live STFC

 :)

Sorry for the random bump, but found this thread fascinating and thought it would be interesting to hear from some of us more recent members.

Personally, I was born and bred in Croydon, but my old man (originally from Didcot) started taking me to the CG from an early age. This was late 80's/early 90's and been hooked ever since.

Haha nice find!

One half of the family is from Swindon, the other from the red side of Manchester. No contest as to who i'd support :)
Although the Mancs of the family did take me to a few United games back in the day, to no avail. Giggs still remains my favourite ever player to grace the football field, mind!

Born in Swindon, Dad took me to matches when I was young (early 90's) not that I remember much. Moved to Ashburton in Devon when I was 7, moved back when I was 12 and loving football I went down to the CG in 2005 and was hooked back in. Alot of my family are STFC fans aswell.

Although it weren't always Swindon for me  :-[ Living in a very quiet bit of Devon, being pretty young and with the only football being on TV and the towns VERY small team (Ashburton mens), I ended up ''supporting Man Utd'' along with my mates.   :-[

I'm all Town now though!

Born in Dorset,lived in Wiltshire(Hindon) dad took me when I was 11(43 years ago)-a one-team man ever since and proud to say my son is as fanatical as I am.Lived in Kent for 25 years but still make 15-20 games per season.

Born In Croydon.

Dad's side of the family all from Swindon and the Westcountry Mums side all from London, dad moved up here when he was 20 but took me to Town games and it was just sort of agreed i would support town!

Born in Swindon, lived in Calne, moved to the darkness of oxfordshire and lived in Carterton and Witney (where a pox youth team player tried to groom me before grooming was invented.  In reality had I not been sensible he would have probably bummed me.  Thats another story).

Lived in Chippenham after that till I went to uni at 24.  Started going to town games around 89.  Was pretty regular until I went to uni.  Moved back to Nam from years in Leicester and Northampton in 2007 so able to go more often.  Glad to be back!

Sorry that was a bit of a life story.

I want to hear the rest of the Oxford Groomer story.

My family were never into football and I moved around lots as a kid. Lived not far from Swindon between the ages of 2-5, so when I got into football aged 9 I picked them and followed them from afar (Germany, Scotland).

Luckily we moved to the area when I was 11 in 1990. First game was Plymouth on New Years Day 1991, a late Steve Foley equaliser.

Moved away again a couple of years later, which meant I didn't get to go to Wembley in 1993, but ended up back near Swindon the following year which meant I at least got to see a few of our Premiership games. Bought my first season ticket the year after that.

Went off to uni and then London for a year after that, but the lure was too strong and I now live 5 minutes walk from the CG!

Born in Swindon and My Great Grandfather (Bob Menham) played in goal for them and rescued them from going bankrupt first time around (circa 1911), so Swindon was in my DNA from the outset...

Ok.  Short story, but he was a mate of my then step brother, probably about 15/16.  I was about 6.  There were houses being built and he tried to get me to go down to the building site with him to show me something on the promise of giving me his watch.  A young lad who didn't know anything about sex I thought, oh free watch.  Id better just go and tell my parents though. 

Lucky I did.  I think deep down I knew he was a wrong un because he was associated with the pox, even at the age of 6.

Didnt see the dirty fucking scummer again!

yes sorry about that, but i did really like your watch.

 ;D :clap:
 :girlgiggle:
 :gay:

Born in Swindon and lived here all my life. Dad's family moved here from India in the early 60's, so i have indian blood despite being as pale as a ghost. First game was a 2-0 home defeat to Man City somewhere in the 90's, got bought tickets week in week out for a few years before my first season ticket about 6 years ago.

My dad's been going for years, still reminisces about the days of terracing and standing on the stratton bank. Never even knew it used to be for home supporters!

Born in Swindon, raised in Highworth. Dad took me in 89/90 at the age of 3 or 4.

Been going ever since.

Similar story to most – my father first took me when I was about 6 and 30 odd years later I still get the same excited/nervous feeling on match days!

Searching through, there aren't many West Wiltshire based supporters on TEF.

Mind you, although I was born in Trowbridge my dad is from Chippenham and my mum is from Yatton Keynell.

I am the only Pullen in my family flying the proverbial STFC flag nowadays.

Born in Swindon and still in Swindon.  As the first born I never really stood a chance of not being taken to the CG with my dad who had followed them since he was a teenager.  First game I saw was 1984 in the old Fourth Division.  I remember the Town End looking really scary!

