SWINDON Town’s family fun day on Saturday was hailed a resounding success by the club’s management and staff after more than 6,000 fans turned up to see Paolo Di Canio and his new-look squad at the County Ground.

Supporters gathered at lunchtime to watch Di Canio take his players – including new signings Etienne Esajas and Alan McCormack - through a two-hour training session, before the Town boss then gave his thoughts on the season ahead during an onstage interview.

Di Canio then announced the club’s squad numbers for the coming season before highlighting the significance of Town’s derby match against local rivals Oxford, demanding that his players give maximum effort in the game.

Afterwards, Di Canio and his coaching staff gathered with the whole Town squad and over 500 fans for the ‘biggest team photo ever’.

The day ended with a Town legends six-a-side game against Fratello’s, and it was Di Canio’s side who emerged victors with a 5-2 win.

Robins chief executive Nick Watkins was instrumental in putting together the day and he was delighted to see so many fans and families in attendance.

“It exceeded every expectation,” he said. “It was just wonderful to see so many people turn up and clearly look excited about the new season.

“Fans wanted to see Paolo Di Canio and meet the new players and inhale some of the excitement that they have read about in the Adver.

“I think they have seen it and felt it now and I hope they went away excited and looking forward to the season.

“Even so we have to have a reality check and see that August 6 is when it really does count, we have to get off to a really great start, build some momentum and then I am sure it will all be worthwhile.”

Town interim chairman Jeremy Wray was equally delighted with both the attendance and how the day went as a whole.

He said: “I am absolutely thrilled with how it went to be honest. It is testament to Nick (Watkins) and his team as to how well it all went.

“There is a real buzz about the town and you can sense it. This was a great chance to get all the people together, It whets the appetite in pre-season, so roll on the next friendly and roll on the start of the season.

“All the players coming out was great, it was not too much trouble and that is how it should be and that is how it will be.

“Paolo has set certain standards with his players and I think fans will welcome the difference this year.”

Di Canio himself was stunned as to just how many fans turned up and is determined to follow up the good feeling from the day with equally good performances on the pitch.

“I could not expect a reception like this,” said the Italian.

“For me and my management and players it was an amazing day. We couldn’t expect so many people.

“From now we need to build up the confidence even more and then do the best in what we want to do.”

  • SWINDON Town’s Football in the Community girls fell just short of securing a maiden Gothia Cup victory after losing to IK Grand Bodo in the semi-final of the tournament in Sweden.

Town’s girls had swept aside all before them in Group 20 of the girls’ under 17 category, but scraped into the last four with a narrow 1-0 win over Kristianstad DFF 1.

They had been confident of lifting the trophy but suffered a heart-breaking 1-0 defeat to IK Grand Bodo to end their hopes of success.

IK Grando Bodo also ultimately failed to take the prize after the Norwegians lost 2-0 to Hällvikens GIF in Saturday’s final.