v 
SHRIMPERS
This is a game I always look forward too but sadly missing this time around, and it's been two years since the last time we visited the County Ground.
I was feeling a little less optimistic about it after we let the two-goal lead slip last week, and it would help if keeper Morris stopped his erratic behaviour at the moment, but cheered up by the way we took our chances, and that Bilel and Blair looked OK together, but can we honestly get two goals like that again? Maybe one!
The defence has to concentrate for the whole 90 minutes, the Robins are no mugs, even if it seems they may try and pull a few fast ones over the ref, than again we have Snoop Dog to trump them in that department.
Certainly Swindon manager Di Canio seems to have spread the Italian tactics involving the dark arts, ask Rotherham boss Andy Scott!
I hope Luggy has a very long word with Bilel Mohsni, we cannot lose him for Gillingham on Tuesday with Dickinson and Harris still out, and though Barry Corr kicked a ball around Thursday with the lads I don't think we'll be seeing the Irishman run on the pitch until next Saturday at the latest.
Tough call for Ryan Leonard, who has done all that's been asked of him, but if JP Kalala is fit I want him protecting that back four.
Though missing the injured Lee Sawyer the midfield partnership of Ferdy and Granty is looking promising, Kane having at last started to shake off his summer under-19 Irish tour.
No, stick with them and allow Ryan Hall to do what he does best, cause havoc, especially from 25 yards!
1-1 for me, with hopefully a stronger man in black than the twat we had the last time we travelled up the M4 to Wiltshire.
Possible Southend United: Morris, Clohessy, Barker, Phillips, Prosser, Kalala, Ferdinand, Grant, Hall, Sturrock, Mohsni.
Subs: Bentley, Leonard, Coughlan, Johnstone, Crawford.
COME ON YOU BLUES!!!!!
OPPOSITION
Robins boss Paolo Di Canio could be looking for a loan signing to take on the Shrimpers at the weekend with up to four potential defenders out injured.
We know that Alberto Comazzi will be missing after being sent off in stoppage time against the Millers when he picked up two yellows and was handed a one-match suspension.
Joe Devera could start in his place, joined by central defender Aden Flint or Italian Alessandro Cibocchi who can play at left-back, though the latter two had been reported as picking up injuries
Swindon skipper Oliver Risser has played as a centre-back for Namibia, was looking good to return then went ahead and dislocated his thumb in training Thursday, ouch, and is rated doubtful by the club.
Keeper Mattia Lanzano should start his second game.
In: Alberto Comazzi (Spezia, free), Alan McCormack (Charlton Athletic, free), Raffael De Vitta (Livingston, free), Mattia Lanzano (US Gavorrana, free), Alan Connell (Grimsby, Undisclosed), Mehdi Kerrouche (Unattached).
Out: David Prutton (Sheffield Wednesday), Jonathon Douglas (Brentford, free), Michael Rose (Tranmere, free), Scott Cuthbert (Orient, free), Alan Sheehan (Notts County, free), Joe Devera (Barnet, free), Elliot Benyon (Wycombe, loan), Jon-Paul McGovern (Carlisle, free).
Our friends at http://aloadofcobblers2012.wordpress.com say:
|
Strengths |
Di Canio’s magnetism and contacts book could prove vital during the transfer windows. |
|
Weaknesses |
The manager is new to League Two and could take time to understand what’s needed to win promotion and to compete at this level. |
|
Key man |
Matt Ritchie – Finally found a permanent home at the County Ground last January after various loans from Portsmouth. Likely to provide creativity and the odd goal to the Swindon cause. |
|
One to watch |
Billy Bodin – Young left midfielder or striker, Bodin will be looking to push on this season and try to live up to the standards set by father Paul during his successful time with the Robins. (Has joined Torquay United on loan) |
|
Outlook |
It’s going to be a newsworthy season whatever happens at the County Ground and the Di Canio factor could work either way. Coping with the loss of David Prutton and Jonathon Douglas will be tough but I still expect them to be in at least a Playoff place come May. |
| Predictions | Ben: The acclimatisation period for the new manager and players will scupper an automatic promotion bid, but play-offs should be the minimum target. Danny: Could take time to gel so in and around the playoffs at best. Maxi: This could go absolutely anywhere. Top half is as accurate as I could predict. |
Player to watch
Alan McCormack
Once our very own former personal rottweiler Macca left the Shrimpers with the majority of the Tilly men unpaid, pissed off, and unloved by many of the Blues faithful having not had the best of seasons, who did, the odd injury not helping.
