Fans asked to help clear snow at County Ground (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)
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SWINDON TOWN: Fans asked to help clear snow at County Ground
7:18pm Friday 18th January 2013 in Sport
The scene at the County Ground at 8.30pm
SWINDON Town are still asking for fans who are able to make it safely to the County Ground to help move snow off the playing surface.
Following Friday's blizzards, groundstaff, office staff, management and Paolo Di Canio himself have been joined by supporters with wheelbarrows and shovels in an effort to ensure tomorrow's scheduled League One clash with Shrewsbury goes ahead.
An 8am pitch inspection has been scheduled for tomorrow morning but, with frost covers having sat on the County Ground pitch for the best part of a week, there should be no problem in the surface being fit for purpose provided the snow is shifted from on top.
The clearing effort will go on through the night if necessary, with the floodlights now on, and fans who wish to help should enter the ground via gate E1 between the Town End and the Arkell's Stand.
The club has also requested that supporters bring shovels and in particular wheelbarrows along to help move the snow.
Comments(48)
tifosi
says...
7:28pm Fri 18 Jan 13
I won't be able to.
Maxwell'79
says...
7:31pm Fri 18 Jan 13
The Jockster
says...
7:32pm Fri 18 Jan 13
Ollie Reed's Parky dance!
says...
7:33pm Fri 18 Jan 13
swindonjason
says...
7:36pm Fri 18 Jan 13
I live in Chippenham too so can pick you up if you are interested
swinRhino
says...
7:37pm Fri 18 Jan 13
Ollie Reed's Parky dance! wrote:I am also selfishly standing by & I only just around the corner - but then the back op wasn't that long ago!
I'm selfishly standing by ( I do live in Chippenham so have a bit of an excuse).
Di kanny oh
says...
7:38pm Fri 18 Jan 13
Di kanny oh
says...
7:45pm Fri 18 Jan 13
swinRhino
says...
7:56pm Fri 18 Jan 13
Di kanny oh wrote:I have to agree I don't think it will be the condition of the pitch and ground that will be the issue but the surrounding area and safety that will be the main factor.
Just going to watch the Leicester v Midds game on sky and thousands of fans will not make it to the game due to conditions away from the ground even though the pitch is heated and first class condition. The Middlesbro team took 2 hours in their coach to get to the ground and were only 2 miles away in their hotel. Says it all for Town's prospects tomorrow and it won't matter what the pitch is like I'm afraid.
With freezing temps it is a losing battle I think, hope I will be proved wrong.
southside7
says...
8:04pm Fri 18 Jan 13
DarrenSTFCRomain
says...
8:11pm Fri 18 Jan 13
akershaker
says...
8:31pm Fri 18 Jan 13
It's only a few inches of snow, millions of people deal with much more all winter
jayden
says...
8:32pm Fri 18 Jan 13
DarrenSTFCRomain wrote:Or feed me loads of cg burgers and point my arse towards the pitch.
Why do thay just hire a couple of flamethrowers..
super reds
says...
8:47pm Fri 18 Jan 13
akershaker wrote:Ok Aker, what time are you coming to Wantage to pick me, my kids & my mate up, after all it's only a few inches of snow!!!!
There is no reason why 99% of fans can't get to the game. Careful driving required but that's all. It's only a few inches of snow, millions of people deal with much more all winter
DarrenSTFCRomain
says...
8:51pm Fri 18 Jan 13
jayden wrote:HA HA HA
DarrenSTFCRomain wrote: Why do thay just hire a couple of flamethrowers..Or feed me loads of cg burgers and point my arse towards the pitch.
..
FOCKING GREAT 1 MATE..
TheDukeOfBanbury
says...
9:01pm Fri 18 Jan 13
Well done to everyone who have put themselves out. True Supporters.
If I was local would have joined you.
Di kanny oh
says...
9:04pm Fri 18 Jan 13
TheDukeOfBanbury
says...
9:04pm Fri 18 Jan 13
super reds wrote:I will get from North Oxon to Didcot. My car is a BMW and poor in the snow with rear wheel drive. Will then be getting a lift from Didcot through Wantage with the Brother driving, however will have a full car.
akershaker wrote: There is no reason why 99% of fans can't get to the game. Careful driving required but that's all. It's only a few inches of snow, millions of people deal with much more all winterOk Aker, what time are you coming to Wantage to pick me, my kids & my mate up, after all it's only a few inches of snow!!!!
Roads will be fine if you can get off of the housing areas. Will be well gritted by then.
Di kanny oh
says...
