For one young Swindon Town supporter, a summer football camp in Wichelstowe should have ended with a shirt to treasure. Instead, it was left looking more like a blotched art project, thanks to the wrong pen being used for player autographs.
The 13-year-old season ticket holder, who had enjoyed the Headstartz camp at The Deanery throughout the holidays, was thrilled when Swindon Town players Jake Tabor and Tom Wilson-Brown turned up this week to meet the youngsters. His excitement grew as his white Town shirt was signed — but the joy was short-lived. A board marker had been used, and within moments the signatures smudged across the fabric, with the ink even running along the bottom of the shirt, leaving it in a sorry state.
Despite the mishap, the child’s parent was full of praise for the camp. “The camp was absolutely amazing,” they said. “Even with the unfortunate shirt incident, he’d definitely return for future sessions. The whole experience was fantastic for him.”
To his credit, Swindon Town chief executive Anthony Hall moved quickly once told about the situation. Although the club weren’t responsible for the mix-up, Anthony offered to replace the shirt with a freshly signed one, ensuring a disappointed summer moment didn’t linger. “A massive thank you to Anthony for stepping in so quickly,” the parent added.
A ruined shirt is disappointing, but the club’s response turned frustration into goodwill. It’s these sorts of actions that show Swindon Town are serious about strengthening their ties with the people who matter most — the fans.
