Vic Morgan: The life of a travelling football fan

Lifelong Swindon Town supporter Vic Morgan gives his authoritative say on the club, every week on Total Sport. Coming off the back of three consecutive away games, Morgan tells us exactly what it's like to be a football fan on the road, travelling far and wide to see the Robins play.

We have a home game this weekend! It seems an age since we played at somewhere called the County Ground.

In between the match against Barnsley and this weeks fixture with Blackpool, there've been trips to Port Vale, Gillingham and Colchester. A test for the loyal band who follow the team around the country.

It's a strange thing really, this thing called Football. It has enough of a hold over people to drag them from pillar to post around this Sceptred Isle. It's fair to say, isn't it, that we have lifelong friendships with people because of the team that we support. We spend hours with the fans that we watch matches with throughout the season and don't see them at any other time. It's a unique situation.

Coach journeys from one end of the country can be long and tedious, but they're helped by the pre match anticipation and the post game analysis. Inevitably tiredness takes over and the sound of gentle snoring can sometimes be heard above the mechanical hum of the engine. There's something about the motorway miles that become part of your life. Places such as Stafford, Tamworth and South Mimms services, become as familiar as your local shopping centre.

Take this Saturday for instance. Travelling from Devon means a two hour drive to Swindon to meet up with the supporters coach. A cheery good morning from those already seated and away we go. Superb organisation by Marc and Sally from SAS Travel means a prompt departure and we're off on the road again.

If you've done the journeys to follow the Town you'll know that's it's not just about the game. Standing around South Mimms services may not be everyone's idea of fun, but somehow it's all part of it.

Arrival at Colchester's ground isn't a bundle of fun though. The Western Homes Community Stadium is, to put it mildly, a little out of the way with no infrastructure to while away the couple of hours before kick off. 

Mercifully that soon passes and the game makes up for any pre match boredom. The first twenty or so minutes have little incident to talk of. Then Town take over.

Nicky Ajose's excellent finish puts Swindon in front against the run of play and the second half brings some great goals to cement a fine away win. Much celebration in the four hundred plus members of the Red and White Army and we're ready for the road again. All thoughts of apprehension are now behind us and the weekend takes on a positive sheen.

The dark and rain is illuminated by the red tail lights of the traffic on the A12, M25 and M4, with the occasional dramatic moment as vehicles try and play Russian roulette with the coach.

Arrival back at Swindon brings a much needed chance to relax. The life of the long distance football fan. It can be tiring and tedious at times, not to mention frustrating, but it's ultimately addictive and fun.

If you haven't done it, try it. Follow your team and see the country. Okay the motorway for the most part, but you'll get a lifetime of memories.