CAR fanatic Neal Bircher has revved up his support for Swindon Town FC with his new registration plate.

Neal couldn’t believe his luck when he was able to get his hands on the SW11 NDN number plate.

The DVLA released the new “11” series registrations for sale on December 7, and as a number plate enthusiast and long time STFC supporter was determined to get his hands on the number plate which is the nearest combination to Swindon that it is possible to have on a number plate.

The number can be used on any vehicle registered on or after March 1st this year and Neal, 46, went online on the day the plates went on sale to ensure he got the unique plate.

He said: “Obviously every number plate is unique but this one is particularly so because it is the closest you will get to spelling out Swindon.

“I am a bit of a car fanatic and I collect number plates so as soon as I realised this was going to be available I went online on the day it came out.

“Usually unique numbers like that go to auction and I was surprised it didn’t so I was delighted to get it.

Neal who paid just £400 for the number plate is a self-confessed lucky talisman for the team.

He has watched more than 60 matches in 20 years and had never seen a losing match until last year’s final.

He now lives in London but still tries to get to as many games as possible.

He said: “I have been a Swindon Town supporter since the days of Lou Macari, in the 1980s.

“I became a Swindon Town supporter whilst working at the Nationwide Building Society, and living in Rodbourne, 20 years ago.

“I do not go to many games, but that sequence covered about 60 matches, and that included the Premiership season, when I went to three games, two at home and one at QPR, and saw two victories and a 3-3 draw.”

Neal has decided to put the plate up for sale to make sure the plate is driven around Swindon rather than the streets of London.

He said: “I am sure that it will either be bought by a Swindon-based business, or by somebody associated with the football club.

“How great would it be to see it driving around Swindon? I hope somebody associated with the club can buy it.

If you are interested in buying the number plate contact Neal via e-mail at neal_bircher@yahoo.co.uk.