Fraser Joyce Picture Ref: 77375-04A DEVOTED Swindon Town fan was mugged on his way home from the team's final game on Saturday.

Fourteen-year-old Fraser Joyce, of Harcourt Road, had gone to the game especially to see if he could get hold of something belonging to one of the players.

Items often get thrown into the crowd and he was thrilled to pick up one of Brian Howard's boots but minutes later it was snatched from his hands by a young mugger.

Fraser, a pupil at St Joseph's Roman Catholic School, lives and breathes Swindon Town.

He plays for the Swindon Town School of Excellence and never misses a game.

Usually his grandfather takes him to the game but he was excited to be going to the final match with two of his friends hoping they would catch a souvenir.

He said: "I grabbed one of the boots and was really happy.

"Then as we were walking home along Beatrice Street we saw some kids following us.

"They had hoods pulled over their heads and faces.

"One of them grabbed the boot out of my hand.

"I pulled it back but he pushed me, got hold of it and ran off.

"They must have followed me from the County Ground because my mates had their mobile phones and MP3 players on show and they didn't touch them."

Fraser said the boys looked about 18 or 19 and he did not think he would have had a chance of fighting back.

He said: "I feel angry they've taken it. You can only get stuff like this at the end of the season so now I'll have to wait until next year to try to get something else."

Fraser's mum, Jane, 44, a consultant, who has two other sons, Connor, 13, and Callum, nine, is also concerned.

She said: "It makes me feel worried. I don't know if my children are safe.

"This is only the third time Fraser has gone to watch the game on his own and this happens.

"He was easy prey, they must have known he had the boot."

Despite this scare, Fraser has not been put off going to matches. But he said he will be much more careful.

He said: "I don't fancy walking home on my own again, I'll get a lift.

"It's taught me to be more streetwise and aware."

Mr Howard was saddened to hear what had happened to Fraser.

He said: "I threw my boots on to the pitch at the end of the game, but didn't know who had got them.

"I think it's disgraceful. The young lad's been to every game and the nature of the club is that you never know which players will return next season.

"I hope whoever it was who stole the boot has the courage to give them back."

The family reported the incident to the police but have decided not to take any further action.

Lyndsay Scanlan