SIXTY SIX MILES TO SWINDON!

Early references to Swindon Town reveal that in 1894, Rev. Williams Pitt was the first to employ professional footballers in the town. He may not have had the same problems retaining the services of his players, as the present club appear to be doing with their Managers!

The Bulls visit The County Ground on Saturday to play a team that, at the time of writing, are managerless following the departure of Dennis Wise to pastures new. Wise was the most recent in a long list of big names to have held the position including Ossie Ardiles, Glenn Hoddle and the mighty Jimmy Quinn! Swindon have however had their golden times. Notably, the Don Rogers era in the late sixties brought great success and many well-known scalps particularly in Cup competitions. Currently though they sit towards the top of what was once the fourth division following a string of impressive early season results. Recent form has been patchy and it may well be a good time to be taking on the Wiltshire outfit. Visiting supporters are accommodated in part of the Arkells Stand offering about 1200 covered seats with the overflow going in the seated but uncovered Stratton Bank End.

Saturday 4th November 2006
Swindon Town v HUFC
County Ground, Swindon. SN1 2ED
Kick Off 3.00 PM

BY CAR Leave Hereford on the Ledbury Road and turn right at the Trumpet. Follow signs for Gloucester through Dymock and Newent. Join the A40 and follow signs around Gloucester for Cheltenham and then Cirencester joining the A417. Continue to the top of Birdlip Hill (Air Balloon Pub) and follow A417 Cirencester. The A417 becomes the A419 near the Travelodge at Cirencester and you should continue on this road through Latton and Blunsdon. At the Turnpike (where the recently closed BP garage, Little Chef and Burger King were), take the third exit from the roundabout following signs for A4311 Swindon. Continue on this road passing Penhill Service Station (BP) and several roundabouts. Follow all Town Centre signs until you reach Transfer Bridges roundabout where you should follow M4 East/Town Centre and onto County Road. Next, you then come to the famous (in Swindon at least) Magic Roundabout. From here, follow the Swindon FC sign into Shrivenham Road where you will find The County Ground. There is some street parking around the ground but the advice is to use the facility at St Josephs School (£3). Distance 66 miles - allow 1.5 hours.

BY TRAIN Swindon station is a 10/15 minute walk from the ground. Walk to the end of the road and turn left into Manchester Road, through the traffic lights and at the junction turn right. The County Ground is about 300 yards along this road.
Trains leave Hereford at 10.20 and 10.55 and arrive in Swindon at 12.27 and 13.27 (Both involve a change at Newport). The return train leaves Swindon at 17.40 and arrives in Hereford at 19.24 with a change at Newport.

HUISA COACHES Contact HUFC office on 01432 276666
HUMADS COACH Contact Reg on 01684 572945

REFRESHMENTS Whilst there are many Pubs in the nearby Town Centre, it is not yet clear what advice is being given to Publicans by the local Plod. Past experience indicates that the Cricket Club (behind the Arkell Stand) accepts visitors. There are licensed outlets within the Arkell Stand. The Tap and Barrel in Manchester Road looks worth a call as does The Merlin in Drove Road while the usual Wetherspoons facilities are available at 22/23 Fleet Street. I will post any further guidance as and when I receive it.

Enjoy - Come on you BULLS

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