Thetownend.com

Seeing as this will be my first ‘live’ game for over 4 years, I thought I’d get the season off to a winning start!

Got my tickets, trying to fathom an alternate route to bypass the closed A12 and have persuaded Mrs Audrey to drive me back!

Based on what I’ve seen during the 1st half v Bristol City and yesterday’s performance v Plymouth I can see 3 points heading back to Wiltshire. No doubt Garner will get pelters!

1-3. RHM, Austin and Kemp. 786 Town fans in attendance.

Will be abroad for this one so will stream it. A win is not outside realms of possibility. I have a lot more faith in Flynn than SL or Morris. I think we will be hard to beat and with a few more high quality additions challenge nearer the top end of the table.

Colchester 1 Swindon 2 Att: 3650 (750 Town fans) Austin & Kemp

M25 to Epping Forest, M11 to Bishop Stortford then A120 nearly all the way into Colchester subject to change as you get near to the Town😆

Not that it means much but Colchester had an unbeaten pre-season (played 3 EFL Sides) so will certainly have some confidence.

We don't usually have much luck against Colchester, but if there is anytime to be optimistic, it's before the season starts. 2-0 to Swindon (Austin brace)

Except for getting beaten by West Ham U21s.

https://www.cu-fc.com/news/2023/july/report--us-01-west-ham-u21s/

Driving to Colchester due to industrial action on the trains.
The A12 is only closed at junction 25. Leave the A12 up to the roundabout and rejoin again.
Can't see that talking the quoted 2 hours

2-0 Charlie, Kemp

Journey time...3 hours minimum (hopefully not too much more)

It’s been reported on the local news here, the previous time it was shut there were delays of over 2 hours. However, this time they haven’t mentioned it on the news so assume it’s not as bad.

Don went down to Colchester a couple of weeks ago for a Wedding, and although he went down late afternoon he said there were no real delays at all then.

However, I’m still going to go the other way via Bury St Edmunds

Ironically I am in Great Yarmouth on Sunday so if the fixtures had come out before June I could have arrived a day early and gone to the game on the way. Shit happens.

I think I might go for a bike ride instead of watching - May start to watch live later in the year.

That's ok if you're coming down as opposed to across. Contemplated parking in Chelmsford then training in but you know they wont have any trains running.

BTW, the rail strike was last weekend. The coming weekend I think is just a driver Overtime ban, so whilst there may be fewer trains, I don't think it's as bad as not having any trains running.

Oh right puts a different spin on it.
Ive looked this morning on GWR and they show all trains running but with a warning sign.

Fun fact. What record do Colchester hold that happened 30 years ago?

The first non league club to be promoted straight into div 3 rather than div 4?

In 92, they did 'the double' of promotion to the FL and they won the FA Trophy. Are they the only Club to have achieved that?

Not the facts I'm after  :)

First league club to have both their keepers sent off in the same game. A 5-0 drubbing at Hereford.

Oh, Oh, clever clogs !!.

How many times has it happened since? Can't be many

They famously beat the mighty Leeds in an FA Cup game 3-2 - 1971
You were spotted more than once up a tree in a Parka.
See you Saturday Mate.

Colchester United v Swindon Town

Referee: Anthony Backhouse
Assistants: Alex James and Mark Russell
Fourth Official: Leigh Crowhurst

Been four times, never won any of them.

Im not going..

3:2 to the Town........

This game is actually closer to me than a home game so I got my ticket last week - god knows why! Feeling slightly more optimistic with the signings on the horizon.

No club parking left, is there a park and ride opposite or have I just made that up🤷

A massive one. Come off A12 and turn left at Roundabout.
Not a problem parking.

Thank you.

More parking spaces than fans last time I went which was not long after the glorious stadium in the arse end of nowhere opened.

Are people still going to use the A12 with the roadworks. I thought it was actually closed Fri-Mon.

No the A12 affected makes you leave and rejoin at the same junction up and over. Well that's what highways agency reported the other day.

I’m trying M11 til junction 8 then A120 through Braintree to Colchester.

The A120 brings you out at Marks Tey roundabout which is the roundabout with the up and over diversion. Will check the highways agency again to confirm

Any coach drivers on here who would already have the route planned!

Up and over confirmed at J25

Thanks. Brilliant!

*Fully aware that this is going to change but* (and in no particular order)

1. Hutton
2. Lavinier
3. FBT
4. Clayton - injured
5. Minturn
6. Brewitt
7. Devine - injured
8. Share - injured
9. Kinsella
10. Mceachran
11. Khan
12. Cain
13. Austin
14. RHM
15. Wakeling
16. Lavinier (possibly being sold)
17. Mahoney (loan)
18. Kemp (loan)

Still miles short squad wise with only 3 days of recruiting left.

If we do indeed sign Dokes (Godwin-Malife) before Saturday I would go with this line up.

           Mahoney
    Minturn Godwin Brewitt
Hutton                             FBT
                 Kinsella
    Mceachran            Kemp
          Austin        RHM

I quite ike that, a rather strong line up including Minturns. He was good against Plymouth. Needs a run of games, not become a bit part player and he will come good like Twine did.

Minturn, Godwin and Brewitt would be quite the CB partnership!

Minturn does look a decent prospect, but I would rather not have to rely on him to start every game just yet, maybe a couple of loans to the Conference to play against men and then use him off the bench.

Hes quite big and fairly quick for a CB but he is prone to a mistake or 2 every game and if that mistake costs us a goal it could set his development back if he is not strong mentally.

Trip to Colchester in doubt. Me and Mrs Audrey feel shit. Getting tests!

Positive for Covid. Is that likely to change to neg by Saturday?

Doubt it. Your choice if you go or not though, rules arent there anymore are they.

How you testing lateral flow? also I thought we are allowed to mix providing you felt ok.