Had season tickets standing in the Old Shrivenham Stand with my dad, a load of his mates and my 2 brothers for a fair few years in the early to mid 1990s  Went to a lot of away games back then as well,  loads I'll never forget, but one that will remain embedded in my mind forever was winning 6-4 At Birmingham after being 4-1 down.  Still believe those 3 points were the ones that secured a play off place and ultimately promotion to the Premiership.

Stopped going regularly in 2001 when I bought a house and was saving to get married and then my first son was born in 2003, which made it more difficult.  My Dad lost interest mainly due to the way the club was being run and we really didn't go at all for a few years.  Not exactly sure what made us return, the love never ever went away I suppose, but we've been season ticket holders for the last 3 seasons and this season my 6 year old has one as well.  Give it another couple of years and my youngest will be out there too.  People find it strange that it's me that goes to football with him and his dad is at home instead of the other way round.  To me it's his dad that's the strange one, why wouldn't you want to spend Saturday afternoon watching the Town - can't think of anywhere I'd rather be!  :)

born in swindon and have lived in pinehurst my whole life my first swindon match was the wembley match against leicester and ever since then i have always supported them.

as i was only 6 back then i cant really remember much but my earliest memory of a swindon match was the 4-2 home lose to wimbledon and vinnie jones ran up onto where they used to clean the kits to get a ball.

oh and i support swindon because my dad did and i grew up with them from premiership to league 2 until now

had a season ticket for most of the last 30 years.   Dad started taking me in 78/79 I wanted to go cos that's what my big brother was doing.   79/80 season was one of the best, quote 4-3 defeat of Arsenal in the League Cup.   Still see Andy Rowland around quite often, would like to tell him he was one of my heroes.

Started going to away games in the mid eighties, went away week in week out, Grimsby away midweek, Newcastle even though it was live on the box and that kind of thing, until McMahon came in, then started to pick and choose.

69er between 1993 and 1998.   

Town love still going strong.

Born In Reading, Never lived in Swindon, In fact i've never even stayed overnight, and don't even have any relatives who have ever lived there. If I wander more than 100 yds from the ground I get completely lost.

tl;dr

Plastic glory supporter.

Born in Chippenham (I am a Calney though  :)). First Town game a 3-0 win against Oxford in '89 (I never went as a child).
Reading back through this there are quite a few bods with Calne connections; any of you go to JBS in the 80's?  ??? ???

Are Gills your second team?  ;)

I was born in Swindon to a Dad from Swindon and a Mum who was born in Coventry but moved to Swindon as a child. Lived in Plymouth for 3 years because of University but I'm a Stratton boy through and through... Even though I now live in the town centre, I quite like going to my mates on Grange Drive to walk with him up Shrivvy Road to feel all nostalgic!

My Dad took me to see Swindon Town beat Wolves 3-2 in Division 1 in 1994. As a 6 year old child I fell in love with it instantly- I'd never experienced anything like it! Wine gums, the smell of smoke (yes smoking was allowed at football!), shandys at the swiss chalet with my dad... all wonderful to me!

I have some footballing pedigree because Roger 'Ernie' Hunt is my 2nd Cousin. Only met the old bugger once and that was at his book signing in the club shop before Swindon beat Hull 4-2 in 2005 I think? His story post-football is a sad one of alcoholism/bankruptcy etc so my family tell me. Shame when you look at great players like Don Rogers and Ernie Hunt surviving on a pittance yet even average players like Brian Howard live the life of riley and Wayne Rooney's spent more on hookers than Ernie made from football!!

I left in the summer of 1981, so I just made it  into the 80's :)

 similar story to most moved to Swindon from Newcastle and my dad took me watch Swindon and then i was hooked can't remember the first game
However the Same season remember the fucking bastards at Wolves when we lost the semi final and their Goalie took Mayes out when he was through on goal fucker should have been sent off.
We where doing well that season until that game

Born Bradford - lived in Reading, Wantage, Harwell, O*ford (an abboration), Eastbourne & now at last the Isles of Scilly.

Started regular supporting 1970 - missed Wembley 69 cos my dad was ill  :(

Level of attendace has gradually dwindled from all home + some ways to virtually none  :(

Born in Swindon and a lifelong fan since my grandad who was a scout for the town took me along in the early seventies,I cant remember the first game as my memory was not what it was and i was to young, But i do remember getting in free every game.

Those were the days when you looked forward to the smell of cigars because you knew you was at football.

 

Born in swindon parents from Canada dad was in the army. I went with my gramp in the 70's and followed them ever since. did all the home and away when in the prem and also worked as a steward about 88/89. Been all over Europe seen some big clubs but always been swindon. Now taking my son who is totally a town nut makes me laugh as when he hears or see's a oxford fan or player he boo's (i did'nt teach him).

