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!
===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