No, but unless you're feeling poorly and not up to travelling  there are no restrictions anymore.

Great. Fuck you lot!

Start polishing your DM's and getting your Harrington out of the wardrobe🤣

Oooh👜👜
😂

Bollocks to DMs

I wore them in the late 70's😀

Bet you would not buy a pair now

Got 2 Colchester tickets @£10 each.

Message me if interested.

Definitely not!

Couldn’t afford DMs now!

I've got 3 pairs  :-[

Love my DM's, the pair I have now have lasted me 15 years and still going well :)

As it stands our team for Saturday would read Mahoney, Hutton, Minturn, Brewitt, FBT, Lavinier (if fit), McEachran, Khan, Kemp, RHM, Austin with Brann, Kinsella, Cain, Wakelin, Young plus 2 youngsters on the bench. Not a disaster but bit weak at center back and lack of depth on bench. Add in the expected 3 signings (2xCH & a LWB) and we have a decent 18 even if, as expected, Lavinier moves on.

Given the improvement in performances in pre-season and feeling that we will add a further couple to the squad before the window closes, I am reasonably optimistic that we should have enough for a top 7 finish.

Be careful - you'll probably get told that your head is buried in the sand.  :D

I used to think I was an optimist.  That starting XI, which includes an "injured" (told not to risk himself) player at LWB, would have me popping a few quid on the other team, especially away.  Don't get me wrong, there are some components to work with - Hutton/Kemp/Austin should be able to create and finish some chances if used well.  But the spine remains a worry to me.  If it wasn't vs a Garner team I'd be inclined to think we get 55%+ possession and concede two soft goals while huffing and blowing for one ourselves.

Colchester have only sold around 2,500 tickets for Saturdays game. I think we have aold around 700 so far.

Saying that the crowd will be nearly double our opening day game at Harrogate last season when only 1,948 fans (600 Swindon) attended. Town being drawn away for the opening game for the 3rd year running in L2.

That Harrogate result was the start of the end...piss poor!

Negative stuff coming through on WhatsApp as i wandered around Ironbridge.

Colchester close to signing 2 new players apparently.

https://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/23699458.colchester-united-boss-ben-garner-keen-strengthen/

Charlie Austin on talksport saying the aim is top half of league 2

Ffs

It’s not what fans want to hear, but it’s the reality of where we are as a club at the moment. Just have to hope Flynn has that something extra to sneak us into the top 7 then it’s a lottery in the play offs. No reason we can’t be one of those surprise sides in the mix.

I agree, not much to get excited about mind!

Well you can’t get promoted if you aren’t in the top half.

understate, over deliver.

or realistic

12th then  :)

Unlikely to say we intend to flirt with the relegation zone to make it an interesting season for our bastshit crazy & Twitter addicted fans.

That was for QPR  ;)

They have learnt from last years "we are going for promotion" push - they said that and look at the angst it caused when our managers made a mess of it.

Clem has openly stated that promotion is the aim, but stating that they are aiming for top half makes sense - in the top half in January/February/March not only determines the transfer policy for January, but also means that you are in with a shout of pushing for play offs/autos.

In short, what they state at the start of the season means very little, it's how Flynn gets this squad to perform on the pitch that matters.

And, whether they like it or not, that performance is going to be judged against one performance metric by the fan base (generally) - promotion.

I remember the Liverpool players in the 70s/80s saying their first target was securing enough points to stay up.

I'm sure privately they always had the league title as their target

Of course, it always will be in league 2, they know that, and that should be a given - it is ever not, then it shows we are going in a negative trajectory

Major roadworks that were going to impact people getting to game tommorow have been postponed now

praise the rain. unless.... oh no... not "p"

Appreciate you posting that. - Was driving. Still likely to go by train.

Safe journey Duke.

To be honest, top half of the table I think would be a good result with where the team seems to be financially.  If you can keep yourself up there, who knows what can happen from there.  I would personnaly be happy with a top 15 finish....of course i say that now until they are top 10 then piss it way and i start crying about it  :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

you've adapted impressively quickly to be a Town fan

Top half. Well seeing as many predicted relegation, that's sort of "good"

How low have we fallen?

How often in STFC history have we failed to achieve a "top half" finish in Tier 4?

Dear old Reg - of this very Reg Smeeton Match Day thread - used to revel in doom. I think his measured, historical musings would have hit a much more reassuring tone than my own shrill concern.

God bless you, Reg, as you look down on a season of harum scarum matchday rantings as the dreamers amongst us strive for the el dorado of Tier 3 football. 

Thanks Mate 👍⚽️

Watching Wendies v Soton and any kind of kicking the ball away will get a yellow card. Hopefully our lot are watching.

3000 Saints fans made the long journey North on a Friday afternoon which is commendable.

This seasons "we'll be hot on it for a month and then forget about it" rule then.

Assuming no more in now, starting XI

                                      O'Mahoney

                     Godwin-Malife    Ward      FBT
Hutton                                                                Uwakwe
                                Kinsella   McEachran
                                        Kemp
                                 Austin    Hepburn-Murphy

May even be able to field an ok bench now: likely Brann, Brewitt, Cain, Khan, Wakeling, Minturn, Young.

Just thinking the same.

6 mins added time first half

yeah, always the same

I would like to see a crackdown on players running up to the ball to prevent a free kick being taken. We did see it penalised once or twice.

Just like awarding penalties for player grappling at corners a few years ago!

Can you see a ref in the PL sending off a player for a 2nd yellow for kicking the ball away?

The rest of us bottom dwellers maybe.

Depends who's Influencing his ear piece.

Ward?
Have I missed something??

The new signing

Yeah sorry.
Just read the rumours thread has he been confirmed?

