Contributors

Regular Contributors

Ron – Founder and now editor of The Washbag, laughing at those who said his ambition to be a sports writer was a dyslexic’s pipe dream. A Swindon supporter grounded in the teachings of Ossie, Glenn and err… King, Ron’s first football memory was standing on the vegetable patch in front of the Arkells Stand celebrating our Play-Off Semi Final victory over Blackburn in May 1990. A few weeks later on the protest demonstration around the streets of Swindon was never going to be a good time to find out you are allergic to red face paint. The Washbag has enabled Ron to make contributions to World Soccer’s Football 2012, Seventytwounfortunate’s 2011/12 Football League Preview and a range of football blogs. Ron is also the Swindon Town and Swindon Supermarine Researcher for Sports Interactive, makers of the ‘Football Manager’ series.

Alex Cooke – Alex is an embittered Swindon fan: during his early years he missed much of Lou Macari’s ascent due to being raised in a house of cricket fans. He missed much of Steve McMahon’s promotion season due to student poverty and he missed part of Danny Wilson’s play off run due to the arrival of his first daughter. However, inbetween he has sat through season after season of mediocrity at home and on the road under the (mis)management of Quinn, Todd, King, Evans and Malpas. Which explains why sometimes, just sometimes, his view might be somewhat cynical. However, the good news is he’s going to miss much of this season too, which at least means that success for Paolo is all but guaranteed.

Johno’ – A qualified Sports Journalist after the three years spent playing Football Manager at University. Earliest memories include watching a Wayne Allison header hit the bar and kicking a ball (as ball boy) at Jamie Pollock, a then Man City player. Long time admirer of Kevin Horlock and was the inspiration behind the Calne man’s left wing trickery. Johno’ has created content for BBC Wiltshire and Swindon Town in the past and is looking for his big break into the world of Sports Journalism (I’d even watch Oxford). Adam has his own blog http://adamdjohnson.wordpress.com/

Vic Morgan - Vic has been reporting on Swindon Town since the mid 1980s. The first game he covered was Lou Macari’s first match in charge, in 1984/85 and a 2-1 win over Wrexham. Having watched Swindon since the early 1960′s, it’s been a dream job for Vic. Record title wins, Wembley finals, relegations, and demotions for financial irregularities, have all been covered by the Devon based Town fanatic. Managers such as Macari, Ossie Ardilles, Glenn Hoddle, etc, have all been interviewed by Vic. Often asked who his favourite Swindon player is, Vic will talk of the likes of Don Rogers, John Trollope, Steve White, Jimmy Allen, Colin Calderwood and many more in glowing terms. But admits is favourite is former Town full back Will Dixon. Famous for his zappata like moustache. The ‘Don’s’ third goal against Arsenal is a cherished memory, as is Kenny Stroud’s rocket against Everton, and Rory Fallon’s overhead kick against Bristol City. So much joy, anger, and passion comes from following Swindon, and Vic loves every moment of it. Only Led Zeppelin come close, as a lifetime obsession. He works for BBC Radio Devon in Plymouth presenting the Late Night show in the south west, as well as covering Swindon for BBC Wiltshire.

Nick Judd – A Swindon Town fan for 20 years, Nick stumbled into football journalism by accident. Applying for the programme editor’s job after being convinced it was a good idea by his old man during a friendly against West Ham United in 2000, he ended up working for the club for three years during which time he regularly fell out – and back in – with Andy King and spent hours playing football tennis in the club gym. He joined Manchester United’s magazine in August 2003 and now edits publications for the FA, as well as writing for a variety of publications including FourFourtwo, Champions and the Independent. He’s even written a couple of children’s football books which can be bought for about 13p on Amazon. Favourite players include Kevin Horlock and John Moncur. Best moments as a Town fan involve Wembley, Birmingham City, Reading, Charlton and Leeds. Can sometimes be heard talking utter drivel next to Chris and Vic for the Beeb. Loves meeting – and talking nonsense – with Robins fans.

Rosie MacGillivray fell in love with football off the back of watching France ’98. It proved to be the perfect excuse for her dad to drag her along to the County Ground. George Ndah was always better than the old Ronaldo anyway. Three relegations later, not to mention financial issues, she is no longer on speaking terms with her old man. Although it is hoped Paolo Di Canio’s good work will fix this. She also previously played and having once caught a high and wide Michael Timlin penalty, she is already, statistically, a better keeper than Mattia Lanzano. Rosie previously ran her own Swindon Town blog and currently writes for Shoot.

Tom Otrebski fell into the clutches of STFC on 20th January 1996: a 3-0 victory over Hull City at the County Ground and he hasn’t looked back since. On cold, rainy away trips, he fondly remembers that season when Town went up as Division Two champions and wonders if he’ll ever see a better player pull on the red shirt than his Town idol Kevin Horlock. A sports journalist by trade, Tom spent a number of years working behind the scenes at BBC Wiltshire before leaving for university. While he was away he was a commentator for a hospital radio station, was part of the production team behind the BBC’s Late Kick Off programme and had the pleasure of being match-day reporter on the official STFC site during the 2009/10 season. After a brief hiatus, he is now back as the club’s current match-day reporter.

Brendan Hobbs – has been a Swindon fan for over 30 years, having been to see his first game in 1979 he has remained pretty much ever present since. He reckons his obsession has cost him numerous relationships (also a lot of cash) and even when he finally settled down and got married all the tables at the reception were named after Town players, with his favourite player Steve White getting the nod as the top table. He has sat in the same seat in the Don Rogers since its construction – P155, which is the most hilarious seat in the whole stand according to him – as he never tires of childishly telling people that he happily sits in PISS every other week. His favourite game was the 3-2 win away at Wycombe in the 2002/03 season and the worst – away to Brighton in the 2003/4 playoffs – where the harsh defeat was served with a side helping of pneumonia from the rain.

Daniel Hunt - Second Cousin of Town legend Roger ‘Ernie’ Hunt – has Swindon in his blood. Toothill born and Stratton raised, he owes his life of misery to his Dad who took him along to watch the Robins beat Wolves 3-2 in October 1994. Blessed with the patience of Michael Atherton and the diet of Neil Ruddock, Daniel is a willing cricketing all-rounder and a ropey Sunday League centre half. Daniel was mascot for his 10th birthday when a Grazioli inspired Stevenage Borough dumped Swindon out of the FA Cup 3rd Round in 1998. Four relegations, two promotions, two failed play-off campaigns and two periods of administration later, Daniel is now channelling his energy into writing about his first true love! He’s worked alongside Shaun Hodgetts and Ed Hadwin on work experience for BBC Radio Wiltshire as well as regularly writing the Swindon Fan’s View section for The Football League Paper.

Matt Davies is a student from Swindon; currently studying Media, English and Psychology at Ridgeway Sixth Form College with ambitions to become a Sport Journalist in the future. Other than enjoying every aspect of sports weather it’s playing or watching, he’s a passionate Swindon Town fan and attends their games on a regular basis.

Andrew Steele-Davis – A Swindon Town fan whose undying optimism for the club always seems to let him down. Having attended his first game over thirteen years ago, Andrew has overseen three relegations, one promotion and two unsuccessful but epic play-off campaigns. Andrew spends a large proportion of his life obsessing with anything remotely related to football and football journalism and is still trying to get over that miss from Charlie Austin in the Play-off final. Andrew’s ultimate aim to become a sports journalist has seen him take on the Press Officer role for the Swindon Wildcats where he first developed his love of blog writing.