A favourite of mine, his partnership in the middle with 'he fell like a dog' Bailey was one of the most exciting in my time supporting the club.
Good to see Di Canio playing him and that he's picked up three yellow cards already, memories.
Maybe there's less of the surge forwards but I expect a Shrimper will feel a tackle or two, if he takes Bilel out that could be fun!
Player details here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_McCormack
Macca on his way to Wiltshire: www.southendunited-mad.co.uk
Last time out
Swindon Town 3 Rotherham United 2 (played on Saturday, September 3rd): Report: www.swindontownfc.co.uk
Beeb highlights here: http://news.bbc.co.uk
Moving up
| 16 | Macclesfield Town | 6 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 8 | 6 | 7 | +2 |
| 17 | Aldershot Town | 6 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 7 | -2 |
| 18 | Swindon Town | 6 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 0 |
| 19 | Barnet | 6 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 8 | 11 | 6 | -3 |
| 20 | Crewe Alexandra | 6 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 6 | 10 | 6 | -4 |
PREVIOUSLY
| At Swindon Town (55) | At Southend Utd. (56) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Results | Total | % | Results | Total | % | |
| Swindon Town | 34 | 61.82 | Southend Utd. | 30 | 53.57 | |
| Southend Utd. | 9 | 16.36 | Swindon Town | 13 | 23.21 | |
| Draws | 12 | 21.82 | Draws | 13 | 23.21 | |
| Goals | Total | Av.pg | Goals | Total | Av.pg | |
| Swindon Town | 116 | 2.11 | Southend Utd. | 105 | 1.88 | |
| Southend Utd. | 48 | 0.87 | Swindon Town | 66 | 1.18 | |
| On Neutral Ground (0) | Overall (111 matches) | |||||
| Results | Total | % | Results | Total | % | |
| Swindon Town | 0 | 0.00 | Swindon Town | 47 | 42.34 | |
| Southend Utd. | 0 | 0.00 | Southend Utd. | 39 | 35.14 | |
| Draws | 0 | 0.00 | Draws | 25 | 22.52 | |
| Goals | Total | Av.pg | Goals | Total | Av.pg | |
| Swindon Town | 0 | 0.00 | Swindon Town | 182 | 1.64 | |
| Southend Utd. | 0 | 0.00 | Southend Utd. | 153 | 1.38 | |
| Records | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highest Aggregate | 10 | Southend Utd. | 8 - 2 | Swindon Town | 1950/1951 |
| Highest Swindon Town score: | 6 | Swindon Town | 6 - 1 | Southend Utd. | 2002/2003 |
| Highest Southend Utd. score: | 8 | Southend Utd. | 8 - 2 | Swindon Town | 1950/1951 |
| Season | Date | Home | Score | Away | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009/2010 | Sat 30 Jan | Southend Utd. | 2 - 2 | Swindon Town | League One |
| Sat 29 Aug | Swindon Town | 2 - 1 | Southend Utd. | League One | |
| 2008/2009 | Tue 17 Mar | Swindon Town | 3 - 0 | Southend Utd. | League One |
| Sat 18 Oct | Southend Utd. | 2 - 1 | Swindon Town | League One | |
| 2007/2008 | Mon 24 Mar | Swindon Town | 0 - 1 | Southend Utd. | League One |
| Sat 08 Dec | Southend Utd. | 2 - 1 | Swindon Town | League One | |
| 2005/2006 | Fri 27 Jan | Southend Utd. | 2 - 0 | Swindon Town | League One |
| Sat 10 Sep | Swindon Town | 1 - 2 | Southend Utd. | League One | |
| 2004/2005 | Tue 25 Jan | Southend Utd. | 2 - 0 | Swindon Town | (Associate Members) |
| 2003/2004 | Tue 12 Aug | Southend Utd. | 2 - 3 | Swindon Town | League Cup |
| 2002/2003 | Tue 22 Oct | Swindon Town | 6 - 1 | Southend Utd. | (Associate Members) |
