THE scramble for coach tickets to Wembley began in earnest yesterday morning when a supporters' group opened its coach ticket office to Swindon Town fans.

With First Great Western rail services from Swindon to London Paddington cut off by Network Rail engineering works, the pressure on coach seats has been turned up a notch.

Queues stretched back for more than 50 metres at the County Ground yesterday as SAS Travel opened for ticket sales at 10am.

Telephone bookings for the Swindon Town Supporters Club-backed services were being taken from 7pm on Thursday, May 14, but customers were advised to get their seats in person.

Some of those Wembley wanderers were queuing for more than an hour before they got their seats booked, but it gave them time to reflect on the journey ahead next weekend.

“The best thing is we’re the underdogs sometimes the underdogs can cause a very big upset,” said Martyn Hull.

“Playing against Preston as well, they’re probably the best team we could have got.

“I’ve been up there a few times and they have a lovely set of supporters.”

Steve Beale, who recently featured in the Adver as part of his quest to publish a book on the history of the town’s primary school football, was one of those queuing early.

He backed Martyn’s underdog hopes and revealed his own relief in hearing the Robins will be lining up in Wembley in their favourite red shirts.

He has felt heartache on his last two trips to the capital with Town, tasting play-off defeat at the hands of Millwall and cup pain against Chesterfield.

“It’s going to be a great atmosphere,” said Steve.

“As the man said, we’re the underdogs and I hear we’re going to be wearing red, which is good because the last time we were there against Chesterfield and Millwall, we didn’t, so perhaps wearing red is our lucky omen.”

Carole Ide was also in line for coach tickets. She said there would be around 50 chartered by SAS Travel alone.

She has taken her car to Wembley in the past with Swindon, but looked forward to the camaraderie which comes with coach travel. Steve has taken the train in the past, but he and Martyn insist the coach is best option for supporters on the day.

“Not so much atmosphere,” said Martyn.

“I just think it’s walk here in the morning, get on the coach, drop you at the ground, go and have a drink, get on the coach, come home and go to bed. It’s so easy.

“Sometimes with the trains, I always think it’s a bit of a mare, but I nearly always use coaches.

“I’ve been up to Preston two or three times for games, parked up there.

“There’s a lovely atmosphere, lovely set of supporters. It’s going to make a great day.”

For more information on the travel options available for the trip to Wembley, visit swindontownfc.co.uk.