Jump to content
Main menu
Main menu
move to sidebar
hide
Navigation
Main page
Recent changes
Random page
Help about MediaWiki
Special pages
Niidae Wiki
Search
Search
Appearance
Create account
Log in
Personal tools
Create account
Log in
Pages for logged out editors
learn more
Contributions
Talk
Editing
Swindon Town F.C.
(section)
Page
Discussion
English
Read
Edit
View history
Tools
Tools
move to sidebar
hide
Actions
Read
Edit
View history
General
What links here
Related changes
Page information
Appearance
move to sidebar
hide
Warning:
You are not logged in. Your IP address will be publicly visible if you make any edits. If you
log in
or
create an account
, your edits will be attributed to your username, along with other benefits.
Anti-spam check. Do
not
fill this in!
==History== {{main|History of Swindon Town F.C.}} ===Early history=== Swindon Town Football Club was founded by Reverend William Pitt of [[Liddington]] in 1879.<ref name = "founded"/> The team turned professional in 1894 and joined the [[Southern Football League|Southern League]] which was founded in the same year.<ref name = "founded"/> During this period [[Septimus Atterbury]] played for the club. [[File:STFCSquad1909-1910.jpg|thumb|200px|The Swindon Town team for the 1909β10 season]] Swindon reached the [[FA Cup]] semi-finals for the first time in the [[1909β10 in English football|1909β10]] season, losing to eventual winners [[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle United]]. [[Barnsley F.C.|Barnsley]] and Swindon were invited to compete for the [[Dubonnet Cup]] in 1910 at the [[Parc des Princes]] Stadium in [[Paris]]. The result was a 2β1 victory for Swindon with [[Harold John Fleming|Harold Fleming]] scoring both of the club's goals. The following season, [[1910β11 in English football|1910β11]], Swindon Town won the Southern League championship, earning them a [[FA Community Shield|Charity Shield]] match with the [[Football League]] champions [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]]. This, the highest-scoring Charity Shield game to date, was played on 25 September 1911 at [[Stamford Bridge (stadium)|Stamford Bridge]] with Manchester United winning 8β4. Some of the proceeds of this game were later donated to the survivors of the [[RMS Titanic|''Titanic'']].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://archive.salisburyjournal.co.uk/2005/4/20/88666.html |title=Medals to be sold |work=[[Salisbury Journal]] |date=20 April 1999 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927073205/https://archive.salisburyjournal.co.uk/2005/4/20/88666.html |archive-date=27 September 2007 }}</ref> In 1912 Swindon Town reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup for a second time in 3 years, losing to Barnsley after a replay 1β0. Swindon's exploits at this time owed a lot to the skilful forward [[Harold Fleming (footballer)|H.J. Fleming]] who was capped by [[England national football team|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 [[Football League Third Division|Division Three]] and defeated [[Luton Town F.C.|Luton Town]] 9β1 in their first game of the season. This result stands as a record for the club in League matches. After the outbreak of [[World War II]], the War Department took over the [[County Ground (Swindon)|County Ground]] 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 Β£4,570 in 1945. World War II 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 F.C.|Northampton Town]]. The club was relegated back into Division Three in 1965, but it was about to create a sensation. ===1969β2000=== [[File:1970 Anglo-Italian Cup - Juventus v Swindon Town - Coin toss.jpg|thumb|left|The coin toss before the away game in [[Turin]] versus [[Juventus FC|Juventus]] in the victorious [[1970 Anglo-Italian Cup]]]] In 1969, Swindon beat [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]] [[1969 Football League Cup Final|3β1]] to win the [[Football League Cup|League Cup]] for the only time in the club's history.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.football-england.com/arsenal_1_v_swindon_3_league_cup_final_1969.html |title=League Cup Final 1969 Match Report |publisher=football-England.com |access-date=16 November 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070110010028/http://www.football-england.com/arsenal_1_v_swindon_3_league_cup_final_1969.html |archive-date=10 January 2007 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/wiltshire/content/articles/2005/12/13/pwaod_swindon_feature.shtml| title=Swindon Town 1969 TV Archive|publisher=BBC |access-date=16 November 2006}}</ref> 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 [[Football League First Division|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 5β2, with the scorer of two goals in the League Cup final β [[Don Rogers (footballer)|Don Rogers]] β scoring once and new acquisition [[Arthur Horsfield]] acquiring his first [[hat-trick]] for the club.