THERE was a special roar at the County Ground on Saturday, but it wasn't for the Town.

Instead it was a noisy tribute to one of the team's biggest fans, Andy Fitchett, who died before he could attend his own wake.

Andy lost his battle with lung cancer last Tuesday, just weeks before the celebration he planned to say goodbye to his friends.

While the players prepared for the game against Accring-ton, Andy's death was announced over the loud speaker.

But instead of bowed heads and silence in the stands, people cheered, whistled and waved flags.

It was a fitting tribute to the man who was described as the life and soul of the party.

Swindon Town director Mike Bowden said: "I was with Andy 10 minutes before he died and it was incredibly emotional.

"But what struck me over the last few weeks was how positive and courageous he was.

"At the Darlington match he was running around collecting money for charity, and he even managed to beat me in a drinking contest.

"He loved adrenalin, was bursting with energy, and took the view that death was there to be faced.

"He didn't want to be someone who cowered in a corner waiting for the inevitable."

And the applause on Saturday was a spontaneous and genuine reflection of his attitude.

Mr Bowden said: "I spoke with Andy's family and asked them what they wanted.

"They said they thought the fans should have the choice about how they celebrated Andy's passing, so it made it even more emotional when that roar went around the ground.

"I was sitting with Andy's dad and there was a lump in my throat listening to the noise."

When Andy found out that he was dying from lung cancer, he decided to hold his own wake to tell his friends "thanks for being part of my life".

The Pinehurst man's condition deteriorated last weekend and he died at the Prospect Hospice with his daughters Carley, 25, and Jodie, 23, by his side.

Carley, who lived with her dad, said: "He was an inspiration, especially in the last couple of months."

Lifelong Swindon Town fan Andy was planning to hold his Final Fling at the County Ground's Winners' Lounge on March 17.

Carley said that the party would still go ahead without Andy. "He was very sure that he wanted us to do it even if he wasn't there.

"And he has instructed us to make it a happy occasion and I'm sure he'll be there watching over us."