Swindon Town has had problems with
hooliganism since the 1970s, with the first known group being called the Swindon Town Aggro Boys (STAB).
[95] In a home game against
Wrexham in March 1978, STAB were responsible for pelting the opposing goalkeeper with darts, stones and a golf ball.
[96] Club chairman Cecil Green later proclaimed: "We intend to stamp out this thuggery. The incidents were diabolical."
[95] A new hooligan gang emerged in the 1980s, the Swindon Southside Firm (SSF), who were named after the area of terracing they occupied.
[95] In a match at
Northampton Town, then manager
Lou Macari walked straight into a group of more than 100 SSF members chasing Northampton fans up the street. Macari said the incident was "worse than a
Celtic–Rangers game".
[95]