Discipline, respect and most importantly fitness have been Di Canio’s message to the returning Swindon Town squad early in pre-season. Nobody can doubt the positive change Paolo has brought with him to install upon a previously lethargic and injury plagued side, but for me there remains concerns whether there is enough competitive pre-season action to prepare Town for League Two.
Read moreThe last thing I expected as Swindon plunged into League Two was potentially starting the season with at least two current full International footballers as part of Paolo Di Canio’s increasingly diverse squad. Ok…so we aren’t talking about Brazilian, Italian or Spanish international players, but who could’ve foreseen Namibian and Estonian internationals arriving at The County Ground for trials, such is apparently now the attractiveness of the
Read moreNo.11 | Bert Head | Manager October 1956 to July 1965 | Score 287.4 We’re kicking off the top ten with a true Swindon Town managerial legend and our second longest serving manager – Bert Head. Town had spent years in the doldrums, suffering from mismanagement and financial constraints, both culminating in management by a selection committee throughout 1955-56 and the inevitable
Read moreNew writer Alex Cooke gives his view on one of the least talked about summer departures. “If we’ve ever spent good money on one individual then it’s been Ken, he’s been absolutely outstanding.” At this point you are probably racking your brain to work out which Ken then caretaker boss David Byrne was eulogising to the Evening Advertiser about back in 2008.
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This feature was only meant to last one month, however with the various transfer news and other commitments, this has turned into a beast of a project so Managers Month is rolling over into July with the final ten. So far I’ve confirmed my initial suspicions that Paul Hart was our worst ever manager. Yes he didn’t come 30th, however
Read moreNo.12 | Danny Wilson | Manager December 2008 to March 2011 | Score 278.2 Now back in business with Sheffield United, in early March Danny Wilson was a broken man. After coming so near to promotion less than a season ago, his Swindon side were staring relegation in the face and Wilson decided to resign, helped by the fact that
Read moreNo.13 | Paul Sturrock | Manager November 2006 to November 2007 | Score 265.5 I’ve finally reached a Swindon Town manager who actually achieved something positive in this countdown, as Paul Sturrock secured us a promotion! On joining on 7th November 2006, Town had been without a manager for two weeks following Dennis Wise’s departure. After a great opening, losing just
Read moreSince our relegation was confirmed back in April we all hoped one player would stay a Robin and guide Swindon back up to League One at the first attempt. However finally today after so many positive noises from Douglas’ agent, we all got the answer, the answer we deep down knew was always coming, Jonathan Douglas will not be renewing his Swindon contract and
Read moreNo.14 | John Gorman | Manager June 1993 to November 1994 | Score 259.53 John Gorman could’ve followed Glenn Hoddle to Chelsea, but he didn’t. Instead the untested and brave Gorman stayed on at the request of chairman Ray Hardman, reflecting the views of the majority of supporters who wanted continuity as Town faced the toughest of tasks to avoid relegation from the Premier League
Read moreNo.15 | Les Allen | Manager November 1972 to February 1974 | Score 258.1 From one Allen who was a club legend in the early 20th century, to manager No.14 Les Allen, who clearly doesn’t deserve to be this high in this countdown. That is despite Les’ own legendary status as a player with Spurs and QPR in the 1950s and 60s as well as
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The Washbag 