Thetownend.com

This has to be the tube journey from hell for these Town fans! Looking at the username bamboozleman123 is it the infamous Bamboo and his mates or just a coincidence🤔

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=0aUXLSmqGXU

I think that's unlikely unless he's a closet Millwall fan.

There was trouble in our train carriage after that game. A Swindon fan with his family started having a little pop at us about it because he thought we were Millwall.

I didn't check his other videos and you're right its not likely to be Bamboo as this person is defiantley a Millwall fan.
They were off their heads that day trying to get on our coaches after the game rather than celebrating promotion inside the stadium.

I remember that day well. I came down from Bedford with my Swindon shirt on, not having used my brain and thinking what tubes the Millwall fans would be on.

The first tube pulled into St Pancras packed with Millwall Supporters, and they were defeaning on there. So i left that one but when the second one came in the same i just got on as i had no choice. To say that was unpleasant followed by getting off the tube and walking through the masses of Millwall fans and getting jostled everywhere was just not fun.

I've never left a stadium so quickly afterwards, and although there were a few Millwall on the tube back, they were generally decent thank goodness.

This must bring back bad memories!

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=TKGK1o_VfN4

Yep, it does! I'd managed to forget quite how unpleasant it was.

If ever we get Millwall in a play-off final again, i'm coming to Swindon first and coming with the masses for safety in numbers.

Horrible fanbase

Millwall fans are just bullies, they revell in scaring women and children and the older fans of opposition clubs, cowardly bullies that bully in numbers because they feel safe with their other cunts along side them, Power is a Millwall fan, nuff said.

My mate and myself walked out of Wembley tube the wrong exit onto the street and just looking out on a sea of Millwall blue, fuck me my rusty bullet hole started to vibrate like an ABS braking system. Anyway we kind of skirted around the outside on said seething mass of fetid turds and walked up Wembley way.

Had a hoot for the Blackpool away game that saw us get promoted with MuckMahon.

Went up the day before - early! Filled up at the petrol station on the A419 just down from Blunsdon

Thought we had left early enough but a minibus pulled in to fill up as well full of Town fans. The door slid open with a cascade of bottles and cans crashing onto the forecourt - well pissed up already. A flavour of things to come.

Stopped on the M6 for a bite to eat and a slash and walking back to the car we saw 4 Town fans running away from the services back to their car carrying a huge rubber plant with them - obviously nicked. They and the rubber plant got in the car with the rubber plant sticking about 3 foot out of their sunroof. Passed them later on the M6 still with the plant still sticking out.

Well into the evening in Blackpool having had a few beers we were shouted at from an unmarked van across the road. Shouted abuse back and a few ‘come on, then’ gestures when some of Lancashire’s finest riot police piled out the van and into us.

That sobered us up for a bit. Retired to another pub where one of our group said that some bloke had just put his hand up his girlfriend’s skirt. And it all kicked off again.

We all had tickets for the home end and never actually got to see the game as my dozy brother told a copper he was from Corsham and we all got turned away.

I think it ended 0-0.

Good story :clap:

Millwall - says a lot when  100 fans first thought after winning a playoff final is to run to the away car park and try and get on the coaches.

obviously a minority, but the pre match was one of trying to intimidate everyone and anyone two

their reputation is deserved

I was in London that day with an ex. Didn’t Bamber score and it finished 1-1 or am I thinking of the home game?

I think it was 1-1 and Allardyce & McMahon had a little dust up!

Way too late for Bamber mate.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4G3OnNm_JY

Horlock scored for us and we clinched promotion at Chesterfield a few days later.

I think we clinched the title at Chesterfield, promotion was won at Blackpool IIRC.

I think you're right

I do remember in 86 we beat Chester at home 4-2 before we went to Mansfield and won the title 3 games later, that is still one of my best memories of following Swindon over the years, with about 3,000+ Town fans and a very angry police force!

Another great day out spoiled by football was the 6-1 defeat at Ipswich the next season in the League Cup when again we took several thousand fans to Portman Road and sang all game despite the heavy defeat to the Top Division side.

I went to Ipswich that night and we were coach number 48 in the car oark and amazing support considering the distance and it was an evening game. We went into the Town centre for some food and will always remember hearing lou Macaris red & white army bellowing out as we approached the stadium.

