DON ROGERS ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL: A star is born

6:00am Saturday 17th November 2012 in Sport By Andy Warren

Don in action on his debut Don in action on his debut

WHEN Swindon legend Don Rogers ran out onto the County Ground pitch to face Southend United 50 years today, he had no idea what was to come.

The Robins won 4-1 on this day in 1962 to go sixth in Division Three, but the game was only the beginning for a 17-year-old who went on to make 490 appearances for Town, earning him the tag of the greatest player to ever pull on a red shirt and a stand named in his honour.

Rogers spent 10 glorious years in Wiltshire before moving to Crystal Palace, scoring 181 goals, with both his and the club’s finest hour coming in the 1969 League Cup final as his two extra-time goals secured victory over giants Arsenal at a packed Wembley.

The Swindon legend will be at the County Ground this afternoon to watch Paolo Di Canio’s modern day Robins take on Yeovil, and while every game undoubtedly brings back memories of his own playing career, Rogers can recall very little of the day it all began 50 years ago.

“I remember very little if I am honest, and all I can really remember is that we won 4-1 and not much about the game at all,” he said.

“I remember more about the first three games as a block really, and I can’t remember anything else of that season. I remember Southend 4-1, away at Yeovil in the cup 2-0 and then Notts County 3-1. “The reason I remember it is because Terry Wollen broke his leg against Notts County, and he was never really the same again, which was a terrible shame because he was a brilliant player.

“I do remember being as chuffed as anything, because three months before I played in the reserve team and the Adver had written I was not good enough to play in the reserves. But there I was in the first team three months later which was a very proud moment.

“Before that when I was a youth player I used to clean the boots and clean the stands, and I really enjoyed that really.

“I had five or six pairs of boots to clean and I took a lot of pride in doing it, you used to grab whatever boots were there and just get on with it, and they were good times.

“I had come from the middle of nowhere and I hadn’t really been out of Somerset until I came to Swindon, and it was a real experience. At first I couldn’t wait to get home to see my parents, but you soon get used to it.

“I was one of the lucky ones because the rest of my youth team left very early which was a real shame because we had a good side, but some people just don’t make it.

“But once I was in the team I used to take things game by game, and I didn’t think too much ahead, and you are just pleased to be playing and have the manager’s confidence .

“But after a couple of years you start to feel like you have made it, although you never really think you will go on and play so many games.”

Despite not having many memories of his first year as a professional footballer, a jam-packed second year will live with Rogers forever.

“I had a great season the season after and I probably played 60-odd games in that time,” he said.

“I played 38 in the first team, and the only four I missed was when I was in Holland for the England youth team, and I played loads of games for England. Swindon got to the FA Youth Cup final as well so I was playing basically every Saturday and every Tuesday and it was great for me.

“I was lucky to play 10 years for Swindon and I loved it, John Trollope was the same and we pretty much played all the time together.

“We won the League Cup which was a brilliant, but in the original team of 1962/63 there was Mike Summerbee, Bob Woodruff and Ernie Hunt, and a lot of players good enough to go on and they were all local.

“The problem with young players now is that they don’t stay very long if they are good players, but I never wanted to leave and enjoyed what I did and didn’t question a contract, I just signed.

“I feel very lucky to have had the career with Swindon that I had, and of course I look back fondly, and people come and talk to me about winning the League Cup at least once a week, which I obviously will never forget.”

Comments(34)

Not so Smart Roger says...
7:26am Sat 17 Nov 12

I'm lucky (and old) enough to have watched Don play in his prime. He is still my number one Town hero of all time and I couldn't think of a better name for the stand I now sit in. Apparently, when I first went to the County Ground as a six-year-old, I would cheer whenever Swindon scored or whenever Rogers was put through on goal (because Swindon always scored when that happened)! My other memory is that he never got his white shorts dirty, even in the ploughed fields they used to play on back then! Top top man!!!

