Swindon Town F.C. facts for kids
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| Full name | Swindon Town Football Club | ||
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| Nickname(s) | The Robins | ||
| Founded | 1879 | ||
| Ground | The County Ground | ||
| Capacity | 15,728 | ||
| Owner | Clem Morfuni, Hollie Kiely & Bethany Parlodorio | ||
| Chairman | Clem Morfuni | ||
| Manager | Ian Holloway | ||
| League | League Two | ||
| 2018–19 | League Two, 13th of 24 | ||
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Swindon Town Football Club is a professional association football team from Swindon, Wiltshire, England. The team is known as "The Robins" because of their red and white kits. They currently play in League Two, which is the fourth level of English football.
The club started in 1879 as Swindon AFC. They changed their name to Spartans the next year, and then to Swindon Town in 1883. They became a professional team in 1894. Swindon Town has won the League Cup once, beating Arsenal 3–1 in the 1969 final. They also reached the top division of English football, the Premier League, for the first time in 1993.
Their home stadium is called the County Ground, where they have played since 1896. The stadium can hold 15,728 fans. The team's main colors are red and white.
Contents
Team History
Early Years and Big Wins
Swindon Town Football Club was started by Reverend William Pitt in 1879. They became a professional team in 1894 and joined the Southern League.
In the 1909–10 season, Swindon reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup for the first time. They also won the Dubonnet Cup in Paris in 1910, beating Barnsley 2–1.
The next season, 1910–11, Swindon Town won the Southern League championship. This led to a match against Football League champions Manchester United for the Charity Shield. Manchester United won 8–4 in a high-scoring game. Some money from this game helped the survivors of the Titanic. Swindon reached the FA Cup semi-finals again in 1912.
A very skilled player named Harold Fleming was key to Swindon's success during this time. He played for England even though Swindon was not in the Football League yet. He stayed with Swindon for his whole career, from 1907 to 1924.
Swindon joined the Football League in 1920. In their first game, they beat Luton Town 9–1, which is still a club record for a League match.
During World War II, the County Ground was used by the War Department. This made it hard for the club to recover after the war. They finally moved up to the Second Division in 1963, but were relegated back to Division Three in 1965.
Winning the League Cup and Premier League Dream
In 1969, Swindon Town made history by beating Arsenal 3–1 to win the League Cup. This was their only League Cup win ever. Because they won, Swindon got to play in European competitions. They won the 1969 Anglo-Italian League Cup and the 1970 Anglo-Italian Cup.
After some tough years, Swindon was relegated to the Fourth Division in 1982. But they bounced back, winning the Fourth Division title in 1986 with a record 102 points. The next year, they earned another promotion.
In 1990, under manager Ossie Ardiles, Swindon won the Second Division play-off final. However, they were not allowed to be promoted to the top league because the club had broken some league rules. After an appeal, they were allowed to stay in the Second Division.
Glenn Hoddle became player-manager in 1991. He led the team to victory in the 1993 play-off final. This meant Swindon Town finally reached the Premier League for the first time in their history!
However, their time in the Premier League was short. They were relegated after just one season in 1993–94, giving up 100 goals. They were then relegated again the next year, dropping to the third tier. They quickly won promotion back to the second tier in 1995–96, staying there for four seasons before being relegated again in 2000.
Recent Times
After 2000, Swindon Town faced many challenges, including financial difficulties. They were relegated to League Two (the fourth tier) in 2006. This made them the first former Premier League team to drop to the lowest Football League division.
In 2006, Paul Sturrock became manager and led Swindon to promotion back to Football League One in his first season.
In 2008, a group of local business people took over the club, aiming to clear its debts. Under manager Danny Wilson, Swindon reached the League One play-off final in 2010 but lost at Wembley Stadium. The next season, they were relegated back to League Two.
In 2011, former player Paolo Di Canio became manager. He led Swindon to win the League Two championship in 2011–12, getting them promoted back to League One. They also reached the final of the Football League Trophy that season.
Di Canio left in 2013, and Swindon continued to move between League One and League Two. In the 2014–15 season, they reached the League One Play-off final again but lost. They were relegated to League Two for a third time in 2017.
In 2020, Swindon were crowned League Two champions based on average points because the season was stopped due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, they faced more financial problems and were relegated again in 2021.
In July 2021, Australian businessman Clem Morfuni took over the club. Under new head coach Ben Garner, Swindon finished sixth in the 2021–22 season but lost in the play-offs. The club has continued to face challenges, with several manager changes. In 2023–2024, they finished 19th in League Two.
Team Colors and Badge
Club Badges
Swindon Town has used several different badges over the years. The first badge had a robin inside a shield. Later, they used a "steam train" badge, which looked like a shield and featured a steam locomotive (because Swindon is a railway town), a football, and a robin. It also had the town's motto: "Salubritas et Industria" meaning "health and industry."