<ref name="angloleaguecupwin">{{Cite web|url=http://www.swindon-town-fc.co.uk/Achievements/1970AngloItalianLCWCWinners.asp |title=Anglo-Italian League Cup Winners' Cup Winners 1969/1970 |access-date=14 January 2007 |publisher=swindon-town-fc.co.uk |work=Achievements |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080105095644/http://www.swindon-town-fc.co.uk/Achievements/1970AngloItalianLCWCWinners.asp |archive-date= 5 January 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The team then went on to win the [[1970 Anglo-Italian Cup]] competition in a tournament beset by [[Football (soccer) hooliganism|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.<ref name="anglocupriot">{{Cite web|url=http://archive.thisiswiltshire.co.uk/2000/5/30/244253.html |title=Cup Glory in Europe |access-date=26 February 2007 |work=[[Swindon Advertiser]] |year=2000 |author=Wheeler, Sam |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930015343/http://archive.thisiswiltshire.co.uk/2000/5/30/244253.html |archive-date=30 September 2007 }}</ref> Following management changes, Swindon had a long unsuccessful period culminating in them being relegated in 1982 to the [[Football League Fourth Division|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 F.C.|York City]] having totalled 101 two years earlier.<ref name="div4champs">{{Cite web|url=http://www.swindon-town-fc.co.uk/Achievements/1986DivFourChamps.asp |title=Division Four Champions 1985/1986 |access-date=14 January 2007 |publisher=swindon-town-fc.co.uk |work=Achievements |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050427072908/http://www.swindon-town-fc.co.uk/Achievements/1986DivFourChamps.asp |archive-date=27 April 2005 }}</ref> A year later they won the Third Division play-offs to achieve a second successive promotion.<ref name="div3playwin">{{Cite web|url=http://www.swindon-town-fc.co.uk/Achievements/1987DivThreePlayOffWinners.asp |title=Division Three Play-off Winners 1986/1987 |access-date=14 January 2007 |publisher=swindon-town-fc.co.uk |work=Achievements |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080105095654/http://www.swindon-town-fc.co.uk/Achievements/1987DivThreePlayOffWinners.asp |archive-date= 5 January 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Promotion campaign Manager [[Lou Macari]] left in 1989 to take charge of [[West Ham United F.C.|West Ham United]] with veteran midfielder, and former [[Argentina national football team|Argentine international]], [[Osvaldo Ardiles|Ossie Ardiles]] replacing him. In his first season, Swindon were [[1990 Football League Second Division play-off Final|Second Division play-off]] winners,<ref name="1990playoffwin">{{Cite web|url=http://www.swindon-town-fc.co.uk/Achievements/1990DivTwoPlayOffWinners.asp |title=Division Two Play-off Winners 1989/1990 |access-date=14 January 2007 |publisher=swindon-town-fc.co.uk |work=Achievements |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080105095659/http://www.swindon-town-fc.co.uk/Achievements/1990DivTwoPlayOffWinners.asp |archive-date= 5 January 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref> 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 β giving [[Sunderland A.F.C.|Sunderland]] promotion to the First Division and [[Tranmere Rovers F.C.|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.<ref name="1990fiasco">{{Cite web|url=http://www.swindon-town-fc.co.uk/Seasons.asp?Decade=1990|title=Season 1989β1990|access-date=14 January 2007|publisher=swindon-town-fc.co.uk|work=Archive}}</ref> Ardiles remained in charge until March 1991, when he departed for [[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle United]] and was succeeded by new player-manager [[Glenn Hoddle]]. Swindon progressed well during the [[1991β92 Football League Second Division|1991β92 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 4β3 in the new [[Football League Championship play-offs#1993|Division One play-off]] final to achieve promotion to the [[Premier League]] β bringing top-division football to the club for the first time.<ref name="div1playoffwin">{{Cite web|url=http://www.swindon-town-fc.co.uk/Achievements/1993DivOnePlayOffWinners.asp |title=Division One Play-off Winners 1992/1993 |access-date=14 January 2007 |publisher=swindon-town-fc.co.uk |work=Achievements |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080105095704/http://www.swindon-town-fc.co.uk/Achievements/1993DivOnePlayOffWinners.asp |archive-date= 5 January 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Hoddle moved to [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]] before the [[1993β94 FA Premier League]] season began, and was replaced by assistant [[John Gorman (footballer)|John Gorman]], but Swindon never adjusted to the pace of Premier League football.