From 1908-09 there was a major upturn in the club's fortunes, and they were runners-up three times and Champions twice between then and the closing of the Southern League for the rest of the War in 1915. They were also F.A. Cup Semi-Finalists twice (1910 and 1912) during this period. Despite this success Swindon did not bother to apply for election to the Football League. The Southern League was hugely strong at that time, encompassing clubs like Crystal Palace, Millwall, Portsmouth, Queens Park Rangers, Southampton, and West Ham United, whilst the Football League was made up predominately of Northern and some Midlands clubs. Southern teams were wary of the travelling and only a few, initially some of the bigger London clubs with good rail links to the North, had begun the shift of allegiance before the First World War.

Post-war everything changed. In 1920 the Football League, coming to terms with the geographical imbalance in its membership, took the whole of the Southern League First Division into a newly formed Division Three en bloc. Swindon Town was amongst them, and finished fourth. The following year there were more invitations and some re-jigging as the Division Three South and Division Three North structure was created that would last until the end of the Fifties. The Robins were continuous members of Division Three South throughout its existence, though they did require re-election to survive on three occasions - 1933, 1956 and 1957. They turned things round just in time because the 1957-58 placings would determine whether clubs ended in the Third or, about to be created, Fourth Divisions. Fourth in D3S was comfortably good enough to avoid being placed in the basement.

Yeovil met Swindon Town twice in the F.A. Cup in the Qualifying rounds early in the last century, with both as Non-League clubs. Swindon were the victors on both occasions, 1901-02 and 1902-03, by four goals to nil. Starting from 1949, and ending in the mid-Fifties, Yeovil Town played an annual 'challenge' match against Swindon Town for a cup put up by the Yeovil Town Supporters' Club, but serious competition didn't reoccur until 1962-63. The meeting in the Second Round Proper of the F.A. Cup at Huish saw the Wiltshire team progress 0-2. The coming season will see the first competitive First Team fixture between the clubs since then.

In 1962-63 The Robins finally got out of level three with promotion to the Second Division, though they only lasted there two seasons. It was back in Division Three that they achieved one of their greatest feats to date, the only club outside the top two flights to win the League Cup. It took three games to dispose of Burnley in the Semi-Final before 98,189 saw them defeat Arsenal 3-1 at Wembley. The late Stan Harland, who became Yeovil's Player-Manager from 1975 to 1978, was Swindon captain that day. The Robins also took the runners-up spot in Division Three and were promoted.

Rather flummoxed by a Division Three club winning the League Cup the authorities allowed them to enter the Anglo-Italian Cup the following season as way of European reward. They won it, defeating AS Roma, Juventus and Napoli on the way.

From the mid-Seventies Swindon were in the doldrums for over a decade, relegated from Division Two in 1974, and then down into Division Four in 1982. Lou Macari began their resurgence with consecutive promotions in 1985-86 and 1986-87. The Robins spent six seasons in Division Two (by then renamed Division One), only one of which saw them struggle. It should have been only three seasons, as they won the play-offs in 1989-90 under Ossie Ardilles, but were found guilty of illegal financial payments and demoted two divisions. This was reduced to one on appeal, so Swindon remained in Division One and Sunderland, defeated play-off finalists, went up. In 1992-93 Swindon got into the play-offs again under player-manager Glenn Hoddle. An odd goal in nine saw Tranmere Rovers disposed of in the semi-finals, and then a memorable final at Wembley saw Leicester City defeated 4-3. One of the most unlikely clubs to date had made it to the Premier League.

Hoddle didn't wait to face the challenge of keeping them there, heading off to Chelsea. His judgement was right even if his lack of stomach for what was bound to be a huge task was disappointing. Swindon didn't win a game until November, eventually conceding a hundred goals and going straight back down with thirty points. However they have the right to boast they've been in the top flight.

The hangover the following season saw them suffer a successive relegation, though in the League Cup they came close to repeating their 1969 trip to Wembley, only losing 3-4 on aggregate to Bolton Wanderers at the semi-final stage.