In the 1970s, a circular "traffic sign" badge was used, showing the letters 'S' and 'T' linked together with an arrow. The "steam train" badge returned in the 1980s.
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In 1991, a new "diamond" shaped badge was introduced to give the club a fresh look. It had a "travelling" football and the letter 'S' for Swindon. It also added green to match new green trim on the team's shirts.
In 2007, fans voted for a new badge. They chose a design similar to the old "steam train" badge. This new badge, used since the 2007–08 season, includes the club name, a robin, a steam locomotive, a football, and the town's motto.
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| Original home kit from 1879/80–1893/94 |
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| 1894/95–1896/97 home kit |
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| 1897/98–1900/01 home kit |
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| 1901/02 home kit |
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| 1902/03 home kit |
Home Kit Colors
Swindon Town first played in black and white. In 1894, they changed to black and red quarters. In 1897, they tried green shirts with white sleeves, but this didn't last long.
Since 1901, Swindon Town has mostly worn red shirts. At first, it was a dark red, but in 1902, they chose a brighter red. This is when the nickname "the Robins" first appeared, referring to the red-breasted bird.
The team has played in different styles of red and white kits since then. They are often called the "Red and White Army" by their fans.
Away Kit Colors
Swindon's away kits have changed more often. Their first away kit was all blue. For their 1969 League Cup Final win, they wore an all-white kit.
In the 1980s, they used white shirts with black shorts, and sometimes a yellow and blue third kit. When the club updated its image in 1991, they introduced a white and green away strip.
More recently, away kits have included black and gold stripes, different shades of blue, and all-white. For the 2021–22 season, they wore a checkered gold and green kit to honor their new Australian owner, Clem Morfuni. They also had a special all-black third kit to symbolize the club moving "out of the darkness" after the new ownership.
Shirt Sponsors
Adidas currently makes Swindon's kits, starting in 2024. Puma made them from 2015 to 2024. Many other companies have made their kits over the years. The club's shirts have also featured various sponsors like Nationwide, FourFourTwo, and Samsung.
Home Stadium
Swindon Town has played at the County Ground since 1896. Before that, they played on the nearby cricket pitch.
In the early days, a man named Thomas Arkell donated money to build a stand at the ground. Over the years, new parts were added, like a roof over the Town End in 1938.
In 1940, during World War II, the War Department used the ground, even housing prisoners of war on the pitch.
Swindon was the first League club to install floodlights in 1951, allowing them to play evening matches. The current tall floodlight poles were put up in 1960.
The County Ground is special because it's the only football stadium in the world with a Rolex watch as its timekeeper. This clock was put on the Stratton Bank stand to celebrate their promotion in 1963.
For a long time, the land for the stadium was owned by Swindon Borough Council. The club used to pay rent. In 2023, Swindon Town bought the County Ground for £2.3 million. This was a joint effort with TrustSTFC, a group of supporters, which means fans now own a part of their home ground!
Supporters
Swindon Town used to have very large crowds, with up to 32,000 fans at matches in the early 1970s. However, due to changes like all-seated stadiums and sometimes the team's performance, attendance numbers have changed.
The County Ground can hold 15,728 people. In recent years, the average number of fans at home games has varied. For example, in the 2010–11 season, the average attendance was around 8,400.
A group of loyal fans has gathered at the Town End of the stadium since the 1980s. Supporters call the team "The Town," "The Reds," "STFC," or the "Red and White Army." The "Junior Robins" is a special club for younger fans, offering lower ticket prices and chances to be a game mascot.
TrustSTFC is a supporters' trust started in 2000. It's a group of fans who raise money for the club and help supporters have a say in club decisions. They have schemes like the "Red Army Fund" which helps buy new players. TrustSTFC also works with the club to improve the County Ground.
Another fan group, "Red Army Loud and Proud," was formed to help bring back a lively atmosphere to match days. They aim to be the "12th man on the pitch" and provide colorful flags for games.
Team Rivalries
Swindon Town has several rivalries with other football clubs. A survey in 2003 showed that Oxford United is considered their main rival by both Swindon and Oxford fans. Other strong rivalries exist with Reading, Bristol City, and Bristol Rovers. There are also smaller rivalries with teams like Cheltenham Town and Gillingham.
Swindon Town Women F.C.
Swindon Town Ladies FC started in 1993 and changed their name to Swindon Town Women in 2019. The team currently plays in the FA Women's National League South West Division 1. They play their home games at Foundation Park and the County Ground. In April 2023, the women's team officially became part of the main club.
Players
First Team Squad
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For recent transfers, see 2024–25 Swindon Town F.C. season.
