Entertainment Swindon

Most of us weren’t born at I guess the time that many will call the pinnacle of Swindon Town FC success was beating Arsenal in 1969 in the FA Cup. We have had other high successes in more recent years that us GenX & Millennials will remember. There’s the unforgettable Lou Macari, during his reign as manager, the club enjoyed successive promotions, success in play-offs and some near misses, cup semi-final defeats and attendance figures that managers that followed could only dream of!

Replacing Macari, was World Cup, UEFA Cup & FA Cup winner (as a player) Ossie Ardiles in 1989 went on to take Swindon to top flight football for the very first time in its history, before being cruely demoted back ten days later, when the Football League punished the team for irregular payments to players.

Glenn Hoddle arrived at the County Ground in 1991 and won promotion for the town to the Premier League in 1993, before he went on to be Player/Manager for Chelsea.

So we have had some big names at the County Ground and some big moments, but there have been plenty more famous faces that have worn the town shirt as either a player of manager.

After the sacking of Andy King, former England international Neil “Razor” Ruddock arrived at the County Ground in August 2001 as a player/coach under new boss Roy Evans, this would be Razzor’s first coaching role.

Razzor made his Swindon Town debut against Colchester on 1st September, scoring a thunderous free-kick to give Swindon a 1-0 win.

Ruddock was definitely a fan favourite at the County Ground during his time at Swindon, bringing great character and huge top flight club and international experience to the club.

Finally, we take a look at Fraser Digby who spent most of his professional career at Swindon Town. Digby was a Manchester United apprentice, making his debut against Oldham Athletic in 1985, and joined Swindon Town on a free transfer in December 1986 after two loan spells.

In the later part of his career, he joined Kidderminster Harriers in 2003 on a game-by-game basis (non-contractual), while at the same time rejoining Swindon and taking on the two roles of commercial manager and goalkeeping coach under Andy King.

Finally, we can’t forget Don Rogers, many of which will say Swindon’s very own legend… Rogers played 412 games for the town between 1962 and 1972, and 1976 and 1977, scoring 149 goals, including two extra time goals in the 1969 FA Cup win against Arsenal, where the Town won 3-1.