9:12pm Fri 18 Jan 13
smirg kcab
says...
9:36pm Fri 18 Jan 13
Just bring extra large straws to the c/g
Onwards and upwards
southside7
says...
9:39pm Fri 18 Jan 13
Di kanny oh wrote:Cortese is a disgrace to English football and it's the like of him, Abramovich, Venky's, Shinawatra etc that are destroying the heritage of our great game. Little spoilt brats treating football as their plaything.
Fair play to those at the county ground tonight true fans. On another note Southampton sacked Nigel Adkins this morning and on the Daily Echo site they have had 789 post with many fans quite upset, but what some postings that is truly amazing. Seems the majority are against the sacking and even worse Saints have employed a non English speaking Spaniard in his place.
super reds
says...
9:59pm Fri 18 Jan 13
TheDukeOfBanbury wrote:Funnily enough Duke, I have the same BMW which as you say poor in the snow, been looking at the weather forecast for round here & tbh doesn't look fantastic for tomorrow, hence my reluctance to travel, I was only joking about Aker picking me up, if I can get there I will but I don't like driving in these conditions, never have, mainly because there's always at least 1 idiot on the road that drives , shall we say, erratically & I can't afford to have that idiot running into me & perhaps putting my car off the road, I will evaluate the situation in the morning.
super reds wrote:I will get from North Oxon to Didcot. My car is a BMW and poor in the snow with rear wheel drive. Will then be getting a lift from Didcot through Wantage with the Brother driving, however will have a full car.
akershaker wrote: There is no reason why 99% of fans can't get to the game. Careful driving required but that's all. It's only a few inches of snow, millions of people deal with much more all winterOk Aker, what time are you coming to Wantage to pick me, my kids & my mate up, after all it's only a few inches of snow!!!!
Roads will be fine if you can get off of the housing areas. Will be well gritted by then.
Di kanny oh
says...
10:02pm Fri 18 Jan 13
southside7 wrote:Quite right southside 7 especially after Adkins had got some excellent results recently and was turning matters around. Back to back promotions and Saints were 4th from bottom of Division one when he took over from Pardew. Like you say clubs are like toys to these people who care little about people. I'm sure he will be back in work quickly a very very good manager and loved by many of the Saints fans.
Di kanny oh wrote:Cortese is a disgrace to English football and it's the like of him, Abramovich, Venky's, Shinawatra etc that are destroying the heritage of our great game. Little spoilt brats treating football as their plaything.
Fair play to those at the county ground tonight true fans. On another note Southampton sacked Nigel Adkins this morning and on the Daily Echo site they have had 789 post with many fans quite upset, but what some postings that is truly amazing. Seems the majority are against the sacking and even worse Saints have employed a non English speaking Spaniard in his place.
Looks very cold out on that County ground pitch and I would have been there myself but just been knocked for six with a horrendous flu and cold bug which took me three weeks to shift and I just feel totally wiped out but hope to make the game if on tomorrow but well done to those that are there truly magnifico.
Ginger-nutz
says...
10:05pm Fri 18 Jan 13
tifosi wrote:Point is that he club is no skint..
What's the point of clearing the pitch if fans can't get there?
I won't be able to.
.
And AB & PdC would rather play the game wether we can get there or not because we have forked out for loan players until the end of th month that we really couldn't afford.
.
So any income at this moment is better than none....Plus AB wants to put on a show for the potential investors, before agreeing a sale after the match
DarrenSTFCRomain
says...
10:23pm Fri 18 Jan 13
Ginger-nutz wrote:before agreeing a sale after the match
tifosi wrote: What's the point of clearing the pitch if fans can't get there? I won't be able to.Point is that he club is no skint.. . And AB & PdC would rather play the game wether we can get there or not because we have forked out for loan players until the end of th month that we really couldn't afford. . So any income at this moment is better than none....Plus AB wants to put on a show for the potential investors, before agreeing a sale after the match
Is there something you no that we dont ?
the wizard
says...
10:29pm Fri 18 Jan 13
Big well done to one and all, I wish I was there with you.
LydiardRED67
says...
10:48pm Fri 18 Jan 13
Hopefully your efforts will ensure the match goes ahead tomorrow, but Even if it doesn't, you have shown what great supporters this club has.
LydiardRED67
says...
10:48pm Fri 18 Jan 13
Hopefully your efforts will ensure the match goes ahead tomorrow, but Even if it doesn't, you have shown what great supporters this club has.
grove red
says...
10:48pm Fri 18 Jan 13
Coyr
ciclosporindorset
says...
11:02pm Fri 18 Jan 13
grove red
says...