1995-96, with Steve McMahon in charge for his second season, saw the decline halted and reversed with Swindon winning the Third Division title by a street. But the glory days were not to return. Three years of relative struggle in Division One were followed by relegation in 1999-2000. With financial clouds gathering off the pitch and managers coming and going rapidly these were dark days. On too many occasions bills were unpaid, telephones and even the electricity cut off, wages in arrears. They've had several well publicised 'near misses' in terms of breaches of their CVA where the Western Daily Press have reported on issues where the club have been going playing close to the wire, but somehow each time they've managed to bodge their way through. We suspect though that many fans are continually looking over their shoulders to wonder where the next drama is going to come from.

Recent seasons have seen plenty of drama in the managerial hotseat as well. Iffy Onuora took over as manager for the majority of the 2005-06 season, clocking up what was a 'steady' season that was expected to earn him the right to start the next season. But the board had other ideas, and there was plenty of sympathy for Onuora when he was given the boot, with the board wanting the high profile partnership of Dennis Wise and Gus Poyet for the start of the 2006-07 season. That didn't last long - Wise and Poyet were poached by Leeds United in October and the decision appeared to be backfiring, despite Wise having won 9 out of his 17 games for the Robins. After Ady Williams held the fort as caretaker, former Southampton manager Paul Sturrock came in a month later, and he managed to keep Swindon's momentum going and get the Wiltshire side promotion back up to League One level, finishing in 3rd place in League Two on 85 points.

Back to Top of Page

Back to Top of Page

Back to Top of Page

RECENT RESULTS

05/04/2008	Oldham Athletic	Home	CCL1	W	3-0	5384		Peacock 49, Cox 53, 70
11/04/2008	Doncaster Rovers	Away	CCL1	L	0-2	8371
19/04/2008	Port Vale	Home	CCL1	W	6-0	7361		Peacock 16, Easton 21, Smith 33, McNamee 45, Timlin 45, Joyce 90
22/04/2008	Bristol Rovers	Away	CCL1	W	1-0	6102		Cox 74
26/04/2008	Gillingham	Away	CCL1	D	1-1	6334		Aljofree 88
03/05/2008	Millwall	Home	CCL1	W	2-1	7781		Cox 31, McNamee 51

FORTHCOMING FIXTURES

CLUB GOALSCORERS

Name	LGE	FAC	FAT	LGC	CC	Total
Simon Cox	14	0	0	0	0	14
Billy Paynter	8	1	0	0	0	9
Lee Peacock	7	0	0	0	0	7
Craig Easton	6	0	0	0	0	6
Christian Roberts	5	1	0	0	0	6
Barry Corr	5	0	0	0	0	5
Blair Sturrock	3	0	0	0	0	3
Anthony McNamee	2	0	0	0	0	2
Hasney Aljofree	2	0	0	0	0	2
Jon-Paul McGovern	2	0	0	0	0	2
Ben Joyce	1	0	0	0	0	1
Jerel Ifil	1	0	0	0	0	1
Andrew Nicholas	1	0	0	0	0	1
Jack Smith	1	0	0	0	0	1
Michael Pook	1	0	0	0	0	1
Michael Timlin	1	0	0	0	0	1
Own Goals	3	0	0	0	0	3

ATTENDANCE STATISTICS

Highest League Attendance: 13270, vs Leeds United, 01/03/2008
Lowest League Attendance: 4840, vs Huddersfield Town, 04/03/2008
Average League Attendance: 7172

CURRENT LEAGUE SEQUENCE STATISTICS

Games Without A Win:	0		Games Without A Home Win:	0
Games Without An Away Win:	1		Games Without Defeat:	4
Games Without A Home Defeat:	3		Games Without An Away Defeat:	2
Games Without A Draw:	1		Games Without A Score Draw:	1
Games Without A No-Score Draw:	20		Games Without Scoring:	0
Games Without Conceding:	0		Home Results Sequence:	WDLWWW
Away Results Sequence:	LLLLWD		Overall Results Sequence:	WLWWDW

Back to Top of Page

Back to Top of Page

* Magic Roundabout: there are reputed to be only two in the World, at Swindon and here in Hemel Hempstead. It's actually a concept that works pretty well, but locals do gain amusement from the gesticulations and sheer panic of first-timers as they approach a system that defies all they have ever learnt and allows for both clockwise and anti-clockwise navigation.

