Energy Check County Ground (Swindon)

Energy Check County Ground is a stadium located near the town centre of Swindon, Wiltshire, England, and has been home to Swindon Town Football Club [Swindon Slugs] since 1896.

General information

Arena capacity: 15,728 spectators

Address: Swindon SN1 2ED, UK

GPS coordinates for the navigator: 51.5645° N, 1.7711° W

Year of construction: 1892

Field: grass lawn with dimensions of 110 x 70 yards

Seating plan of the Energy Check County Ground Stadium

Alan McLoughlin Town End

The Alan McLoughlin Town End consists of a single tier of entirely red seating, with a flat platform for disabled supporters based down at the front of Blocks 4 and 5 next to the stadium’s northwest corner.

Supporting pillars come down at regular intervals along the front of the stand, and these will restrict your view if you are sat in the rows behind them. Block 1 next to the stadium’s southwest corner has additionally restrictions in place by the location of one of the stadium’s floodlights.

The southwest corner itself is taken up by the building holding Swindon’s Box Office and Club Shop, and that building is additionally used to hold the Stadium Control Box. The southwest floodlight is therefore in place directly above the Alan McLoughlin Town End and some of the tower comes down in front of Block 1.

Windshields cover the back rows at either end of the Alan McLoughlin Town End, but the rows down towards the front are left exposed from the sides.

Despite the notable viewing restrictions in place here, the Alan McLoughlin Town End has become a popular place for Swindon Town’s most vocal supporters to be housed on a matchday.

Arkell’s John Trollope Stand

The Arkell’s John Trollope Stand consists of two tiers of entirely red seating. The lower tier is noticeably smaller than the upper tier but it is possible to freely move between one tier and the other. At the front of blocks 4, 5 and 6 in the upper tier are darker coloured seats that are in use for executives. One thin block in the upper tier, near to the stadium’s northeast corner, no longer has seating in place there as this block is next to the stand’s away section, originally separated from it by nothing more than a white fence.

Down at the front at either end of the Arkell’s John Trollope Stand are flat platforms for disabled supporters to use. Swindon Town’s changing rooms, dugouts and tunnel can all be found in the middle of this stand.

Your view from most of the Arkell’s John Trollope Stand is perfectly clear, but there are two pillars in place, one either side of the executive seating area, and these will likely restrict your view slightly if you are sat up towards the back of the stand. If you are sat in the front rows of the upper tier or anywhere in the lower tier, the pillars will not restrict your view at all.

Large windshields at either end protect all the rows in the upper tier, but there is nothing in place to protect the blocks in the lower tier.

Stratton Bank

The Stratton Bank consists entirely of red seating, with the seating blocks split into two rows that you can freely get between.

High up behind the back row of this stand is an electronic scoreboard that can best be seen by everyone else inside the stadium, and next to this electronic scoreboard is a large Rolex clock that is owned by Deacon’s Jewellers. It is the only Rolex clock in the World that is part of a football stadium.

As the only uncovered stand at the County Ground, protection from the elements when in the Stratton Bank is minimal, with just a fence in place up at the back and at the far end. It can be a nice place during a bright, sunny matchday at the start or end of a season, but in the wintertime or for late night matches, it’s perhaps the worst place in the stadium to be.

Don Rogers Stand

The Don Rogers Stand consists of two tiers of red seating, with the lower tier much, much smaller than the tier above it. You are however freely able to get between the upper and lower tiers via staircases.

The letters SWINDON are spelt out in white across the upper tier blocks, and down at the very front of the stand’s westernmost side are flat platforms for disabled supporters to use. Additionally, you can find the gantry holding the matchday camera right up at the very back of the stand.

Your view from anywhere inside the Don Rogers Stand is perfectly clear because of the cantilever roof above, but windshields at either end only protect the back rows of the upper tier. The rows in front of here are left exposed from the sides.

Away Fans

The location of away fans at the stadium depends on the allocation.