<ref name="season1993">{{Cite web|url=http://www.swindon-town-fc.co.uk/Seasons.asp?Decade=1990|title=Season 1993β94|access-date=14 January 2007|publisher=swindon-town-fc.co.uk|work=Archive}}</ref> They were relegated after recording only five wins and conceding 100 goals β the latter record stood until Sheffield United broke it in 2024 β and have never returned to the top flight. One of the few successes of the season was a 2β2 draw against champions Manchester United in the league.<ref name="MU 1993-94 scores">{{Cite web|url=http://www.aboutmanutd.com/man-u-seasons/1993-1994.html|title=Manchester United season 1993β94|publisher=aboutmanutd.com|work=Archive|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111007131544/http://www.aboutmanutd.com/man-u-seasons/1993-1994.html|archive-date=7 October 2011}}</ref><ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/ibTgrnh7AHc Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20120825073739/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibTgrnh7AHc&gl=US&hl=en Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibTgrnh7AHc|title=1994-03-19 Swindon Town vs Manchester United |date=7 June 2008 |publisher=YouTube |access-date=10 January 2012}}{{cbignore}}</ref> The [[1994β95 Football League First Division|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 (footballer)|Steve McMahon]], was unable to avoid relegation, he did take Swindon to the semi-finals of the League Cup.<ref name="season1995">{{Cite web|url=http://www.swindon-town-fc.co.uk/Seasons.asp?Decade=1990|title=Season 1995β96|access-date=14 January 2007|publisher=swindon-town-fc.co.uk|work=Archive}}</ref> McMahon then succeeded in getting Swindon back into Division One on his first attempt, winning the Division Two championship in [[1995β96 Football League Second Division|1995β96]].<ref name="div2champs95">{{Cite web|url=http://www.swindon-town-fc.co.uk/Achievements/1996DivTwoChamps.asp |title=Division Two Champions 1995/1996 |access-date=14 January 2007 |publisher=swindon-town-fc.co.uk |work=Achievements |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080105095709/http://www.swindon-town-fc.co.uk/Achievements/1996DivTwoChamps.asp |archive-date= 5 January 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref> McMahon remained as manager until September 1998, when he left by mutual consent after Swindon lost five of their nine opening games of the [[1998β99 Football League First Division|1998β99 season]]. ===2000β2020=== The club then went through five managers in five years ([[Andy King (footballer born 1956)|Andy King]] was appointed twice), during which time they were again relegated into Division Two. The highlight of the next few seasons was a fifth-place finish in [[2003β04 Football League Second Division|2003β04]] as financial troubles persisted. A first-round [[Football League One play-offs#2004|playoff]] loss to [[Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.|Brighton & Hove Albion]] on penalties meant Swindon extended their stay in the third tier, now renamed [[Football League One|League One]]. The club has been beset by financial difficulties throughout its recent history, having been placed into administration twice<ref name="administrationout2">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/swindon_town/2204022.stm|title=Swindon out of administration|access-date=15 February 2007|work=BBC Sport | date=19 August 2002}}</ref> and also twice fought off winding-up orders from [[Her Majesty's Customs and Excise]] over unpaid tax.<ref name="taxbilloopsagain">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/wiltshire/4357432.stm|title=Club is saved after paying bill|access-date=8 February 2007|work=BBC News | date=19 October 2005}}</ref> The board was paying Β£100,000 to creditors annually (2% of the annual turnover),<ref name = "diamandisinterview"/> and only managed to begin the [[2006β07 Football League Two|2006β07 season]] after sourcing Β£500,000 to pay for players' wages.<ref name="diamandisinterview">{{Cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/wiltshire/content/articles/2006/12/19/mike_diamandis_feature.shtml|title=Interview with Mike Diamandis|access-date=8 February 2007|publisher=BBC News |work=Where I Live β Swindon}}</ref> In 2006, caretaker manager (and former player) [[Iffy Onuora]] was unable to save Swindon from relegation to [[Football League Two|League Two]]<ref name="2006relegation">{{Cite web|url=http://www.thisisstfc.co.uk/news_headlines_Story.asp?NewsID=5491 |title=Β£200,000 β That's the price of relegation as Town take drop at Ashton Gate |date=1 May 2006 |access-date=15 January 2007 |work=[[Swindon Advertiser]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060505051859/http://www.thisisstfc.co.uk/news_headlines_Story.asp?NewsID=5491 |archive-date=5 May 2006 |url-status=dead }}</ref> meaning they became the first ever former [[FA Premier League|Premier League]] team to be relegated to the lowest [[Football League]] division. [[File:STFC promotion2007.jpg|thumb|left|Town fans celebrating promotion on the county ground pitch after the draw with Walsall 2006β07 season]] [[Dennis Wise]] agreed to become the new Swindon manager in May 2006 following the relegation, with [[Gustavo Poyet]] joining the coaching staff.