Parking

There are a limited amount of spaces at the Stadium (charges unknown). The Cricket Ground (third exit clockwise, second exit anti-clockwise) off the Magic Roundabout if you've come in on the route above, up County Road past the County Ground Hotel (below) and on your right, is available matchdays. Charge £2.00 or £3.00 (we're not sure which).

If you want to avoid the trauma of the Magic Roundabout there is usually parking made available in St Joseph's Catholic School shortly before you reach it. The charge was £3.00 last time we visited the County Ground. It's then a couple of minutes walk to the ground.

In the town centre there are a number of car parks. Commercial rates apply. These will entail around half a mile walk back to the stadium.

There is limited street parking around if you can sniff it out.

By Rail

Swindon is well served, being on the main line from London to the West and Wales. It is an expensive line however.

Using Yeovil Junction requires changes at Salisbury and Bath Spa and will take the best part of three hours. Pen Mill is the better option, although on a Sunday you may struggle to get a service out of that station.

If walking from the station it's approximately ten minutes. From the front of the station turn left onto Station Road between the GW, a huge hotel, and the Queen's Tap. Head on into Corporation Street. At the traffic lights turn left onto Manchester Road. At the end of Manchester Road turn right onto County Road. The entrance to the stadium is on the left, around 300 yards along.

By Bus

No idea.

Taxis

A selection of Swindon taxi companies can be found here.

Back to Top of Page

Back to Top of Page

Archers is in its own way just as typical of the modern independent brewers that have arisen in the last few decades in reaction to the national and indeed global giants as Arkells is of an older tradition. Starting in 1979 in a twelve barrels plant it has expanded not by building up an estate in one locality but by supplying anyone and everyone interested. Now dealing with around 2,500 outlets you are just as likely to randomly run into Archers beers in Devon, Cheshire or London as you are in Wiltshire. There is also a trend for these modern brewers to experiment to death. In their first quarter of a century Archers have produced well over 150 different brews, the vast majority virtual one offs for particular occasions or even a single beer festival. Very few are likely to be repeated. They produce five regulars pretty much throughout the year: (in order of strength) Village Bitter (session), Best Bitter, Special Bitter, Golden Bitter, SSB. There are around ten seasonal beers. From personal experience I can verify that Marley's Ghost, brewed for Christmas and the New Year, is an absolute killer.

Club Bar :

Alcohol is available within the ground to away fans in the Arkells Stand (but not in the open Stratton Bank End).

Local Pubs :

County Ground Hotel: Not actually a full hotel any more, but does do B&B. An Arkells house, it's the closest pub to the County Ground. Right beside it in fact. As such it's very much home fans, and you are almost certain to be refused entry in away colours and may be denied if they even suspect you are a visiting supporter. If you do get in you'll find pool and Sky Sports. Has a garden and parking. County Ground Hotel, 115, County Road, Swindon, Wiltshire, SN1 2EB. Tel: 07752 493225. Website: Click Here. Map: Click Here.

Duke of Wellington: The only pub in Swindon still serving beer on gravity. It's an Arkells outlet, and has been since it opened in 1869. It has er, Arkells beer. Small two room local tucked away in the back streets and not necessarily easy to find. Half a mile south of the railway station and a mile from the football ground. Traditional pub games like darts and cribbage. Has a beer garden, does bar food and is open 12.00 noon - 2.00 p.m. and 6.30 p.m. - 11.00 p.m. weekdays and 12.00 noon - 11.00 p.m. Saturdays. Duke of Wellington, 27, Eastcott Hill, Swindon, Wiltshire, SN1 3JG. Tel: 01793 534180. Website: Click Here. Map: Click Here.

