A HUGE police presence guided thousands of chanting football fans to the County Ground just before kick-off.
Thames Valley Police officers on horseback followed the crowd of Bristolians as Wiltshire officers created a safe path up Wellington Street, Milton Street, Fleming Way, the top of the Magic Roundabout and Shrivenham Road at 12pm today.
Several police cars and vans blocked the crowd in and diverted traffic as dog units sniffed out anything suspicious.
Shoppers stopped in their tracks to watch the unusual sight of one of Swindon's busiest roads being filled with people who chanted taunts about Swindon, threw drinks, and set off flares.
Town fans greeted them at the County Ground with jeers and gestures but despite the rowdy atmosphere, most people seemed to be behaving themselves.
Bristol fans had arrived in good spirits this morning and crowded around the Great Western Hotel and Cheekies nightclub for pre-match refreshments.
The Adver followed the crowd on the way to the big derby match - watch videos from the scene below or check out our photographer's photo gallery.
And they’re on the way to the County Ground pic.twitter.com/9FCd91UXUd
— Daniel Angelini (@Adver_Daniel) January 22, 2022
The match has now begun- here’s a look at Fleming Way as it filled with police and football fans pic.twitter.com/NJzWisWYQE
— Daniel Angelini (@Adver_Daniel) January 22, 2022
Police siphoned the stream of Bristolians along the top of the Magic Roundabout as Town fans gave them a Swindon welcome pic.twitter.com/M5jbIkfmO3
— Daniel Angelini (@Adver_Daniel) January 22, 2022
Though the atmosphere was rather rowdy, most people seemed to be behaving themselves pic.twitter.com/irW2Rg0qnW
— Daniel Angelini (@Adver_Daniel) January 22, 2022
Even more police were waiting on Shrivenham Road, which was closed to traffic, to funnel the away fans towards their entrance pic.twitter.com/fghYWglxgE
— Daniel Angelini (@Adver_Daniel) January 22, 2022
One last look at the huge police operation which guided the crowds to the County Ground safely pic.twitter.com/0vZ46CqSEe
— Daniel Angelini (@Adver_Daniel) January 22, 2022
Let’s rewind - this is the moment police gave the go ahead for Bristol fans to head off, and a roar erupted from the crowd pic.twitter.com/jv7bdRjsM4
— Daniel Angelini (@Adver_Daniel) January 22, 2022
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