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/swindon_town/4989058.stm |title=Swindon confirm Wise as Manager |work=BBC Sport |date=22 May 2006}}</ref> After a good start to the season, the pair moved to [[Leeds United A.F.C.|Leeds United]] in October. Veteran defender [[Ady Williams]] and [[Barry Hunter (footballer)|Barry Hunter]] took temporary charge until [[Paul Sturrock]] was appointed on 7 November. Sturrock guided Swindon to promotion back to [[Football League One]] in his first season with the club, earning the third automatic promotion place in a 1β1 draw with [[Walsall F.C.|Walsall]] in the last game of the 2006β07 season.<ref name="2007 promotion">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/6602935.stm|title=Swindon 1β1 Walsall|access-date=5 May 2007|date=5 May 2007|publisher=BBC News |work=Football}}</ref> 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 [[2007β08 Football League Two|2007β08 season]]. Paul Sturrock having departed for [[Plymouth Argyle F.C.|Plymouth Argyle]], the consortium appointed Sturrock-recommended [[Maurice Malpas]] manager, and Swindon finished their first season back in League One in 13th, helped by 15-goal signing [[Simon Cox (footballer born 1987)|Simon Cox]]. However, the [[2008β09 Football League One|2008β09 campaign]] started badly and Malpas was sacked on 14 November 2008, with [[David Byrne (footballer born 1961)|David Byrne]] taking over temporarily. [[Danny Wilson (footballer, born 1960)|Danny Wilson]] was unveiled as the new manager on 26 December 2008.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/s/swindon_town/7800303.stm|title=Wilson appointed Swindon manager|work=BBC Sport |access-date=29 April 2009 | date=26 December 2008}}</ref> Wilson helped maintain Swindon's League One status and finished in 15th position, though only four points from the relegation zone, in his first season in charge. The [[2009β10 Football League One|2009β10 season]] 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 fifth, entering the play-offs against [[Charlton Athletic F.C.|Charlton Athletic]]. Swindon won the tie on penalties and went on to play in the [[Football League One play-offs]] final against [[Millwall F.C.|Millwall]] at [[Wembley Stadium]] for a place in the [[Football League Championship]]. However, they lost 1β0 in what was their first defeat in four 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 Championship going into the [[2010β11 Football League One|2010β11 season]]. Inconsistent form left Swindon in mid-table for much of the season; however, a 4β2 win at [[Charlton Athletic F.C.|Charlton Athletic]] in January left fans hoping for a late-season surge.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://twohundredpercent.net/match-of-the-week-charlton-athletic-2-4-swindon-town/|title=Match of the Week: Charlton Athletic 2-4 Swindon Town - Twohundredpercent|access-date=31 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181028151648/http://twohundredpercent.net/match-of-the-week-charlton-athletic-2-4-swindon-town/|archive-date=28 October 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> Instead, top-scorer [[Charlie Austin]] was sold to [[Burnley F.C.|Burnley]] and the team did not win again for 19 matches. When Danny Wilson resigned on 2 March, [[Paul Hart]] was brought in but failed to save the Robins, and on 25 April 2011 Swindon were relegated to League Two yet again after losing 3β1 to [[Sheffield Wednesday F.C.|Sheffield Wednesday]]. Paul Hart was replaced for the last two games of the season by former player and current reserve and youth team coach [[Paul Bodin]].<ref name=BBC9469955>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/swindon_town/9469955.stm|title=Swindon bring in Paul Bodin as manager for Paul Hart|work=BBC Sport |date=28 April 2011|access-date=28 April 2011}}</ref> [[File:SwindonTownFC League Performance.svg|thumb|Chart of yearly table positions of Swindon Town in the League.]] Soon after the season ended, the board revealed that high-profile former player [[Paolo Di Canio]] would take his first management position at the club.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/13466915.stm | work=BBC News | title=Di Canio appointed Swindon boss | date=20 May 2011}}</ref> After losing seven of his first 13 games in charge, Swindon went on a 15-match unbeaten run which put them into promotion contention by the midpoint of the [[2011β12 Football League Two|2011β12 season]].