Swindon Town F.C.

Swindon Town
Full name Swindon Town Football Club
Nickname(s) The Robins, The Reds, The Town
Founded 1879; 132 years ago (1879)
(by Reverend W.B. Pitt)[1]
Ground The County Ground
Swindon
(Capacity: 14,700)
Chairman Jeremy Wray
Manager Paolo Di Canio
League League Two
2010–11 League One, 24th
(relegated)
Home colours
Away colours
Current season

Swindon Town Football Club are a team based in Swindon, Wiltshire. Currently in League Two, Swindon have been managed by Paolo Di Canio since 23 May 2011. They play their home games at The County Ground, which has a capacity of 14,700.

Since turning professional in 1894, the club has enjoyed periods of success, most notably during the period 1968–1970 when they won the 1969 League Cup (defeating Arsenal at Wembley Stadium) securing promotion to the Second Division. League Cup success earned the club its first invitations to European competitions, but they were not eligible to participate because they played in the then Third Division. So as compensation they were entered into the 1969 Anglo-Italian League Cup and the 1970 Anglo-Italian Cup, with Swindon winning both. These wins were led by the club's talismanic winger Don Rogers. He has had the South Stand named after him from the 2007–08 season. The club's two best wins were 10 goals to 2 over Norwich City on 5 September 1908 and 10 goals to 1 over Farnham United Breweries F.C. in the season of 1925–26 but the club's worst loss was 10 goal to 1 down against Manchester City in 1930.

Swindon Town won promotion to the Premier League during the 1992–93 season, the only time the club has played in the top level of English football. Swindon was the second team to win promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs, beating Leicester City. This proved to be Swindon's only ever season in the top flight to date, in which they conceded 100 goals. However, based on all results during their time in the Premier League and Football League up to 2010–11, Swindon are ranked as the all-time 49th most successful English football club domestically.[2]

Contents

History

Early history

Swindon Town Football Club was founded by Reverend William Pitt of Liddington in 1879.[1] The team turned professional in 1894 and joined the Southern League which was founded in the same year.[1] During this period Septimus Atterbury played for the club.

Swindon reached the FA Cup semi-finals for the first time in the 1909–10 season, losing to eventual winners Newcastle United. Barnsley F.C. and Swindon were invited to compete for the Dubonnet Cup in 1910 at the Parc des Princes Stadium in Paris. The result was a 2–1 victory for Swindon with Harold Fleming scoring both of the club's goals.

The following season, 1910–11, Swindon Town won the Southern League championship, earning them a Charity Shield match with the Football League champions Manchester United. This, the highest-scoring Charity Shield game to date, was played on 25 September 1911 at Stamford Bridge with Manchester United winning 8–4. Some of the proceeds of this game were later donated to the survivors of the Titanic.[3] In 1912 Swindon Town reached the semi finals of the FA Cup for a second time in 3 years, losing to Barnsley F.C. after a replay 1–0.

Swindon's exploits at this time owed a lot to the skilful forward H.J. Fleming who was capped by England 11 times between 1909 and 1914 despite playing outside the Football League. Fleming remained with Swindon throughout a playing career spanning 1907 and 1924 and went on to live in the town for his entire life.

Swindon entered the Football League in 1920 as a founding member of Division Three and defeated Luton Town 9–1 in their first game of the season. This result stands as a record for the club in League matches.

After the outbreak of the 2nd World War the War Department took over the Stadium in 1940, where for a while POWs (Prisoners of War) were housed in huts placed on the pitch, for this the club received compensation of £4,570 in 1945. The 2nd World War affected Swindon Town more than most other football clubs and the club was almost disbanded, the club needed a large amount of time to recover and for this reason it failed to make any real impression in the league and would not climb into the second division until 1963 when they finished runners up to Northampton Town. The club was relegated back into Division Three in 1965 but it was about to create a sensation.

1969–1990

In 1969 Swindon beat Arsenal 3–1 to win the League Cup for the first and only time in the club's history.[4][5] As winners of the League Cup, Swindon were assured of a place in their first European competition: the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup. However, the Football Association had previously agreed to inclusion criteria with the organizers which mandated that only League Cup winners from Division One would be able to take part. As the team were not eligible, the short lived Anglo-Italian competitions were created to give teams from lower divisions experience in Europe. The first of these, the 1969 Anglo-Italian League Cup, was contested over two legs against Coppa Italia winners A.S. Roma. Swindon won 5–2, with the scorer of two goals in the League Cup final – Don Rogers – scoring once and new acquisition Arthur Horsfield acquiring his first hat-trick for the club.[6] The team then went on to win the 1970 Anglo-Italian Cup competition in a tournament beset by hooliganism. The final against S.S.C. Napoli was abandoned after 79 minutes following pitch invasions and a missile barrage, with teargas being employed to allow the teams to return to the dressing room.[7]

Following management changes, Swindon had a long unsuccessful period culminating in them being relegated in 1982 to the Fourth Division, the lowest professional Football League at the time. They were eventually promoted as champions in 1986 with the club achieving a Football League record of 102 points, the second club to score over 100 points in a season, York City having totalled 101 two years earlier.[8] A year later they won the Third Division play-offs to achieve a second successive promotion.[9] Promotion campaign Manager Lou Macari left in 1989 to take charge of West Ham United with veteran midfielder, and former Argentine international, Ossie Ardiles replacing him. In his first season Swindon were Second Division play-off winners,[10] but the club later admitted 36 charges of breaching league rules, 35 due to illegal payments made to players, and were relegated to the Third Division — giving Sunderland promotion to the First Division and Tranmere Rovers to the Second Division. The scandal saw then chairman Brian Hillier being given a six-month prison sentence and chief accountant Vince Farrar being put on probation. A later appeal saw Swindon Town being allowed to stay in the Second Division.[11]

Since 1990: Highs and Lows

Ardiles remained in charge until March 1991, when he departed to Newcastle United and was succeeded by new player-manager Glenn Hoddle.

Swindon progressed well during the 1991–92 season, Hoddle’s first full season as manager, and just missed out on the Second Division play-offs, having briefly led the table in the autumn. A year later they beat Leicester City 4–3 in the new Division One play-off final to achieve promotion to the FA Premier League — bringing top-division football to the club for the first time.[12]

Hoddle moved to Chelsea before the 1993–94 Premier League season began, and was replaced by assistant John Gorman, but Swindon never adjusted to the pace of Premier League football.[13] They were relegated after recording only five wins and conceding 100 goals — the latter record yet to be broken — and have never returned to the top flight. One of the few successes of the season was a 2-2 draw against champions Manchester United in the league that season. [14] [1]

The following year, Swindon were relegated for the second consecutive time and slipped into Division Two. Gorman had been sacked as manager in November 1994, and although his successor, player-manager Steve McMahon, was unable to avoid relegation he did take Swindon to the semi-finals of the League Cup.[15] McMahon then succeeded in getting Swindon back into Division One on his first attempt, winning the Division Two championship in 1996.[16]

McMahon remained as manager until September 1998, when he left by mutual consent after Swindon had lost 5 of the 9 opening games of the 1998–99 season. The club then went through five managers in five years (Andy King was appointed twice), during which time they were again relegated into Division Two. The highlight of the next few seasons was a 5th-place finish in 2003–04 as financial troubles persisted. A first-round [2]] loss to Brighton on penalties meant Swindon extended their stay in the 3rd tier, now renamed League One.

The club has been beset by financial difficulties throughout its recent history, having been placed into administration twice[17] and also twice fought off winding-up orders from Her Majesty's Customs and Excise over unpaid tax-bills.[18] The board currently have to make yearly payments of £100,000 to creditors (2% of the yearly turnover),[19] and only managed to begin the 2006–07 season after sourcing £500,000 to pay for players' wages.[19]

In 2006, caretaker manager (and former player) Iffy Onuora was unable to save Swindon from relegation to League Two[20] meaning they became the first ever former Premier League team to be relegated to the lowest Football League division.

Dennis Wise agreed to become the new Swindon Town manager in May 2006 following the relegation, with Gustavo Poyet joining the coaching staff.[21] After a good start to the season, the pair moved to Leeds United in October. Veteran defender Adrian Williams and Barry Hunter took temporary charge until Paul Sturrock was appointed on 7 November. Sturrock guided Swindon to promotion back to League One in his first season with the club, earning the third automatic promotion place in a 1–1 draw with Walsall in the last game of the 2006–07 season.[22]

In 2008 Swindon Town was taken over by a consortium, fronted by local businessman Andrew Fitton, with plans to clear all club debts by the end of the 2007/08 season.

