Author Archives: TheWashbag

Swindon versus Oxford: The birth of a rivalry

After 8 years, 8 months and 12 days – or 274,572,000 seconds if you prefer – the rivalry with Oxford United will be reignited this Sunday afternoon, like one of those trick candles that won’t blow out. Swindon versus Oxford is one of those intensely local, yet underrated derby games that is rarely appreciated and understood outside of these parts. Here is a match full of passion and with its fair

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Defeat in Dagenham: Get some perspective

Successive defeats was hardly what we were all expecting having (eventually) put a solid 3 past Crewe on the opening day. Yet a sense of reality and perspective is sorely missing from yet another vocal minority in the post match reactions to our narrow 1-0 defeat at Dagenham & Redbridge. It’s almost like Paul Hart was still in charge… It’s all well and

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The Overseer Column: ‘Cheltenham Average’

The Overseer Column returns. Warning: The following may contain traces of nuts. Our opposition’s shirt sponsor evoked memories of the TV advertising campaign many moons ago; “You’ve gotta admire a Mira”. To say that Swindon were a shower in their League Two outing against CTFC would be overly harsh. Nevertheless you could argue that somebody somewhere must’ve dropped the soap

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Bodin well for the future

In his first contribution for The Washbag, Andrew Steele-Davis looks at whether Swindon Town’s future is home-grown. When Billy Bodin’s name was bellowed over the tannoy system at the County Ground on Saturday announcing that the young forward was in the starting eleven, it is safe to say you could not have seen that coming a few weeks ago.

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Farce! Cheltenham v Swindon is back on

There is only one way to describe yesterday’s events…what an absolute farce! At 4pm we were all told the most fierce derby in world football was postponed as the Gloucestershire Constabulary couldn’t muster enough resources to police the match. Yet six hours later thankfully some common sense had prevailed owing to a persistent campaign by football supporters of both Swindon and Cheltenham on Twitter

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I predict a riot

Unlike the postponement of the England versus The Netherlands International Friendly and cup games in London, the decision to call off our League Cup 1st Round tie at Ashton Gate yesterday did come as a surprise. Whatever my own thoughts regarding delaying the fixture until the 24th August being a tad of an overeaction by the authorities, clearly being tucked up in suburban Swindon I’m

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*NEW* The Overseer Column: Wrecking Crewe

It’s only taken 18 months! Yes, finally I can welcome ‘The Overseer’ to The Washbag. Perched in the Arkells Stand with his flat cap and pipe, Neilsen ‘The Overseer’ gives his expert and often irreverent view on Swindon Town. From ‘Bell-ends’ to ‘Bellissimo’ – what a contrast from the morale-sapping dross we were subjected to last season! The Paolo Di Canio [hopefully fascism

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Great manager, great expectations, Swindon are going up!

It can’t just be me. The arrival of Paolo Di Canio has signalled a total shift in my outlook and expectations for the season ahead. So much so that I’m throwing away caution and struggling to accept anything other than complete domination of League Two. Call me arrogant for believing this, particularly those outsiders of you reading this looking in, yet having

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