One Step Closer

17th June is the day football fans up and down the land have been waiting for. Swindon fans couldn't wait for last season to end so we are been even more eager to forget and start again. This day is one giant step closer to the season beginning.

Swindon kick-off their season with a home contest against Crewe Alexandra on the 6th August. Town fans will be hoping this that a home game will kick start our season nicely and gives us some momentum. It will also give us a good idea of how well Di Canio has assembled a new squad fit for a promotion charge.

Without doubt, the first fixtures all us Town fans frantically searched for was against our fierce rivals from up the A420. We don't have to wait too long with the home game taking place on 20th August; only our second home game our the season. The short trip to the Kassam Stadium is Saturday 3rd March.

With a mainly Southern based league this season, there are some other local derbies in  the face of Cheltenham Town and Bristol Rovers. Our trip to Whaddon Road is our first away game, with the fixture happening on 13th August. The short trips up the M4 versus Bristol Rovers is in December; fans would certainly welcome coming back with some points after failing to do so since 2008.

The fixtures against Blue Square Premier winners Crawley Town are ones I am really looking forward to. Swindon were somewhat shamefully knocked out in the FA Cup by Crawley after being outplayed throughout the replay. Our first opportunity for revenge is at Broadfield on 13th September; our home tie against the Red Devils is on 14th February. There will certainly no love lost for their manager Steve Evans.

Fellow promoted side AFC Wimbledon is our first opportunity to play the real Dons since they were formed in 2002. Their journey have been somewhat remarkable and the trip to  the Kingsmeadow Stadium is an away game high on my list on ones I must do. Swindon's first ever game at the Kingsmeadow Stadium takes place on the 19th November; with the home game being Swindon's first game of 2012 on 2nd January.

Swindon wrap up the 2011/12 season with a trip up to north to West Yorkshire side Bradford City. Hopefully we will be taking to journey up to Valley Parade, having already secured promotion. Although I would also welcome a similar game to our last game in League Two, at home to Walsall as I am sure us Town fans can remember fondly.

For now all I have to say is hurry up Swindon versus Crewe on the 6th August. I have never suffered such strong football withdrawal symptoms. The U21 International tournament just doesn't cut the mustard compared to my beloved Swindon Town.