Swindon striker Super Sammy Parkin was at Asda Walmart in the Orbital Business Park signing autographs and meeting the fans on Friday.

The Gazette columnist took time out to meet the fans and chat about the new season. The event was a success with many fans of all ages turning up to see their star. He said: "It was good to meet the fans of Swindon as I don't come from around this area and I live in Twickenham."

The supporters seemed thrilled to meet the goal sneak. Tim Harris, a life long Swindon fan, took his children and friends to meet Sam. He said: "It's great for the kids to meet a player like Sam Parkin. They should do more of it. Sam is everyone's favourite player and the lad that will take us up."

Mr Harris took his daughter Danielle, 13 and her friend Scott Chilcott to see Sammy. Danielle said: "He is so good. I fancy Sammy."

Scott is also a Swindon fan. He recently broke his foot but still came along to see his hero. He said: "I love going to Swindon to watch my favourite player. It's great to meet him."

It wasn't just the children that made the effort to see Sam. Stephen Griffin, 52, from Swindon came to get a shirt signed. He has been a Swindon Town fan since he was ten and went to his first Town game back in 1962. It was an old division four game at home against Carlisle United. Mr Griffin said: "He's a nice chap and I'm a big fan. This is a great thing to do."

Leigh Foster, 11, does not get many chances to go to the County Ground so was very happy to get to meet Sammy. He said: "We are saving to go on holiday soon so we can't afford to go to Swindon all the time. But I'm going on my birthday on August 28. Sammy is going to score lots of goals."

His mum Lynda says that finances stop her from taking her son every week. She said: "For parents that can't afford to go to the football all the time, this is a great opportunity. The kids love it."

Richard Ayliffa was still in his Asda uniform when he queued up to meet Parkin. He said: "This is good, I work most Saturdays so I don't get to see him much."