| 2000/2001 | Tue 13 Feb | Southend Utd. | 2 - 1 | Swindon Town | (Associate Members) |
| after extra time, 90 minutes 1-1, Southend United won on the golden goal rule | |||||
| 1996/1997 | Sat 05 Apr | Swindon Town | 0 - 0 | Southend Utd. | League Division One |
| Sat 31 Aug | Southend Utd. | 1 - 3 | Swindon Town | League Division One | |
| 1994/1995 | Sat 03 Dec | Southend Utd. | 2 - 0 | Swindon Town | League Division One |
| Sat 22 Oct | Swindon Town | 2 - 2 | Southend Utd. | League Division One | |
| 1992/1993 | Wed 10 Mar | Southend Utd. | 1 - 1 | Swindon Town | League Division One |
| Sat 14 Nov | Swindon Town | 3 - 2 | Southend Utd. | League Division One | |
| 1991/1992 | Sat 21 Mar | Swindon Town | 3 - 1 | Southend Utd. | Second Division |
| Sat 09 Nov | Southend Utd. | 3 - 2 | Swindon Town | Second Division | |
| 1985/1986 | Sun 12 Jan | Swindon Town | 2 - 1 | Southend Utd. | Fourth Division |
| Fri 30 Aug | Southend Utd. | 0 - 0 | Swindon Town | Fourth Division | |
| 1984/1985 | Sat 06 Apr | Swindon Town | 2 - 0 | Southend Utd. | Fourth Division |
| Wed 26 Dec | Southend Utd. | 3 - 2 | Swindon Town | Fourth Division | |
| 1981/1982 | Tue 09 Feb | Swindon Town | 0 - 0 | Southend Utd. | Third Division |
| Mon 21 Sep | Southend Utd. | 0 - 0 | Swindon Town | Third Division | |
| 1979/1980 | Fri 29 Feb | Southend Utd. | 1 - 0 | Swindon Town | Third Division |
| Sat 20 Oct | Swindon Town | 1 - 0 | Southend Utd. | Third Division | |
| 1978/1979 | Fri 16 Mar | Southend Utd. | 5 - 3 | Swindon Town | Third Division |
| Sat 04 Nov | Swindon Town | 1 - 0 | Southend Utd. | Third Division | |
| 1975/1976 | Sat 06 Mar | Swindon Town | 0 - 0 | Southend Utd. | Third Division |
| Fri 31 Oct | Southend Utd. | 3 - 0 | Swindon Town | Third Division | |
| 1974/1975 | Fri 11 Apr | Southend Utd. | 2 - 0 | Swindon Town | Third Division |
| Sat 05 Oct | Swindon Town | 2 - 0 | Southend Utd. | Third Division | |
| 1968/1969 | Sat 04 Jan | Swindon Town | 0 - 2 | Southend Utd. | F.A. Cup |
| 1965/1966 | Sat 19 Mar | Swindon Town | 4 - 0 | Southend Utd. | Third Division |
| Fri 24 Sep | Southend Utd. | 4 - 2 | Swindon Town | Third Division | |
| 1963/1964 | Wed 16 Oct | Swindon Town | 3 - 0 | Southend Utd. | League Cup |
| 1962/1963 | Sat 06 Apr | Southend Utd. | 1 - 1 | Swindon Town | Third Division |
| Sat 17 Nov | Swindon Town | 4 - 1 | Southend Utd. | Third Division | |
| 1961/1962 | Sat 28 Apr | Southend Utd. | 0 - 2 | Swindon Town | Third Division |
| Sat 09 Dec | Swindon Town | 0 - 0 | Southend Utd. | Third Division | |
| 1960/1961 | Sat 11 Feb | Swindon Town | 1 - 1 | Southend Utd. | Third Division |
| Sat 24 Sep | Southend Utd. | 0 - 2 | Swindon Town | Third Division | |
| 1959/1960 | Sat 19 Mar | Southend Utd. | 1 - 3 | Swindon Town | Third Division |
| Sat 28 Nov | Swindon Town | 2 - 0 | Southend Utd. | Third Division | |
| 1958/1959 | Sat 18 Apr | Southend Utd. | 0 - 2 | Swindon Town | Third Division |
| Sat 29 Nov | Swindon Town | 2 - 1 | Southend Utd. | Third Division | |
| 1957/1958 | Wed 02 Oct | Swindon Town | 2 - 1 | Southend Utd. | Third Division (South) |
| Wed 25 Sep | Southend Utd. | 2 - 3 | Swindon Town | Third Division (South) | |
| 1956/1957 | Sat 16 Feb | Southend Utd. | 1 - 0 | Swindon Town | Third Division (South) |
| Sat 06 Oct | Swindon Town | 3 - 2 | Southend Utd. | Third Division (South) | |
