Profile: Swindon Town F.C.

Club	Swindon Town F.C.
Country	England
League	English Football League Two
Media Prediction	2nd (out of 24) – finished 6th last season
Nickname(s)	The Robins
Colours	Red and white
Fierce Rivals	Oxford United, Bristol City (West Country Derby or M4 Derby)
Other Rivals	Bristol Rovers, Reading, Cheltenham
Stadium	County Ground (15,728 all-seater capacity), built in 1890
Facilities	Average training facilities Below average youth facilities Average youth recruitment Adequate corporate facilities
Overall Balance	£370,120
Net Debt	£629,879 (chairperson gift loan)
Transfer Budget	£0
Wage Budget	£47,283 (currently spending £47,283)
Scouting Budget	£49,174

Club Background

In June 2020, Swindon were crowned champions of League Two following the 2019/20 season being suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, in the following season, the pandemic created financial difficulties for the club, with then chairman, Lee Power, warning in February 2021 of possible bankruptcy, then in April 2021 being charged with breaching FA regulations concerning the club’s ownership and funding. The club was relegated back to League Two the following season.

Throughout 2021, the club wrangled with major ownership problems. With payments for ground rent going unfulfilled and wages unpaid, the club was placed under a transfer embargo by the league. In July 2021, Australian businessman Clem Morfuni took ownership of the club and brought about a period of stability during his first year (Morfuni reflects on his first year in charge).

It was some time ago now, but Swindon Town did feature in the Premier League back in 1993/94, albeit for just the one season. That squad featured the likes of Jan Åge Fjørtoft (top scorer that season with 12), Nicky Summerbee, John Moncur, Andy Mutch, Kevin Horlock and Lawrie Sanchez, but were ultimately relegated, finishing bottom of the league with just 30 points. The club had gained promotion to the Premier League under the stewardship of Glenn Hoddle (player manager). His two year spell at the club is widely considered a huge success. He brought about a very continental 353 formation and the side played attractive, attacking football. Their 4-3 win over Leicester City in the League 1 play-off final was to be his last game though, as he departed to Chelsea (again as player manager).

Home kit

Away kit

Third kit

The club plays its home matches at the County Ground, with a capacity to host 15,547 fans. Though Swindon don’t currently own the ground, major renovations have been scheduled for 2023/24 as part of a joint venture, with the new chairman pushing to buy the ground from the council. The plans include the installation of corporate boxes in the existing Don Rogers stand, adding a roof to the Stratton Bank, a new entrance and lift for disabled access, and a major project to turn the Town End into a 5,000 all-seated stand, conference centre and hotel. Learn more about how Swindon Town’s County Ground could look after it’s £22.5m transformation.

County Ground