'Listen to us' say Town supporters (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

'Listen to us' say Town supporters

Paul Davis of the STFC supporters' trust Picture Ref: 200041SWINDON Town fans have urged the town's council and the club to listen to their views before deciding on the venue for a new ground.

The demand was made at the latest Swindon Town Supporters' Trust meeting at the Holiday Inn, Marlborough Road, Coate, last night.

A small straw poll conducted by fans showed a move out of the borough would be unacceptable for the majority of most Town supporters.

Seventeen of the 26 supporters present at the trust meeting said they would vote with their feet and stop supporting Swindon Town if the club carried out its threat and moved outside the town.

And the consensus of most of those present was that the club would be best served by remaining at its present County Ground site.

Trust board member Paul Davis said the time was now right for both the club and the council to listen to what supporters have to say.

He said: "We live in Swindon, we support Swindon Town, but no-one has listened to us.

"We feel our voice has not been heard and the council and the club need to ask us what we want.

"We want the club to stay where it is at the moment, it's as simple as that."

Last week, the Adver reported that plans to redevelop the County Ground had been thrown into disarray after the council stated it could not go ahead with the proposals, sparking concern the club may be forced outside of the borough.

But fellow supporter Mike Welsh echoed Mr Davis' viewpoint and issued an impassioned plea to Swindon Town and the council to get together to find a solution to the current impasse.

"My father and my grandfather stood on those terraces at Swindon and I hope my sons and my grandsons will do so as well," he said.

"If you want to build a house you go along to the planning officer and you ask for advice, you don't submit plans which have no chance of going through.

"The club needs to work with the council to find a solution to work around the current plans of staying at the County Ground."

Andy Ings, a fan of 33 years, believes losing the club would have the same devastating effect as the closure of the town's railway works.

"I can see both points of view," he reasoned.

"The council doesn't want to lose hundreds of thousands of pounds in rates but at the same time, this town cannot afford to lose an important part of its heritage.

"It is in the ideal position where it is as it's eight minutes away from the bus and train stations and located next to three major trunk roads.

"It would be like losing the railway works if the club was forced out of Swindon."

Kevin Burchall