“These are the fans of the future.”

Succinctly but emphatically stated by Swindon Town legend John Trollope, it is the single biggest reason behind the TrustSTFC ticket initiative that will see the Stratton Bank filled with children and their parents this afternoon for the game with Fleetwood Town.

Trollope was speaking at Abbey Meads Primary School as he, Wes Foderingham and Jon Obika met and handed tickets over to some of the children who will be at the County Ground on Saturday. As someone who grew up with the club, Town’s record appearance holder is uniquely placed to comment on how enticing the lure of Swindon Town is to youngsters.

Trollope is now looking forward to seeing the pupils he met on Thursday in the stands at today’s game and enjoying the atmosphere the next generation will create.

“You’ve only got to see the schoolboy internationals. The kids are screaming and shouting - it does add to the atmosphere,” Trollope told the Advertiser.

“It’s a great initiative. The parents who come along might stay as supporters. There might even players there of the future.”

Trust chairman Steve Mytton, whose lifelong Robins fandom was enamoured as a youngster by a meeting with Trollope, is hoping by creating similar opportunities for the children of today and is hoping it will have the same affect.

“It was really great to see the kids so enthusiastic about meeting the players. When I was a boy, I met John Trollope and to meet him again here today and see the young kids interacting with the players we’ve got now is fantastic,” said the Trust chair.

Mytton, vice-chairman Mike Welsh and the Trust board have been working furiously to arrange today’s family day the County Ground. The Trust chair views the day, regardless of the result, as a day of multiple opportunities. Firstly, to bring the community together, but also as a chance to introduce a new generation of fans and as the first step in the Trust’s long-term aim to fill the County Ground.

“It’s a lot pressure on this week. There’s a lot of things to sort out behind the scenes. We’re running around in the background and I think it will be great day,” said Mytton.

“If the kids see the sort of football we’ve seen this season, then I imagine lots of them will come back because it has been fantastic. If we could win the game, that helps. Really, it’s about spreading the feel-good factor and getting the community together again.

“If you look at Swindon Town’s fans, 95 per cent of them went along as a kid first time around - that’s what gets you hooked.

“That’s why we’re hooking into these schools as part of the Trust’s schools partnership and we want those families coming back in. That’s the future of Swindon Town.”

Having now met some of the youngsters who might be watching them live for the first time this afternoon, Foderingham and Obika are keen to impress them.

“Now I’ve come here and seen the young fans in their Swindon shirts, you want to do your best for them,” said the striker, who is looking forward to another game in front of a packed County Ground.

“I’ll always remember the Bristol City game when it was full and the crowd were rocking, the players definitely feel it.”