Paul Sturrock having departed for Plymouth Argyle, the consortium appointed Sturrock-recommended Maurice Malpas manager. However, the 2008–09 campaign started badly; after winning the first match at home against Tranmere Rovers 3–1, Swindon lost five consecutive matches at home (the first time this had happened since 2000) and there were several calls for Malpas to be replaced.[23] Malpas was sacked on 14 November 2008, with David Byrne taking over temporarily.

Danny Wilson was unveiled as the new manager on 26 December 2008.[24] Wilson helped maintain Swindon's League One status and finished in 15th position, though only 4 points from the relegation zone in his first season in charge.

The 2009–10 would prove a vast improvement, despite the sale of League One top-scorer Simon Cox. The club maintained a play-off position going into the new year, and were at one point in second place with automatic promotion in their own hands. However, a slight slip in form towards the end of the season saw Swindon finish 5th, entering the play-offs against Charlton Athletic. Swindon won the tie on penalties and went on to play in the Football League One play-offs final against Millwall at Wembley for a place in the Football League Championship. However, they lost 1–0 in what was their 1st defeat in 4 appearances at Wembley.

After losing the final Swindon lost their top scorer Billy Paynter who joined Leeds United on a free transfer, and sold club captain Gordon Greer. Still, many bookmakers had Swindon as one of the favourites for promotion to the nPower Championship going into the 2010-2011 season. Inconsist form left Swindon in mid-table for much of the season, however a 4–2 win at Charlton Athletic in January left fans hoping for a late-season surge.[25] Instead, the team did not win again for 19 matches. When Danny Wilson resigned on March 2nd, Paul Hart was brought but failed to save the Robins, and on 25 April 2011 Swindon were relegated to Npower League 2 after losing 3–1 to Sheffield Wednesday FC. Paul Hart was replaced for the last two games of the season by former player and current reserve and youth team coach Paul Bodin.[26]

Soon after the season ended, the board revealed that high-profile former player Paulo Di Canio would take his first management position at the club.[27] After losing seven of his first thirteen games in charge, Swindon went on an fifteen-match unbeaten run which put them into promotion contention by the mid-point of the 2011-2012 season.[28]

Crest

Swindon Town have used at least five different kit badges since their inception.[29] The original badge depicted a Robin inside a shield with the letters STFC in the four corners, this changed to the "Steam Train" badge which was a coat of arms for the club based heavily on the coat of arms used by the local council.[30] The "Steam Train" badge was in the form of a traditional shield, bisected with the club's name, a train (as Swindon is a Railway town), a football and with a Robin sitting on top. Beneath the shield was a motto on a scroll – 'Salubritas et Industria' – meaning 'health and industry'.[30] This motto is also that of the town of Swindon itself.[31]

During the 1970s the club changed the badge to one referred to as the "ST arrow" or "traffic sign" badge.[32] This was circular and had the letters 'S' and 'T' interlocked, which both ends of the letter 'S' being made into an arrow. Also shown was a simple football and the club name.[30]

Following the 1985–86 season, the "Steam Train" badge was re-introduced onto the kits. The crest was re-styled and the text "Division Four Champions 1985/1986" replaced the motto.[30]

A diamond shaped crest for Swindon Town was introduced at the beginning of the 1991–92 season following a series of financial problems for the club. The idea behind the new crest was to give the club a new fresh image.

"The 'travelling' football represents the club that is looking to the future with successful progress. The diamond shape clearly has the letter 'S' (for Swindon) running through it, while a green section was also introduced to match a new 'green trim' on the team's home (red and white) shirts."[30]

On 5 April 2007 the club unveiled plans to change the badge claiming the diamond badge was correct for the time but did not represent or show any of the clubs heritage or history.[33] Swindon offered fans the chance to vote on-line for the three new choices, which were all similar to the original steam train design, and a fourth option of keeping the 1991 design.

On 23 April 2007, it was announced that option three of the logo vote was the winner of the poll (it can be seen on the far right of the picture).[34] Winning the vote with 68 per cent in favour, the new badge includes the club name, a Robin, a train – the rail industry being an important part of the Town's heritage – a football, and re-introduces the town's motto – 'Salubritas et Industria'. It has been in use since the beginning of the 2007–08 season.

Colours and kits

Original Home kit
1894 Home kit
1897 Home kit
1901 Home kit
1902 Home kit
Home Kit

Originally playing in black and white with the addition of blue sash for away games,[1] the club changed to black and red quarters on entry to the Southern League in 1894.[1] The club changed again in 1897 with the Swindon Advertiser reporting:

"The new colours of the Swindon Town F.C. are to be green shirts, with white sleeves. Good-bye to the old well known red and black."[1]

With problems obtaining green dyes, the kit was short-lived and Swindon Town changed their shirts to the more familiar red in 1901.[1] Initially a dark maroon, a lighter shade was chosen for the start of the 1902–03 season and also resulted in the club's nickname "the Robins" appearing in print for the first time in programme notes for the first game.[35] The nickname is a reference to the former name of the European Robin – "Redbreast".

Swindon Town have played their home games in variations on the red and white theme since then, wearing a red shirt with white collars and white or red shorts for much of their history which has led to the team being known as the "Red and White Army". For example; the kit worn during the 1985–86 Division Four Champions season consisted of a red shirt with white pinstripes, white shorts and red socks and chants of "Lou Macari's Red and White Army" were heard from the supporters at the final stages of the season.

Following the club being re-branded in 1991, green elements were re-introduced onto the Home Strip and badge to represent the team's short-lived kit from the turn of the century. These were removed in 2007.[36]

Away Kit

The club's away kits have only begun to change since the 1990s and the advent of the lucrative replica kit market. Swindon's original away kit (that was entirely separate to the home kit) consisted of an all-blue strip, this was not used for the club's 1969 League Cup Final victory where they elected to wear an all-white strip.

For a period in the 1980s the club changed their away kit to white shirts and black shorts and introduced a new third kit of yellow shirts and blue shorts.[37] The club alternated between these two schemes as its away kit for the 1980s.

When the club re-branded in the 1991 close season, it introduced a new away strip; the white and green "potato print" shirt with dark blue shorts,[38] this remained in use until its replacement in 1993 with another yellow and blue strip, integrating the new colour scheme by adding a green collar.[39]

A special third kit was added for the 1996–97 season and was coloured "Petrol green" in honour of the then sponsors Castrol.

Swindon wore black and gold striped away shirts for the 2003–04 season with an all-white third kit, following this with variants on the blue theme until returning to all-white in 2007.[36]

Shirt sponsors
Period Kit Supplier Kit Sponsor
1980–81 Adidas
1981–82 Coffer Sports
1982–84 Coffer Sports ISIS
1984–89 Spall Lowndes Lambert Group
1989–91 Spall GWR FM
1991–93 Diamond Leisure Burmah
1993–95 Loki Burmah
1995–97 Mizuno Castrol
1997–99 Mizuno Nationwide
1999–2000 Lotto Nationwide
2000–02 Xara Nationwide
2002–03 DGI Nationwide
2003–05 Strikeforce Nationwide
2005–07 Lonsdale Nationwide
2007–08 Lotto Kingswood Group
2008–09 Lotto FourFourTwo Magazine
2009–10 Adidas FourFourTwo Magazine
EA Sports
2010–11 Adidas FourFourTwo Magazine
EA Sports
Samsung
2011–12 Adidas Samsung
EA Sports
FourFourTwo Magazine
The People (F.A. Cup kit)

Nationwide announced that after the revelation of more financial problems within the club, they were to terminate the sponsorship deal at the end of the 2006–07 season, this also included the cessation of Stadium Sponsorship. Swindon Town finance director Sandy Gray said on 24 November 2006 – "We are in negotiations with someone already. They are very keen to do a sponsorship deal in the football league."[40]

On 7 June 2007 it was announced that Kingswood Construction, a local development company, would undertake a five year sponsorship of the club. The £100,000 a year contract included both shirt and stand sponsorship.[41] This contract was terminated on 17 March 2008 following Kingswood's financial problems and failure to pay the club,[42] with Swindon Town Chief Executive Ian Watkins commenting "We had to withdraw from Kingswood because they had not paid their money and going forward under new ownership we don't want to work in any past uncertainty."[42]

In June 2008 it was announced that FourFourTwo Magazine would be the club's new sponsors after signing a three year deal with the club.[43]