Yep

Did Flynn do a pre-match interview discussing the opposition etc as I haven't seen one.

Yeah. He said they were tippy tappy shite and we’re going to muller them.

Here you go Jimmy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MitUB9z9vps

That Dokes first day is a tough wank

Nice one gents :clap:

I mean, each to their own I guess

Glad you found it easy

Tougher than when i was pole dancing in Reflex that time

Golden wank bank memories

Can't see us keeping a clean sheet with a few new defensive players to bed in. If Ward, UGM and Uwakwe all start it's a big ask.

Gone for a 2-3 win in the prediction league so lets stick with that. Fancy us to be attack minded and scoring quite a bit this season.

I wonder if Ward will play ahead of Brewitt (or other) purely because he’s a loan player and usually with loan deals the more they play the less they cost.

Probably the only question on the line up is if Ward goes straight in or not.

Was Ward signed in time to play tomorrow?

Is be a bit pissed if I was Brewitt, did a good job against Plymouth and Minturn must be asking why is an 18 Yr old loan player with minimal experience any better than I am.

Has Minturn ever done anything to justify first team football other than “ being a local lad”? He looks miles off professional men’s football in the cameos I’ve seen. He’s worse than Brewitt, who is a squad filler at best.

I’d say 8 starts in the league last season is a bit more than ‘cameos’. Did you actually see any of them? Him and Brewitt both played well v Plymouth last week against better opponents than they’ll face in L2 week in week out. I hate these player assassinations that we get all too often on here.

More than Benn Ward has done.

Don’t think he’s ever looked ‘miles off’ either.

FOOTBALL!
 COYR

Draw. 1-1

Quite. Hurrah for actual matches to tell us whether players and managers are any good or not.

Yes, I’ve seen him, hence my opinion. There could be a player there, but he shouldn’t be in our starting XI. I’d like him to have a year playing 90 every week in the conference before we’re relying on him.

Based on what I saw v Bristol City and Plymouth I’d say a Garner-type tippy tappy set up is right up Flynn’s street. If they fanny around at the back we’ll be right on them, force errors and be in on goal. Is their wunderkind likely to play as he’s supposedly set for a big money move - don’t want to risk an injury scuppering that!

Apart from the 3 points I really want to wipe that smug bastard. Hope he gets dogs.

There's every possibility that Benn Ward loan was done to provide the same level of cover Minturn provided to allow Minturn to have that development loan in the Conference which he so badly needs. More often than not these Benn Ward style loans are with view to starting, but there's also been bit of an increase recently in these loans being to introduce the player into a first team environment moreso than guaranteed starts.

I only saw him play at Orient last season and he absolutely looked the part. Totally comfortable IMO...

This is my belief as well. Minturn was excellent at Orient and has generally looked competent when called upon last season. My one minor criticism is that at times he is overconfident and has been dispossessed a few times trying to do too much.

With that said, I do think the next part of his education is a season long loan, hopefully at National League level, which this season looks very competitive. I assume Flynn thinks the same, as why else would he have brought Benn Ward, a 19 year old CB loanee in?

It’s made me wonder about how these type of loans come about. I doubt Flynn, or anyone else, had heard of Ward. Do clubs loaning out players circulate who’s available for loan? How does a manager make a decision based on the sum total of fuck all.

Yes I think Minturn more than has the potential to excel here but it’s vital he plays consistent minutes this season rather than bench warming if he is to progress. If he’s not going to get that here then he needs a (conference premier level minimum) loan where he can play 90 minutes every week and iron out some of those issues mentioned above but I don’t think it’s anything that a couple seasons playing consistently as a professional wouldn’t solve.

My guess is that Brewitt starts, Ward on the bench.

Ward in the squad over Minturn because he's left footed so can either cover LWB or cover FBT.

Minturn to provide cover for UGM/Brewitt, until Flynn's preferred CB (Edwards?) signs and then goes on loan

Ward probably doesn't come in if Clayton wasn't injured.

Not sure comparing Ward and Minturn makes sense because while they are both defenders they are not competing for the same place (left/right side)

Football is back, fuck everything else, it's only back until we play.

When interviewed recently Flynn talked about Minturn being inconsistent. I think it was the Plymouth game where he praised Minturn and told him that was the level he expected and that he needed to make sure that he consistently met it. I thought at that point that Flynn was intimating that he needed a loan somewhere to demonstrate he could be consistent.

Think Minturn can thrive in a 5 back, where he has more protection, and can be managed through games by the other two CB’s. From the limited minutes he had last season, he looked competent, but as said above, showed naivety at times with his ball playing, though that is to be expected. When’s the last solid defender we’ve had from the academy anyway? Nathan Thompson?

Maidenhead would be a great shout. Still part time but in the Conference so can still train here in the week like we seem to prefer with our first and second year pro's, but be given the opportunity to play and learn at a decent level

Pre match venimus, vidimus, vicimus in The Playhouse.
Aite geez! It's good to be back on the road. Innit. Literally.

I love this time of year.
When every football fan is full of boundless optimism.
Today 72 versions of HMS Piss the League set sail on their annual 9 month journey.
Will ours be a sleek, fast schooner built to withstand the inevitable stormy waters, or will it be a rusty old bilge bucket that disappears without trace before the summer is out.

11th visit to the middle of nowhere stadium.
Recent visits have not been happy ones.
Maybe we are due a win here.

Won't be any surprises from a Garner side.
With a bit luck the smug facade will be a little dented gone 5 today.

So what do we need this season.
60 plus goals scored required, so on a par with last season.
40 goals conceded or less, so at least 15 better than last season.
Both of the above should be enough for a top 7 place.

We lost to teams last season that didn't bring much more to the table than being organised.
We'll have that this time around for sure.