Smaller crowds, usually up to around 1,200 people, are housed in the Arkell’s John Trollope Stand, taking up the upper and lower tier blocks that are nearest to the stadium’s northeast corner. These blocks are separated from the ones used for home supporters by a white fence and rows of stewards or large sheets on a matchday. As described in the ‘Inside the Stadium’ section, the upper tier block next to this white fence does not have any seats in place, and this is done to further segregate the home supporters in the Arkell’s John Trollope Stand from the away section.

Views of the pitch from this section of the stand are very good, though there is a slight chance that a supporting pillar could partially restrict your view if you are up towards the back.

The adjacent Stratton Bank is often closed on a matchday and is only opened when very large away crowds are expected.

The Stratton Bank is based behind the eastern goal and is the only one of the four stands at the County Ground which doesn’t have a roof overhead, so whilst views for away fans in here are perfectly clear, there is next to nothing that can protect them from any wind or rain that is present.

Where to buy tickets?

Swindon have streamlined their pricing system, and so the amount of money you’ll pay if you want to see The Robins live will only depend on where in the ground you’d like to sit and how old you are. There are also offers for family tickets and so on.

Tickets can be bought online, over the phone or in person from the club’s ticket office. Just be warned that it will cost you an extra £2.00 per ticket for the privilege of buying over the phone.

How to get there?

Swindon is something of a London commuter town, so it’s reasonably easy to get to. Here are some of the ways you might want to consider.

From M4 Junction 15

Follow the A4259 (Queens Drive) towards Swindon. Go across one roundabout and at the next take the first exit onto the A4312 (signposted Swindon/Football Traffic). You will see the floodlights of the Energy Check County Ground over on the right, as you approach the large Magic Roundabout. The stadium is on the corner of this roundabout.

From the North

A419 from Cricklade/Cirencester/M5: Continue on the A419 until reaching the top of the new 3 lane stretch of dual-carriageway, which runs uphill. (I would advise to stay in the inside lane on this climb as the exit approaches quickly). Take the exit at the top of the hill (Lady Lane Junction). At the lights go right, then almost immediately at the next set of lights go left. Follow this road through the next set of traffic lights (passing the Motorola building to the right), then branch left onto the A4311.

From here follow this road, following signs for Town Centre. At Transfer Bridges roundabouts turn left at the first and then straight over the second. The ground is on the left after the mini-roundabout. It is one of the few remaining football stadiums you can notice from a fair distance, due to the striking floodlights. Thanks to Robin Sharpe for supplying the directions.

If you survive the Magic Roundabout then there is some street parking. Otherwise, park at the cricket club (take County Road off the Magic Roundabout, go past the County Hotel on your right, you will see a small sign further down on your right for football parking, just before the mini roundabout) which costs £5.

Parking at the St Joseph Catholic college in Ocotal Way costs £5 per car and is only a ten minute walk away from the ground. However, it’s a bit slow getting out at the end of the game, but it is well run. There is also parking available at the Merlin pub on Drove Road, which costs £2. There is some parking available at the Energy Check County Ground itself at £10 per car.

Post Code for SAT NAV: SN1 2ED

By train

The ground is walkable from Swindon Railway Station and will take you around 10-15 minutes. Leave the station, cross the road and proceed up the road between the two pubs (Great Western and Queen’s Tap), continue to end of road. Turn left, proceed along Manchester Road, through traffic lights as far as you can go. At the junction turn right. The County Ground is about 300 yards up this road on the left.

By bus

Buses 1, 1A, 13, 14, 16, 16X and 18 all call reasonably close to the stadium from the town centre.

By taxi

From Swindon Railway Station to The Energy Check County Ground will take you about five minutes and cost the same number of pounds.

Where to eat and drink?

Away fans are treated to their own bar, called Bar 71, which is located by the away turnstiles. However, it is quite small and tends to fill up quickly, with door men preventing anyone else going in, so that it does not become over crowded. The County Hotel right by the ground, doesn’t not allow entrance to away supporters.

Best to continue down County Road and seek out the Cricket Club that sits behind the Arkells Stand. On match days home and away fans can park on the cricket ground (for a small fee) and then have access to a drink in the cricket club. This is a very friendly (as well as cheap) club that always welcomes away fans. You can still get into the cricket club (there is no charge) even if you have not parked there.

