A SWINDON fan who has seen his fair share of cup finals will be among the crowd backing the team at Wembley.

Henry Howard, 80, has been to the showpiece ground a dozen times – five of them to see the Robins.

“I’m excited. It’s not so much about the football but about the atmosphere and seeing your friends and the people you know,” he said.

“I’m 100 per cent behind Swindon and I wish them all the luck.”

Henry first went to the old Wembley with his dad Henry Howard Snr, who was a shareholder at the club.

“I went there when I was 18 with my father. We saw all kinds of teams, including Arsenal and Chelsea,” he said.

“We were all standing and there wasn’t so much colour in those days, people didn’t wave colourful scarves, everyone wore caps and long overcoats.

“It looked very dull and there were no covers so you stood out in the rain. That really stands out in my mind.

“There’s a lot more colour now with the TV screens and the clothes.”

And while Henry, who lives near Devizes, secured his place in a VIP box, fans 10,000 miles away in Australia were also making plans for the day.

The Adver’s story about Melbourne-based supporter Lee Bizley showing the action at his football-themed house led more supporters to join in the fun.

Lee, who has set up a supporters’ club Down Under, has doubled the number of guests for the final to 20.

They include one fan who drives a car kitted out in homage to his beloved Town.

“The owner of that car lives in Melbourne,” Lee said.

“I’ve never seen it out and about. I think if I did I’d crash my own car.”

The Melbourne fans are inviting others to join in the party for the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy final on March 25.

Lee, 32, will throw a barbecue for guests in ‘Bizley’s garden’ and screen the action on a big screen in his living room.

Fellow fan Graham Dean got in touch with Lee through the Adver.

They discovered they were both friends with another supporter who used to work with Lee at Raychem.

Lee, a mobile technician, has followed Town since the age of six when his dad took him to his first game.

He watched the Robins for 21 years before moving to Carrum Downs, near Melbourne, in 2007 with his wife and son.

The loyal supporters say there is such a fanbase in the city the Robins should visit in the pre-season and play Melbourne Victory.

Lee said: “Now that would be stuff dreams are made of. I could even offer God – Paolo di Canio – accommodation for the weekend."

l Fans in Melbourne wanting to join the party should email swindon_downunder@hotmail.com