11:07pm Fri 18 Jan 13
Coyr
red white
says...
11:17pm Fri 18 Jan 13
Classic,any excuse to get em on!
peckham red
says...
11:22pm Fri 18 Jan 13
CraigClark
says...
11:37pm Fri 18 Jan 13
COYR!
DarrenSTFCRomain
says...
11:53pm Fri 18 Jan 13
CraigClark wrote:Fairplay to ya...
Just back from the county ground and the pitch is pretty much free of snow. Just hope the surrounding areas are safe enough for the game to go ahead! COYR!
you must be shattered and cold...
Was there many fans helping?..
Once again fairplay 2 all the fans and staff and PAOLO for clearing the pitch ..
You lot should be bought on2 the pitch at halftime so the fans can give you all a good round of aplause..
FAIRPLAY 2YA
old town robin
says...
11:57pm Fri 18 Jan 13
Di kanny oh wrote:He is a Argentine national actually.
Fair play to those at the county ground tonight true fans. On another note Southampton sacked Nigel Adkins this morning and on the Daily Echo site they have had 789 post with many fans quite upset, but what some postings that is truly amazing. Seems the majority are against the sacking and even worse Saints have employed a non English speaking Spaniard in his place.
Cookie43
says...
11:59pm Fri 18 Jan 13
I could not see many other managers willing to pick up a spade and shovel snow of our pitch.
I can not for the life of me see what else this man has to do he is a total legend and has single handed brought a sense of unity to our club, staff players fans even down to the guy who makes the tea sitting in the dugout on cup final day. He has proved to us how much this club the fans means to him now is the time for every swindon fan to repay him and show how much PDC means to us by getting to the county ground tomorrow if the game is on and sing his name loud and proud and show how much he means to us and show any future investors that this club is worth every penny. get to the ground and get your scarfs out above your heads
COME ON U REDS!!!!!
Cookie43
says...
12:00am Sat 19 Jan 13
HA HA
Jets there'd
says...
12:02am Sat 19 Jan 13
Paolo, his coaches & some of the office staff were there too. Fabulous, passionate & very committed people. Paolo was working hard shovelling snow & sweeping the pitch from when we got there at 6pm till we left at 11.15pm. This was not a publicity stunt in his behalf it was true determination as he wants the game to be played. How many managers would have done this?
The club laid on dozens of pizzas for the fans that helped & refreshments in the Legends Lounge. Very nice gesture. Lets hope the game is on.
COYR!
red white
says...
12:25am Sat 19 Jan 13
Well done people of Swindon,great shift.
ChrisWantageRed
says...
12:37am Sat 19 Jan 13
mancrobin
says...
1:13am Sat 19 Jan 13
If the game gets called off it clearly won't be for lack of trying. Big credit to you all.
COYR!!!!
oncearedalwaysared
says...
4:20am Sat 19 Jan 13
He shovels the snow
He's Paolo di Canio
He shovels the snow
perth red
says...
4:28am Sat 19 Jan 13
The Jockster
says...
6:00am Sat 19 Jan 13
southside7 wrote:Southside is that Frank Shinwatra?
Di kanny oh wrote:Cortese is a disgrace to English football and it's the like of him, Abramovich, Venky's, Shinawatra etc that are destroying the heritage of our great game. Little spoilt brats treating football as their plaything.
Fair play to those at the county ground tonight true fans. On another note Southampton sacked Nigel Adkins this morning and on the Daily Echo site they have had 789 post with many fans quite upset, but what some postings that is truly amazing. Seems the majority are against the sacking and even worse Saints have employed a non English speaking Spaniard in his place.
The Jockster
says...
6:04am Sat 19 Jan 13
old town robin wrote:Even worse then!
Di kanny oh wrote:He is a Argentine national actually.
Fair play to those at the county ground tonight true fans. On another note Southampton sacked Nigel Adkins this morning and on the Daily Echo site they have had 789 post with many fans quite upset, but what some postings that is truly amazing. Seems the majority are against the sacking and even worse Saints have employed a non English speaking Spaniard in his place.
The Jockster
says...
6:24am Sat 19 Jan 13
Paolo or Pdc as I like to call him is rightly adored by the fans and anyone who went to Bournemouth and saw him come over to the travelling support and raise the scarf would already know that.
Black or no Black this club like Gloria Gaynor will survive and I noted a delicious bit of irony in the media yesterday- it seems that the much vilified Phil Spencer could in fact be a potential investor lol!

Redhouse Red says...
7:22pm Fri 18 Jan 13