<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/16240613.stm | work=BBC News | title=Torquay 1β0 Swindon | date=26 December 2011}}</ref> After a defeat on Boxing Day 2011 to [[Torquay United F.C.|Torquay United]], Swindon broke a club record by winning 10 consecutive league games, and by March they were well clear of the chasing pack at the top of League Two. They also enjoyed success in both the [[FA Cup]], beating Premiership side [[Wigan Athletic F.C.|Wigan Athletic]] in the third round before losing to Championship side [[Leicester City F.C.|Leicester City]] in the fourth round, and the Football League Trophy, reaching the [[2012 Football League Trophy Final|final]] at Wembley, where they were runners-up to League One side [[Chesterfield F.C.|Chesterfield]]. On 28 April 2012, Swindon, already promoted, guaranteed their championship of League Two on 28 April after a 5β0 drubbing of [[Port Vale F.C.|Port Vale]] at the County Ground.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17795329 | work=BBC News | title=Swindon 5β0 Port Vale | date=28 April 2012}}</ref> On 18 February 2013, with Swindon riding high in League One and in contention for a second consecutive promotion, Di Canio announced his resignation, alleging mistreatment by the board of directors, including the sale of Matt Ritchie behind his back, and the financial instability of the club at the time. In his place came [[Kevin MacDonald (footballer)|Kevin MacDonald]] who had previously held caretaker roles at [[Leicester City]] and Aston Villa.<ref>{{cite web | title = Kevin MacDonald Appointed Swindon Town Manager | date =14 May 2021| url =http://www.thesackrace.com/news/1st-march-2013/kevin-macdonald-appointed-swindon-town-manager/}}</ref> MacDonald guided Swindon to the League One play-offs; however, they were knocked out after a penalty shoot-out defeat to [[Brentford F.C.|Brentford]]. On 13 July 2013, MacDonald left Swindon Town by mutual consent, only three weeks before the start of the [[2013β14 Swindon Town F.C. season|2013β14]] season and only five months after taking the Swindon job. In the [[2014β15 Swindon Town F.C. season|2014β15]] season, Swindon reached the League One Play-off final again where they lost 4β0 to [[Preston North End F.C.|Preston]]<ref>{{cite news | title = Preston 4β0 Swindon | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/32770740 |work=BBC Sport |date=24 May 2015 |access-date=12 July 2015}}</ref> after a season in which they were competing for automatic promotion. They went top of the league after a 3β0 win away to [[Coventry City F.C.|Coventry]];<ref>{{cite news | title = Coventry 0β3 Swindon | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/30677416 |work=BBC Sport |date=12 January 2015 |access-date=12 July 2015}}</ref> however, a 2β0 defeat to [[Sheffield United F.C.|Sheffield United]]<ref>{{cite news | title = Sheffield United 2β0 Swindon | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/30963163 |work=BBC Sport |date=31 January 2015 |access-date=12 July 2015}}</ref> was the first of a series of results that saw Swindon's form dip, and a 1β0 defeat to bottom club [[Yeovil Town F.C.|Yeovil Town]]<ref>{{cite news | title = Swindon 0β1 Yeovil | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32261966 |work=BBC Sport |date=18 April 2015 |access-date=12 July 2015}}</ref> meant that Swindon were consigned to finish in the play-offs. They reached [[Wembley Stadium|Wembley]] after a record-breaking 5β5 draw (winning 7β6 on aggregate) against Sheffield United, the highest-scoring EFL play-off match in history.<ref>{{cite news | title = Swindon 5β5 Sheffield United | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32579316 |work=BBC Sport |date=11 May 2015 |access-date=12 July 2015}}</ref> In the [[2016β17 Swindon Town F.C. season|2016β17]] season, Swindon were relegated to League Two for a third time; they finished third from bottom on 22 April 2017 after losing 2β1 to [[Scunthorpe United F.C.|Scunthorpe United]] with only one more fixture on the road in hand. Following this relegation, manager [[Luke Williams (footballer, born 1981)|Luke Williams]] was sacked after Swindon lost 3β0 at [[Charlton Athletic F.C.|Charlton Athletic]]. ===2020βpresent=== On 9 June 2020, Swindon were crowned League Two champions on the basis of average points per game, matches in the [[2019β20 Swindon Town F.C. season|2019β20]] season having been suspended from March due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom]].