AT LAST Swindon Town fans can celebrate after their team beat Cambridge 3-1.

After a departed manager and a run of home games in which they had won one, drawn two and lost three, things were beginning to take on a bleak air down at the County Ground.

But, whatever the morale of fans today, spare a thought for fans who followed the Robins 80 years ago.

A discovery by a cemetery guide in London shows how one Town fan of 1920 was so moved by yet another Swindon loss he decided to bury the team.

Kevin Varty, of Oldbrook, Milton Keynes, said: "I work as a guide in Kensal Green Cemetery in London and have built up a collection of funereal items for our museum.

"I came across an original In Memoriam card for Swindon Town in a bundle of mourning cards that I recently purchased in Newport Pagnell."

The fragile card reads: "In Loving Memory of Poor Old Swindon. Who fell fighting for the English Cup (2nd Round), Jan 31st, 1920. They went to Chelsea to get a bun, but instead were beaten four to none. R.I.P."

An astonished Kevin said the cards were usually sent to friends and relatives of people who had died. "Most are very sad and you can imagine my surprise when I found this one," he said.

The Adver can explain the card. Earlier last century it was common for fans to get In Memorium cards printed to tease their opposition.