A team with 6 league wins in the calendar year & a manager on a long winless run.
Tall order to have the desired impact & to mix it with the big hitters that's for sure.
Dunno, have got a good feeling about this team, so we'll see.

Hopefully some Man from Del Monte type seals of approval from the cognisanti later.
Or will it be disapproval mingled with a sense of meh-ness.

Not traditional first day of the season weather.
Best to stay indoors here where they don't appear to have any ales less than 5% abv.
Oh well, it's all about rising to the challenge both on & off the pitch this season.

You've set the scene beautifully Bob😀

Safe travels.
Been a tough year without doubt but football has always been my companion, notwithstanding supporting this shite.
I guess like you it’s both infectious and addictive, dare get off then the moment you do the good times appear and you miss out.

The therapist in my head continually telling me it’s not the football that matters but the day out.
If only I was wired up differently.

Up since 5am, struggling to sleep, dog walk at 8 soaked through.
Lad got in at 4am thus a real bundle of laughs this Morning. Bag full of cans ffs I am too old for this shite.
Like you been to this shite hole of z stadium so many times and generally struggle.
FA cup win and a 4-0 win only positive memories.

So on the train as we speak, was driving but just couldn’t be bothered as all that A12 shite made my decision in the week. Expensive day out can only hope at 5am it feels worth it but no guarantees following this.
 
Train packed, pissing down outside and meeting the tree hugging, wizard hat wearing lads from Stroud. (cracking bunch) that have become real mates.
It’s when we hit the pubs it at least raises laughter but the hope often turns to hell.

Football romantic me, was always about the late 70,s that got me following the mighty Swindon. Ironically could have been Pompey but Kammy paid for that.
Now I will look at him in the wall mural and whisper “bastard” when we lose.

It’s in the blood, approaching 1700 games for what?
Relentless Misery ⚽️

Have a great day - on the travels with STFC.
What possibly could go wrong - Chapter 42.

Still at home, leaving soon.

Personally not a bad start to the season with two games in the first week closer than a home game.

As for today, a ground I really don’t like, a typical soulless out of town dump that we should avoid at all costs.

After last season’s non showing at Harrogate hoping for something a bit better.

6 years ago today we opened with a 2-1 win at Carlisle , would be very happy with a repeat today.

Really disappointed to be missing this one - thanks Covid. Can’t even get a response from the club re FGR tickets.

Enjoy WB. Great to have your pre-match pub 'ramblings' back. :)

https://www.swindontownfc.co.uk/news/2023/july/flynn-thats-the-standard/ (https://www.swindontownfc.co.uk/news/2023/july/flynn-thats-the-standard/)

"He said: "I've told Harrison that his performance today is where he's got to be because one or two games, I've not been happy with him and he knows"
-----
fuck knows how that translates to done complete unknown being a better option though

ah bummer....

is there anything us locals can help with re: fgr?

Cheers Batch. Dropped them a DM saying being a new ST holder I can’t order online cos I don’t have the correct permissions - whatever that means. They don’t even bother to answer the phone. Fucking shoddy way to treat new ST holders.

seems standard practice that the club is shoddy getting back to people. Might be closed today being match day

Do you have a client reference number? assume you have your card.

has that been linked to the online account. Can you see your loyalty points?

you should see it when you log in and see 280 loyalty points/client ref from the "account" section of the tickets site.

if all that looks good in going in early next week and can raise it for you. when do they go on general?

edit: ah Tuesday, I can try and go in Monday if it's open, let me know your client ref number and name/stand/seat after you've checked above (dm)

Going to be nice wet game today.

Game day, will be listening on BBC Wiltshire today but I am buzzing for the start of the season.

Looking forward to seeing how it all pans out for better or for worse.

As much as I want to get promotion, football for me, is more about spending precious time with my dad and 90yr old Granddad on match days, and of course having a good vent when things are bad and singing in unison with thousands of people when things go well.

COYR.

Hinted at this in another thread, but baby Nemo's first Town game today. A lifetime of mostly disappointment but occasionally some good bits awaits her.

I’ll give that a bash. Cheers!

This it simply has to be.
Losing my eldest lad to uni in Sept. Will be devastating.
He has been everywhere following the lads. Won’t be the same. 🍺🍺

A lot of rain in Colchester today but haven’t heard about pitch inspection as yet.

GAME OFF



No chance it’s August - In Chelmsford and it’s dry.

Well you’d know more than me and the weather app.

Ditto love a WB ramble pre game.

Spoke too soon absolutely pissing it down.

Mine's will be the Crewe game! It almost feels cruel bringing them into a lifetime of heartache but some of my best memories are following the Town with family and friends. My first game was a 0-2 defeat to Ipswich so it clearly doesn't take a result to get you hooked!

My line-up for today:


                                      Mahoney

                         Brewitt       UGM        FBT

    Hutton                                                             Uwakwe

                                       Kinsella

                          McEachran         Kemp

                              Austin          RHM


Hoping for a 3-1 win for the Town.

Congratulations to you both , Kids will bring you the best days and the worst days(as banbury said above).

Lets hope we get off to a great start and can put a shitty summer of STFC news behind us and enjoy the next 8 months

5th August and games being called off in non league.

stupid weather

He's from Swindon,
The mighty Swindon,
Tariq Uwakwe
Uwakwe Uwakwe Uwakwe Uwakwe Uwakwe
.
He's from Swindon,
The mighty Swindon,
Tariq Uwakwe.

https://twitter.com/JonnyLeighfield/status/1687797854448873473

The weather ain't great!

Not a pitch to suit Garners tippy tappy shite.

Sent from my XQ-AD51

Other than when the handbrake came off in the last month or so of the Garner season, it is easy to forget how ghastly that 'style' can be at this level. Like watching paint dry whilst someone pulls out your toenails.