Stadium

Swindon Town's original pitch was located south of Bath Road, in the region of Bradford Road, adjacent to the Okus Quarry.[44] After a young spectator fell into the quarry the team decided to move first to Lansdown Road and then to a pitch near The Croft where they were to remain for the next eleven years.[1]

Swindon Town have been playing at the County Ground since 1896. They played their games on the site of the adjacent cricket pitch also called the County Ground from 1893 until the ground opened.[1]

Thomas Arkell of Arkell's Brewery donated £300 to finance the construction of a stand on what was then known as the 'Wiltshire County Ground', this investment was enough to begin development of a purpose built football ground. Since its original construction, the ground has been periodically updated with new features or fittings. A cover on the Shrivenham Road side was erected in 1932, followed by the current roof at the Town End. This cost £4,300, which was raised by the Supporters Club, and was opened on 27 August 1938 by local MP, W.W. Wakefield.[44]

The War Department took over the ground in 1940, where for a while POWs were housed in huts placed on the pitch. For this the club received compensation of £4,570 in 1945.[44]

The addition of floodlights in 1951 at a cost of £350, gave Swindon the honour of being the first League club to do so. These were first tried out v. Bristol City on 2 April 1951 beating Arsenal by six months. These original set of lights were supplemented by lights on both side stand roofs, which were sufficient for the County Ground to stage its first floodlit league match on 29 February 1956 v. Millwall. (7 days after Fratton Park became the 1st ground to stage a floodlit league fixture). The present pylons date from 1960.[44]

The ground currently contains elements constructed between the period 1950–1995, with the latest addition being the large sponsored stand on the south side. The County Ground is also the only football stadium in the world with a Rolex watch acting as its timekeeper, the clock on the Stratton Bank stand featuring its name was erected to celebrate promotion in 1963.[45]

The ground itself is on land owned by Swindon Borough Council to whom the club pay rent. Swindon have in the past considered a move to a club owned stadium to generate more revenue, but have not had the financial backing to do so. In 2006 a redevelopment campaign for the County Ground began,[46] with the club and TrustSTFC (the supporters' trust) raising a petition to 'Save Our Home' urging the Borough Council to "facilitate the redevelopment of the stadium and do everything they can to keep the club within the Borough"[47] including the proposed upgrading of the adjacent Cricket Club to County standard and Athletic Club to Olympic standard.

Supporters

As an expanding railway town, the club had attendances of up to 32,000 on match days until the early 1970s. Due to Swindon's low unemployment rate (one of the lowest in the United Kingdom),[48] more people work in the town than live there and so are unlikely to support the team.[49] In addition; poor team performances, the financial instability in the club and the change to an all-seated stadium following the Taylor Report have led to attendances at the County Ground dropping.

With an all-seated capacity of 15,728 at the County Ground, Swindon averaged a home attendance of 5,839 for the 2004–05 season.[50] Only 37% of the grounds seats were occupied at a game on average.[51] This rose to 5,950[52] (37.8%)[53] in 2005–06 and was reported as 7,109 (45.2%)[54] for the 2006–07 season.[55]

A core group of fans has inhabited the Town End of the stadium since the 1980s, producing past fanzines such as "The 69'er", "Bring the Noise" "Randy Robin" and "The Magic Roundabout"[56] amongst others. Supporters call the team "The Town", "The Reds", "STFC" and also the "Red and White Army". The red and white army is a term the supporters use to identify themselves as well. The Junior Robins is the children's supporters club which operates to provide lower ticket prices, away game activities and transport to young fans.[57] Membership of the club also allows them to be nominated as game mascot and gives them the opportunity to train in one of the many Football Schools run by the club.

The supporters' trust, TrustSTFC, was established in 2000. This organisation is a democratically elected group of fans who raise funds for the club and aim to give supporters access and input into decisions made by the club's board.[58] The group run a number of schemes including the "Loan Note Scheme", the aim of which is to buy shares in the club and assist with investment.[59] Another scheme is the Red Army Fund, the money raised by this fund is given to the club to contribute towards the purchase and wages of new players.[60] TrustSTFC also take part in the Fans' Consortium, who aim to place a supporter with a large stake-holding in the club onto the Board of Directors.[61] The trust is also currently campaigning with the club for the re-development of the County Ground.

The "Football Fever Report" published by statisticians of the Littlewoods Football Pools was released in January 2007. This report researched those teams that were the most stressful to support. Swindon Town were placed 5th out of all 92 League clubs,[62] with the report stating –

"It's only just over a decade ago that Swindon were a Premier League side, but the past 10 years have been tough going for fans at the County Ground. Relegation from the top flight in 1994 was followed by a second successive drop, and although promotion from Division Two was secured a year later, the team struggled in Division One in the next three seasons, finishing 19th, 18th and 17th. In 2000 came relegation, and a year later Swindon avoided another 'double relegation' by just one point. A glimmer of hope came when the play-offs were reached in 2004 – ending in a semi-final loss to Brighton – but last term Town became the first club to drop into the bottom tier of the Football League having once been in the Premier League. We bet Robins' fans can hardly believe it."[62]

With the dwindling support during matches in the 2004–05 season, another fans' group "Red Army Loud and Proud" was formed.[63] Red Army Loud and Proud is a small group of fans attempting to bring back the atmosphere and fun to match days. With the stated aim of being "the 12th man on the pitch",[63] the group sponsors players and also provides large colourful flags to the matches.

However in more recent years 2010/11 Swindon has rapidly increasing attendances with an 8,400 average attendance for the 2010/11 season despite relegation. If the 2009/10 form had been kept up attendances could have easily reached an average over 10,000

Hooliganism

Swindon Town has had problems with hooliganism since the 1970s, with the first known group being called the Swindon Town Aggro Boys (STAB).[64] In a home game against Wrexham in March 1978, STAB were responsible for pelting the opposing goalkeeper with carrots.[64] Club chairman Cecil Green later proclaimed: "We intend to stamp out this thuggery. The incidents were diabolical."[64] A new hooligan gang emerged in the 1980s; the Swindon.Southside.Firm (SSF) who were named after the area of terracing they occupied.[64] 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".[64]

In the 1990s, the Swindon Active Service (SAS) came to prominence and it is believed they were at the centre of several hostilities with fans of local rivals Oxford and Reading.[64] In September 1998, 19 SAS members were arrested at the home match with Oxford.[64] A fracas at an away game versus Bournemouth on 18 December 2004 resulted in the arrest of seventeen and the imposition of banning orders on those found to be guilty.[65][66] The fighting, involving more than forty supporters, occurred in a busy shopping centre before the game, "District Judge Roger House said it had been a 'frightening and terrifying' experience for scores of Christmas shoppers who witnessed the scenes."[65] With the Swindon Advertiser reporting that "The area was packed with Christmas shoppers, who watched in horror as pub windows were smashed and fans traded insults."[67]

On 16 December 2006, Swindon recorded one of their highest attendances of the season- 10,010 at a home win against rivals Bristol Rovers.[68] The game was marred with supporter trouble which resulted in 11 arrests and saw an area of seating in the Arkell's Stand damaged,[69][70] with the Western Daily Press reporting – "the incident [...] ended with damage to 60 seats after they were used as missiles between opposing fans".[71] On the day of the return game in Bristol, twenty Rovers' fans attacked a number of Swindon supporters with baseball bats at a local pub.[72]

Nick Lowles, author of Hooligans 2: The M–Z of Britain's Football Hooligan Gangs, has said "If you look at Swindon, the police have been very proactive in the last five years in terms of stopping hooliganism".[64]

Swindon Town has imposed Banning Orders on those supporters who cause disruption, criminal damage or are violent when attending games. There were 29 banning orders in place in 2006, which was an increase from a total of 11 in 2005.[73] The increase in banning orders has resulted in a reduction of arrests at games, with only 22 people being arrested attending games in 2005–06 compared to 39 arrests in 2004–05.[74] Of the 22 arrests in 2005–06; 11 were for Public Disorder, 5 for violent disorder and the rest were made up of offences relating to missile throwing, racist chanting, pitch invasion, alcohol related offences and one incident of being in possession of an offensive weapon.[75] 33 Swindon fans were also banned from travelling to the 2006 FIFA World Cup.[76]

Rivalries

In 2003, a poll of supporters of all Football League clubs to find out which teams they see as their main rivals was conducted by the Football Fans Census, the results of which put Swindon in joint 13th place on the list of teams with most rivals.[77] This was calculated from the number of other clubs that consider Swindon to be their first, second or third biggest rivals. Historically, Swindon's main rivals are the other West Country teams of Bristol City and Bristol Rovers with rivalries also with Thames Valley teams Reading and Oxford who joined the list in the 1960s following their election to the league.