That Millwall final was interesting. Some older wall fan got knocked out apparently, so they were moaning about that. Didn't see much tbh, a few town fans got arrested after the game. Stand off with the coppers, then a helmet went flying and it kicked off. I went up by train from Chip.
Also made sure I used Wembley Central tube and NOT Wembley Park.

The worst one was in 95 for the League Cup QF when we stuffed them with ease 3-1, they had fans in every part of the ground and the Police refused to go in and remove them as it "would start a war" the matchday commander said.

Evill nasty horrible lot.

My last trip to Millwall (think it was the last time we played them) we got on to the tube after the game, instead of suffering abuse they took pity on us and felt sorry we had to watch that shit every week. Can’t remember the score but it was the game we celebrated our first shot in the 80th from Jordan Stewart 😂

My experience of the day was similar to others, we travelled down to Stanmore & got the tube in to Wembley Park, which was an interesting experience to say the least.

I guess we knew what to expect having gone to Millwall away on the train the last game of the season.

Funnily enough we had neutral friends who lived up this way who wanted to go so we bought them tickets. Their experience was a bit different as they didn’t have Swindon colours.
The worst experience of the day for them was some Town fans sat near them spitting on Millwall fans below them.

Have had plenty of good away days, Blackburn away in the playoffs was a pretty good day out

I recall working as a contractor fitting out a new supermarket in Bristol which must have been early 90’s. A couple of us finished early so we could get to Ashton Gate to watch the Town. Had to go in with the home fans behind the goal as we didn’t have match day tickets for the away end. Typical of Town to turn on the style and romp home 4-0 making it slightly uncomfortable watching for the 2 of us amongst the City faithful.

Wembley never saw any Millwall luckily before and after the game, only in the Ground.

Countless stories about those cowardly bastards, been to the old Den which was 10 times worse than the new. Beating them 3-2 in the FA Cup, getting held in the ground for 30 minutes, police escorts and a few missiles.
Witnessed a lady getting dragged out of her car being battered by her partner / boyfriend on route to ground once. Just summed up Bermondsey’s finest.
They are not all bad mind. Once in a pub near Tower Bridge, it felt uncomfortable, few young lads were spotting for their nut cases. One shirted Millwall fan, must have known I was Swindon and told me to catch the earlier train as they always waiting for the stragglers.

Ohh then the laugh or cry story when I nearly got nicked for being accused of being a Millwall fan at Swindon and kicking the train window in.
Stood in between the carriages next to the door to avoid the bastards that were in the carriages, they were commending how Swindon gave them a good “ruck” Big bloke looking after a load of pensioners in one of the carriages, thought a safe place to stand.
“crash” in came the window showering me with glass. Train guard plus bouncer over accusing me of smashing the window. It got worse, in stepped my new ‘Wall mate wanting to fight the guard and Big bloke. “ It weren't facking Millwall.”
Here I was innocent Swindon fan about to be arrested, Harry the Dog coming to my rescue.
Then the breakthrough, sensible guard / transport Police came down saying it was Swindon fans throwing bricks at the train, “excellent friendly fire then” evidence in hand, a small piece of brick.
Harry the dog then decided to sit down, then I could rightly inform them of my Swindon identity and show them my ticket. Yes I was getting off at Didcot.

As I could say a few more about the “Brick in the Wall” lot - hate the cowardly fuckers.

There were a few dozen town fans all together in the stand to our left. They made themselves known just before kick off and the police formed a nice line to keep them seperate. A handful of ours further down that stand end up in a rumble later in the game, presumably as their fans were as grumpy with the outcome as Big Sam was.


Audrey got stuck in there too.  ;D

I think on their last visit - remember that pic of the horrible fuckers up against a line of plod in County Road - the big black fella from the Pint and Cheese, or whatever it’s called now, offered everyone of them a ‘chat’ on their way back to the station.

No takers!

Wasn't the one you chinned then Aud?  :)

Couple of older fella they were, not wannabes.

Anyone know the Asian fella who’s followed Town for years, quite a big lad. He piled in as well!