Rob H with a Hawes on the wireless😀

What is Rob H's background and why does he get that gig? Not asking in any way other than I have no idea who the bloke is but am aware he isn't an ex player... at least I don't think he is!

All I know is he's a long standing STFC fan. No idea if he has an affiliation with the club maybe JJ can add more information

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F2xMyKcWQAALxYg?format=jpg&name=4096x4096)

When was the last time we had 3 players with double-barrelled surnames in the starting 11? One for Reg that!

Majority of that bench is way stronger than last season’s. Surprised Kinsella doesn’t start.

Other than Khan over Kinsella (must be fitness?), no surprises

But that is literally it... no one has been left out! 2 or 3 more and we will be in half decent shape.

Agree. It’s shaping up well. Just remains to be seen if they’re any good!

Think he was mildly famous around the time commentary went back to Radio Swindon for not having missed a game for 25 years or something home or away?

Like the team. Let's go Town!

Tchamadeu starts for Colchester, as does Ellis.

Pfft

I just associate Rob H with his never ending co-comms stint during the Sheridactyl's Covid season... the worst of times.

We had three in the squad last year (FBT, RHM, Tom Wynn-Davis) but they never played together.

Other than that I'd be shocked if we ever have.

Good shout. Been trying to think and I don’t think we have either.

https://twitter.com/JonnyLeighfield/status/1687813738022211584

This may come back to haunt you!

This is bad.

Flynn out... there with a super sopper.

Awful for those who've travelled if this gets binned...

Anyone seen a teamsheet

ball not moving... not good

Almost certainly off I recon, in 10 mins there will be a pitch inspection.

Previous page.

https://twitter.com/Official_STFC/status/1687810688838692864?t=0nkeQP6NBJCm1-WQkKO9sA&s=19

Pitch inspection at 2.30

https://www.gazette-news.co.uk/sport/23703698.colchester-united-host-swindon-town-league-two/


2:21pm

There will be another pitch inspection in ten minutes time here as the torrential rain continues. Swindon's players, who were warming up, are heading back down the tunnel

Hawes saying it looks a definate postponement,

I’m not in the country. Is this embarrassing or is the rain that bad?

Been torrential all day there apparently, looking on ifollow the ball has zero travel on the deck when they are passing it, no way will it be on.

Have to watch Wrexham v Dongs

Thanks. What a shame this is, gutted.

Well I'm in Colchester and the rain is easing

postponed

Game off confirmed.

postponed.

Guess who travelled to the chateau before checking here first  :crash:

Water Polo anyone?

Well at least we didn’t lose

could be worse, could have driven to Colchester

Although having a game called off for a waterlogged pitch in August must be a first?

Ouch! Some people will have paid a fortune to get there on the train. A 2.30pm call off is not very good!

the problem

https://twitter.com/kieransprules_/status/1687820094527733760?t=_0yuaehTGVZoJeiEkG4EYg&s=19

Yeah. Me and my lad. Fucking outrageous

Still shown as on according to BBC Sport.

Didn't we have a home game against Rovers a few years back and it was called off after 30 minutes (water logged) and Rovers had a bloke sent off.

Non league teams are managing to keep games on whilst professional clubs can’t manage it, poor

The one where Power made everyone pay again? My last straw. Didn't pay for a home ticket until he left after that.

Have the ground staff just been caught napping? Surely you can prepare a pitch for this level of rain…?

Fucking shoddy ground work and drainage there, proper shoddy non league quality.

Ah well, another week to get them gelled and maybe another couple in.

3 days ;)

After the last 3 months of tantrums, what an anti-climax..

Peterboro on Tuesday then..

Backlash from them too, Peterborough got beat at Reading today.

#IvanToneyToldMe

Dissapointing but atleast it’s not a defeat !

A few more days of training is always good

Wrexham and Notts County both losing

Imagine the disappointment in Hollywood 😀

Comical OG by Wrexham

Fucking disgrace.
Only game off.
New stadium, shit drainage, and 5 trying to push the water off the pitch.

Thanks Colchester.

Wrexham, welcome to L2 - 0-2 now

it's just doubled

Do we think it would have gone ahead at CG?
The rain has been torrential here.

That means the cheque book will be out next week😀

At least you don't have to amend the prediction league table later!

"Swindon Town are in the record books! It's the first time in EFL history a game on the opening day has been called off due to a waterlogged pitch. #STFC"

Johnny Leighfield

Earliest waterlogged game, most double barrelled names - is there any record the mighty STFC won't SMASH this season?

Yes.

Even worse for those that travel - I assume the rearranged fixture is likely to be a Tuesday night now

supermarine is on

every other league club is on

Malmesbury Victoria v Devizes was off though

At least that gives flynn time to get them extra  bodies in. :hmmm:

Sorry about that.

Good to see you mate but what a fucking farce!

This has overtones of the last minute watrlogged pitch at Exeter a few years ago.

Aldershot away Boxing Day 1985 🤣

Awful mate. Chelmsford dry.

Interesting how many games are cancelled today when I watch EFL highlights tonight, I need a football fix.

1 🤣

Huge amounts of extra time being played at the end of the 1st half.

Stoke have just scored in the 45+11 min!

Well that was a complete bummer and I'm as gutted about it as the next man but I'm really can't see how anyone is to blame or what else could be done. There's no way they could have played today, it's just bastardly freakish weather...

Agree to an extent about the weather but non league teams around a similar area managed to get games on

They have changed the rules/system this year - instead of adding on a flat 30 for every significant incident (Sub, penalty, goal, injury etc.) they are adding on the actual time taken during that period where the game is not live - so expect to see around 10mins added time in games where there have been lots of significant incidents.

Then they must have had less rain, it was very patchy. Southend are playing but they wouldn't be if it was like it was at Colchester...it was absolutely torrential, never seen anything like it in August. When people get frustrated they need someone to blame but there is no one to blame in this instance...