Rivalry with Oxford United

Rivalry with Reading

Rivalry with Bristol Rovers and Bristol City

Minor rivalries

Statistics and records

John Trollope holds the record for Swindon Town appearances, having played 889 first-team matches between 1960 and 1980. Trollope also holds the English Football League Record of most appearances by a player at one club, having played in 770 League games.[80] Central defender Maurice Owen comes second, having played 601 times. The record for a goalkeeper is held by Sam Burton, who is third with 509 appearances.

Harry Morris holds all of Swindon's goal records, having scored 229 goals for the club between 1926 and 1933.[45] Harold Fleming is second with 203, with Don Rogers third with 178. Morris scored the most goals in a season with 48 during 1926–27, 47 of which were in League games which is another club record. The most goals scored by an individual is also held by Morris and Keith East, who have both scored 5 against League opposition (Morris having achieved this in 1926 and 1930).

The highest attendance at the County Ground of 32,000 was recorded on 15 January 1972 in a FA Cup Third Round match against Arsenal.[81] The capacity of the ground is now 15,728 so it is unlikely that this record will be broken in the foreseeable future.

Swindon Town have also set records in English football, being the second team (after York City in 1983/84) to score over 100 points in the League when they became Fourth Division champions in 1985–86. The total of 102 that the club scored has since been beaten. They also hold the FA Premier League Record for most goals conceded in a season, 100 in 1993–94, though several teams have finished with a lower points tally.

On 20 February 2007 the club played in a landmark League game away to Barnet, a 1–0 loss. The completion of this match meant that Swindon had, during their history, played a League game at home and away against every team who, in the 2006–07 season, were in the FA Premier League, Championship, League One and League Two.

Current squad

As of 22 July 2011.[82]

Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player
1 GK Mattia Lanzano
3 DF Callum Kennedy
4 DF Aden Flint
5 DF Joe Devera
6 DF Alberto Comazzi
7 DF Paul Caddis (Club captain)
8 MF Simon Ferry
9 FW Paul Benson
10 MF Matt Ritchie
11 MF Etiënne Esajas
12 MF Alan McCormack
13 MF Oliver Risser
14 FW Jordan Pavett
15 DF Nathan Thompson
No. Position Player
17 FW Alan Connell
21 MF Lander Gabilondo
23 FW Raffaele De Vita
24 MF Jonathan Smith
26 GK Phil Smith
27 DF Alessandro Cibocchi
28 FW Miles Storey
29 FW Lukáš Magera
30 GK Leigh Bedwell
34 FW Ronan Murray (on loan from Ipswich Town)
35 GK Wes Foderingham (on loan from Crystal Palace)
37 DF Louis Thompson
39 FW Mehdi Kerrouche

Out on loan

Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player
18 GK Mark Scott (at Salisbury City)
20 MF Abdul Said (on loan to Fairford Town)
No. Position Player
22 MF Michael Timlin (at Southend United)
31 FW Billy Bodin (at Torquay United)

Other teams

Reserves and Youth

For the reserve and youth squads, see Swindon Town F.C. Reserves and Youth

Swindon Town Ladies F.C.

Established on 28 September 1993, after breaking away from the established Swindon Spitfires Women's and Girls' Football Club[83] the current Swindon Town Ladies Football Club (STLFC) first team play in the South West Combination Women's Football League and reached the first round proper of the FA Women's Cup for the second time in their history during the 2006–07 season.[84] Swindon Town Ladies currently their home games at the Weir Field in Wroughton, on the outskirts of Swindon. In addition to the senior squad, the club also runs three full strength junior teams for those aged 10 and above.

Personnel

Club officials

Position Name
Chairman Jeremy Wray (interim)
Directors Jeremy Wray, Russell Backhouse, Andrew Black, Nick Watkins
Chief Executive Nick Watkins
Manager Paolo Di Canio
Assistant Manager Fabrizio Piccareta
Goalkeeper Coach Domenico Doardo
Fitness Coach Claudio Donatelli
Youth Team Manager Paul Bodin
Centre of Excellence Jeremy Newton
Physio Paul Godfrey

Managers

As of 10 December 2011. Only competitive matches are counted

Name Nat From To Record
P W D L F A
Sam Allen 1902 1933 1127 487 248 392 1988 1660
Ted Vizard 1933 1939 285 108 63 114 455 481
Neil Harris 1939 1940 33 10 10 13 69 73
Louis Page 1945 1953 369 135 95 139 515 570
Maurice Lindley 1953 1955 93 26 25 42 114 134
Bert Head 1956 1965 426 160 108 158 660 637
Danny Williams 1965 1969 222 104 58 60 377 237
Fred Ford 1969 1971 122 50 34 38 175 140
Dave Mackay 1971 1972 45 14 13 18 58 66
Les Allen 1972 1974 62 13 20 29 61 94
Danny Williams 1974 1978 227 87 61 79 340 328
Bobby Smith 1978 1980 132 63 25 44 208 169
John Trollope 1980 1983 121 43 33 45 161 153
Ken Beamish 1983 1984 68 26 17 25 99 87
Lou Macari 1984 1989 285 138 67 80 449 340
Osvaldo Ardiles 1989 1991 106 40 33 33 163 140
Glenn Hoddle 1991 1993 120 51 32 37 202 162
John Gorman 1993 1994 72 15 20 37 90 148
Steve McMahon 1994 1998 204 75 49 80 245 277
Jimmy Quinn 1998 2000 85 19 21 45 84 141
Colin Todd 2000 2000 18 4 6 8 16 29
Andy King 2000 2001 36 12 10 14 43 43
Roy Evans 2001 2001 26 10 6 10 30 35
Andy King 2001 2005 193 71 48 74 265 263
Iffy Onuora 2005 2006 40 10 15 15 40 56
Dennis Wise 2006 2006 17 9 5[85] 3 24 14
Paul Sturrock 2006 2007 52 26 11 15 71 51
Maurice Malpas 2008 2008 42 13 11 18 59 61
Danny Wilson 2008 2011 120 43 40 37 173 160
Paul Hart 2011 2011 11 1 4 6 6 12
Paolo Di Canio 2011 present 27 15 5[86] 7 43 24

Caretaker managers

As of 7 July 2011. Only competitive matches are counted

Name Nat From To Record
P W D L F A
Danny Williams - - - - - -
Andy Rowland 1994 1994 3 1 1 1 4 4
Mike Walsh 1998 1998 2 0 1 1 1 2
David Tuttle 2006 2006 0 0 0 0 0 0
Ady Williams 2006 2006 2 0 0 2 1 3
David Byrne 2007 2008 8 2 3 3 9 14
David Byrne 2008 2008 8 1 4 3 12 14
Paul Bodin 2011 2011 2 1 0 1 2 2

Assistant Managers

Name: Years active: Assistant under the tenure(s) of: Ref:
Ken Beamish 1981-1983 John Trollope
Paul Richardson 1983-1984 Ken Beamish
Harry Gregg 1984-1985 Lou Macari
John Trollope 1985-1989 Lou Macari
Chic Bates 1989-1990 Osvaldo Ardiles
Tony Galvin 1990-1991 Osvaldo Ardiles
John Gorman 1991-1993 Glenn Hoddle
David Hay 1993-1994 John Gorman
Andy Rowland 1994-1997 John Gorman and Steve McMahon
Mike Walsh 1997-2000 Steve McMahon and Jimmy Quinn
Andy King 2000 Colin Todd
Malcolm Crosby 2000-2002 Andy King and Roy Evans
Steve Coppell 2002 Andy King [87]
Malcolm Crosby 2002-2004 Andy King
Mike Walsh 2004 Andy King [88]
Mick Harford 2005 Andy King [89]
Alan Reeves 2005-2006 Andy King and Iffy Onuora [90]
Gus Poyet 2006 Dennis Wise [91]
Kevin Summerfield 2006-2008 Paul Sturrock [92]
David Byrne 2008-2009 Maurice Malpas and Danny Wilson [93][94]
Peter Shirtliff 2009-2011 Danny Wilson [95]
Ian McParland 2011 Paul Hart [96]
Fabrizio Piccareta 2011- Paolo Di Canio [97]