You were so lucky! Got off at Wembley Park and had to go through an underpass crammed with Millwall fans (supposedly sheltering from the rain) who were yelling abuse. A few coppers there but it wouldn't have taken much to kick something off. To cap it all I heard on the radio afterwards how Millwall had "cleaned up their act", who do they think they're kidding?

There have been some memorable TEF away days over the years.

Cheltenham away in 2007 was a good one. The game was a boring 1-1 draw, but it will go down in history as the day flammableBen lost his clothes and my then fiancée (now wife) throwing her engagement ring back at me.

Numerous minibus trips on ropey Dangerfields buses that occasionally broke down. Franchise was probably the best, I think that was when Fred polished off a bottle of Tia Maria and Tails threatened to stab someone.

I remember a trip to Walsall once with another TEF member

They ended up at Birmingham airport!

Classic Ralphy.

Fulham away was a great day out too

I drove  :facepalm:

The Newcastle Cup drubbing was a great day out.

Tranmere PO semi ditto

Blackburn PO semi ditto

Huddersfield in the League Cup 1-4, I think.

The Anglo Italian thingy at the piss stains

Luton in the Simod

Watford - around the Xmas period, Chalkie and Shearer

Has been a grand old time following STFC over the years

Got to agree with Blackburn PO and Luton SC, however Newcastle for me was a shit day, 5 hours each way on a wanked out coach that should have been scrapped ten years previously, sat on that cold windswept scaffolding, and watching us get hammered, no way I could call that a good day out !!.    Got to add Birmingham 6-4,  Gillingham PO at Selhurst Park to the list also a good day out at West Brom, think we won something like 5-1 but can’t remember the season.

I didnt do Luton and Newcastle but went to the others, Blackburn was a great game with a great goal from Stigger, the M6 on the way North full of Swindon flags and scarves out of car and minibus windows, taking over the services too.

Brum away was an amazing game, Gills at Selhurst Park will always live with me, we outnumbered the more local Gills fans almost 2 to 1, a great atmosphere and post game celebrations, took 3 hours getting away from the ground and I had to thumb a lift as my coach left leaving about 20 of us there!

The WBA game was when Thorne got a hattrick wasnt it? mid 90s? live on TV too IIRC. WBA was always a good day out, went there many times with Town.

EDIT: yes 5-2 it finished with Thorne grabbing 3 in 1995.

If I remember correctly didn’t we come from behind to win that one ??.

2-1 down with about 15 left.

Thanks,  not quite the same atmosphere as the Birmingham 6-4, but still good.

Agree with all of those late 80s and early 90s ones. There were some good away days in the Premier League when we grapped draws at Arsenal, Liverpool and Spurs.

The last away game at QPR winning 3-1 and Swindon fans carrying a coffin down Shepherds Bush Road. Match report in one of the broadsheets referred to the cider consumption by Swindon fans.

Did Southampton Millwall quite a few years back with my cousins who are both Saints ST holders. Popped in a shop after the game and walked back out smack bang in the middle of Millwall's escort. We're talking 'Proper' Millwall - all 30+, skinheads and shirts off with Bushwhackers & F-Troop Tattoos. Tried lingering at the back of the Escort and very quietly saying to the Police that we were Southampton fans without being heard, eventually got out when one of the Cousins pulled down his hoody to reveal a Southampton shirt.  

When they saw us drop out the side of them they all charged the police and were greeted much to our amusement with Dogs and Batons.

As for Swindon - had some crackers over the years. Dagenham with a horse box turning over on the M25 on the way home resulting in a kickabout on the hard shoulder, Oldham in fancy dress with the coach breaking down in the carpark after... the list is endless!

The police formed the line after Horlock's goal. I was one of the handful, having got a workmate to get tickets for me and the wife as Town tickets were sold out and he lived near Blackpool. We had all grouped together on the other side of the fence separating the Town fans and when Horlock scored we all celebrated, of course.....it kicked off a bit, a few Blackpool fans having hissy fits because Town fans were in their end. I was spat at, I remember, and probably received a shove or two, but the police piled in quickly enough and formed the referenced line. They wanted to move us to the Swindon side but it was full so they just made a wall to separate us.

