Development work has begun on the Swindon Town fan zone and Don Rogers statue at the Nigel Eady County Ground.

On September 30, work began at the ground, with an area in front of the Don Rogers Stand being fenced off and excavation beginning as Swindon prepares to transform the area into an area for fans to congregate before matches.

Once the changes were made the plans were approved. The statue is scheduled to be ahead of Town’s home game against Morecambe on November 23, with the fan zone area being developed after that using input from members of the supporters’ trust.

The area will be known as Statue Park as it will house the statue of club legend and 1969 League Cup hero Don Rogers, which TrustSTFC commissioned.

Club CEO Anthony Hall has previously spoken about how he plans live music and food stands to be there before games to help improve the matchday experience.

Work began on the space this weekWork began on the space this week (Image: Aled Thomas)

He said: “It will be done in two phases along with the JV and the Supporters Trust to get fans in earlier like fan zones up and down the country to improve the engagement and the overall experience for everyone who comes here.

“We will have different food outlets, we will have music, a DJ, all sorts of stuff to keep that engagement for people coming to the games.”

The plans for the space were approved in August having been initially opposed by Swindon Borough Council’s environmental team, with them deeming the initial proposal “not acceptable”, due to the removal of a hedge and tree and more detail being required before the club revised the planning application.

But when the plans were later approved, planning officer James Peck said: "The proposed fan zone would provide additional supporter space, and help enhance the fan experience on match days.

"The supporting statement provided with the latest proposed development scheme indicates that the proposed fan zone is one of number of re-development opportunities that are being explored to enhance the football experience at the County Ground stadium.

"As such, it is considered that the Change of Use of land for a proposed fan zone would not undermine the open public space function of the adjacent grassed open spaces, and the proposed works would provide a community benefit for Swindon Town Football Club and its supporters in its ongoing re-development drive for the County Ground stadium.”