Seasons and honours

Season Division Position Most Appearances Top Goalscorer Notes
1894–95
Southern
9th
Wally Richardson (18) Robbie Reynolds (8)
1895–96
Southern
7th
Jimmy Hayward, Bob Hopewell Jimmy Munro (21) Malcolm Sutherland (10)
1896–97
Southern
6th
Jimmy Munro, Alec Boggie, Joey Murray (23) Jimmy Munro, Richie Cox (6)
1897–98
Southern / Western
10th / 2nd
Jimmy Cook Jock Bell (38) Grenville Morris (29)
1898–99
Southern / Western
9th / 1st
James Coupar, George Henderson (35) James Sharples (15)
Western League Champions
1899–1900
Southern / Western
5th / 3rd
George Henderson (38) James Sharples (18)
1900–01
Southern / Western
15th / 9th
Jack Stephenson Charlie McEleny (29) Billy Smith (8)
1901–02
Southern / Western
16th
Frank Becton (49) Frank Becton (12)
1902–03
Southern
12th
Jack Cowley (35) Jimmy Poppitt (12)
1903–04
Southern
10th
S. Atterbury, C. Bannister, J. Cowley, F. Hemmings (37) Jimmy Pugh (11)
1904–05
Southern League
16th
Jimmy Chalmers, Louis Lean (33) Jimmy Chalmers (11)
1905–06
Southern / United
15th / 6th
Bertie Lyon (52) Bertie Lyon (14)
1906–07
Southern
17th
Billy Beaumont, Tommy Birtles Willie Wardrobe (39) Andy Smith (11)
1907–08
Southern
5th
Jock Walker (42) Harold Fleming (17)
1908–09
Southern
2nd
Harold Fleming (29) Bob Jefferson, Archie Ling (41)
1909–10
Southern
2nd
Billy Tout, Len Skiller (49) Harold Fleming (25)
Dubonnet Cup winners
1910–11
Southern
1st
Billy Tout (47) Harold Fleming, Archie Bown (21)
Southern League Champions
1911–12
Southern
4th
Archie Bown (47) Archie Bown (25)
1912–13
Southern
2nd
Bob Jefferson, Billy Tout (41) Archie Bown (16)
1913–14
Southern
1st
Billy Tout, Len Skiller (40) Harold Fleming (19)
Southern League Champions
1914–15
Southern
9th
Tommy Bolland (41) Archie Bown (16)
1919–20
Southern
13th
Bertie Davies (43) Dave Rogers (15)
1920–21
Division 3
4th
Bob Jefferson, Billy Wareing (42) Harold Fleming (17)
1921–22
Division 3 (South)
6th
Tom Phillipson (36) Harold Fleming (13)
1922–23
Division 3 (South)
9th
Ted Nash (44) Jack Johnson (20)
1923–24
Division 3 (South)
6th
Bertie Davies (47) Jack Johnson (15)
1924–25
Division 3 (South)
4th
Ossie Randall (42) Jack Johnson (18)
1925–26
Division 3 (South)
6th
Wally Dickinson (45) Frank Richardson (28)
1926–27
Division 3 (South)
5th
Bertie Denyer, David Low (44) Harry Morris (48)
1927–28
Division 3 (South)
6th
Joe Eddleston (47) Harry Morris (44)
1928–29
Division 3 (South)
10th
Wally Dickinson, Ted Nash (47) Harry Morris (31)
1929–30
Division 3 (South)
14th
Harry Morris (41) Harry Morris (29)
1930–31
Division 3 (South)
12th
Ted Braithwaite, Norman Kirby Hector Girvan (43) Harry Morris (35)
1931–32
Division 3 (South)
17th
Jack Starsmore (43) Harry Morris (29)
1932–33
Division 3 (South)
22nd
Hector Girvan (42) Harry Morris (13)
1933–34
Division 3 (South)
8th
Baden Herod, Arthur Briggs (46) Tommy Armstrong (23)
1934–35
Division 3 (South)
16th
Baden Herod (43) Alan Fowler (25)
1935–36
Division 3 (South)
19th
Arthur Smith (49) Alan Fowler, Frank Peters (18)
1936–37
Division 3 (South)
13th
Alan Fowler, Arthur Hetherington Arthur Smith (44) Jimmy Cookson (27)
1937–38
Division 3 (South)
8th
Alan Fowler (47) Alan Fowler (27)
1938–39
Division 3 (South)
9th
Harry Cousins Cliff Francis (45) Ben Morton (32)
1939–40
League South-West
5th
A. Fowler, H. Cousins, F. Wildman E. Jones (31) Alan Fowler (21)
1945–46
Division 3 (South)
6th
Harry Cousins (36) Gordon Williams (11)
1946–47
Division 3 (South)
4th
Billy Lloyd, Billy Lucas (44) Bill Stephens (26)
1947–48
Division 3 (South)
16th
Jimmy Ithell (45) Maurice Owen (17)
1948–49
Division 3 (South)
4th
Morris Jones, Maurice Owen Harry Lunn Morris Jones (25)
1949–50
Division 3 (South)
14th
Harry Kaye (41) Morris Jones (13)
1950–51
Division 3 (South)
17th
Garth Hudson (48) Maurice Owen Jimmy Bain (9)
1951–52
Division 3 (South)
16th
Garth Hudson (55) Maurice Owen (24)
1952–53
Division 3 (South)
18th
Mick Betteridge (49) Maurice Owen (21)
1953–54
Division 3 (South)
20th
Jimmy Johnston (48) Mike Bull (12)
1954–55
Division 3 (South)
21st
Garth Hudson, Sam Burton (47) Maurice Owen (12)
1955–56
Division 3 (South)
24th
Garth Hudson, Bob Edwards (51) Maurice Owen (15)
1956–57
Division 3 (South)
23rd
Bob Edwards (43) Bob Edwards (26)
1957–58
Division 3 (South)
4th
Garth Hudson, Sam Burton (47) John Richards (16)
1958–59
Division 3
15th
John Neal (49) Bob Edwards, James Kelly (10)
1959–60
Division 3
16th
Arnold Darcy (47) David 'Bronco' Layne (20)
1960–61
Division 3
16th
Ernie Hunt, Keith Morgan (52) Ernie Hunt (17)
1961–62
Division 3
9th
John Trollope (51) Ernie Hunt (18)
1962–63
Division 3
2nd
John Trollope, Keith Morgan (52) Ernie Hunt (27)
Promoted to Division 2
1963–64
Division 2
14th
John Trollope, Keith Morgan (49) Ernie Hunt, Bill Atkins (12)
1964–65
Division 2
21st
John Trollope, Don Rogers (44) Mike Summerbee (13)
Relegated to Division 3
1965–66
Division 3
7th
John Trollope, Don Rogers (50) Keith East (24)
1966–67
Division 3
8th
John Trollope, Don Rogers, Stan Harland (59) Don Rogers (32)
1967–68
Division 3
10th
John Trollope, Stan Harland Don Rogers (28)
1968–69
Division 3
2nd
Stan Harland, Peter Downsborough (60) Don Rogers (30)
Promoted to Division 2
League Cup winners
1969–70
Division 2
5th
John Trollope, Roger Smart, Joe Butler (55) Arthur Horsfield (28)
Anglo-Italian Cup winners
Anglo-Italian League Cup winners
1970–71
Division 2
12th
Joe Butler, Stan Harland Rod Thomas (42) Don Rogers (21)
1971–72
Division 2
11th
John Trollope (44) Peter Noble (14)
1972–73
Division 2
16th
Rod Thomas (44) Ray Treacy (14)
1973–74
Division 2
22nd
David Moss (44) David Moss, Peter Noble (8)
Relegated to Division 3
1974–75
Division 3
4th
John Trollope, Peter Eastoe (52) Peter Eastoe (31)
1975–76
Division 3
19th
John Trollope Trevor Anderson (55) Dave Syrett (16)
1976–77
Division 3
11th
David Syrett Jimmy Allan (52) David Moss (21)
1977–78
Division 3
10th
David Moss, Colin Prophett, Ray McHale, (55) David Moss (22)
1978–79
Division 3
5th
Ray McHale, Andy Ford (55) Chic Bates (16)
1979–80
Division 3
10th
Andy Rowland Jimmy Allan (61) Andy Rowland, Alan Mayes (28)
1980–81
Division 3
17th
Chris Kamara Jimmy Allan (52) Andy Rowland (13)
1981–82
Division 3
22nd
Jimmy Allan (51) Roy Carter (15)
Relegated to Division 4
1982–83
Division 4
8th
Leigh Barnard, Mike Graham (53) Paul Rideout (23)
1983–84
Division 4
17th
Gary Emmanuel (51) Alan Mayes (20)
1984–85
Division 4
8th
Andy Rowland (52) Colin Gordon (17)
1985–86
Division 4
1st
Colin Calderwood (56) Charlie Henry (18)
Division 4 Champions
1986–87
Division 3
3rd
Colin Calderwood (64) Dave Bamber, Steve White (21)
Play-Off winners
1987–88
Division 2
12th
Phil King (58) Jimmy Quinn (31)
1988–89
Division 2
6th
Fraser Digby (55) Duncan Shearer (16)
Play-Off semi-finalists
1989–90
Division 2
4th
Alan McLoughlin (62) Duncan Shearer Steve White (27)
Play-Off winnersDemoted)
1990–91
Division 2
21st
Ross MacLaren (53) Duncan Shearer (23)
1991–92
Division 2
8th
Colin Calderwood (57) Duncan Shearer (32)
1992–93
Division 1
5th
Shaun Taylor Colin Calderwood (54) Craig Maskell (23)
Play-Off winners
1993–94
Premier League
22nd
Shaun Taylor (47) Jan Åge Fjørtoft (13)
Relegated to Division 1
1994–95
Division 1
21st
Mark Robinson (53) Jan Åge Fjørtoft (25)
Relegated to Division 2
1995–96
Division 2
1st
Mark Robinson Kevin Horlock (58) Wayne Allison (20)
Division 2 Champions
1996–97
Division 1
19th
Mark Robinson (48) Wayne Allison (13)
1997–98
Division 1
18th
Ty Gooden (42) Chris Hay (14)
1998–99
Division 1
17th
Iffy Onuora (47) Iffy Onuora (20)
1999–2000
Division 1
24th
Mark Robinson (45) Chris Hay (10)
Relegated to Division 2
2000–01
Division 2
20th
Alan Reeves (52) Danny Invincibile (10)
2001–02
Division 2
13th
Bart Griemink (51) Giuliano Grazioli Danny Invincibile (8)
2002–03
Division 2
10th
David Duke (49) Sam Parkin (26)
2003–04
Division 2
5th
Tommy Mooney (49) Sam Parkin (23)
Play-Off semi-finalists
2004–05
League 1
12th
Rhys Evans, Sammy Igoe (50) Sam Parkin (24)
2005–06
League 1
23rd
Sean O'Hanlon (44) Rory Fallon (14)
Relegated to League 2
2006–07
League 2
3rd
Jack Smith (46) Christian Roberts
Promoted to League 1
2007–08
League 1
13th
Miguel Comminges (47) Simon Cox (16)
2008–09
League 1
15th
Simon Cox (50) Simon Cox (32)
2009–10
League 1
5th
Jon-Paul McGovern (55) Billy Paynter (29)
Play-Off finalists
2010–11
League 1
24th
Scott Cuthbert (48) Charlie Austin (17)
Relegated to League 2
2011–12
League 2*
TBC
Paul Caddis (27)* Mehdi Kerrouche (8)*