Born in PMH in Old Town, grew up in the surrounding areas... :-)

Born & bed in Swindon area, both parents from Swindon. First game was with my dad in 79, I think a 4-3 win over Exeter. memories of standing at the front of Stratton Bank with a mate while dad stood at the back with his mates. Buying some chewing gum before the game hoping that Jimmy Allen would take one of them at the start of the game, Drifter at half time from the lad with the tray wallking round the outside of the pitch.

After a few years "supporting" Liverpool when they were winning everything in the 70s/80s, I came back to the fold a bit in the Macari & Ardiles eras, then really got stuck in when Hoddle arrived.

Been on and off ever since, did home & away Premier season and a couple more, then when kids came along stopped going for a bit. Took kids occasionally as they grew up, got season tickets in DRS for me & my 2 boys when ticket prices came down a couple of years ago, had them ever since

Therefore why?

Started supporting Swindon in 1986. I remember walking past the CG with my parents whilst a match was on and hearing all the cheering as a goal was scored. After that i went on and on at my Dad to take me but he wouldn't because of all the 'trouble'! We then moved to Germany as he was in the Army and i didn't get to go to my first game until the '92/'93 season when a school teacher took us to see Swindon v Wolves in the cup. Think my Dad kept his fear of the 'trouble' as i only got him to his first Swindon game when we played Fulham at the beginning of the year and even then it wasn't at the CG!  :D

How do you work that out, when I've only missed going regularly for around 5 years in the last 20 for reasons given?  I can't remember the other 15 years being all glory?  :hmmm:

TIT.

Don isn't exactly a pauper....whilst if he was around now he'd probably be a stupidly loaded millionaire, he came into the game at a time when the minimum wage had just been abolished, so did make some decent money for the day.

Maximum wage!

Coz "we're by far the greatest team...."  Old fella born near Baydon and although I was born In Reading I'm a Newbury boy. What other choice was there?  As for that Wolves game, I got my first ever warning letter for skipping work and going to that.

Think I've done this before....oh well you know what I mean.

Out of interest, where is 'near' Baydon that isn't actually Baydon? If you see what I mean. Russley Park?

No idea, it was the temp buildings they erected after ww2 I think. Haven't driven through there for years so don't know if they are still there?

Where - not especially auspicious:

I was 10 and living in Cold Ash near Newbury - parents not into football but local garage owner used to take me with his mistress on a Saturday.  We had the posh seats in the old Shrivvy stand.

Why - could not but fall instantly, deeply and irrevocably in love:

First game was 1966 I think, a 4-0 win against Southend and the Don, still a growing boy really, scored twice in the first 20 minutes.

It was a joke, sorry - it just reminded me of all the furore over the Wembley tickets and the so-called plastic daytrippers. No offence intended.

I'm far more plastic than you.

Could well be Russley Park.

None taken.  I did wonder whether you were joking, you should have added a  ;) for confirmation.

I went/got taken to my first game in 1976 v Palace (1-1) Dave Syrett scored for us.

I only really got the urge to start going to football regularly as a spotty teenager in the early 80's. At that point I was living in Cornwall (to be fair I wasn't spotty, I had a very nice George Michael tan and highlights - seriously - it was a long time ago though!). If I'd stayed there, I would have started going to Plymouth. At that same time I did have a chance of a job near Derby so I could have started going there. As things worked out, I got a job back in Swindon so that was that. I'm pretty happy how things worked out.

From Devizes, dad grew up watching the town and took me to my first game one boxing day against Brentford, won 2-1 i believe.

Lived in Scotland as a youngster and Dad used to take me and the right back's father to see Ayr United every week. Dad's family are mainly Swindon fans and some were up north during a pre-season tour so my first Swindon game was away at Ayr United in the mid 70's which my memory has as a 3-0 Swindon win. Would like to confirm that someday.

Moved back to Swindon in 1977, and my cousin took me to the Town End for home games from the age of 10. Couldn't help but get drawn in with the aforementioned League Cup run in 1980 including a trip to Molineux where Mel Eves caused long term disappointment with a cross type shot keeping us from Wembley. Also remember Andy Rowland hitting the bar early on at Anfield before we lost 5-0.

Since living in Swindon I've seen the team do the full cycle from 3rd Division, down to 4th and up to the Premier and all the way back to the old third again. Hopefully the upward part of the cycle is about to repeat itself!

I've been to Somerset Park - FACT! Nice part of the world.

Very fond memories of Somerset Park parking in the racecourse car park. Coincided with the Ally McLeod glory days!