Please note though that the Cricket Club facilities are not available for night matches or when the Cricket Club is playing a match. The latter doesn’t happen often but can do towards the beginning and end of the football season, when fixtures overlap.

‘The Merlin’ on Drove Road, near to the magic roundabout is recommended. Away fans are welcome and they have Sky Sports showing on 12 television screens and even in the gents (according to my husband).  The Merlin pub is friendly and welcoming to away supporters. It’s a decent size pub which serves meals and has a number of TV screens installed. There are a couple of bouncers and two policeman outside but there is no sign of any trouble, either inside or outside. Merlin is less than ten minutes away from the County Ground

Alcohol is available within the ground to away fans in the Arkells Stand (but not in the open Stratton Bank End), otherwise if you arrive early Swindon town centre is a 15-minute walk away.

With Bristol and London both being reasonably close to Swindon you might get pulled in by the bright lights of the big city. If not, there are plenty of great places to stay in the town itself, with our favourites listed here.

1. The White Hart. This charming B&B offers a terrace, a garden, a meeting room, free Wi-Fi and free parking.
2. Village Hotel Swindon. This member of The Village chain of hotels has a full-service spa and health club with an indoor pool, a business centre, a terrace and a garden. There’s also a restaurant, a bar, free Wi-Fi and free parking.
3. The Sun Inn. This pleasant Inn has just ten rooms, a restaurant, a garden, free parking and free Wi-Fi. You’ll also get a free breakfast included in the price of your room.

Facilities

This stadium is starting to show its age now, and although there are places to buy a bite to eat or a quick drink there aren’t many of them and they’re normally quite busy.

Hospitality

There are a number of hospitality packages available for Swindon Town matches. The Imagine Cruising Suite promises a three-course meal, refreshments at half-time and after the final whistle, and occasional visits from club legends as well as a Man of the match visit. Alternatively, the Robins Suite will see you receive a two-course meal, refreshments during and after the match, a private pay bar and a match day host.

Private hire

The array of suites and lounges at The Energy Check County Ground mean that you’re able to host a number of functions at the home of The Robins. Exhibitions, business meetings, conferences, product launches, training courses and awards ceremonies have all been hosted at the stadium in the past. The various options available can play host to from as few as 10 people up to 180 depending on the kind of event you are holding.

Accessibility

There are 50 available wheelchair spaces for home supporters at the Energy Check County Ground, located at the front of each stand in a covered section.

One ticket allows 1 x wheelchair user and a complimentary carer access to the ground.

Accessible services + information:

1. Assistance dogs. There are available relieving stations provided for assistance dogs, ask a steward on a matchday.
2. Hearing loops. The ticket office has a hearing loop.
3. Club shop. There is a low level serving counter in the club shop.
4. Braille and large print provision. The Club does not provide any disabled supporters information i.e. booklet with a map of accessible formats (large print, easy read).
5. Food concession stands. There are accessible catering facilities i.e. low level serving counter in our disabled lounge in the Don Rogers, Nationwide stand, or ask any of our friendly stewards if you require assistance.
6. Total number of parking spaces. There are limited spaces available at The Energy Check County Ground at a cost of £10, but there are several Town centre car parks situated half a mile from the stadium. There is nearby street parking and several match day car parks. Parking is also available at St. Joseph’s Catholic College (Ocotal Way, SN3 3LR) for £5, a ten minute walk to the Energy Check County Ground.

Exterior

The majority of fans will approach the ground from its western side, bringing them first to its West Stand which is known as the Alan McLoughlin Town End.

Born in Manchester on 20th April 1967, McLoughlin played as a midfielder for nine clubs. His stint at Swindon Town was one of his most notable, arriving in 1986 and going on to win the Football League Third Division Play-Offs (the equivalent of modern day League One) in 1987 and the Football League Second Division Play-Offs (the equivalent of the modern day Championship) in 1990. McLoughlin scored the only goal in that 1990 Wembley win, though Swindon would not earn promotion from the game as they were later found guilty of illegal player payments.