* Season in progress.

Player awards and recognition

Player of the Year winners

Year Winner
1991 Duncan Shearer
1992 Shaun Taylor
1993 Paul Bodin
1994 John Moncur
1995 Shaun Taylor
1996 Shaun Taylor
1997 Fraser Digby
1998 Fraser Digby
1999 George Ndah
2000 Frank Talia
Year Winner
2001 Steve Mildenhall
2002 Matthew Heywood
2003 Sam Parkin
2004 Tommy Mooney
2005 Sam Parkin
2006 Rhys Evans
2007 Lee Peacock
2008 Miguel Comminges
2009 Simon Cox
2010 Jonathan Douglas
Year Winner
2011 Matt Ritchie
2012

Most appearances

Competitive, professional matches only. Appearances as substitute (in parentheses) included in total.

Name Years League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
1 John Trollope 1960–1980 767 (3) 61 (0) 47 (0) 11 (0) 886 (3)
2 Maurice Owen 1946–1963 555 (0) 39 (0) 7 (0) 0 (0) 601 (0)
3 Fraser Digby 1986–1998 403 (0) 21 (0) 33 (0) 20 (1) 504 (1)
4 Sam Burton 1945–1961 467 (0) 27 (0) 6 (0) 9 (0) 509 (0)
5 Don Rogers 1961–1972
1976–1977
411 (1) 31 (2) 34 (0) 11 (0) 487 (3)
6 Jimmy Allan 1971–1985 371 (0) 32 (0) 33 (0) 0 (0) 436 (0)
7 Billy Tout 1905–1920 377 (0) 28 (0) 12 (0) 16 (0) 433 (0)
8 Joe Butler 1965–1976 355 (7) 25 (0) 29 (1) 11 (0) 420 (8)
9 Garth Hudson 1948–1960 401 (0) 26 (0) 0 (0) 0 (0) 427 (0)
10 Colin Calderwood 1985–1993 341 (1) 17 (1) 35 (0) 19 (0) 412 (2)

Top goalscorers

Competitive, professional matches only, appearances including substitutes appear in brackets.
Name Years League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
1 Harry Morris 1926–1933 215 (260) 14 (19) 0 (0) 0 (0) 229 (279)
2 Harold Fleming 1907–1924 183 (293) 19 (36) 1 (6) 1 (1) 204 (336)
3 Don Rogers 1961–1972
1976–1977
149 (412) 12 (33) 17 (34) 3 (11) 181 (490)
4 Maurice Owen 1946–1963 150 (555) 15 (39) 0 (7) 0 (0) 165 (601)
5 Archie Bown 1902, 1904
1906–1919
125 (253) 10 (21) 7 (14) 0 (3) 142 (291)
6 Steve White 1986–1994 87 (254) 2 (11) 11 (29) 11 (18) 111 (312)
7 Andy Rowland 1978–1986 79 (287) 11 (24) 8 (28) 0 (6) 98 (345)
8 Duncan Shearer 1988–1992 79 (164) 7 (9) 11 (19) 1 (7) 98 (199)
9 Freddy Wheatcroft 1904–1905
1905–1906
1909–1917
86 (216) 9 (25) 0 (2) 3 (2) 98 (245)
10 Ernie Hunt 1960–1965 82 (214) 6 (12) 0 (11) 0 (0) 88 (237)

Swindon Town Legends XI

Throughout the 2009–10 League One season the readers of Swindon Advertiser and visitors of their website were able to vote for a Swindon Town Legends XI.

1 GK Fraser Digby (1986–98)
2 DF Rod Thomas (1966–73)
3 DF Paul Bodin (1988–91, 1992–96)
4 MF Glenn Hoddle (1991–93)
5 DF Colin Calderwood (1985–93)
6 DF Shaun Taylor (1991–96)
7 MF Mike Summerbee (1959–63)
8 MF Alan McLoughlin (1986–91)
9 FW Jan Åge Fjørtoft (1993–95)
10 FW Duncan Shearer (1988–92)
11 MF Don Rogers (1962–72, 1976–77)

Swindon Town Hall of Fame

On December 15 2011, local newspaper the Swindon Advertiser announced that the club were to launch the Swindon Town 'Hall of Fame'. Former players Don Rogers, John Trollope and Paul Bodin were the first three confirmed inductees with the others announced during a BBC Wiltshire Radio broadcast on December 30, 2011. [98]

Hall of Fame (in alphabetical order)

English Football Hall of Fame

The following have either played for or managed Swindon Town and have been inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame

Swindon Town players at World Cups

The following players were chosen to represent their country at the World Cup while contracted to Swindon Town.;