Brilliant weekend,  superb atmosphere Friday night, ruined only by the news that a Swindon fan had been stabbed that night.
Kept a lower profile Saturday night which took edge off it a bit.  Remember many Town fans outside the away end looking for tickets.  Was able to see over the fence (Similar to the Stratton Bank),  and they didn’t get in at all - long way to go to stand outside a ground !!.

Anglo-Italian Cup Final in Naples, 1971-

I was an apprentice at Pressed Steel at that time and called in sick on the day of the Final ;-) There was a supporters' and officials' plane to Naples and about a hundred of us got on a couple of Rimes coaches in the CG car park and set off to the airport (Gatwick I think). The plane was a BEA Comet and the Swindon Town Marching Girls were on board wearing their red jackets and fairly short white skirts. On arrival, coaches picked us up and took us on a short tour around Naples then on to the stadium for the late afternoon kick-off.

The Swindon Town Girls did a bit of marching and formed a guard of honour for the teams as they came out.

It was a big game for Napoli as well, with around 50,000 in the ground, almost all not under cover. We were sat quite high up on concrete terracing in one corner (if oval stadia have corners), I think there were thin cushions too.

As most on this Forum will know, we were deservedly winning 3-0 when fans on the other side of the ground  started breaking up concrete and some wooden benches and throwing debris on the pitch. The ref stopped the game and eventually police and officials did their best to shield the players as they ran the gauntlet to get to safety, one or two of them being hit by missiles but nothing serious. There was no trouble on our side of the stadium.     There were rumours later of political agitators being involved.

It soon became obvious the game would have to be abandoned and we were awarded the win and the cup was presented on the pitch.  Us Swindon fans made our way out and on to the waiting coaches. Between the coaches and the stadium was a large open space where rioters were being chased backwards and and forward by mounted riot police, but we couldn't leave because the Swindon Town Girls were still in the stadium. After a while the rioting stopped, the rioters parted like the Biblical Red Sea and the Girls came marching two by two across the plaza to the coaches. (Quite brave really). Then the rioting carried on as before!  Various Napoli fans were milling around us and some came on the coaches, but without exception they were friendly and shaking hands with us.  (Very similar to the Sunderland fans after our first Wembley play-off win)

The coaches whisked us away to an open air restaurant. I remember my steak being a bit bloody but being British just ate it and didn't complain. When in Rome... ;-) After that we were taken to the players' hotel and several of us drank champagne? out of the cup. Gigi Peronace (the Italian agent who organised the competion) signed my programme.  Then back to the airport and home to Swindon in the early morning :-)  

An eventful away day :-)


My Pressed Steel foreman Jack Viner didn't speak to me for weeks. He was a good bloke and a very keen Town fan but was unhappy at me taking the day off and lying about being sick.

ps among other memorabilia, my programme was unfortunately stolen from my sister's loft by some cowboy roof lagging installers. In the unlikely event anyone comes across a programme including Gigi Peronacie's signature I'd be happy to pay a reward for it.

We have a winner 👍🙌

Difficult to top this. Surprised we had 100 there. Also, always believed Napoli rioted because of the result but seeing as Swindon fans were completely ignored, had to have been something else behind it.

AFAIR, none of us Swindon fans were waving banners or flags, which might have attracted some unwanted attention from their Ultras, if there were such groups then. There was no banter back and forth "Who are ya?" etc  Apart from STFC officials and the Marching Girls, I think those on the plane were mostly business people, local Journos (Clive King) etc who could afford to take a day off midweek at fairly short notice. EG I was sat next to an auctioneer from Cirencester. I'm sure we all cheered when we scored but there was no animosity from the locals around us.

Apart from the rioting ;-) and the great Town performance, some fans would have found the atmosphere a bit tame ;-)

I'm pretty sure well known STFC historian was on the plane. It would be interesting to read his memories of that day.

Brilliant story.  Loved reading that.

Great story.

Wish there was an opportunity for us to go to Europe again. I would be there for sure.

PS The well-known STFC historian on the plane was Dick Mattick.

thanks for sharing Munich

You're welcome, I'm glad to pass on some of the details before going into my dotage ;-)   I posted the story on a different thread a few years ago and was honoured to get praise from Reg himself :-)