AN RAF veteran who is one of Swindon Town’s most loyal fans has been given free tickets for away games next season after his travel money was stolen in a burglary.

The club ensured that the 84-year-old, who has been attending matches since 1945, will have a seat at every fixture during the forthcoming EFL League Two campaign.

Stephen, who served in air-sea rescue, returned from an afternoon trip with a friend to find £400 cash had been taken from his home in Stratton St Margaret.

One or more thieves had kicked in his front door after targeting his home on June 3.

The away games are a lifeline for the season ticket holder, giving him the chance to travel far and wide and meet new people, and he had been saving the money for the travel club.

However fans rallied round and took just three hours to raise the cash in an appeal on the GoFundMe website.

The total stood at £770 as of yesterday, with Swindon Town further ensuring he will have a place in the stands.

Stephen has asked for any extra money raised to go to the Wiltshire Bobby Van charity, which helped him secure his home after the burglary.

Andrew Steele-Davis, Swindon Town’s head of media and communications, said: “We are going to give Stephen free tickets for every away game next season, it’s the least we can do for such a loyal Swindon fan.

"When we heard the news we were shocked and upset, it’s a horrible thing for anyone to have go through, and we wanted to do something as a club.

“Stephen never misses a game, home or away, and he sums up what it means to be a Swindon fan.

“We are a club that cares about our fans and we are looking to forward to welcoming Stephen back next season. It’s also nice to see the fans coming together to help a fellow supporter.

“It shows that Swindon is a true family club.”

Stephen has been all over the country supporting his side, and jokes that he knows every fish and chip shop in Hartlepool.

Among the journeys he is looking forward to is the 270-mile trip to Carlisle United, where he has been several times before, on the opening day of the season.

The widower, who attended the 1966 World Cup final, believes he is Swindon Town’s longest-attending fan, having been a County Ground regular since the post-war era.

A spokesman for Wiltshire Police confirmed the break-in was being investigated and appealed for anyone with information to contact the force on 101.