Players Out on Loan
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Reserves and Academy Players
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Club Management
Club Officials
| Position | Name |
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| Chairman |  Clem Morfuni |
| Chief Executive |  Anthony Hall |
| Head of Football | Jamie Russell |
| Manager | Ian Holloway |
| Assistant Manager | Marcus Bignot |
| Goalkeeping Coach | Steve Mildenhall |
| First-Team Physio | Jackson Bradley |
| Head of Media and Communications | Henry Port |
| Official Club Photographer | Callum Knowles |
| Kit Man | Steve Hooper |
| Academy Manager | Mark Moss |
| Club Ambassador | Don Rogers |
Manager History
Many different people have managed Swindon Town Football Club over the years. Danny Williams and Andy King are the only ones to have been manager permanently twice.
- Sam Allen 1902–1933
Ted Vizard 1933–1939
Neil Harris 1939–1940- Louis Page 1945–1953
- Maurice Lindley 1953–1955
- Bert Head 1956–1965
- Danny Williams 1965–1969
- Fred Ford 1969–1971
- Dave Mackay 1971–1972 (Player-Manager)
- Les Allen 1972–1974
- Danny Williams 1974–1978
- Bobby Smith 1978–1980
- John Trollope 1980–1983
- Ken Beamish 1983–1984
- Lou Macari 1984–1989 (Player-Manager)
Osvaldo Ardiles 1989–1991 (Player-Manager)- Glenn Hoddle 1991–1993 (Player-Manager)
- John Gorman 1993–1994
- Steve McMahon 1994–1998 (Player-Manager)
Jimmy Quinn 1998–2000 (Player-Manager)- Colin Todd 2000
- Andy King 2000–2001
- Roy Evans 2001
- Andy King 2001–2005
- Iffy Onuora 2005–2006
- Dennis Wise 2006
- Paul Sturrock 2006–2007
- Maurice Malpas 2008
- Danny Wilson 2008–2011
- Paul Hart 2011
Paolo Di Canio 2011–2013- Kevin MacDonald 2013
- Mark Cooper 2013–2015
- Martin Ling 2015
- Luke Williams 2015–2017
- David Flitcroft 2017–2018
- Phil Brown 2018
- Richie Wellens 2018–2020
John Sheridan 2020–2021- John McGreal 2021
- Ben Garner 2021–2022
- Scott Lindsey 2022–2023
- Jody Morris 2023
- Michael Flynn 2023–2024
- Mark Kennedy 2024
- Ian Holloway 2024–
Player Awards and Recognition
Swindon Town Hall of Fame
In 2011, Swindon Town started a Hall of Fame to honor great former players. The first players to be included were Don Rogers, John Trollope, and Paul Bodin.
- Paul Bodin (inducted 2011)
- Don Rogers (inducted 2011)
- John Trollope (inducted 2011)
English Football Hall of Fame
Some players and managers who have been part of Swindon Town have also been honored in the English Football Hall of Fame.
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Team Records and Statistics
John Trollope has played the most games for Swindon Town, with 889 matches between 1960 and 1980. He also holds the English Football League record for most games played for one club, with 770 League appearances.
Harry Morris holds all of Swindon's goal-scoring records. He scored 229 goals for the club from 1926 to 1933. He also scored the most goals in a single season, with 48 in 1926–27.
The highest number of fans ever at the County Ground was 32,000 on January 15, 1972, for an FA Cup match against Arsenal. Since the stadium's capacity is now 15,728, this record is unlikely to be broken.
Swindon Town has also set some interesting records in English football. They were the second team to score over 100 points in the League when they won the Fourth Division in 1985–86. They also hold the Premier League record for giving up the most goals in a season, with 100 goals conceded in 1993–94.
Team Achievements
League Titles
- Second Division / First Division (level 2)
- Play-off winners: 1990, 1993
- Third Division / Second Division (level 3)
- Champions: 1995–96
- Runners-up: 1962–63, 1968–69
- Play-off winners: 1987
- Fourth Division / League Two (level 4)
- Champions: 1985–86, 2011–12, 2019–20
- Promoted: 2006–07
- Southern League
- Champions: 1910–11, 1913–14
- Western League
- Champions: 1898–99
Cup Wins
- League Cup
- Winners: 1968–69
- Football League Trophy
- Runners-up: 2011–12
- FA Charity Shield
- Runners-up: 1911
- Anglo-Italian Cup
- Winners: 1970
- Anglo-Italian League Cup
- Winners: 1969
- Wiltshire County FA Senior Cup
- Winners: 1886–87, 1887–88, 1888–89, 1889–90, 1890–91, 1891–92, 1892–93, 1896–97, 1903–04, 1919–20
Images for kids
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The Swindon Town team for the 1909–10 season
See also
In Spanish: Swindon Town Football Club para niños
