Tomorrow is a day we have all been anticipating for many months – the full return of supporters to the County Ground.
No one could’ve foreseen the devastating impact COVID-19 would have on the world on March 7, 2020. That was the last time we were truly able to support our football club together, on the terraces, as one united community.
While there are no points on the line in tomorrow’s game, kick-off will mark another positive step forwards in our vision to rebuild the infrastructure of your club.
We make no secret of the fact that this will take time, and we ask for your patience. But the extraordinary support Swindon Town fans have shown through generations will always be what champions our club.
This week has been extraordinarily busy, and I am sure everyone reading this will agree all staff at the football club must be applauded for their continued hard work. As a team, we have drawn a line under the past and everyone is looking forward to a much brighter, more positive, future.
On Monday, we were able to sell our first season ticket at the club shop which was a fantastic moment for everyone. Two days earlier, we made our goal to sell 6,000 season tickets public.
As I type, we are making good progress towards achieving that ambition, and at the close of Thursday we had sold 920 season tickets. That is an impressive number considering the circumstances in which we are having to sell season tickets for the time being.
As a lifelong Swindon Town supporter, seeing fans engaging with each other while queueing outside the ground come rain or shine after a particularly difficult period for many people made me feel extremely proud.
We are close to overcoming barriers that prevent us from selling season tickets online and via telephone. As soon as we have news, we will immediately communicate to you. I must thank everyone for their understanding.
I echo Clem’s comments from earlier this week – tell your friends and tell your family. You have your club back and we would love you to be part of this journey and we really need your support in whatever way possible from season tickets, to matchday tickets to buying the great new kit that the team has designed.
We are also extremely pleased to welcome Bartercard on board this season as our new principle partner, and on Wednesday First City Nursing extended its commercial partnership with the club.
Since our last friendly we have also confirmed the signings of Ben Gladwin and Lewis Ward. We were also thrilled to offer Swindon Town Academy graduate Harry Parsons a new and improved contract offer, which he accepted.
Harry has been tremendously loyal to the Swindon badge through his development and we would all like to wish him every success in red.
So, focusing on tomorrow. It’s one final opportunity to watch the team before our important trip to Scunthorpe United next Saturday.
Our coaching and scouting duo Ben Garner and Ben Chorley have been working exceptionally hard behind the scenes so we can start day one of the Football League season in the strongest possible way.
We will also be paying tribute to two club legends who both sadly passed away.
A minute’s applause will be held before kick-off to remember former director, chairman, club ambassador and honorary president Mike Spearman, who served the club with tremendous passion for 40 years.
We will also remember the great Alan McLoughlin by pausing after four minutes of play for a round of applause. Our thoughts remain firmly with Mike and Alan’s families, their achievements with Swindon Town Football Club will never be forgotten.
Everyone at the club would like to wish Peterborough a safe journey to SN1, we look forward to a great game.
Finally, we also understand some supporters will still be anxious attending the game despite the Government’s easing of lockdown restrictions.
Even though restrictions have largely been lifted, we are still providing hand sanitising stations around the stadium. We must also remind supporters who have tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 10 days, those isolating and those displaying symptoms to stay at home.
We want to make fans feel as safe as possible while watching the game, therefore please make any concerns you may have to a member of our stewarding team or any member of staff you can see – your safety will always be our priority.
Enjoy the game,
Rob Angus, Swindon Town CEO.