Steam Railway Co.: Large pub twenty minutes walk from the stadium. Good all-rounder. Opens 12.00 noon - 11.00 p.m. Food served Monday to Friday 12.00 noon - 2.30 p.m. and 5.30 p.m. - 7.30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 12 noon - 3.00 p.m. Has nine handpumps with Fuller's London Pride, Wadworth 6X and Charles Wells Bombardier as the regulars and up to six guests. Carlsberg, Fosters, Kronenbourg, John Smiths Smooth, Guinness and Strongbow Cider also available. Wheelchair friendly, adapted toilet, children welcome until 6.00 p.m., own parking, pool table and darts, sport shown on six TVs and a big screen beer garden. Steam Railway Co., 14, Newport Street, Old Town, Swindon, Wiltshire, SN1 3DX. Tel: 01793 538048. Map: Click Here.

The Grove: From the Beefeater stable, a little further along Grove Road from the stadium than The Merlin (below) but still not much more than five minutes walk. Stocks Stella, Grolsch, Carlsberg, John Smiths, Murphys and Strongbow Cider, with Wadworth 6X as the real ale. Has the Beefeater food range which includes vegetarian options, but is far duller than they like to believe. The dish titles might indeed look almost exciting, but the core of meals are mass produced and the flavours dumbed down so as not to offend conservative palates. Fundamentally unadventurous, like the drink - and indeed the clientele - they serve. There's a beer garden, patio area, baby changing facility and car parking with 90 spaces. Children are welcome. Opening is 11.00 a.m. - 11.00 p.m., with food served 12 noon - 10.00 p.m. The Grove, Drove Road, Swindon, Wiltshire, SN1 3AG. Tel: 01793 521028. Fax: 01793 433698. Map: Click Here.

The Merlin: 'Sports Bar' orientated pub around five or so minutes walk south of the stadium. Has 8 TVs, 2 plasma TVs, a 67" plasma screen, 3 pool tables, dartboard, and video juke box. Real ales are Greene King IPA, Ruddles County, and a rotating guest. Also on draught are Fosters, Kronenbourg, Stella, Carlsberg, John Smiths, Guinness, Guinness Extra Cold, Strongbow Cider. All lagers are served iced - if that excites you. Food is served 12.00 noon - 3.00 p.m. and 6.00 p.m. - 8.30 p.m. There are parking spaces for 40+ cars, and wheelchair access. Strictly over 18's, away fans welcome but NOT in colours, opening 12.00 noon - 11.00 p.m. The Merlin, Drove Road, Swindon, Wiltshire, SN1 3AF. Tel: 01793 431496. Map: Click Here.

The Swiss Chalet: Originally The Carpenters Arms when built in 1964 it was renamed in 1988. The choice is obvious when you see it. Another Arkells pub, the other side of the railway line north of the stadium and around 15 minutes walk away. One of the main pub venues for live music in Swindon. A full range is covered but it specialises in young local bands. Also has satellite TV and its own parking. Serves food. The Swiss Chalet, Chapel Street, Swindon, Wiltshire, SN2 8DA. Tel: 01793 535610. Website: Click Here. Map: Click Here.

Likelihood the Natives Will Understand You :

Is Wiltshire part of the West Country? Close, but no cigar in my book. Not the London over-spill dormitory that are the likes of Reading and Basingstoke, but Swindon's local character is much diluted. Heading down the 'could be anywhere' road apace.

Top-Tip :

Remember, the Magic Roundabout isn't a fairground dodgems, even if it feels like one.

Back to Top of Page

[No responsibilty is taken for any inaccuracies. This page is entirely the product of bias and prejudice.]

Back to Top of Page