| 1955/1956 | Mon 02 Apr | Swindon Town | 1 - 1 | Southend Utd. | Third Division (South) |
| Fri 30 Mar | Southend Utd. | 0 - 0 | Swindon Town | Third Division (South) | |
| 1954/1955 | Wed 20 Apr | Swindon Town | 0 - 1 | Southend Utd. | Third Division (South) |
| Sat 04 Sep | Southend Utd. | 4 - 1 | Swindon Town | Third Division (South) | |
| 1953/1954 | Sat 30 Jan | Southend Utd. | 3 - 1 | Swindon Town | Third Division (South) |
| Sat 09 Jan | Swindon Town | 3 - 0 | Southend Utd. | Third Division (South) | |
| 1952/1953 | Tue 02 Sep | Southend Utd. | 3 - 0 | Swindon Town | Third Division (South) |
| Wed 27 Aug | Swindon Town | 1 - 3 | Southend Utd. | Third Division (South) | |
| 1951/1952 | Sat 26 Apr | Swindon Town | 1 - 0 | Southend Utd. | Third Division (South) |
| Sat 08 Dec | Southend Utd. | 2 - 2 | Swindon Town | Third Division (South) | |
| 1950/1951 | Sat 24 Feb | Southend Utd. | 8 - 2 | Swindon Town | Third Division (South) |
| Wed 29 Nov | Southend Utd. | 0 - 3 | Swindon Town | F.A. Cup | |
| Sat 07 Oct | Swindon Town | 4 - 1 | Southend Utd. | Third Division (South) | |
| 1949/1950 | Sat 25 Mar | Southend Utd. | 2 - 0 | Swindon Town | Third Division (South) |
| Sat 05 Nov | Swindon Town | 2 - 2 | Southend Utd. | Third Division (South) | |
| 1948/1949 | Sat 01 Jan | Southend Utd. | 3 - 4 | Swindon Town | Third Division (South) |
| Sat 28 Aug | Swindon Town | 2 - 1 | Southend Utd. | Third Division (South) | |
| 1947/1948 | Sat 28 Feb | Swindon Town | 0 - 0 | Southend Utd. | Third Division (South) |
| Sat 11 Oct | Southend Utd. | 1 - 0 | Swindon Town | Third Division (South) | |
| 1946/1947 | Sat 10 May | Swindon Town | 2 - 1 | Southend Utd. | Third Division (South) |
| Sat 12 Oct | Southend Utd. | 2 - 0 | Swindon Town | Third Division (South) | |
| 1938/1939 | Sat 18 Feb | Swindon Town | 2 - 1 | Southend Utd. | Third Division (South) |
| Sat 15 Oct | Southend Utd. | 2 - 3 | Swindon Town | Third Division (South) | |
| 1937/1938 | Sat 30 Apr | Swindon Town | 1 - 1 | Southend Utd. | Third Division (South) |
| Sat 18 Dec | Southend Utd. | 0 - 0 | Swindon Town | Third Division (South) | |
| 1936/1937 | Sat 30 Jan | Southend Utd. | 2 - 0 | Swindon Town | Third Division (South) |
| Sat 26 Sep | Swindon Town | 4 - 0 | Southend Utd. | Third Division (South) | |
| 1935/1936 | Wed 29 Apr | Southend Utd. | 1 - 0 | Swindon Town | Third Division (South) |
| Sat 07 Mar | Swindon Town | 1 - 3 | Southend Utd. | Third Division (South) | |
| 1934/1935 | Sat 23 Feb | Southend Utd. | 2 - 0 | Swindon Town | Third Division (South) |
| Sat 13 Oct | Swindon Town | 5 - 0 | Southend Utd. | Third Division (South) | |
| 1933/1934 | Sat 03 Mar | Southend Utd. | 4 - 1 | Swindon Town | Third Division (South) |
| Sat 21 Oct | Swindon Town | 1 - 4 | Southend Utd. | Third Division (South) | |
| 1932/1933 | Sat 08 Apr | Southend Utd. | 0 - 0 | Swindon Town | Third Division (South) |
| Wed 01 Mar | Swindon Town | 2 - 2 | Southend Utd. | Third Division (South) | |
| 1931/1932 | Sat 27 Feb | Swindon Town | 1 - 2 | Southend Utd. | Third Division (South) |
| Sat 17 Oct | Southend Utd. | 3 - 0 | Swindon Town | Third Division (South) | |
| 1930/1931 | Sat 21 Feb | Swindon Town | 1 - 1 | Southend Utd. | Third Division (South) |
| Sat 18 Oct | Southend Utd. | 5 - 3 | Swindon Town | Third Division (South) | |
