FANS took just three hours to rally round and raise cash for one of Swindon Town’s most loyal supporters after his away club money for next season was stolen in a burglary.

Stephen Dance, 84, who has been attending games since 1945, returned from an afternoon trip with a friend to find £400 cash had been taken from an upstairs bedroom at his home in Stratton St Margaret.

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

The away games are a lifeline for the loyal season ticket holder, giving him the chance to travel far and wide and meet new people.

The RAF veteran, who lives alone in a house without central heating, had been faced with saving the cash all over again.

However fellow fan Oliver Howitt set up a GoFundMe page to raise the money for the pensioner, with the £400 being raised within three hours on Wednesday.

The total had risen to more than £600 by yesterday, with the former air-sea rescue serviceman asking for the remainder to go towards the Wiltshire Bobby Van charity, which helped him secure his home after the burglary.

Mr Dance said: "I'd like to say thank you very much indeed to the fans. I didn't ask for it, but it's great.

"The fans are great when you get to know them, and I'm looking forward to seeing everyone on No1 coach next season and going north to Carlisle and south to Exeter.

"All I can say is thanks, there are no other words to say."

The 'away game fund' was trending on GoFundMe yesterday as fans and well-wishers logged on to the fundraising site to show their support.

Oliver, from Cirencester, said: “We see Stephen quite a lot at away games and he’s always friendly and has a story to tell. Whether it’s Carlisle or Oldham, he’s always with us in the stands.

“It would have been a shame for him to miss out because of a scumbag taking his money.”

The former Leading Aircraftman, who stakes a claim for being Swindon Town’s most loyal supporter, had been out with a friend when the burglary took place.

He said: “I saved the money for the travel club. Going to games is my whole thing in life. I’ve been going since 1945 and it’s about the only thing that gets me out and about meeting new people.”

Mr Dance, whose RAF postings included a spell in Gibraltar, 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 EFL League Two season.

Swindon Town general manager Steve Anderson has offered Mr Dance a free ticket to every away game next season, allowing him to enjoy the travel through the fans’ donated cash, the remainder of which he wants to donate to the Bobby Van.

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.

* The GoFundMe page is at www.gofundme.com/stephen-dance-away-game-fund

Oliver Howitt posted on the Advertiser's Facebook page: "And a massive thank you to all that have donated. Very proud stfc fan right now!"