Statistics

Achievements

League honours

Cup honours

Notes

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i "In the beginning...". swindon-town-fc.co.uk. http://www.swindon-town-fc.co.uk/InTheBeginning.asp. Retrieved 14 January 2007. 
  2. ^ "England – Professional Football All-Time Tables 1888/89–2008/09" RSSSF.com (Retrieved: 14 April 2010)
  3. ^ "Medals to be sold". Salisbury Journal. 20 April 1999. http://archive.salisburyjournal.co.uk/2005/4/20/88666.html. 
  4. ^ "League Cup Final 1969 Match Report". football-england.com. http://www.football-england.com/arsenal_1_v_swindon_3_league_cup_final_1969.html. Retrieved 16 November 2006. 
  5. ^ "Swindon Town 1969 TV Archive". BBC. http://www.bbc.co.uk/wiltshire/content/articles/2005/12/13/pwaod_swindon_feature.shtml. Retrieved 16 November 2006. 
  6. ^ "Anglo-Italian League Cup Winners' Cup Winners 1969/1970". Achievements. swindon-town-fc.co.uk. Archived from the original on 5 January 2008. http://web.archive.org/web/20080105095644/http://www.swindon-town-fc.co.uk/Achievements/1970AngloItalianLCWCWinners.asp. Retrieved 14 January 2007. 
  7. ^ Wheeler, Sam (2000). "Cup Glory in Europe". Swindon Advertiser. http://archive.thisiswiltshire.co.uk/2000/5/30/244253.html. Retrieved 26 February 2007. 
  8. ^ "Division Four Champions 1985/1986". Achievements. swindon-town-fc.co.uk. http://www.swindon-town-fc.co.uk/Achievements/1986DivFourChamps.asp. Retrieved 14 January 2007. 
  9. ^ "Division Three Play-off Winners 1986/1987". Achievements. swindon-town-fc.co.uk. Archived from the original on 5 January 2008. http://web.archive.org/web/20080105095654/http://www.swindon-town-fc.co.uk/Achievements/1987DivThreePlayOffWinners.asp. Retrieved 14 January 2007. 
  10. ^ "Division Two Play-off Winners 1989/1990". Achievements. swindon-town-fc.co.uk. Archived from the original on 5 January 2008. http://web.archive.org/web/20080105095659/http://www.swindon-town-fc.co.uk/Achievements/1990DivTwoPlayOffWinners.asp. Retrieved 14 January 2007. 
  11. ^ "Season 1989–1990". Archive. swindon-town-fc.co.uk. http://www.swindon-town-fc.co.uk/Seasons.asp?Decade=1990. Retrieved 14 January 2007. 
  12. ^ "Division One Play-off Winners 1992/1993". Achievements. swindon-town-fc.co.uk. Archived from the original on 5 January 2008. http://web.archive.org/web/20080105095704/http://www.swindon-town-fc.co.uk/Achievements/1993DivOnePlayOffWinners.asp. Retrieved 14 January 2007. 
  13. ^ "Season 1993–94". Archive. swindon-town-fc.co.uk. http://www.swindon-town-fc.co.uk/Seasons.asp?Decade=1990. Retrieved 14 January 2007. 
  14. ^ "Manchester United season 1993–94". Archive. aboutmanutd.com. http://www.aboutmanutd.com/man-u-seasons/1993-1994.html. 
  15. ^ "Season 1995–96". Archive. swindon-town-fc.co.uk. http://www.swindon-town-fc.co.uk/Seasons.asp?Decade=1990. Retrieved 14 January 2007. 
  16. ^ "Division Two Champions 1995/1996". Achievements. swindon-town-fc.co.uk. Archived from the original on 5 January 2008. http://web.archive.org/web/20080105095709/http://www.swindon-town-fc.co.uk/Achievements/1996DivTwoChamps.asp. Retrieved 14 January 2007. 
  17. ^ "Swindon out of administration". BBC Sport. 19 August 2002. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/swindon_town/2204022.stm. Retrieved 15 February 2007. 
  18. ^ "Club is saved after paying bill". BBC News. 19 October 2005. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/wiltshire/4357432.stm. Retrieved 8 February 2007. 
  19. ^ a b "Interview with Mike Diamandis". Where I Live – Swindon. BBC News. http://www.bbc.co.uk/wiltshire/content/articles/2006/12/19/mike_diamandis_feature.shtml. Retrieved 8 February 2007. 
  20. ^ "£200,000 – That’s the price of relegation as Town take drop at Ashton Gate". News Headlines. Swindon Advertiser. 1 May 2006. Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. http://web.archive.org/web/20070927031426/http://www.thisisstfc.co.uk/news_headlines_Story.asp?NewsID=5491. Retrieved 15 January 2007. 
  21. ^ "Swindon confirm Wise as Manager". BBC Sport. 22 May 2006. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/swindon_town/4989058.stm. 
  22. ^ "Swindon 1–1 Walsall". Football (BBC News). 5 May 2007. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/6602935.stm. Retrieved 5 May 2007. 
  23. ^ "Do your talking on pitch – Malpas". BBC. 15 October 2008. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/swindon_town/7671396.stm. 
  24. ^ "Wilson appointed Swindon manager". BBC Sport. 26 December 2008. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/s/swindon_town/7800303.stm. Retrieved 29 April 2009. 
  25. ^ http://www.twohundredpercent.net/?p=10479
  26. ^ "Swindon bring in Paul Bodin as manager for Paul Hart". BBC Sport. 28 April 2011. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/swindon_town/9469955.stm. Retrieved 28 April 2011. 
  27. ^ http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/13466915.stm
  28. ^ http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/16240613.stm
  29. ^ "Badge History" (jpg). swindon-town-fc.co.uk. http://www.swindon-town-fc.co.uk/images/Title/TitleBadgeHistoryWhite.jpg. Retrieved 15 January 2007. 
  30. ^ a b c d e "Swindon Town FC". footballcrests.com. http://www.footballcrests.com/swindontownfc.htm. Retrieved 15 January 2007. 
  31. ^ "Borough of Swindon Coat of Arms". Heritage. Swindon Borough Council. http://www.swindon.gov.uk/heritage-coatofarms. Retrieved 7 February 2007. 
  32. ^ Dave Hanley (2000). "STFC programmes 1985". My Only Swindon. http://www.rivals.net/default.asp?sid=1019&p=2&stid=7962086. Retrieved 15 January 2007. 
  33. ^ "Swindon’s crest set to change". Swindon Advertiser. 5 April 2007. Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. http://web.archive.org/web/20070927031433/http://www.thisisstfc.co.uk/news_headlines_Story.asp?NewsID=6528. Retrieved 1 May 2007. 
  34. ^ "Town decide on new badge". Swindon Advertiser. 23 April 2007. Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. http://web.archive.org/web/20070927031355/http://www.thisisstfc.co.uk/news_headlines_Story.asp?NewsID=6587. Retrieved 1 May 2007. 
  35. ^ Mattick, Dick (1989). The Robins – The Story of Swindon Town Football Club. Buckingham: Sporting and Leisure press. ISBN 0-86023-460-6. 
  36. ^ a b "Swindon Town in Lotto until 2009". footballshirtculture.com. http://www.footballshirtculture.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=168&Itemid=26. Retrieved 8 August 2007. 
  37. ^ "Season 1984–1985". Kits. swindon-town-fc.co.uk. http://www.swindon-town-fc.co.uk/Kits.asp?Season=1984-1985. Retrieved 15 January 2007. 
  38. ^ "Season 1991–1992". Kits. swindon-town-fc.co.uk. http://www.swindon-town-fc.co.uk/Kits.asp?Season=1991-1992. Retrieved 15 January 2007. 
  39. ^ "Season 1993–1994". Kits. swindon-town-fc.co.uk. http://www.swindon-town-fc.co.uk/Kits.asp?Season=1993-1994. Retrieved 15 January 2007. 
  40. ^ "Swindon Town seeks new bail out". BBC News. 24 November 2006. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/wiltshire/6180852.stm. 
  41. ^ Steve Butt (7 June 2007). "Town set to unveil their new sponsor". Swindon Advertiser. http://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/sport/sportlatest/display.var.1452779.0.swindon_town_town_set_to_unveil_their_new_sponsor.php. Retrieved 7 June 2007. 
  42. ^ a b Andy Cryer (17 March 2008). "Town seek new sponsor as Kingswood are axed over debt". Swindon Advertiser. http://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/sport/display.var.2123829.0.town_seek_new_sponsor_as_kingswood_are_axed_over_debt.php. Retrieved 17 March 2008. 
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  44. ^ a b c d Inglis, Simon: "Football Grounds of Britain.", page 358. CollinsWillow, 1996.
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  46. ^ "Stadium Development". Swindon Town Football Club. http://www.swindontownfc.premiumtv.co.uk/staticFiles/19/12/0,,10341~4633,00.pdf. Retrieved 15 January 2007. 
  47. ^ "Keep It Up!". Stadium Development. Swindon Town Football Club. http://www.swindontownfc.premiumtv.co.uk/staticFiles/19/12/0,,10341~4633,00.pdf. Retrieved 15 January 2007. 
  48. ^ "Swindon North". Vote 2001: Results & Constituencies (BBC News). 2001. http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/static/vote2001/results_constituencies/constituencies/567.stm. Retrieved 15 February 2007. 
  49. ^ "Response to the Call for Proposals – Introduction to Swindon – 1.3" (PDF). Vote 2001: Results & Constituencies. Swindon Borough Council. 2006. http://www.culture.gov.uk/cap/proposals/Swindon.pdf. Retrieved 15 February 2007. 
