No.5 – Paul Hart: The worst Swindon manager of all time?

In June I set out on the task of attempting to rank all Swindon Town managers since we joined the Football League in 1920 by their actual results. The reason was to analyise whether Paul Hart’s record of 1 win, 4 draws and 6 defeats from 11 games was the most pathetic return of any Swindon manager.

As it turned out Hart was only beaten by Neil Harris, a former Newcastle United forward, whose Football League record at the County Ground of 3 games, 1 draw and 2 defeats was only cut short by the outbreak of World War II. So I’m inclined to award Hart the unwanted title of the worst STFC manager.

As for the rest, you’ll have to read the Managers Month feature. It was meant to last a month, but this beast of a project lasted until the start of August when League Cup wining manager Danny Williams was crowned my No.1 Swindon Town manager.

Interestingly….based on results to date, Paolo Di Canio would slot into this countdown at No.6 with a score of 349 points from his record of 1.95 points per game in League Two, winning both FA Cup ties and a 2nd Round defeat in the League Cup.

View the other key moments of 2011

Our complete Swindon Town Manager Countdown:

• 30 – Neil Harris – 44.3 points
• 29 – Paul Hart – 84.6 points
• 28 – Iffy Onoura – 151.47 points
• 27 – Jimmy Quinn – 157.7 points
• 26 – Maurice Lindley – 181.1 points
• 25 – Colin Todd – 185.1 points
• 24 – Maurice Malpas – 191.84 points
• 23A – Committee Selection – 199.1 points
• 23 – Dennis Wise – 206.7 points
• 22 – Dave Mackay – 212.3 points
• 21 – Ken Beamish – 214.8 points
• 20 – Andy King (1) – 229.6 points
• 19 – John Trollope – 230.3 points
• 18 – Ted Vizard – 244.8 points
• 17 – Andy King (2) – 247.2 points
• 16 – Louis Page – 250.4 points
• 15 – Sam Allen – 256.9 points
• 14 – Les Allen – 258.1 points
• 13 – John Gorman – 259.5 points
• 12 – Paul Sturrock – 265.5 points
• 11 – Danny Wilson – 278.2 points
• 10 – Bert Head – 287.4 points
• 9 – Danny Williams (1974-1978) – 305.5 points
• 8 – Roy Evans – 326 points
• 7 – Steve McMahon – 340.7 points
• 6 – Lou Macari – 348.1 points
• 5 – Ossie Ardiles – 363.9 points
• 4 – Bobby Smith – 388.9 points
• 3 – Glenn Hoddle – 404.6 points
• 2 – Fred Ford – 409.6 points
• 1 – Danny Williams (1965-1969) – 423.2 points