Capped 42 times by the Republic of Ireland, scoring two International goals, Alan McLoughlin passed away on 4th May 2021 at the age of 54. He remains part of the Swindon Town Hall of Fame, and the West Stand at the Energy Check County Ground has been named after him since August 2021, with additional stand sponsorship coming from Imagine Cruising.

The Alan McLoughlin Town End is the smallest of the four stands, with its exterior dominated mostly by a white brick and red trim on its roof. This brick wall has advertising boards in place, and you can also find a Ticket Collection Point and Information Point along here.

A brick building next to the Alan McLoughlin Town End in the stadium’s southwest corner holds Swindon Town’s Box Office and Club Shop.

The opposite end of the Alan McLoughlin Town End in the stadium’s northwest corner holds the stand’s turnstiles, and out beyond the Alan McLoughlin Town End is the County Ground’s main car park.

Continuing round in a clockwise direction brings you the North Stand, which is known as the Arkell’s John Trollope Stand.

Born within the Borough of Swindon on 14th June 1943, Trollope spent his entire playing career with Swindon Town as a left-back. Making 770 appearances for the Robins between 1960 and 1980, he holds the record the most Football League appearances made for one single club. Trollope was part of the Swindon team which won the League Cup in 1969, beating Arsenal 3-1 in the final, and later went on to manage the club between 1981 and 1983.

In various roles, John Trollope has been associated with Swindon Town for nearly 40 years.

Much taller than the adjacent Alan McLoughlin Town End, the Arkell’s John Trollope Stand’s exterior consists mostly of a red and white base with corrugated iron higher up. Considered the Main Stand at the County Ground, you can find entrances for the Legends Lounge and Robins Suite near to the stadium’s northwest corner. The Main Reception and Players Entrance are based more towards the middle of the exterior, with the Press Entrance and Bar 71 based over towards the other end of the stand, near to the Away Ticket Sales Point. The Cecil Green Suite, named after the former Swindon Town chairman, can be found between Turnstiles 7-8 and Turnstiles 9-10 on this side of the stadium.

Turnstiles into the Arkell’s John Trollope Stand itself can be found along the exterior.

The East Stand is known as the Stratton Bank, taking its name from the area of Swindon out beyond it.

It’s the only uncovered side of the County Ground, with its exterior consisting mostly of a large Swindon Town mural that runs alongside a path in the nearby Foundation Park. The Swindon Town FC Community Foundation is in place at the other end of this park.

The turnstiles for the Stratton Bank can be found in the stadium’s northeast corner, next to the Arkell’s John Trollope Stand and the Away Ticket Sales Point.

There used to be turnstiles off Shrivenham Road in the stadium’s southeast corner. They are still in place but are no longer in use. Head past these and you can find another large Swindon Town mural before you reach the County Ground’s South Stand.

The South Stand is named after Don Rogers.

Somerset-born, Rogers was an outside left (similar to a modern-day left-winger) who played more than 400 times for Swindon Town across two spells between 1961 and 1977, scoring over 140 goals for the Robins, including two in extra-time of the 1969 League Cup Final when Swindon Town beat Arsenal 3-1.

The Don Rogers Stand, which has held that name since the start of the 2008-09 season, has an exterior consisting of a brickwork base with white corrugated iron higher up and a cantilever roof on top. You can also see the underside of the stand’s upper rows from outside as well. The J-Town Room for Junior Red Members is at one end of the stand near to the stadium’s southeast corner, and inside the stand itself is Digby’s Bar.

Turnstiles can be found along the exterior of the Don Rogers Stand, with a row of trees and field out beyond it.

History

The County Ground’s first ever stand was built thanks to a £300 donation from nearby Arkell Brewery, with the club naming a standing after the owner, Thomas Arkell, ever since. The stadium was built on land owned by Swindon Borough Council and the club pays rent to them every year rather than buying the ground for themselves. Money has often been an issue for the football club, with improvements to the stadium being done on an incremental basis rather than in one big development. Following the Taylor Report into the Hillsborough Disaster, all stadiums had to become all-seater structures. The County Ground followed this ruling, adding the Don Rogers Stand and converting the terraced stand at the Shrivenham Road end of the stadium to seating shortly after.