Swindon Town were founded in 1879, moved into their current home in 1896, and since then they have tasted the big time twice: once went famously well, the other famously not well. They were founder members of the Southern League when they went pro in 1894, so they are a proper big club in the world of smaller clubs, if that makes sense. They made…

Oxford United are the biggest rival, the two being just 30 miles apart and often in the same league; however, Oxford has now been promoted to the Championship. Reading also gets some mention, as do the other clubs in the area, lately including Forest Green

Swindon Town Women play in the fourth-tier Women’s National League Division One South West. Home games are at Cinder Lane, the home of Fairford FC. Check swindontownwomen.wordpress.com for fixture…

Nothing in particular we

County Ground is a classic old football ground, right down to the giant floodlight towers and 1963 Rolex clock over the uncovered seats in one end – the only Rolex clock in a football ground in the world, they claim. That stand was supposed to get a roof when it replaced an old terrace there, but the money ran out. It’s only used for big away…

GETTING THERE: It’s just under a mile from the train station, so an easy 15-minute walk. PUBS: The best option is the County Ground Hotel right next to the stadium. It will, of course, be heaving with home fans; the away lot has their own small bar inside the ground. By the station, the Queens Tap is a good choice, with outdoor seating. But the…