Фанатский клуб TrustSTFC прекратил публикацию колонки в программе матчей «Свиндон Таун» из-за цензуры

TrustSTFC have decided that they will no longer write a column in the Swindon Town matchday programme after having a piece omitted. Those who bought a programme for Swindon’s opening home match may have noticed that the usual piece from TrustSTFC, normally written by board member Nick Coote, was not included. The Trust have revealed that they sent a piece to be included in the programme two weeks ahead of publication and that receipt of it was confirmed, but they did not learn that it was not going to be part of it until matchday. The explanation came from the club that they deemed the piece to be “too negative” to be included in a club publication. Frustrated that they were not informed of the decision, or given the opportunity to revise the piece, they have taken the decision that they will no longer submit a column to be included in the programme, and The Adver will now carry this instead. Read more Good news for Glatzel as Swindon expect four players back for Oldham Work with Carney and new skill: How Kirkman has readied himself for big season What to expect from Swindon during the final week of the transfer window In a statement, The Trust said: "For as many years as we can remember, the Trust has submitted programme notes to the Club ahead of each home match. Articles have included a broad range of subjects including stadium developments, historic events and wider footballing topics of interest. "It’s a time-consuming process but one we were fully committed to – playing a small part in a long-held football tradition. "Those notes never appeared in Saturday’s programme, and on Monday morning we received an email saying that they had been removed due to them '…coming across in quite a negative light towards the Club'. Unfortunately, the Club made no attempt to contact us to discuss their concerns in advance of publication. "We respect that the programme is a Club publication and it’s fair that they decide what they do and do not publish. But in equal measure, at a time when many supporters are feeling a growing divide between them and off-field elements of the club they love, the Trust cannot accept any form of censorship. "It’s disappointing that the positive steps being taken by Ian Holloway to bring the players closer to the community which supports them so passionately are being undermined by a reluctance to engage at a Club leadership level." This has come shortly after the Trust were not informed of the decision to block the sale of matchday tickets in sections A6U and A6L in the Arkell’s Stand for the new season, a policy which The Adver learned was not enforced or suggested by Swindon Borough Council. TrustSTFC and the Official Supporters Club were also told that there would be a meeting about the restrictions for under-18s in sections T1 and T2 of the Town End ahead of the start of the season, but there was no communication on this after the Advisory Board meeting for July. The message has always come from the Trust that they intend to keep having a strong relationship with the club, but there have been tensions between the two in recent months.