Absolute load of nonsense” – Ian Holloway speaks out on Swindon Town supporter protest
The joyful full-time atmosphere at the County Ground, which secured a 100% home record for the month of December, contrasted sharply with pre-match sentiments as supporters of the Wiltshire club participated in the ‘Spirit of 69’ march, which was organized in protest of current owner Clem Morfuni.
Supporters, symbolically represented by their brilliant orange hats, marched in their hundreds to express a united desire for its Australian chairman to quit the club.
But with this striking headgear on display in the grandstand, a visibly irritated Robins management expressed doubts about the number of demonstrators inside the stadium, implying that anyone would accept a free hat on a chilly day.
Speaking to BBC Radio Wiltshere after an encouraging victory, Ian Holloway was surprisingly forthright when asked about declining supporter-chairman relations, presumably wishing to talk just about the on-pitch action.
“If you were pleased with what you witnessed today, please return. Do me a favor if you’re not enjoying it. You have an option, and I believe that’s reasonable.
“If you don’t like me and the club, don’t come. I think thousands of people will, and those are the people I want.”
And I think you’re a complete moron if you’re going to try to persuade someone else by giving them a free pass.
“How many are real? It was freezing today. I didn’t want to bring it up, but you’re going to wear a free hat if it’s chilly, aren’t you?
“I might buy my own hats for everybody and say ‘put that on you’re an Ian Holloway supporter, thanks ever so much’… absolute nonsense, I don’t understand”
To make his views on the demonstration clear, Holloway denied that the seemingly engulfing sea of bright orange in the ground was a direct reflection of huge anger among supporters.
The ‘Spirit of ’69’ movement was created earlier following the rapid decline of the former-Premier League club’s fortunes under Clem Morfuni.
Having acquired the side in 2021, shortly after relegation to the fourth-tier, a steady regression has seen the club now become at severe risk of dropping out of the Football League entirely.
The peaceful protest group, named after the club’s historical League Cup victory in 1969, represents the ethos of returning the club to better times, which begins with Morfuni selling the club for which he has become so unanimously disliked.
While fortunes have began to turn somewhat, Ian Holloway’s response appears to show partisanship to those in control of his wages, rather than his supporters, which may further strain an already tumultuous relationship.