<ref name="BBC-09Jun2020">{{cite news |title=League One & League Two clubs vote to end seasons early |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52705124 |access-date=9 June 2020 |work=BBC Sport |date=9 June 2020}}</ref> However, in the [[2020β21 Swindon Town F.C. season|following season]], the pandemic created financial difficulties for the club, with the chairman, [[Lee Power]], warning in February 2021 of potential bankruptcy,<ref name="BBC-05Feb2021">{{cite news |title=Swindon Town finances 'on the brink', says chairman Lee Power |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55947454 |access-date=5 February 2021 |work=BBC Sport |date=5 February 2021}}</ref> and then, in April 2021, being charged with breaching FA regulations concerning the club's ownership and/or funding.<ref name="BBC-07Apr2021">{{cite news |title=Swindon Town and owner Lee Power charged by FA over ownership/funding |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56666046 |access-date=8 April 2021 |work=BBC Sport |date=7 April 2021}}</ref> On 18 April, manager [[John Sheridan (footballer)|John Sheridan]] resigned after winning just eight of 33 matches, with the club seven points from safety with four matches to play.<ref name="BBC-18Apr2021">{{cite news |title=John Sheridan: Swindon Town boss leaves League One strugglers |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56792247 |access-date=19 April 2021 |work=BBC Sport |date=18 April 2021}}</ref> The club's relegation to League Two was confirmed following a 5β0 defeat by [[Milton Keynes Dons F.C.|Milton Keynes Dons]] on 24 April 2021.<ref name="BBC-24Apr2021">{{cite news |title=Milton Keynes Dons 5β0 Swindon Town |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56781901 |access-date=26 April 2021 |work=BBC Sport |date=24 April 2021}}</ref> On 26 May 2021, [[John McGreal]] was appointed Swindon manager<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57256020|title=John McGreal: Swindon Town appoint ex-Colchester boss as manager|publisher=BBC Sport|date=26 May 2021}}</ref> but, on 25 June 2021, after less than a month in the job, he left Swindon by mutual consent,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.swindontownfc.co.uk/news/2021/june/club-statement-john-mcgreal-and-rene-gilmartin/|title=CLUB STATEMENT: JOHN MCGREAL AND RENE GILMARTIN|publisher=Swindon Town F.C.|date=25 June 2021}}</ref> citing ownership uncertainty which was preventing him signing new players.<ref name="BBC-25Jun2021">{{cite news |title=John McGreal: Swindon Town manager and assistant Rene Gilmartin leave after a month |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57612788 |access-date=25 June 2021 |work=BBC Sport |date=25 June 2021}}</ref> Chief executive Steve Anderson also left the club on the same day,<ref>{{cite web |title=CLUB STATEMENT: STEVE ANDERSON |url=https://www.swindontownfc.co.uk/news/2021/june/club-statement-steve-anderson/|publisher=Swindon Town F.C.|access-date= 25 June 2021}}</ref> followed by director of football [[Paul Jewell]].<ref name="FLW-26Jun2020">{{cite news |last1=Holmes |first1=Ned |title=Exclusive: Paul Jewell set to leave Swindon Town as exodus continues |url=https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/exclusive-paul-jewell-set-to-leave-swindon-town-as-exodus-continues/ |access-date=28 June 2021 |work=Football League World |date=26 June 2020}}</ref><ref name="SA-26Jun2021">{{cite news |last1=Leighfield |first1=Jonathan |title=Paul Jewell leaves Director of Football role at Swindon Town - reports |url=https://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/sport/19401434.paul-jewell-leaves-director-football-role-swindon-town---reports/ |access-date=28 June 2021 |work=Swindon Advertiser |date=26 June 2021}}</ref> Swindon supporter groups urged fans to boycott games until the ownership problems were resolved, with High Court hearings due to start on 6 September 2021.<ref name="BBC-25Jun2021"/> On 30 June 2021, the Official Supporters Club was told that a deal to transfer ownership to Australian businessman Clem Morfuni's Axis group would be completed "in the next couple of weeks",<ref name="McCallister-30Jun2021">{{cite news |last1=McCallister |first1=Robson |title=Town takeover to be 'completed within weeks', says Trust |url=https://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/sport/19406830.town-takeover-completed-within-weeks-says-trust/ |access-date=30 June 2021 |work=Swindon Advertiser |date=30 June 2021}}</ref> though the club later complained that the Axis group was delaying payment.<ref name="Angelini-04Jul2021">{{cite news |last1=Angelini |first1=Daniel |title=Swindon Town claims Clem Morfuni's Axis holding up progress of club's sale |url=https://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/sport/sportlatest/19418578.swindon-town-claims-clem-morfunis-axis-holding-progress-clubs-sale/ |access-date=5 July 2021 |work=Swindon Advertiser |date=4 July 2021}}</ref> In early July 2021, it emerged that players and staff had not received their June wages,<ref name="BBC-01Jul2021">{{cite news |title=Swindon Town players and staff go unpaid amid takeover wrangle |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57678740 |access-date=3 July 2021 |work=BBC Sport |date=1 July 2021}}</ref> and that the County Ground's owner, [[Swindon Borough Council]], was taking legal action after receiving no rent since April 2020.