Thetownend.com

Now that details have been announced for next season I'm going to take the plunge and get my first season ticket.

I moved back to the Swindon area a couple of years ago so haven't been to many games in the preceeding few years, but since moving back I've been to most home games this season and have tried out lots of different places to sit/stand in order to figure out where I like.

These are my thoughts on what the different parts of the ground are like, but what I'm really after is your thoughts on the best place in the ground to buy a season ticket, especially if it's somewhere I haven't discovered yet.

Town End - Obviously the best atmosphere, and also cheapest, but lets face it the view leaves a lot to be desired. That being said I've only really stood in the front 5 or 6 rows so not sure if it's better further back. I reckon just to the side of the goal gives the best view, but you have to watch out for what part of the pitch will be blocked by the pillars.

Arkells - Usually a shit atmosphere with a lot of people who like a good moan, but the view is much better than the Town End and I like being close to the dugouts and the tunnel (although this might have been more of a factor with PdC in charge). Higher up than the VIP seating is too high for me so I usually go for the rows in front of the VIP seats as high up and central as possible (although row KK has really bad legroom). I also like having the Legends available for half time.

DRS - The rake of the seats combined with the proximity of the pitch means the view's really good, and the lack of a VIP area means you can get a pretty central seat at a decent height. I reckon the best row for this is probably the front row of the upper section (row H), although judging by which seats are available at matchday prices there are already a lot of season tickets here. The atmosphere is also better than the Arkells. If you go towards one of the goals then it has to be Town End side for the atmosphere. But, it's the other side of the pitch to the dugout and tunnel so you don't feel quite as involved in that side of things.


I'm still undecided, anyone got any thoughts/tips?

Plenty of space on the Bank but a bit lonely and draughty too!

I'm in the DR, top by the "O", we sing when we're told!

This will open up a hornets nest of anti town end, followed by anti DRS banter


And dalumpymonkey will ask us what we mean by DRS, as it used to be called the Shrivenham road stand when he last went

Red Frog will then accuse me of having a go at him and 10 others.


Lets see how it pans out

Entirely depends on what you're looking for from your matchday experience

If you like to sit still for ninety minutes, grumble occasionally at the lino, and your favourite song is 'Glad all over' - go for the Arkells
If you like to sit still for ninety minutes, sing only when and what you are told, and you only have one song - sit in the don rogers
If you like to stand for ninety minutes and make a bit of noise, but don't mind only getting 45minutes worth of viewing - go for town end right side
If you like to sit for ninety minutes and make the odd bit of noise, but don't mind only getting 45minutes worth of viewing - go for town end left side

this could be summed up in a simple flow chart if I knew how to upload stuff to the internet...

Arkells.half time beer.

They have a bar in the DRS.

DRS all the way for me. The atmosphere isn't as good as the TE, but the view is great. Anyway, I save myself for away games when it comes to standing and singing.

definitely the Don Rogers over the coffin dodgers stand.

Don Rogers easily , towards the Town End and you get a decent atmosphere

I sit in the Don Rogers around the half way line on row K and the view is fantastic but the town end is cracking for atmosphere so when i have not got my kid with me and i go for a pre match drink i get my ticket transferred to the town end. I have sat in the Arkells a few times for Youth cup and i noticed that the rain gets you no matter where you sit.

Don Rogers, back row, second last block towards the town end.

Only bad bit about the DRS is it takes ages to get out if you're at the back.

If you don't wish to; hear any pre-match songs, know who just been put into the hall of fame or know who the fuck's playing, then my friend the DRS is for you.

DRS Town End side. Row L good view reasonable atmosphere

I have the seat numbers of the absolute best seats in house. In fact, I have the ticket stubs right in front of me. Sadly, I am not going to give them to you even though your are a fellow Aldbourneite because I want them.

They are good though - take it from me :nod:

Exactly the same, away games are so much better for atmosphere anyway

Its a bonus to not hear the shitty pre-match music

It does , but the trick is to go the end of the stand and climb down over the seats .

You and me both do that then.  Not good for my dodgy knee but better than waiting with a bunch of people standing there waiting for some crazed italian to wave his scarf about.

Ah.  Maybe not.

It is a bit tricky after a few pints . It should clear a bit quicker now anyway unless Kmac's got some incredible post-match celebration on the pitch up his sleeve.

You must sit next to me then....Back row level with 18 yd box.

thats pretty much where i sit aswell

ah bless , i bet we see each other every game . Now we can guess who we are and give each other knowing smiles  :shifty:

Arent you the one I talk too most games when Im there?  I get so confused with this double identity bollocks.

it's all about the DRS Town End side level with the goal line.

Are you one of those people who watches Coronation Street and thinks Ken Barlow is an actual, real person? :hmmm:

Only in the way that I think you are actually Shaun Taylor.

But that's fine, because I am.

No you're not.  Im Shaun Taylor.  And so is my wife.

I'm in the same vicinity, back row almost level with the 18 yard box! 

Normally I've had enough beers to make it tricky getting out of the seat, let alone climbing over  them.

aint been in there for a few years now. Beer on tap in there?

Cans i believe.

Plastic bottles isn't it?

