Swindon Town FC
Player Profiles
Fixtures and results 04/05
Next game
Swindon Pics
Match Report
League Table
Heroes of 69
Club Info
Racism in Football
STFC Kits
Footie Jokes!
Chants 'n Tunes
Whats the ground like?
Season 2003-2004
My Own Pics
Physio Room
Rumours
Match Day Photos
Ticket Prices
Stadium Plans
Links for Swindon Town FC
Message Board
Guestbook
Event Calendar
Mail Form
Will Super Sammy Parkin stay at Swindon next season?
|
The County Ground
 At one end is the Stratton Bank Stand, a former terrace with rows of seats bolted on to it. This area is uncovered and has a clock above it as well as a small electric scoreboard. Opposite is the small, covered Town End, with several supporting pillars across the front. An unusual feature is that the supporting legs of one of the floodlight pylons are actually in one side of the stand, there are even some seats situated behind them! The sides are larger, two tiered covered stands towering above the two ends. The newest of these is the attractive Nationwide Stand, while on the other side is the older Arkells Stand. The latter has windshields on either side and a few supporting pillars.
The ground also benefits by a striking set of four floodlight pylons. Once a feature across the country, floodlights are slowly but surely disappearing from the landscape, being replaced by rows of lights across the stand roofs. It's a shame really, if only because the floodlight pylons made it a lot easier to locate a ground in a town or city and were always synonymous with a football ground. |
Whats it like for visiting suppourters? FANZ VIEW
 Away fans are located in the Arkells Stand at one side of the pitch, where up to 1,200 fans can be housed. This is an older stand with facilities to match, but at least you are under cover. If you are at the back of this stand there is one supporting pillar which may impair your view of the goal otherwise it is fine. You even get a view of some of the rolling Marlborough Hills beyond one corner of the ground! There is a small kiosk at the back of stand serving amongst other refreshments the delicious 'Football's Famous Chicken Balti Pie' (£2.20), but be careful when taking them back to your seat. The entrances to the seating areas are through large solid doors, and to compound matters they open out towards you!
Teams with a larger away following can also be allocated the Stratton Bank End if required. A further 2,100 fans can be accommodated in this area, but the end has no cover and is open to the elements. Fine on a nice sunny day, but on a cold wet, winters day, it can be grim. I found Swindon to be a relaxed and fairly friendly day out, although the size of police presence on my last visit seemed excessive. On a previous visit I managed talk my way into the players lounge & bar after the game, quite an experience! |
Where to drink? FANZ VIEW
 The County Hotel right by the ground, did not allow entrance to away supporters on my last visit. Best to continue down County Road and seek out the Cricket Club that sits behind the Arkells Stand. As Mark Osborne from Swindon adds; 'On match days home and away fans can park on the cricket ground (for a small fee) and then have access to a drink in the cricket club. This is a very friendly (as well as cheap) club that always welcomes away fans'. I would echo these comments but also add that you can still get into the cricket club (there is no charge) even if you have not parked there.
Audrey MacDonald a visiting Hartlepool United fan, recommends 'The Merlin' on Drove Road, near to the magic roundabout. 'Away fans are welcome, but no team colours are allowed. They have Sky Sports showing on 12 television screens and even in the gents (according to my husband). Steve Collins adds; 'There is a also a good chippy also on Drove Road near to the ground, which is called the 'Frying Fish'. Alcohol is available within the ground to away fans in the Arkells Stand (but not in the open Stratton Bank End), otherwise if you arrive early Swindon town centre is a 15 minute walk away.
|
|
