Fan sentiment is at turning point for Mark Kennedy and Swindon Town, but all is not lost

There has been an undercurrent of discontent running through the fanbase for some time, fueled both by steady decline on the field over the course of three seasons and a feeling of detachment from a club that has meant so much to so many for so long.

That discontent has manifested itself in various ways over recent months. In some, it has encouraged a sense of apathy. In others, resentment. Elsewhere, anger. And at the final whistle at Vale Park on Saturday, it was that latter emotion which bubbled to the top.

Swindon Town head coach Mark Kennedy wants to encourage his players to face their supporters, regardless of how the afternoon has gone, at the end of a match. The net result on Saturday was red shirts clapping a pocket of furious, red-faced fans. Kennedy would later have to console a visibly upset Miguel Freckleton.