SWINDON Town fans will not get the chance to welcome home their Wembley heroes and share in their success if they win the play-off final on Sunday.

It is traditional for victorious football teams to return home with any silverware aboard an open-top bus parading through the streets.

Town’s last piece of major silverware was the League Two championship in 2012, when a County Ground party was organised as opposed to a full, town-wide tour.

Swindon Borough Council said it had approached the club as soon as it became clear it would qualify for the League One play-offs and have a serious chance of promotion, but received little interest in response.

A council spokesman said: “We asked the club if they had plans for a bus tour as soon as it was clear they would be in the play-offs and could secure promotion, but we were told they had no plans for one.

“We haven’t been approached by anyone at the club to discuss organising one since then, and it would now be too late to do it.

“We have to make sure the route is safe for everyone, including the public who want to see the team, and we potentially have to organise road closures in conjunction with the police, and consult with other services.

“Any parade or tour has to happen very soon after the victory as past experience has shown that many of the players and officials go on holiday immediately afterwards at the end of what is a long season.

“That’s another reason why we can’t organise an event once the result is known.”

If there were to be any sort of late change of heart from the Town hierarchy on such a procession it would take another month from that point to organise, he said.

The council said it is a lengthy process which requires liaison with a variety of agencies, whose co-operation is needed to make such an event happen.

A Wiltshire Police spokesman said: “We are not aware of any plans for a parade at this time, but the ownership of it would sit with Swindon Council and Swindon Town Football Club.”

“Obviously we would provide a reassuring presence, but are not aware of any plans at this stage.”

Roger Bunce, chairman of Swindon Town Supporters Club, said: “It’s a bit of a shame really. You thought they would like the chance to make time for a bit of success.

“It’s been hard work the last year or so, especially for the chairman, but on the footballing side he’s passed with flying colours.

“Most people would like to see an open-top bus parade.”

Swindon Town did not respond to the Adver’s request for a comment.