Green Army Guide
AHEAD of Saturday’s trip to Swindon Town in Sky Bet League Two, we had a look at the Energy Check County Ground.
Swindon Town base themselves at the County Ground, where they have played their home matches since 1896, 17 years after the club was founded. Situated in Wiltshire, there is a 322-mile round trip from Home Park.
The layout of Swindon’s ground is very traditional but also has a mix of stands. There are two large two-tiered stands on either side and then two smaller ends. The Arkell Stand is the main stand in the ground, which is on the side of the players’ tunnel, going through the bottom and the dugouts in front.
Opposite is the Don Rogers Stand, which has two tiers and a cantilevered roof. The FastPlant Town End is a small covered stand with a row of supporting pillars along it, causing a restricted view and, finally, there is the Stratton Bank Stand, which is uncovered with an electric scoreboard and a Rolex Clock beside it.
The full capacity of County Ground totals to 15,728, with 1,200 away fans able to be seated in the Arkell Stand.
Swindon, also known at The Robins, finished 13th in League Two in the 2018-19 season, leaving themselves in a comfortable position ahead of the next season.
The club’s mascot is called Rockin’ Robin, in association with the club nickname, and the club colours are red and have been since changing from claret in 1918.
In the 2019-20 season, the Green Army will see a recognisable name on Swindon’s team sheet. Luke McCormick is spending his second season with the Robins after departing from Argyle at the end of the 2017-18 campaign, having served a total of 13 years in two separate spells wearing the Pilgrim Green.
Food on offer within the ground include pies, burgers, hot dogs and pasties. Away fans have their own bar by the away turnstiles called Bar 71 but it is quite small and fills up quickly, so it is a first-come, first-served basis.
The town centre is only a 15-minute walk away from the ground where you will be able to find pubs, restaurants and convenience stores. There is also a pub called “The Merlin” on Drove Road, which will welcome away supporters.
At the Merlin Pub, there is also parking available for £2 per car. That is in comparison to the limited parking at the ground itself, which costs £10 per car. At St Joseph Catholic College in Ocotal Way, there is also parking available for £5 per car and it is only a ten-minute walk away.