THE RECKLESS GUIDE TO SWINDON TOWN
Swindon Town v Barnet
Johnstone's Paint Trophy
Southern Area Final 2nd Leg
Tuesday 7 February 2012
Kick-Off 7.45pm
Stadium: The County Ground, County Road, Swindon, Wiltshire, SN1 2ED
Telephone: 0870 443 1969
Club Colours: Red & White
Nickname: The Robins
Official Club Website: www.swindontownfc.premiumtv.co.uk
Manager: Paulo Di Canio is the latest "man in the hotseat" at The County Ground. The Italian superstar played at Juventus, Lazio, Napoli, AC Milan, Celtic, Sheffield Wednesday and most notably for West Ham United. Has played at Underhill for the Hammers in the Paul Wilson Testimonial fixture too in 1999. This is is first managerial appointment.
Brief Directions by Road: From the M4 come off at Junction 15 and head for Swindon on the A419 (dual carriageway). At the first roundabout turn left onto the A4259 Marlborough Road still signposted Swindon. You will begin to see signs for the ground from this point. At the next roundabout take the second exit into Queens Drive. At the next roundabout (see below) effectively turn right for the ground.
Beware the phenomenon that is the Magic Roundabout! In my day you would pay 3/- to go on something similar at Finchley Carnival. There is also one of these so called innovations in Hemel Hempstead and whoever invented them should be given a season ticket at Stevenage.
Car Parking: No parking at the stadium but there are pay and displays in the town centre ½ mile away or limited street parking and local designated matchday parking areas for a small charge. St Josephs School, less than 5 minute walk to the ground have traditionally offered convenient parking at a small charge. There is plenty of space and convenient for getting back onto the M4
Directions by Train: A train from Paddington takes just on an hour to reach Swindon with no changes required. Only a 15 minute walk awaits - Turn left into Station Road and then into Corporation Street (by the White House pub). At the traffic lights turn left into Manchester Road and then right into County Road and second left will find the stadium. Please check availability of trains back home before you travel as Extra Time and/or Penalties maybe required to decide the outcome of the game.
Supporters' Coaches: Coaches for this season are being run by the club. Details to appear here shortly.
Eating and Drinking Locally: The best pubs and eating-houses are 10-15 minutes walk away in the town centre. The pubs close to the ground are usually designated as home fans only. 'The Merlin' on Drove Road is probably the best bet or it's certainly worth a walk to the Cricket Club behind the Arkells Stand were visiting fans are made welcome.
Ground Description: The ground is as smart as any in the lower leagues mainly due to the two large side stands the older of which, the North or Arkells Stand, built in 1971. Opposite is the Don Rogers Stand quite obviously the latest addition to the ground, which has room for around 5,000.
The neat C and D Town End is an ex terrace that has been around since I believe 1938 although extensively modernised and seated since. Behind the East goal you will find the Adkins Family Stand Bank which is simply the old open terrace with the seats bolted onto the risers. It is allocated to away fans only if more than 1,000 visiting fans are expected. Our home for the afternoon will be a section of 1,000 seats in the Arkells stand. The stand is shared with home supporters and has room for around 6,000.
Rivals: Oxford United, both Bristol clubs and Reading. Forest Green Rovers have been ruled out as everybody I have met from the town of Nailsworth is lovely.
Admission Prices/Tickets: Adults £10, Over 60s/U15s £5.
Our Last Meeting & Memories: The first leg of this tie took place at Underhill on 10th January 2012. Capt. Marvel Mark Hughes scored a second half equaliser and the game ended 1-1 - Click here for match report. A superb Adam Birchall goal took the 2008 FA Cup round 3 tie to a replay. Of course the Bees won a famous victory that evening on penalties. The previous League meetings in season 2006/7 were shared with the Bees winning at Underhill in February thanks to a Oliver Allen goal while a Nicky Bailey strike was not enough in a 2-1 defeat in our opening away game of that season in front of nearly 8,000 spectators.
As mentioned above current Manager Di Canio played in Paul Wilson's Testimonial at Underhill. Allegedly he turned up in his seriously expensive bright red gleaming Ferrari and was told at the top end of the ground by a steward that the car park reserved for Players and Officials was already full but there was street parking available in the vicinity! Paulo's reaction isn't on record but you will be relieved to know that a space was found for his "wheels".
Celebrity Watch: John Francome MBE National Hunt Jockey was born here as were voluptuous blondes Diana Dors and Melinda Messinger. Actress and singer Billie Piper and rock and pop know it all Mark Lamarr (originally Jones) also hail from around here. Camp TV celeb Julian Clary has a pad in the area, or maybe that is just a rumour! On a musical note Ray O'Sullivan, better known to us oldies as Gilbert, Justin Haywood, the frontman and voice of the Moody Blues and also the composer of the beautiful "Nights In White Satin" and the band XTC also hail from Swindon.
Reckless