This is the TEF, y'all can go on over to the DRSF. Sitting is rubbish.

That's an interesting point , how many members actually go in the Town End anymore ( if ever ) ?

I will admit being a Stratton banker when i first started going and then the old shrivy , but never really been a TE , should i ban myself ?

Wherever you watch - the Town End is the spiritual home surely ?

3rd block back row was where I had my season ticket for 3 years, you must have been near mex (before he got his flag nicked and decided not to bother anymore)

Yes

I'm sure we'll hear your spirit clapping along out of time at the next home game.

I will think about it . The original question still stands though , where do you normally sit/stand nowadays ?

Town end.

Fair play , we Don Rogerers  like a good minority

That's harsh

Ok, clapping nearly in time.

Oi watch it ;)

I have a great view from my seat in the coffin dodgers stand.  Literally on the halfway line just behind the VIP seats.  We have a little sing when we feel like it, but we do like a good moan  :)

whats happening about current ST holders seats? do they get saved for a amount of time so you can renew them?

It's got to be the terracing in the town end, the view is shit but the atmosphere is great.

"Current Season Ticket holders seats will be held until 30.04.13 before being released on general sale."

http://www.swindontownfc.co.uk/documents/2013-14-foreverred247-688253.pdf

For Atmosphere - Town End

For view- Don Rogers

mind you, the DRS seating is bloody awful. I am a fucking rake with long legs and I always end up touching someone no matter how hard I try.

Especially when there's a fat fucker next to me or I'm wearing a coat because it's bloody freezing.

:girlgiggle:

I think if I went anywhere else I'd find it too boring.

Try watching the football then. Thick cunt.

As a potential new ST holder you have now managed to confuse me completely.  I too have a strong Aldbourne connection, so there's obviously going to be a long queue for OST's seat wherever it is; TE you can't see, you have to stand all the time and I'm ancient, but the atmosphere is great; DRS has bad seating and you can't escape, but a good view; Arkells has OK seats pretty good view unless you get behind one of those stanchions, but (as I know since I sit there) no atmosphere (and now no PDC to spice up the boring bits).  Having been at Coventry on Saturday, I want it all.... Have you got any advice, Marj?

Touchy :D

Back row of DRS? Then you've got atmosphere if you're willing to take the initiative the view and the option to stand up as not blocking anyone behind you

The answer to the question is,   "Mine"  & no, you can't fucking have them :)

DRS, near the back, on the half-way line.

When I do get to go, and where my season ticket was before uni is up top in the Arkells right next to the away fans.

I enjoy it, you actually get to hear the "Banter" (Abuse) from the away fans and theres enough people up there to create a bit of atmosphere in return (Normally)!

Only problem is that theres a massive pole slap bang in the middle of the penalty area from my seat!

Town end for me, cheaper when i can make it back for games.

Only problem is that theres a massive pole slap bang in the middle of the penalty area from my seat!
[/quote]

Exactly...have sat up there a few times.  In fact was there for the Bury game, and there were a few more than usual trying to get something going - a bit hopeless on that particular occasion!  And that pole is a real pain.  fortunately there was enough room in my row to move between the two halves so it wasn't so bad...

Row R, Halfway line goes right up my jacobs, i shall be gutted when they develop the DRS with exec boxes as all those above the mezzanine floor level willl have to move, mind you that will be a few years away so anything could happen. However, will be renewing along with my missus and son and my mate, who can fucking pay for his own.

Town end every time for me, unless I'm with the missus and she wants to sit down... then I don't really care where I go, as everywhere else seems tame by comparison. I'm practically blind anyway, so go for the atmosphere. If you can swap your ST for a seat in the Townend on occassions when you want, then I'd go for a seat with a decent view (assuming you want to sit really) and then swap it out for the big matches and jump in the Town end... simples. :-)

Townend terrace is a laugh the only thing that spoils it is Flash the cunt.......oh and Jutty

Thats funny, Flash and Jutty said the same thing about you :) and you know that they did!

Damn standing up right side rabble ;)

I'd say the best seat is town end c66 purely because an absolute legend sits there...

Oh wait that's my seat! :p

Sat in every stand at some point even had a game in the bank and nothing beats the atmosphere of the town end

 :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

You beat me to it, but your right Victor Mildrew & the Flash are cunts

Thanks all for your thoughts, just bought my first season ticket  :D
DRS for the view, near the town end for the atmosphere.

COYR

D6? Good choice.

I also sit near the goal line towards the TE in DRS - we are not without the moaners! You can't beat the atmosphere of the Town End but I hate watching the game from behind the goal.

Just to deviate from the topic, the worst place surely has to be the DRS block on the opposite side, near the lifeless vacuum of the Stratton Bank. The fact it's always the last place to fill up suggests this is the opinion of the general paying public too. Always used to be a group that would bang on the plastic windbreak there and try and generate a bit of atmosphere but they seem to have disappeared?

i sit around that area, just to the left of the last block...its alright...its swindon its not like its a cut throat atmosphere most of the time...at home i just want to sit down and moan :D

I used to sit to the right of the Drs about 10+ years ago (roughly where I used to stand in the shrivvy), but we used to get away fans in the bank in those days!