| 1929/1930 | Sat 15 Mar | Southend Utd. | 3 - 1 | Swindon Town | Third Division (South) |
| Sat 09 Nov | Swindon Town | 5 - 1 | Southend Utd. | Third Division (South) | |
| 1928/1929 | Sat 27 Apr | Southend Utd. | 1 - 1 | Swindon Town | Third Division (South) |
| Sat 15 Dec | Swindon Town | 3 - 1 | Southend Utd. | Third Division (South) | |
| 1927/1928 | Sat 28 Apr | Swindon Town | 0 - 1 | Southend Utd. | Third Division (South) |
| Wed 14 Mar | Southend Utd. | 1 - 1 | Swindon Town | Third Division (South) | |
| 1926/1927 | Sat 15 Jan | Southend Utd. | 2 - 2 | Swindon Town | Third Division (South) |
| Sat 28 Aug | Swindon Town | 5 - 1 | Southend Utd. | Third Division (South) | |
| 1925/1926 | Sat 13 Mar | Southend Utd. | 3 - 0 | Swindon Town | Third Division (South) |
| Sat 31 Oct | Swindon Town | 2 - 0 | Southend Utd. | Third Division (South) | |
| 1924/1925 | Sat 21 Mar | Southend Utd. | 0 - 0 | Swindon Town | Third Division (South) |
| Wed 24 Sep | Swindon Town | 3 - 0 | Southend Utd. | Third Division (South) | |
| 1923/1924 | Wed 02 Apr | Swindon Town | 3 - 0 | Southend Utd. | Third Division (South) |
| Sat 09 Feb | Southend Utd. | 0 - 2 | Swindon Town | Third Division (South) | |
| 1922/1923 | Sat 05 May | Swindon Town | 3 - 0 | Southend Utd. | Third Division (South) |
| Sat 28 Apr | Southend Utd. | 2 - 0 | Swindon Town | Third Division (South) | |
| 1921/1922 | Mon 17 Apr | Swindon Town | 6 - 1 | Southend Utd. | Third Division (South) |
| Fri 14 Apr | Southend Utd. | 1 - 2 | Swindon Town | Third Division (South) | |
| 1920/1921 | Sat 18 Sep | Swindon Town | 3 - 0 | Southend Utd. | Third Division |
| Sat 11 Sep | Southend Utd. | 1 - 3 | Swindon Town | Third Division | |
GROUND
At one end is the Stratton Bank Stand, a former terrace with rows of seats bolted on to it. This area is uncovered and has a clock above it as well as a small electric scoreboard.
At one end is the Stratton Bank Stand, a former terrace with rows of seats bolted on to it. This area is uncovered and has a clock above it as well as a small electric scoreboard.
Opposite is the small, covered Town End, with several supporting pillars across the front. An unusual feature is that the supporting legs of one of the floodlight pylons are actually in one side of the stand, there are even some seats situated behind them! The sides are larger, two tiered covered stands towering above the two ends.
The newest of these is the attractive Don Rogers Stand, while on the other side is the older Arkells Stand. The latter has windshields on either side and a few supporting pillars.
The ground also benefits by a striking set of four floodlight pylons. Once a feature across the country, floodlights are slowly but surely disappearing from the landscape, being replaced by rows of lights across the stand roofs. It's a shame really, if only because the floodlight pylons made it a lot easier to locate a ground in a town or city and were always synonymous with a football ground.
The ground also benefits by a striking set of four floodlight pylons. Once a feature across the country, floodlights are slowly but surely disappearing from the landscape, being replaced by rows of lights across the stand roofs. It's a shame really, if only because the floodlight pylons made it a lot easier to locate a ground in a town or city and were always synonymous with a football ground.