Didn't we have a friendly game v Norwich called off in August mid 2000's because of a waterlogged pitch pre-match🤔

Our coaches got to Aldershot before the game was called off, that was a miserable coach trip.

I had also arrived at the ground before that game was called off too!

That happened twice with fixtures at St James Park I was at the ground with HerthaB for the earlier game too!

I am a jonah.

Quite possibly but don't remember it. The earliest one I remember apart from today was the Rovers abandonment a few years ago which was very early in the season...September time?

I remember Aldershot as had a terrible hangover from Christmas Day. We turned off at Hungerford jct as we could see lots of cars with Town fans scarves hanging out of the windows heading West bound.

Went up to Bolton on Tuesday evening in that never ending League Cup tie. Called off. Stopped in Stoke for a curry on the way back and the car got its window caved in.

Wrexham getting well and truly butt fucked

Imagine the hysteria on the BBC if they got relegated

Ooh! Postponement Top Trumps....Worst one for me, Bolton away, LC semi final second leg 1995 (must have been the one Audrey mentioned) Travelled all the way up, checked into the hotel (midweek game obviously), found out on our way to the ground it was P-P

Went to Blackburn v Wimbledon which they managed to get played in spite of it being only 10 miles down the road...

Professional cricket clubs have special machines that suck up surface water on outfields very effectively.
Colchester had a few guys with rake like things trying to push water from the edges of their brand new pitch?
Would STFC have been better prepared ? - downpours can happen anywhere.
The fact it was the only EFL fixture cancelled does not let Colchester management of the hook IMO.

I know nothing about football pitch drainage just wondering how it differs from club to club and what goes on beneath the turf.

Wasn’t expecting to be home before 5 🤷🏼‍♂️

However well drained a pitch is, if torrential rain falls on it for a sustained period of time it will become waterlogged...

Did you get soaked yourself and were there lots of Town fans there.

We had parked and were loitering around the St James Road gate when Steve Hale (i think it was him) came out muttering Fucking shamble followed by a smiling David Lucas?

That was my thinking without any knowledge!

Got a bit damp, there were quite a few there.
A group in front of us got in just after it was called off 😂

Cheers Posh😀

Made it to the Dog and Pheasant then heard it was off. Many Town in there.

I went to the same game. We were in with the Wimbledon fans and there seemed to be almost as many Swindon fans in there as Wimbledon.

I think it was called off at Bolton more because of the terraces than the pitch.

We were in the Wimbledon end as well...We probably doubled the number of away fans that night!

Last time I went to a game that was called off late and went to a different game was when me and a mate were in Dagenham ready to watch Town play them in the 1st round of the FA cup in 84.

Game was called off at 1pm so me and my mate went to Highbury on the spur of the moment to watch Arsenal v QPR in a London derby, got a seat with no queueing for £5 in a crowd of 35,000 - Tony Woodcock scored the only goal of the game.

Decent Arsenal team that day of

Pat Jennings
Tony Adams
Viv Anderson
David O'Leary
Kenny Sansom
Paul Davis
Stewart Robson
Brian Talbot
Ian Allinson
Charlie Nicholas
Tony Woodcock

Loved Highbury proper old style stadium nestled amongst the houses.

Same, got back at 4, was tempted to see if I could get into the second half of Cambridge vs Pox

Worse one for me was in 1974? Hitch-hiked from Bristol to see Town away at Millwall. Game was called off for waterlogged pitch when I got there. Got soaked that day. Had no money, and had to hitch hike back to Bristol.

Brave man🤣

I was sat in my car in Burnden Park car park,  got told by a burger vendor it was off. Went to the nearby pub.

Not the first game of the season but we had the Bristol Rovers at home game abandoned in August 2016 due to torrential rain. I think they tried to give it another 30-45 mins but there might have been police concerns with it being a Derby. Lee Power then insisted everyone pay again for the rearranged game.

Ah well. We’re 14th after today. Some of our more wrist-slitty fans would have accepted that as our finishing position a week ago.

I may be wrong but think season ticket holders were let in free and everyone else including away fans had to pay the full price. Bristol Rovers were annoyed as they were told over the tannoy to keep their ticket stubs so were expecting to also be let in free for the rematch.

Are you Cambridge based?

CB1!

Anyone know if/how we can get a refund.
Presumably we would have to wait until the new date is arranged

I saw someone coming out of Coldhams Lane Sainsbury's with a Swindon shirt on the other day. You sir, have revealed yourself as number one suspect 😁

Ha! If it was last season's away shirt then you may be on to something 😬

He’s wasted playing football

https://twitter.com/football__tweet/status/1687964537650106368?s=61&t=HYPly50GSEZLTKzNdaNp7Q

Saw this on the STFC Facebook page maybe it's time clubs invested in machines to clear water from the pitch like they have in cricket.

The King Billy  ? ??.

The local radio reported yesterday that the ref had said at 1.45 that the pitch would be playable as long as there were no torrential downpours between then and 2.30. Unfortunately, that's all it did do. It rained torrentially, non-stop until 2.30 and beyond and no amount of expensive machinery could have done anything about it. The continual rain was the problem and is what people who weren't there, need to understand.

I've no idea what point that person who took the pictures is making. The picture on the left, taken 20, 40, 60 miles away or wherever with the sun out...so what? It wasn't like that in Colchester unfortunately, otherwise the game would have gone ahead, no problem...

There was a video doing the rounds on twitter of the ref kicking the ball during the pitch inspection. It barely moved… was no way that game could have been on.

I have every sympathy for the people who had a wasted (expensive) journey, but it was just a freak situation, no one to blame.

