Why do you support Swindon Town?

[BANGKOK RED]

The atmosphere back then was incredible.

I remember well the cup match at home against Villa, what a game and what a day out.

[Simon Pieman]

I didn't gain any interest in football until I was about 8, which was around the time we went up to the Premiership.

It was not until we went back down to division two that I saw my first game at the county ground, courtesy of a promotion for cheap tickets they were doing at my school. I also went to one or two more matches with a similar offer and my dad took me to a couple of games as he could see I enjoyed it.

After that I didn't get to go much, until the kids go free offers came about and I watched two whole seasons of us doing badly in division one. I couldn't really make many games after that, I either didn't have the money or I was working on match days. I took time off my part time job to watch the derby matches. My attendance was just as sporadic when I went to university - I didn't drive and train fare to Swindon was too expensive. I did however meet a couple of people on my courses who were also Swindon fans. Luckily one went to quite a few games so in my final year I got to go a bit more than normal (he drove).

So I've only going on a continual regular basis for the past 3 years, but in the 15 years I've spent watching on and off I've experienced good and bad football in the typical yo-yo spirit the club has become accustomed to. All I will say is that were it not for the promotions the club ran for the juniors, I may still be an armchair sky sports fan. Not everyone has parents who already support town. Nothing can beat the buzz of watching a good game inside the ground though.

[magicroundabout]

The atmosphere back then was incredible.

I remember well the cup match at home against Villa, what a game and what a day out.

is that the one on the BBC which we lost 2.1 but totally dominated.

I was stood at the back of the Stratton Bank with the old chap. I was only young.
remember when we scored (right in front of us) everyone surged forward in celebration and i was left stood there on my own cheering and thinking. where the fuck has everyone gone.

I vaugly remember in that game some very funny chants towards Jimmy Hill in the commentry box behind us.

[Phil_S]

I read quite a few started going by catching a coach laid on for Football. Why doesn't this happen anymore ?

[yeo]

I 1st started supporting Notts County back in July 2009,I remember it well...They signed some good players and won some games,topped it off with the high profile signing of Sven! I was hooked and havent been going ever since.

[Simon Pieman]

I 1st started supporting Notts County back in July 2009,I remember it well...They signed some good players and won some games,topped it off with the high profile signing of Sven! I was hooked and havent been going ever since.

[reeves4england]

I read quite a few started going by catching a coach laid on for Football. Why doesn't this happen anymore ?

When were these coaches running? Was it at a time when less people had cars? And what were buses to Swindon like? Nowadays it costs next to nothing to drive from Calne to Swindon, and there's a regular bus service.

[derbystfc]

missed most of this thread, but I started going when I was 4, my dad used to take me and my Brother along, always was in the town end, and i still am there now. over 20 years now!!

[Ardiles]

I know another Town fan from Derby.  (Maybe you know him too?  Used to be a regular, but not sure if he still is.)  The reason he started watching us was quite bizarre.  Living in Derby, he said he hated anything to do with Leicester...so when we came up against them in the 1992-93 play off final, he supported us.  And has ever since.

[ReadingRed]

When were these coaches running? Was it at a time when less people had cars?

Coaches certainly ran right through the 60s and most of the 70s from Melksham via Devizes. Sometimes there were 2 or 3 for the bigger games. I think the numbers were also boosted because some of the wives came up for the shopping while dads and kids went to the football.

There were certainly less cars around - my family didn't have one till I was in my teens.

[trogladite]

Ellisons ran a coach from Ashton Keynes, calling at Criclade.  Poor local buses meant I'de never make night games.  They were essential in the 60s 70s

[Summerof69]

Sorry to go off on a tangent slightly, but; back in those days there were often alternating chants between the shrivvy and the town end, not dissimilar to what happens now occasionally. I recall one occasion when someone in the shrivvy road terrace climbed up to the top of the perimeter fence and faced the fans (back to the game) and began conducting the rest of the fans in their songs and chants....quality.

I remember the 'Lou Macari's Red And White Army' chant going on for over 5 minutes with each stand alternating.

Great days.

[Christy]

Being born three days after Wembley 1969 into a Town supporting family, I never stood a chance.

As Sonic mentioned, there was a coach that went from Witney / Bampton.  By the dog days of the early 80s, when I was old enough to go on my own, there was virtually no-one on it, save for a few old fellas and probably more ladies - heading for the shops.

I'm not sure now which seems more bizarre: that there would be a coach taking a few people up to 25 miles for Division 4 football, or that anyone would want to go shopping in Swindon.

Looking forwards rather than back, I was so chuffed for my boys (5 and 9) on Tuesday night.  They've already endured enough shit, including the massive anti-climax of last Saturday (I really can't imagine being 5, asking "is it 15th August yet?" everyday for about ten weeks, and then that.  And then still managing to be the most excited person in the world, ever, before Tuesday's game).  

Beautiful evenings like that are for them, and for those who get hooked by them.

[Panda Paws]

Ellisons ran a coach from Ashton Keynes, calling at Criclade.  Poor local buses meant I'de never make night games.  They were essential in the 60s 70s

I remember the SilverKnight coaches running as well, from gloucestershire way I think

[ronnie21]

I remember the SilverKnight coaches running as well, from gloucestershire way I think

Silverknight were based near Malmesbury and suppplied the coaches for SAS travel when it was properly organised by Annie and Paul!!  I think they were formed about the time when Athelstan Coaches went bust!  We used to get a bus round our village from Athelstan, picking up at such places as Crudwell, Charlton and Minety.  It was usually full as was the bus Athelstan used to run straight from Malmesbury.