Away fans are located in the Arkells Stand at one side of the pitch, where up to 1,200 fans can be housed. This is an older stand with facilities to match, but at least you are under cover. If you are at the back of this stand there is one supporting pillar which may impair your view of the goal otherwise it is fine. You even get a view of some of the rolling Marlborough Hills beyond one corner of the ground!
There is a small kiosk at the back of stand serving amongst other things a range of Shires Pies, but be careful when taking them back to your seat. The entrances to the seating areas are through large solid doors, and to compound matters they open out towards you!
(Thanks to www.footballgroundguide.com for stadium information.)
TICKETS
Can pay on the day, I'm sure if they accept credit cards!:
Full details here: www.southendunited-mad.co.uk
WEATHER
A bit of cloud and a pleasant 18c's, perfect for footy.
REF
The man in the middle is Dean Mohareb from Cheshire.
His assistants are William Bull and Adrain Turner; Fourth official is Kevin Johnson.
FIXTURES
League Two
Saturday, September 10th; (kick-off's 15.00, unless stated): Aldershot v AFC Wimbledon, Bradford v Bristol Rovers, Cheltenham v Macclesfield, Crewe v Barnet, Gillingham v Accrington Stanley, Morecambe v Crawley Town, Northampton v Torquay, Oxford Utd v Burton Albion, Plymouth v Port Vale, Rotherham v Dag & Red, Shrewsbury v Hereford, (13:00), Swindon v Southend.
Tuesday, September 13th;(kick-off 19.45): AFC Wimbledon v Northampton, Accrington Stanley v Rotherham, Barnet v Plymouth, Bristol Rovers v Shrewsbury, Burton Albion v Crewe, Crawley Town v Swindon, Dag & Red v Oxford United, Hereford v Aldershot, Macclesfield v Morecambe, Port Vale v Bradford City, Southend v Gillingham, Torquay v Cheltenham.
BET
Swindon (to win) - 11/10, Draw - 13/5, Southend (to win) - 14/5.
For all the footy odds go here: www.oddschecker.com
TRANSPORT
By Train: www.southendunited-mad.co.uk
By Car: www.southendunited-mad.co.uk
By Coach: www.southendunited-mad.co.uk
PUB AND PIES
For the best drinking: www.southendunited-mad.co.uk
For the best drinking: www.southendunited-mad.co.uk
SOMEWHERE TO LAY YOUR HAT
For an overnight stay: www.southendunited-mad.co.uk
For an overnight stay: www.southendunited-mad.co.uk
HISTORY
The Swindon Town team for the 1909–10 season
Swindon Town Football Club was founded by Reverend William Pitt of Liddington in 1879. The team turned professional in 1894 and joined the Southern League which was founded in the same year.
The club's home ground is the County Ground, which has an all-seated capacity of 15,728.
Since turning professional in 1894, the club has enjoyed periods of proud 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.
Since turning professional in 1894, the club has enjoyed periods of proud 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.
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.
The Robins was the second team to win promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs, beating Leicester City in a cracker 4-3, with Glenn Hoddle as manager.
The 2009–10 season started positively with the club maintaining a play-off position going into the new year with the team 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 seen Swindon finish 5th but still ended the season with a semi-final play-off place 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.
Sadly for the Robins, they lost 1–0 in what was their first defeat in 4 appearances at Wembley. After losing the final Swindon lost their top scorer and former Shrimper Billy Paynter who joined Leeds United on a free transfer.
During the close season of 2010 many Bookmakers had Swindon as one of the favourites for promotion to the npower Championship. But after an unconsistent season, in which Danny Wilson resigned, on 25 April 2011 Swindon were relegated to League 2 after losing 3–1 to Sheffield Wednesday FC. It was seen that losing Paynter without a replacement was the main cause.
Swindon were midway in the season looking to push for a top six place, after a 4–2 win against Charlton Athletic, but did not follow this up and continued to struggle for the rest of the season.
Paul Hart was sacked, replaced for the last two games of the season by former player and current reserve and youth team coach Paul Bodin.
In the summer of 2011 the club took a gamble and secured the services of the charamatic Italian striker and former Hamster Paolo Di Canio as team boss, whether it will pay off or not, and the jury is still out on this one, we will find out in May, if he's still there!
(For a more comprehensive look at the club: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swindon_Town_F.C.)