It looked ok in the middle of the pitch and the ref did kick a ball and it rolled met by a roar from the Swindon end.
The sides of the pitch another matter. The ball didn’t even bounce once and didn’t move.

No way would it could play.
However the frustration was only a few rakes and two forks out there. Money is tight at this level, just s pity they don’t have these sponge machines as Jimmy mentioned above.

Ohh well we have to move on, dry now but light in the pocket.

Indeed. One of those shit happens and move on.
Detest Colchester away thus having to go a Tuesday night not good, taking time off work.

Kitman giving it some

https://twitter.com/official_stfc/status/1687832120847138816?s=61&t=HYPly50GSEZLTKzNdaNp7Q

Yeah, the players and coaching staff (and kit men) coming out to acknowledge the fans was a nice touch... Covid saved you a long wasted trip Audrey!

Oh and a shoutout to the absolute arse hole behind me looking down his nose at the ground staff trying in vain to clear water off the pitch - "imagine how wrong your life has gone" and then his kid started chiming in.

Sounds a nice chap.

Well, there is that! Hardly a positive compared to the hundreds that made a wasted, costly journey.

Checked. Although I’m a new ST holder I haven’t been given any loyalty points. Not sure if it’s the club that’s supposed to add them or me - if me, how.

There is some labyrinthine online process where they link your season ticket to your online ticketing account… it’s been years since I did it and I’m always astonished that it seems to carry over each year. I think that may be what you need to do.

It had nothing to do with Colchester or there gound staff.
It was me....
I brought this bloody weatthrr from Auckland.
Was sharing a few conversations at the ground with some top guys. Thank you Woobly Bob and Dave
Didn't think in my wildess thoughts it was going to be postponed  Fuck fuck fuck soapy tit wank

do you see your client reference number in "my account" ?

if yes, i'd assume it's a club end error.

if no then I'm not sure, it has been years since I set mine up.

obviously it's better if you talk to them, but assuming it's open I intend to go in tomorrow to pick up my tickets.

I can ask if I have your info (private message me):

name(s)
seat number(s)/stand
email adresse(s)

(plural in case you have more than one ST).
_---------------
note also - once yours is sorted,  if you want to buy tickets on behalf of other people you need to link accounts.

they basically give you permission to buy tickets on their behalf. Then when you buy you can get there's too and 'assign' their name to their ticket
----------
it sounds a complete ball ache, but it's it is set up properly it's so much easier than getting to the ground/getting through on phone

Thanks for the offer Batch. I have a client number - does that cover just me or Mrs Audrey as well as she hasn’t got one. Anyhoo, I’m feeling a tad better now and I’ll pop in Tuesday ( not open tomorrow I think) and rattle their cage.

we get why it had to be cancelled, we saw the ball stop when the ref rolled out on the wing. Dangerous.

It's frustrating that all the countries rain fell between 2 and 3 and only on Colchester's pitch.

sorry, I just think they have shit drainage. it was pissing down all over. My weather station got 25mm of rain recorded.

but it is what it is

no worries. the reference number is  supposed to be per person and should be on the front of the season ticket

however my friend had an issue the first Clem  year where the number was covering all 3 of his.

you'd think that issue would have been sorted by now.
--
you would both need a ticketing account with separate emails if you wish to link accounts.

I suggest you eventually try and do this so you can buy tickets at the same time, as if they are allocated seats you want 2 together.

this sort of explains it

https://www.swindontownfc.co.uk/news/2022/may/step-by-step-ticket-adding-network/

We can only speculate on that but the best drainage system in the world won't 100% guarantee that a pitch won't get waterlogged in exceptional circumstances, which is what yesterday was.

As you say...it is what it is...we're on to Peterborough...

Completely agree - I went yesterday and as frustrating as it was, no outrage from me. I think I’ve just about dried out…

I expect the away following will be at least 50% down for the re-arranged match given it will be a Tuesday, so Colchester will be impacted quite a bit financially.

They wont be though will they as most of those will have bought tickets already so many probably won't bother even looking for a refund they just wont attend but Colchester have had their money already.

I have a vague recollection from the late '80s that I travelled down to Birmingham City FROM Manchester for a midweek game that was called off for, if I remember, a floodlight problem. Drove to Wolves for their game against Gillingham. Wolves got 6 and there were some Swindon fans there including Ollie from Potterne.

When one of the Bolton semi-finals was called off, there was an England u-21 game at Walsall and Villa were playing Leicester. Both games produced a lot of goals but we opted for Villa (4-3) I think.

Can't forget the debacle at Stockport when the game was called off very late because a crane had churned up the pitch. That was when they were tenants of Sale Rugby. It was only a 10 mile round trip for me but I can only imagine how pissed if if you had come up from Swindon or beyond.

I spoke to plenty of town fans yesterday who were all adamant they’ll be seeking a refund - should be easy enough given it was an online purchase so no need to visit club shop etc.

I’ll be taking it - that’ll pay for another away ticket at some point.

Point taken and understood. Although I still feel many wont bother with a refund personally, they will probably wait until a few days before the game to decide if they will go or not and many just wont bother.

Would be typical STFC if he hung up his boots and tore up his contract to go onto a music career!

I remember the Scotland v Georgia International game at Hampden Park a couple of months ago was similar. Bizarrely the game kicked off but their was puddles all over the pitch and the ball was just getting stuck and barely rolling. The rain had stopped so they delayed the game by 1.5 hours. It took about 30 people 90 minutes or so with those brooms to sweep the surface water off.

I'm just not sure that was really viable yesterday given the surface water on the pitch. Not sure the sun would have done a huge amount to be honest!

Imagine being Tariq and having to follow that!

Might be imagining it but it seems there’s a real good feeling throughout the club - from the fans up.

I like that nobody is talking about STFC as promotion candidates so hopefully will sneak up the league quietly under the radar!