<ref name="BBC-02Jul2021">{{cite news |title=Swindon Town face court action over unpaid rent on County Ground |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57693793 |access-date=5 July 2021 |work=BBC Sport |date=2 July 2021}}</ref> The EFL described the ownership wrangle as "concerning"<ref name="Stone-07Jul2021">{{cite news |last1=Stone |first1=Simon |title=Swindon: Ownership legal battle and developments 'concerning' for English Football League |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57750678 |access-date=7 July 2021 |work=BBC Sport |date=7 July 2021}}</ref> and imposed a transfer embargo on the club.<ref name="BBC-08Jul2021">{{cite news |title=Derby County, Reading & Hull City among eight clubs under EFL transfer embargoes |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57760968 |access-date=8 July 2021 |work=BBC Sport |date=8 July 2021}}</ref> In pre-season friendlies at [[Melksham Town F.C.|Melksham Town]] and [[Hungerford Town F.C.|Hungerford Town]], Swindon fielded sides featuring just a few experienced first-team players,<ref name="Fisher-16Jul2021">{{cite news |last1=Fisher |first1=Ben |title=No manager, not enough players: how Swindon Town were left to fall apart |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/jul/16/no-manager-not-enough-players-how-swindon-town-were-left-to-fall-apart |access-date=19 July 2021 |work=Guardian |date=16 July 2021}}</ref> with the rest of the squads being composed of youngsters and trialists.<ref name="BBC-15Jul2021">{{cite news |title=Swindon Town: Players and staff get 60% of outstanding wages |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57851140 |access-date=15 July 2021 |work=BBC Sport |date=15 July 2021}}</ref> The club then cancelled its planned pre-season friendly with [[Swansea City F.C.|Swansea City]] at the County Ground on 17 July 2021,<ref name="BBC-12Jul2021">{{cite news |title=Swindon Town call off Swansea City as takeover problems continue |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57806382 |access-date=12 July 2021 |work=BBC Sport |date=12 July 2021}}</ref> citing "ongoing logistical and operational issues".<ref name="Swansea Friendly Cancelled">{{cite web |title=PRE-SEASON FIXTURE AGAINST SWANSEA CITY CANCELLED|url=https://www.swindontownfc.co.uk/news/2021/july/pre-season-fixture-against-swansea-city-cancelled/|publisher=Swindon Town|access-date=12 July 2021}}</ref> On 15 July 2021, it was reported that the club had paid 60% of the outstanding wages due in June.<ref name="BBC-15Jul2021"/><ref name="Fisher-16Jul2021"/> On 21 July 2021, it was reported that Power had transferred ownership of his shares in the club, and that the EFL had granted Morfuni consent to acquire additional shares, having passed its owners' and directors' test.<ref name="BBC-20Jul2021">{{cite news |title=Swindon Town takeover: Chairman Lee Power transfers shares as deal nears completion |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57903056 |access-date=20 July 2021 |work=BBC Sport |date=20 July 2021}}</ref> Morfuni appointed [[Ben Garner]] as head coach and [[Ben Chorley]] as director of football<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.swindontownfc.co.uk/news/2021/july/new-director-of-football-and-head-coach-appointed/|title=New Director of Football and Head Coach Appointed|website=www.swindontownfc.co.uk|date=21 July 2021}}</ref> plus Rob Angus (a former [[Nationwide Building Society|Nationwide]] director) appointed as CEO and, on 26 July 2021, the new management announced their first signing, with midfielder [[Ben Gladwin]] returning for a fourth spell at Swindon.<ref name="BBC-26Jul2021">{{cite news |title=Ben Gladwin: Swindon Town sign ex-Blackburn, QPR & MK Dons midfielder for fourth time |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/57976218 |access-date=26 July 2021 |work=BBC Sport |date=26 July 2021}}</ref> On 16 September 2021, Swindon Town was given a suspended three-point deduction by the EFL, relating to the non-payment of player wages in June.<ref name="BBC-16Sep2021">{{cite news |title=Swindon Town: League Two club given suspended three-point deduction |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58589077 |access-date=17 September 2021 |work=BBC Sport |date=16 September 2021}}</ref> Garner led Swindon to a sixth-place finish in the [[2021β22 Swindon Town F.C. season|2021β22 season]] with the club beaten on penalties by [[Port Vale F.C.|Port Vale]] in the play-off semi-finals.