ASSISTANT manager Noel Hunt is keen for Swindon Town to develop an even tighter bond between itself and the supporters in order to help the football club thrive both on and off the pitch.

Attendances on home matchdays have been steadily rising while Town have seen an average of 876 fans travel to away games this season.

The club has put on a couple of public events – including an open training session – to build its relationship with fans while Trust STFC and the Official Supporters Group have also planned quizzes and live podcasts with the current Town set up.

Together with a series of encouraging performances on the pitch, the feeling at the club is arguably as high as it has been in many years – and while Hunt agrees, the 37-year-old knows Town still have a way to go in order to satisfy manager Richie Wellens’ targets.

Hunt said: “The manager has got a plan – we’ve all got a plan and a vision of where we want to be, but we’ve got to take it one step at a time.

“If that means only taking a few bodies through the door every week, then so be it.

“It’s so important to the club, to the town and to us that we get everyone behind us.

“We want to be able to go into the town and meet the fans – all the players want to get involved.

“And we want to see them at the County Ground too, after the game or before, interacting with the players or us.

“We want to have that family group, that right family feel around the club because that will make it a winner for everyone.”

The inclusivity that Hunt was talking about was partly on show during Tuesday night’s 1-0 away at Northampton Town as manager Richie Wellens was unable to travel due to being unwell.

The Irishman therefore took over head coaching responsibilities on the night as Jordan Lyden headed in a late winner, and Hunt expressed his delight at his team being able to emerge victorious despite the captain of their ship being absent.

Hunt said: “It’s just a part of the job, I’m here to help the boss however I can because he’s been so good to me and he’s given me a lot of responsibility which I massively respect.

“Make no mistake about it, this is his team and we’re all rowing the oars.

“Whether Richie is here or not, he’s still steering the ship, so it was a massive win on Tuesday and we’re all delighted to get the three points for him.”