WHEN SWINDON Town kick off the new season next Saturday, one of their biggest fans will be thousands of miles away in the Middle East.

But Lance Corporal Chris Cole, who is serving with the British forces in Iraq, will be proudly displaying his allegiance to the Robins thanks to a special delivery sent to him by the club.

Town chief executive Mark Devlin has posted the shirt worn by Ian Herring in last season's final game and signed by all of the squad to Chris.

Striker Sam Parkin said: "I've got a lot of respect for the people out there. We are doing a job we love but the people in Iraq are doing a really important job by serving our country."

Former Commonweal School pupil Chris has been in the Gulf since June and wrote to the Evening Advertiser saying he was feeling lonely and wanted letters from single women in the town to lift his spirits.

Chris's father Raymond said: "I'm sure Chris will be delighted with the shirt. When he was based in Aldershot he would come home at the weekend to watch town play."

To get in touch with Lance Corp Cole write to: Lance Corp C. Cole, 77 (HQ) Sqn, 27 Regt RLC, Op Telic, BFPO 662.