I get that feeling as well, in spite of all the SM doom and gloom mongering, reality appears to be somewhat different...just my take...

Wow. That wasn’t ‘karaoke’ good. That was ‘actually’ good.

…it ‘cause we are unbeaten this season.

Just seen the video amazing voice  :clap:

…you gotta hope he went first!

Great voice...so can the TE make a song for him using the same tune??

The same beat, but not the same level of in tune, perhaps

’ Didn’t like him when he was at Forest Green….Johnny Williams didn’t quite like what he seen.
Dokes got Flynn’s head spinning, no kidding, he had to bring you in
What was going on in Lavinier’s mind?
No longer on a magic roundabout ride.
Dokes’s so busy, defend so pretty, Dokes’ll be alright!
Colchester under water
The ball not rolling fine
Travelling fans unhappy and going out of their minds
Cos all of us
Want all of you
Defend the curves and all the edges
All Town’s perfect imperfections
Give your all to Flynn
Fans’ll give their all to you
At both ends and we’ll be winning
Swindon don’t lose, we need to keep winning
'Cause Clem gives you all-all-all of his cash
And you give us a chance to win a match, oh-oh!’

What can I say. Seriously impressive stuff!

Yep great but maybe a bit shorter?

Never remember all those words after a few pre match Guinness

For-goodness sakes!

You lot aren’t happy with anything!

It took me absolutely ages to come up with that! At least 5 minutes!

Brum in the 80s was rain i think....i was at Franklyn Services.

Walsall with some bullshit snow decision was one of the worst....didnt they have flu or something?
I was in KFC and a bloke came in and said it had just been called off....didnt believe it and went to the ground.
The picture of the pitch was circulated well dodgy....6 blokes and a broom each would of cleared it!

I seem to remember a festive (New Year?) cancellation in recent years where I had made it to Didcot before it was binned…

I remember a home game being postponed because of the rain, we had got as far as the Police HQ roundabout on the A420 and heard it on the radio.

That was a bit of a pisser because we couldn’t normally make midweek games then and having a season ticket couldn’t even get a refund :)

I remember getting to Selhurst Park for a weather based postponement against Palace in the late 80s.

In 2014, in the midst of my divorce, I went to Bradford for the game in the Christmas holidays. Given how good Bradford's crowds are, I was amazed that it was so quiet. Wrong day. Luckily, I only came across the Pennines so my good mood wasn't spoilt.

Given that the rescheduled date will be a midweek one, we're going to have to try and get a refund. Can't justify taking time off work for it. We only decided to make the trip up there at 10pm Saturday evening too. As has already been said, there was no way it would have been possible to play on that surface. We're just gutted that the four of us are out of pocket around £200 without the ticket cost. Disappointing, what can you do!

Oh, I've just realised, this is my first post. Need to make sure I say hello in true tef style. Hello cunts!

Welcome... I suspect your chances of a refund are probably limited if they realise that you decided to attend the game about 7.5 hrs after it was announced as postponed?  ;) :D

I can't remember if it was last season or the season before, but I got a ticket for a home game (pretty sure it was Walsall) that was postponed and the return was midweek and I couldn't go so the club happily refunded. Surely Colchester must do the same?

D'oh! Meant Friday obvs!  :D

Have just asked for my refund for game.

Tried calling this morning but couldn’t get through so emailed [email protected] with my booking references requesting a refund. Have just had an email saying they have refunded to the cards both the match ticket & parking.

Haven’t had the money yet, but fingers crossed I get it in the next few days

Banks can be proper bastards with refunds.

I had to go through some statements the other day at work to see what refunds were included.

The average time from the refund being processed in the shop to the refund arriving with the customer for those 6 transactions? 6 days!

When you buy something, the bank takes your money immediatly...

I’m waiting for a refund from my Greek electricity supplier. 50 working days.

Refunds are in my account today, so quite quick turnaround

Presume as both clubs are out of the Caribou Cup the rearranged game is likely to be when the 2nd round is being played.

Couple of weeks?

STFC can now confirm our date for our rearranged fixture with Colchester United, with the game now taking place on Tuesday 7 November:

I’ll be there!

I went to the old layer road on a Friday evening.

It's a shame we missed them whilst they're rubbish, with hindsight I reckon a few goals would've gone our way on the opening day.

Ben Garner might be given his marching orders before November.  :hmmm: :bye:

Ellis will still be on the physios bench too.  :nod:

I can go to this game now the date has been reset.

If anybody has a ticket and cannot go to the new fixture i am happy to cough up face value. PM me.

Is this the 7th November or not?

https://www.swindontownfc.co.uk/news/2023/august/colchester-fixture-rearranged/

But it's not showing in any fixture lists, including official

https://www.swindontownfc.co.uk/matches/fixtures/
https://www.cu-fc.com/fixtures/fixtures/

And I will happily accept a lift if you are passing through Hertford on the way !

You Flash bastard

I shall be staying up there!

As if by chance, this coincides with a visit to a customer the next day.

assuming it's on. possible Monday fa cup clash in TV v wrexham?!

I wonder why the Colchester game wasn't arranged for this Tuesday as both clubs have a free week.

it's still not listed on any official listings. maybe it's a figment of imagination

Normally see away coach bookings advertised on Facebook and haven't even seen that.

https://www.cu-fc.com/news/2023/august/swindon-game-rearranged/#:~:text=Colchester%20United%27s%20opening%20day%20match,the%20game%20from%20going%20ahead.

I know that aud. I posted our link earlier in the thread

But neither official site, the BBC or anywhere lists it as a fixture

Yay it's finally in the official fixtures list now. Must have been waiting for league confirmation or something. Ticket news is out.

Enjoy you mad buggers that are going

Well that's one out of two! :nod: