SWINDON TOWN: Fans asked to help clear snow at County Ground

The scene at the County Ground at 8.30pm The scene at the County Ground at 8.30pm

SWINDON Town are still asking for fans who are able to make it safely to the County Ground to help move snow off the playing surface.

Following Friday's blizzards, groundstaff, office staff, management and Paolo Di Canio himself have been joined by supporters with wheelbarrows and shovels in an effort to ensure tomorrow's scheduled League One clash with Shrewsbury goes ahead.

An 8am pitch inspection has been scheduled for tomorrow morning but, with frost covers having sat on the County Ground pitch for the best part of a week, there should be no problem in the surface being fit for purpose provided the snow is shifted from on top.

The clearing effort will go on through the night if necessary, with the floodlights now on, and fans who wish to help should enter the ground via gate E1 between the Town End and the Arkell's Stand.

The club has also requested that supporters bring shovels and in particular wheelbarrows along to help move the snow.

Comments(48)

Redhouse Red says...
7:22pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Wish I could be bothered.

tifosi says...
7:28pm Fri 18 Jan 13

What's the point of clearing the pitch if fans can't get there?
I won't be able to.

Maxwell'79 says...
7:31pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Does anyone know if we can help clear snow around 6:30am? I can get there at that time but wont be able to get there this evening. I want to do my bit to help the cause!

The Jockster says...
7:32pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Been out in it all day shifting the stuff and the roads are diabolical. Much as I want the game on I'm a knackered old git and the furthest I'm going tonight is my sofa in the warm and dry.

Ollie Reed's Parky dance! says...
7:33pm Fri 18 Jan 13

I'm selfishly standing by ( I do live in Chippenham so have a bit of an excuse).

swindonjason says...
7:36pm Fri 18 Jan 13

No excuse Ollie!!

I live in Chippenham too so can pick you up if you are interested

swinRhino says...
7:37pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Ollie Reed's Parky dance! wrote:
I'm selfishly standing by ( I do live in Chippenham so have a bit of an excuse).
I am also selfishly standing by & I only just around the corner - but then the back op wasn't that long ago!

Di kanny oh says...
7:38pm Fri 18 Jan 13

The problem is not going to be the pitch but more likely the surrounding areas and fans getting to the ground tomorrow and the pitch will be secondary. Yes it needs clearing but fact is it will be elf and safety to the surrounding areas that are are more important. Take me hat off to anyone out there tonight.

Di kanny oh says...
7:45pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Just going to watch the Leicester v Midds game on sky and thousands of fans will not make it to the game due to conditions away from the ground even though the pitch is heated and first class condition. The Middlesbro team took 2 hours in their coach to get to the ground and were only 2 miles away in their hotel. Says it all for Town's prospects tomorrow and it won't matter what the pitch is like I'm afraid.

swinRhino says...
7:56pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Di kanny oh wrote:
Just going to watch the Leicester v Midds game on sky and thousands of fans will not make it to the game due to conditions away from the ground even though the pitch is heated and first class condition. The Middlesbro team took 2 hours in their coach to get to the ground and were only 2 miles away in their hotel. Says it all for Town's prospects tomorrow and it won't matter what the pitch is like I'm afraid.
I have to agree I don't think it will be the condition of the pitch and ground that will be the issue but the surrounding area and safety that will be the main factor.

With freezing temps it is a losing battle I think, hope I will be proved wrong.

southside7 says...
8:04pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Love the way Paolo's got out there. Can just imagine the poor guy on the wheelbarow getting stick from him. I went with my lad last time we had snow and saw Danny Wilson hiding and Charlie Austin poncing about in his Audi. Paolo has his faults, but credit where it's due, he is a man of the people.

DarrenSTFCRomain says...
8:11pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Why do thay just hire a couple of flamethrowers..

akershaker says...
8:31pm Fri 18 Jan 13

There is no reason why 99% of fans can't get to the game. Careful driving required but that's all.
It's only a few inches of snow, millions of people deal with much more all winter

jayden says...
8:32pm Fri 18 Jan 13

DarrenSTFCRomain wrote:
Why do thay just hire a couple of flamethrowers..
Or feed me loads of cg burgers and point my arse towards the pitch.

super reds says...
8:47pm Fri 18 Jan 13

akershaker wrote:
There is no reason why 99% of fans can't get to the game. Careful driving required but that's all. It's only a few inches of snow, millions of people deal with much more all winter
Ok Aker, what time are you coming to Wantage to pick me, my kids & my mate up, after all it's only a few inches of snow!!!!

DarrenSTFCRomain says...
8:51pm Fri 18 Jan 13

jayden wrote:
DarrenSTFCRomain wrote: Why do thay just hire a couple of flamethrowers..
Or feed me loads of cg burgers and point my arse towards the pitch.
HA HA HA
..
FOCKING GREAT 1 MATE..

TheDukeOfBanbury says...
9:01pm Fri 18 Jan 13

If the game is on I will get there.

Well done to everyone who have put themselves out. True Supporters.

If I was local would have joined you.

Di kanny oh says...
9:04pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Fair play to those at the county ground tonight true fans. On another note Southampton sacked Nigel Adkins this morning and on the Daily Echo site they have had 789 post with many fans quite upset, but what some postings that is truly amazing. Seems the majority are against the sacking and even worse Saints have employed a non English speaking Spaniard in his place.

TheDukeOfBanbury says...
9:04pm Fri 18 Jan 13

super reds wrote:
akershaker wrote: There is no reason why 99% of fans can't get to the game. Careful driving required but that's all. It's only a few inches of snow, millions of people deal with much more all winter
Ok Aker, what time are you coming to Wantage to pick me, my kids & my mate up, after all it's only a few inches of snow!!!!
I will get from North Oxon to Didcot. My car is a BMW and poor in the snow with rear wheel drive. Will then be getting a lift from Didcot through Wantage with the Brother driving, however will have a full car.

Roads will be fine if you can get off of the housing areas. Will be well gritted by then.

Di kanny oh says...
9:12pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Fair play to those at the county ground tonight true fans. On another note Southampton sacked Nigel Adkins this morning and on the Daily Echo site they have had 789 post with many fans quite upset, but what some postings that is truly amazing. Seems the majority are against the sacking and even worse Saints have employed a non English speaking Spaniard in his place.

smirg kcab says...
9:36pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Mounds of cocaine for sale.
Just bring extra large straws to the c/g
Onwards and upwards

southside7 says...
9:39pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Di kanny oh wrote:
Fair play to those at the county ground tonight true fans. On another note Southampton sacked Nigel Adkins this morning and on the Daily Echo site they have had 789 post with many fans quite upset, but what some postings that is truly amazing. Seems the majority are against the sacking and even worse Saints have employed a non English speaking Spaniard in his place.
Cortese is a disgrace to English football and it's the like of him, Abramovich, Venky's, Shinawatra etc that are destroying the heritage of our great game. Little spoilt brats treating football as their plaything.

super reds says...
9:59pm Fri 18 Jan 13

TheDukeOfBanbury wrote:
super reds wrote:
akershaker wrote: There is no reason why 99% of fans can't get to the game. Careful driving required but that's all. It's only a few inches of snow, millions of people deal with much more all winter
Ok Aker, what time are you coming to Wantage to pick me, my kids & my mate up, after all it's only a few inches of snow!!!!
I will get from North Oxon to Didcot. My car is a BMW and poor in the snow with rear wheel drive. Will then be getting a lift from Didcot through Wantage with the Brother driving, however will have a full car.

Roads will be fine if you can get off of the housing areas. Will be well gritted by then.
Funnily enough Duke, I have the same BMW which as you say poor in the snow, been looking at the weather forecast for round here & tbh doesn't look fantastic for tomorrow, hence my reluctance to travel, I was only joking about Aker picking me up, if I can get there I will but I don't like driving in these conditions, never have, mainly because there's always at least 1 idiot on the road that drives , shall we say, erratically & I can't afford to have that idiot running into me & perhaps putting my car off the road, I will evaluate the situation in the morning.

Di kanny oh says...
10:02pm Fri 18 Jan 13

southside7 wrote:
Di kanny oh wrote:
Fair play to those at the county ground tonight true fans. On another note Southampton sacked Nigel Adkins this morning and on the Daily Echo site they have had 789 post with many fans quite upset, but what some postings that is truly amazing. Seems the majority are against the sacking and even worse Saints have employed a non English speaking Spaniard in his place.
Cortese is a disgrace to English football and it's the like of him, Abramovich, Venky's, Shinawatra etc that are destroying the heritage of our great game. Little spoilt brats treating football as their plaything.
Quite right southside 7 especially after Adkins had got some excellent results recently and was turning matters around. Back to back promotions and Saints were 4th from bottom of Division one when he took over from Pardew. Like you say clubs are like toys to these people who care little about people. I'm sure he will be back in work quickly a very very good manager and loved by many of the Saints fans.
Looks very cold out on that County ground pitch and I would have been there myself but just been knocked for six with a horrendous flu and cold bug which took me three weeks to shift and I just feel totally wiped out but hope to make the game if on tomorrow but well done to those that are there truly magnifico.

Ginger-nutz says...
10:05pm Fri 18 Jan 13

tifosi wrote:
What's the point of clearing the pitch if fans can't get there?
I won't be able to.
Point is that he club is no skint..
.
And AB & PdC would rather play the game wether we can get there or not because we have forked out for loan players until the end of th month that we really couldn't afford.
.
So any income at this moment is better than none....Plus AB wants to put on a show for the potential investors, before agreeing a sale after the match

DarrenSTFCRomain says...
10:23pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Ginger-nutz wrote:
tifosi wrote: What's the point of clearing the pitch if fans can't get there? I won't be able to.
Point is that he club is no skint.. . And AB & PdC would rather play the game wether we can get there or not because we have forked out for loan players until the end of th month that we really couldn't afford. . So any income at this moment is better than none....Plus AB wants to put on a show for the potential investors, before agreeing a sale after the match
before agreeing a sale after the match

Is there something you no that we dont ?

the wizard says...
10:29pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Yet another STFC effort to be proud of. I salute and thank every one of the snow clearers today. what a magnificent effort and one that will demonstrate to any potential investor just what this great club is all about.

Big well done to one and all, I wish I was there with you.

LydiardRED67 says...
10:48pm Fri 18 Jan 13

What's tremendous effort by all those involved tonight and a big thank you to all those at the ground.

Hopefully your efforts will ensure the match goes ahead tomorrow, but Even if it doesn't, you have shown what great supporters this club has.

LydiardRED67 says...
10:48pm Fri 18 Jan 13

What's tremendous effort by all those involved tonight and a big thank you to all those at the ground.

Hopefully your efforts will ensure the match goes ahead tomorrow, but Even if it doesn't, you have shown what great supporters this club has.

grove red says...
10:48pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Will be coming form grove tommorow roads round here are terrible hope the a420 is ok but will def try got 4 in my car just all take care if game is on don't want a420 blocked because some idiot was going to fast.

Coyr

ciclosporindorset says...
11:02pm Fri 18 Jan 13

When PDC is the top football manager in Europe and lifts the euro cup, those at the CG tonight will be able to say they were there when a legend swept his own pitch of snow, bought pizza for the fans and made a town very, very proud indeed to be associated with a true leader of people.

grove red says...
11:07pm Fri 18 Jan 13

A big Welldone to pdc and everyone else for all there hard work tonight not only is pdc a great manager and true legend so are the staff and fans also who took time out to help Welldone all.


Coyr

red white says...
11:17pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Floodlights on through the night?
Classic,any excuse to get em on!

peckham red says...
11:22pm Fri 18 Jan 13

hi first time poster hope everyone is well tonight.just wanted to say. a big well done to all involved in trying to get the game on, and fair play to di canio mucking in, the guy is a legend, if i lived a bit nearer i would be there myself. will be there tomorrow if it;s on.

CraigClark says...
11:37pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Just back from the county ground and the pitch is pretty much free of snow. Just hope the surrounding areas are safe enough for the game to go ahead!

COYR!

DarrenSTFCRomain says...
11:53pm Fri 18 Jan 13

CraigClark wrote:
Just back from the county ground and the pitch is pretty much free of snow. Just hope the surrounding areas are safe enough for the game to go ahead! COYR!
Fairplay to ya...
you must be shattered and cold...
Was there many fans helping?..

Once again fairplay 2 all the fans and staff and PAOLO for clearing the pitch ..
You lot should be bought on2 the pitch at halftime so the fans can give you all a good round of aplause..
FAIRPLAY 2YA

old town robin says...
11:57pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Di kanny oh wrote:
Fair play to those at the county ground tonight true fans. On another note Southampton sacked Nigel Adkins this morning and on the Daily Echo site they have had 789 post with many fans quite upset, but what some postings that is truly amazing. Seems the majority are against the sacking and even worse Saints have employed a non English speaking Spaniard in his place.
He is a Argentine national actually.

Cookie43 says...
11:59pm Fri 18 Jan 13

For all of you Pdc knockers out there just take stock of what this man has done for our club.
I could not see many other managers willing to pick up a spade and shovel snow of our pitch.
I can not for the life of me see what else this man has to do he is a total legend and has single handed brought a sense of unity to our club, staff players fans even down to the guy who makes the tea sitting in the dugout on cup final day. He has proved to us how much this club the fans means to him now is the time for every swindon fan to repay him and show how much PDC means to us by getting to the county ground tomorrow if the game is on and sing his name loud and proud and show how much he means to us and show any future investors that this club is worth every penny. get to the ground and get your scarfs out above your heads
COME ON U REDS!!!!!

Cookie43 says...
12:00am Sat 19 Jan 13

Or their own pitch for that matter

HA HA

Jets there'd says...
12:02am Sat 19 Jan 13

Just Got home at 11.30pm from clearing snow off the County Ground pitch since 6pm. Couldn't believe how many people were there helping, true supporters.
Paolo, his coaches & some of the office staff were there too. Fabulous, passionate & very committed people. Paolo was working hard shovelling snow & sweeping the pitch from when we got there at 6pm till we left at 11.15pm. This was not a publicity stunt in his behalf it was true determination as he wants the game to be played. How many managers would have done this?
The club laid on dozens of pizzas for the fans that helped & refreshments in the Legends Lounge. Very nice gesture. Lets hope the game is on.
COYR!

red white says...
12:25am Sat 19 Jan 13

Keep the floodlights on,all night !

Well done people of Swindon,great shift.

ChrisWantageRed says...
12:37am Sat 19 Jan 13

Nothing like an evenings digging to get the blood flowing...a privilege to work with everyone who was at the CG tonight!

mancrobin says...
1:13am Sat 19 Jan 13

Well done folks!

If the game gets called off it clearly won't be for lack of trying. Big credit to you all.

COYR!!!!

oncearedalwaysared says...
4:20am Sat 19 Jan 13

He shovels the snow
He shovels the snow
He's Paolo di Canio
He shovels the snow

perth red says...
4:28am Sat 19 Jan 13

Well done everyone who turned out and helped. It was a bit far for me, but I'd welcome a few wheelbarrow loads of that white stuff over here!

The Jockster says...
6:00am Sat 19 Jan 13

southside7 wrote:
Di kanny oh wrote:
Fair play to those at the county ground tonight true fans. On another note Southampton sacked Nigel Adkins this morning and on the Daily Echo site they have had 789 post with many fans quite upset, but what some postings that is truly amazing. Seems the majority are against the sacking and even worse Saints have employed a non English speaking Spaniard in his place.
Cortese is a disgrace to English football and it's the like of him, Abramovich, Venky's, Shinawatra etc that are destroying the heritage of our great game. Little spoilt brats treating football as their plaything.
Southside is that Frank Shinwatra?

The Jockster says...
6:04am Sat 19 Jan 13

old town robin wrote:
Di kanny oh wrote:
Fair play to those at the county ground tonight true fans. On another note Southampton sacked Nigel Adkins this morning and on the Daily Echo site they have had 789 post with many fans quite upset, but what some postings that is truly amazing. Seems the majority are against the sacking and even worse Saints have employed a non English speaking Spaniard in his place.
He is a Argentine national actually.
Even worse then!

The Jockster says...
6:24am Sat 19 Jan 13

Tell you what "our manager" really is a bit special eh? Yes "Canioman" has demonstrated once again his passion and commitment as have all those magnificent fans who turned out to help. If the game goes ahead I'll be there to salute them what a marvellous effort and fabulous gesture to provide refreshments by the club.

Paolo or Pdc as I like to call him is rightly adored by the fans and anyone who went to Bournemouth and saw him come over to the travelling support and raise the scarf would already know that.
Black or no Black this club like Gloria Gaynor will survive and I noted a delicious bit of irony in the media yesterday- it seems that the much vilified Phil Spencer could in fact be a potential investor lol!

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