<ref name="Long-20May2022">{{cite news |last1=Long |first1=Dan |title=Port Vale 1-0 Swindon (Agg 2-2) AET: Darrell Clarke's Valiants reach League Two play-off final after 6-5 shootout win |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/port-vale-vs-swindon/463588 |access-date=2 May 2023 |work=Sky Sports |date=20 May 2022}}</ref> The manager then left Swindon to join [[Charlton Athletic F.C.|Charlton Athletic]] in June 2022, being replaced by his former assistant [[Scott Lindsey]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Scott Lindsey appointed as Town's new Head Coach/ |url=https://www.swindontownfc.co.uk/news/2022/june/breaking-scott-lindsey-appointed-as-towns-new-head-coach/|publisher=Swindon Town F.C.|access-date= 20 June 2022}}</ref> who spent half a season in the role before moving to [[Crawley Town F.C.|Crawley Town]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.crawleytownfc.com/news/2023/january/scott-lindsey-appointed-as-manager/|title=SCOTT LINDSEY APPOINTED AS MANAGER|website=www.crawleytownfc.com|date=11 January 2023|accessdate=11 January 2023}}</ref> On 31 January 2023, [[Jody Morris]] was appointed manager; he was sacked on 1 May 2023 after just four wins from 18 games.<ref>{{Cite web |title=CLUB STATEMENT: Town part company with Jody Morris and Ed Brand |url=https://www.swindontownfc.co.uk/news/2023/may/club-statement-town-part-company-with-jody-morris-and-ed-brand/ |access-date=1 May 2023 |website=www.swindontownfc.co.uk |language=en-gb}}</ref> The side finished the season in 10th place.<ref name="BBC-08May2023">{{cite news |title=Swindon Town 2β1 Crawley Town |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65445725 |access-date=9 May 2023 |work=BBC Sport |date=8 May 2023}}</ref> On 8 May 2023, [[Michael Flynn (footballer)|Michael Flynn]] was appointed team manager on a two-year contract, officially taking charge following the last match of the season that same day.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.swindontownfc.co.uk/news/2023/may/club-statement-a-message-from-clem-morfuni-on-the-manager-front/|title=CLUB STATEMENT: A message from Clem Morfuni on Town's next manager|website=www.swindontownfc.co.uk|date=8 May 2023|accessdate=8 May 2023}}</ref> Rob Angus stood down as CEO in September 2023.<ref name="BBC-12Sep2023">{{cite news |title=Rob Angus: Swindon Town chief executive to leave for personal reasons |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/66791401 |access-date=13 September 2023 |work=BBC Sport |date=12 September 2023}}</ref> In January 2024, a 2β1 defeat at [[Crewe Alexandra F.C.|Crewe]] meant Swindon had lost ten of their last 15 matches, and Flynn was sacked as manager after just over eight months in charge.<ref name="BBC-15Jan2024">{{cite news |title=Michael Flynn: Swindon Town manager departs after eight months in charge |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/67981867 |access-date=15 January 2024 |work=BBC Sport |date=15 January 2024}}</ref> Appointed caretaker manager to the end of the season, [[Gavin Gunning]] questioned his players' "heart" after they won only two from ten games and dropped to 18th place in mid-March.<ref name="BBC-13Mar2024">{{cite news |title=Gavin Gunning: Swindon interim boss criticises intensity after 'dreadful' loss |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/68555618 |access-date=15 May 2024 |work=BBC Sport |date=13 March 2024}}</ref> Ultimately, the club finished the [[2023β24 Swindon Town F.C. season|2023β2024]] season in 19th place and Swindon supporters called for a change in the club's ownership.<ref name="BBC-15May2024">{{cite news |title=Swindon Town fans call for change of ownership |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cpdgdzjmj2mo |access-date=15 May 2024 |work=BBC News |date=15 May 2024}}</ref> Morfuni did not "fully agree" with the fans but acknowledged the last season had not been "up to our club's standards".<ref name="BBC-16May2024">{{cite news |title=Morfuni does 'not fully agree' with fan concerns |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cl5k5qnglyyo |access-date=16 May 2024 |work=BBC Sport |date=16 May 2024}}</ref> <!--Note to editors - The above section is intended to give a short overview of the MAJOR EVENTS in the Club's history. Please add big things here and any detailed historical information to the article [[History of Swindon Town F.C.]] -->
Summary:
Please note that all contributions to Niidae Wiki may be edited, altered, or removed by other contributors. If you do not want your writing to be edited mercilessly, then do not submit it here.
You are also promising us that you wrote this yourself, or copied it from a public domain or similar free resource (see
Encyclopedia:Copyrights
for details).
Do not submit copyrighted work without permission!
Cancel
Editing help
(opens in new window)
Search
Search
Editing
Swindon Town F.C.
(section)
Add topic