SWINDON Town's pre-season friendly against Cardiff City has been brought forward from a 3pm kick-off to a 12pm kick-off 'at the request of police', the clubs say.

Town will host the Championship outfit at the County Ground in their final pre-season fixture on Saturday, July 23 prior to the League Two season beginning on July 30.

The decision to bring the game forward by three hours is thought to be partly based on previous trouble between the two sets of fans at another pre-season fixture.

Eight Cardiff supporters and 10 Swindon fans were handed bans ranging from three to five years following an incident in Swindon town centre in 2009.

The hooligans were given football banning orders at Swindon Crown Court for their involvement in a brawl following a friendly game at the County Ground.

Ten Town fans were given bans ranging from three to five years, as well as community work totalling 2,400 hours, after pleading guilty to affray.

The court heard the trouble – which took place on the evening of July 25, 2009 – started when a group of City supporters moved into the town centre from a pub near the train station in search of cheaper drinks.

The Cardiff friendly is currently Town's only home pre-season match with away games against Swindon Supermarine, Melksham Town, Eastleigh, Woking, and Worthing having already been arranged.

Former Town defenders Aden Flint and Sean Morrison will not return the SN1 with the Bluebirds after being released by Steve Morison at the expiration of their current contracts.

Ex-striker James Collins could still be in the squad though as he has another year left - however, Wales Online suggested the Coventry-born forward may be sold during the predicted squad overhaul at the Cardiff City Stadium this summer.

Swindon say ticket details and prices for the friendly will be announced in due course.

PRE-SEASON SCHEDULE

Melksham Town v Swindon Town - Oakfield Stadium - Saturday, July 2 (3pm)

Swindon Supermarine v Swindon Town - Webbswood Stadium - Saturday, July 9 (3pm)

Woking v Swindon Town - Laithwaite Community Stadium - Tuesday, July 12 (7pm)

Eastleigh v Swindon Town - Silverlake Stadium - Saturday, July 16 (3pm)

Worthing v Swindon Town - The Crucial Environmental Stadium - Saturday, July 23 (3pm)

Swindon Town v Cardiff City - The County Ground - Saturday, July 23 (12pm)