In case you missed it see what’s in this section
We recommend
Let's Talk
Your Total Guide To sport
Vic Morgan: Pre-Match Traditions & Xmas At Shrewsbury
Lifelong Town fan Vic Morgan gives his authoritative stance on the Robins, every week on Total Sport. As Christmas fast approaches, Morgan takes a look at some of the lost traditions of pre-match procedures, before eyeing up the perfect present in the form of three points at the Shrews.
It is Quite a relief to be going into the festive fixtures away from the relegation zone and winning games.
I'm sure that's a feeling most Swindon fans have ahead of this weekend's trip to Shrewsbury. The win over Rochdale on a pretty foul afternoon showed that the Town can dig out victories even when they're not playing that well.
In fact it's fair to say that the three points came about in one inspired minute which saw Fabien Robert and Ben Gladwin find the net.
So on a cold, windy and miserable day, Swindon did the important thing and won. It doesn't matter how you do it as long as you chalk up the victory. There's no doubt that manager Martin Ling would love to see fast fluid and spectacular football. However, he's also keen to see his side move away from the foot of the table and four wins from five under his guidance is certainly achieving that aim.
Our Christmas football kicks off not too far away at the Shrews' reasonably new ground. A pleasant enough stadium in close proximity to Percy Thrower's garden centre - an unlikely but popular pre match visit for Town fans making the trip.
Those with longer memories will remember the old Gay Meadow. One of the great old grounds where a man in a coracle would float around the nearby river to fish out footballs that splashed into the water after being kicked over the top of the stand. Now that's a fantastic piece of the game's history and we'll probably never see the like of that again.
Its on a par with the bull that used to parade around Hereford's pitch at Edgar Street and the old Moonraker who had a rake with bacon attached walking around the County Ground before Town matches.
As you can probably tell I'm a bit of a traditionalist. I sometimes think a lot of the pre match atmosphere is lost by over loud PA systems which drown out any noise the crowd may inject before kick off.
It's not a case of Bah Humbug just an observation. I understand loud speaker systems have to be heard for safety reasons, but it would be nice to have the odd brass band before the game.
Just in case you think I'm stuck in the past, I've never been averse to sticking my head next to banks of speakers at rock concerts. Occasionally though, recapturing football from times past would be very pleasant.
Anyway, all thats rather fanciful and what really matters is the result. With the news that Nathan Thompson is returning to train on grass things really are looking up. Having the skipper back in the squad would be a great Christmas present for most Town fans.
Let's hope the festivities start with unwrapping three points against Shrewsbury.
Weather in Swindon
Listings