  50. ^ "2004–2005 Division 2 Attendances". soccerstats.com. Archived from the original on 28 September 2007. http://web.archive.org/web/20070928064144/http://www.soccerstats.com/2khcrowd.asp?league=england3_2005&homeaway=3. Retrieved 19 July 2007. 
  51. ^ Calculation – (5,839/15,728)*100=37.125
  52. ^ "2005–2006 Division 2 Attendances". soccerstats.com. Archived from the original on 28 September 2007. http://web.archive.org/web/20070928064158/http://www.soccerstats.com/2khcrowd.asp?league=england3_2006&homeaway=3. Retrieved 19 July 2007. 
  53. ^ Calculation – (5,950/15,728)*100=37.83
  54. ^ Calculation – (7,109/15,728)*100=45.1996
  55. ^ "2006–2007 Division 3 Attendances". soccerstats.com. Archived from the original on 28 September 2007. http://web.archive.org/web/20070928064151/http://www.soccerstats.com/2khcrowd.asp?league=england4_2007&homeaway=3. Retrieved 19 July 2007. 
  56. ^ "New fanzine a good read". Swindon Advertiser. 2000. http://archive.thisiswiltshire.co.uk/2000/9/11/235806.html. Retrieved 7 February 2007. 
  57. ^ "Junior Robins". Swindon Town Football Club. http://www.swindontownfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/JuniorRobinsIndex/. Retrieved 7 February 2007. 
  58. ^ "Aims of the Trust". TrustSTFC. Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. http://web.archive.org/web/20070927224122/http://www.truststfc.co.uk/aims.php. Retrieved 14 February 2007. 
  59. ^ "Loan Note Scheme". TrustSTFC. Archived from the original on 3 January 2007. http://web.archive.org/web/20070103182306/http://www.truststfc.co.uk/loan_notes.php. Retrieved 14 February 2007. 
  60. ^ "Red Army Fund". TrustSTFC. Archived from the original on 3 January 2007. http://web.archive.org/web/20070103182807/http://www.truststfc.co.uk/RAF_main.php. Retrieved 14 February 2007. 
  61. ^ "Swindon Town Fans' Consortium". TrustSTFC. Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. http://web.archive.org/web/20070927224103/http://www.truststfc.co.uk/fc_manifesto.php. Retrieved 14 February 2007. 
  62. ^ a b "Top Ten Clubs". Football Fever Report. Littlewoods Football Pools. 2007. http://www.footballpools.com/thepools/new/football-fever/topten.jsp. Retrieved 7 February 2007. 
  63. ^ a b "About Us". Red Army Loud and Proud. http://www.redarmyloudnproud.org.uk/aboutus.shtml. Retrieved 14 February 2007. 
  64. ^ a b c d e f g h "Not so beautiful". Swindon Advertiser. 21 June 2006. http://archive.thisiswiltshire.co.uk/2006/6/21/269467.html. Retrieved 4 April 2007. 
  65. ^ a b "Swindon fans up in court". Swindon Advertiser. 13 April 2005. http://archive.thisiswiltshire.co.uk/2005/4/13/89161.html. Retrieved 4 August 2007. 
  66. ^ "'He could have caused a riot'". Swindon Advertiser. 25 November 2005. http://archive.thisiswiltshire.co.uk/2005/11/23/254729.html. Retrieved 3 August 2007. 
  67. ^ "17 arrests made after soccer fight". Swindon Advertiser. 26 May 2005. http://archive.thisiswiltshire.co.uk/2005/3/26/90407.html. Retrieved 4 August 2007. 
  68. ^ "Swindon 2–1 Bristol Rovers". BBC Sport. 16 December 2006. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/6164443.stm. Retrieved 8 February 2007. 
  69. ^ "Probe after fans ripped up seats". BBC Sport. 18 December 2006. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/wiltshire/6187849.stm. Retrieved 8 February 2007. 
  70. ^ "Starnes vows 'severe' action". TEAMtalk. http://uk.sports.yahoo.com/18122006/1/starnes-vows-severe-action.html. Retrieved 8 February 2007. 
  71. ^ "Swindon set to ban thugs". Western Daily Press. http://www.westpress.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=145786&command=displayContent&sourceNode=145786&contentPK=16224108&folderPk=76224. Retrieved 8 February 2007. 
  72. ^ Kevin Burchall (30 April 2007). "Thugs' baseball attack on Town fans". Swindon Advertiser. http://www.thisiswiltshire.co.uk/search/display.var.1363159.0.thugs_baseball_attack_on_town_fans.php. Retrieved 4 August 2007. 
  73. ^ "Football Banning Orders by club supported (10 October 2006)" (PDF). Statistics on Football related arrests & Banning Orders – Season 2005-6. Home Office. 21 October 2006. pp. page 4. http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/documents/football-arrests-0506?view=Binary. Retrieved 25 July 2007. 
  74. ^ "Football related arrests – 2005/06 season, Arrests of supporters of Football League Division One and Two clubs" (PDF). Statistics on Football related arrests & Banning Orders – Season 2005–06. Home Office. 21 October 2006. pp. page 8. http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/documents/football-arrests-0506?view=Binary. Retrieved 25 July 2007. 
  75. ^ "Arrests by club supported & type of offence – League One 2005/6 season" (PDF). Statistics on Football related arrests & Banning Orders – Season 2005–06. Home Office. 21 October 2006. pp. page 11. http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/documents/football-arrests-0506?view=Binary. Retrieved 25 July 2007. 
  76. ^ Gareth Bethell & Mark Hookham. "Cup ban for 'fans'". Swindon Advertiser. http://www.thisiswiltshire.co.uk/search/display.var.748248.0.cup_ban_for_fans.php. Retrieved 4 August 2007. 
  77. ^ "Rivalry Uncovered" (PDF). The Football Fans Census. 2003. http://www.footballfanscensus.com/issueresults/Club_Rivalries_Uncovered_Results.pdf. Retrieved 7 February 2007. 
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  79. ^ "Town set to pay price for crowd trouble". Swindon Advertiser. http://archive.thisiswiltshire.co.uk/2006/1/17/259405.html. Retrieved 11 April 2007. 
  80. ^ "John Trollope". Legends. Swindon Town Football Club. http://www.swindontownfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/LegendsDetail/0,,10341~105163,00.html. Retrieved 15 February 2007. 
  81. ^ "Stadium Info". Welcome to the County Ground. Swindon Town FC. http://www.swindontownfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/TheCountyGround/0,,10341,00.html. Retrieved 1 February 2007. 
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  84. ^ "Results". The FA Women's Cup. The Football Association. http://www.thefa.com/Womens/TheFAWomensCup/Results/. Retrieved 13 February 2007. 
  85. ^ The 2006–07 League Cup game against Brentford in which Swindon lost on penalties under the management of Dennis Wise has been marked as a draw
  86. ^ The 2011–12 Johnstone's Paint Trophy game against AFC Wimbledon in which Swindon won on penalties under the management of Di Cabio has been marked as a draw
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  88. ^ "King staying put at County Ground". BBC Sport. 4 February 2005. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/swindon_town/4235607.stm. Retrieved 13 September 2011. 
  89. ^ "Mick on his Way". Swindon Town F.C.. 7 April 2005. http://www.swindontownfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10341~649679,00.html. Retrieved 13 September 2011. 
  90. ^ "Reeves Steps Up". Swindon Town F.C.. 13 April 2005. http://www.swindontownfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10341~649679,00.html. Retrieved 13 September 2011. 
  91. ^ "Swindon confirm Wise as manager". BBC Sport. 22 May 2006. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/swindon_town/4989058.stm. Retrieved 13 September 2011. 
  92. ^ "Sturrock takes charge at Swindon". BBC Sport. 7 November 2006. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/swindon_town/6122060.stm. Retrieved 13 September 2011. 
  93. ^ "Byrne welcomes Malpas appointment". BBC Sport. 9 January 2008. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/swindon_town/7179380.stm. Retrieved 13 September 2011. 
  94. ^ "Wilson appointed Swindon manager". BBC Sport. 26 December 2008. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/swindon_town/7800303.stm. Retrieved 13 September 2011. 
  95. ^ "Swindon complete Shirtliff deal". BBC Sport. 23 June 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/swindon_town/8114274.stm. Retrieved 13 September 2011. 
  96. ^ "Ian McParland joins Swindon Town". Swindon Town F.C.. 3 May 2011. http://www.swindontownfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10341~2306979,00.html. Retrieved 13 September 2011. 
  97. ^ "Swindon Town manager Paolo Di Canio wants AC Milan link". BBC Sport. 23 May 2011. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/13504650.stm. Retrieved 13 September 2011. 
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References

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