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Rod Thomas 1969 says...
8:24am Sat 17 Nov 12

A great player a legend many thanks Don enjoy the game today a great privilege to have have been lucky enough to have followed your career at Swindon Town FC.

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Okus Road says...
8:33am Sat 17 Nov 12

Not so Smart Roger wrote:
I'm lucky (and old) enough to have watched Don play in his prime. He is still my number one Town hero of all time and I couldn't think of a better name for the stand I now sit in. Apparently, when I first went to the County Ground as a six-year-old, I would cheer whenever Swindon scored or whenever Rogers was put through on goal (because Swindon always scored when that happened)! My other memory is that he never got his white shorts dirty, even in the ploughed fields they used to play on back then! Top top man!!!
Agree 100% spot on. If only we had a player like Don today, I guess if we did the Premiership big boys would be writing out big cheques. No players that good staying for 10 years at clubs anymore

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Malkym says...
8:41am Sat 17 Nov 12

Not so Smart Roger wrote:
I'm lucky (and old) enough to have watched Don play in his prime. He is still my number one Town hero of all time and I couldn't think of a better name for the stand I now sit in. Apparently, when I first went to the County Ground as a six-year-old, I would cheer whenever Swindon scored or whenever Rogers was put through on goal (because Swindon always scored when that happened)! My other memory is that he never got his white shorts dirty, even in the ploughed fields they used to play on back then! Top top man!!!
..Me too NSSR echo all you've said, without doubt the finest player to pull on a Town shirt in my lifetime. The shorts thing was funny because everyone else's were so dirty you couldn't even see the colour!

The other thing was his ability to be virtually non existant for 89 mins and then -a burst of pace -a shimmy -a feint here -and the keeper wondering what had happened as he picked the ball from the net.

All time top banana.

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ciclosporindorset says...
8:46am Sat 17 Nov 12

I get very emotional these days when don is reviewed. This was my school day memory of growing up and being introduced to professional football as a supporter. It is a life long memory and why, despite all the memories since, and all the journeys travelled, the walk to the County ground will be my most fond.

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mancrobin says...
9:17am Sat 17 Nov 12

Have to agree with every single word of the above posts, especially the 89 mins one. I wonder if these days we'd have the patience for our top player to not be in the game for so long?

I used to look at it like Don hiding in the bushes until their defenders had forgotten about him, then he'd spring out dance past 3 or 4 of them and plant the ball in the corner of the net.

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the don69 says...
9:29am Sat 17 Nov 12

You were a class act Don,thanks for the many,many great memories and wonderful Goals!!!!!!!!!

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Robinonfire says...
9:52am Sat 17 Nov 12

Don Rogers best ever Town player....should of played for England.

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CALNE RED 81 says...
9:58am Sat 17 Nov 12

Legend!

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Chish and Fips says...
10:08am Sat 17 Nov 12

A true gentleman on and off the pitch ... a lot could have learnt by the example Sir Don set.

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nosyrudeman says...
10:13am Sat 17 Nov 12

When I first went Arnold Darcy and Don used to be vying for that left wing spot. Without doubt the best player to put a Town shirt on, because he came through the ranks. Not many keepers won a one on one with him, cause he could shimmy and drop a shoulder and that was it. Dunno if he and John Trollope invented the overlap, but by god they had a perfect understanding of each other. Wherever you were in the CG when he got the ball there was a big buzz of anticipation, many to the call
of "set 'em alight Don". My cousin from Scotland was at the club in the 63-65 season and used to be amazed at his pace for what would be in those days a big man for a winger.

Made a lot of Town fans very happy indeed with all of his goals and wondewrful wing play. Unlike todays so called wingers the ball used to stick to his feet and he would go round the defender with the ball, not kick and then chase with the defender in a 50/50 race.

Arise Sir Donald Rogers, commission a statue to go next to Harry Fleming.

Been watching since 1961 and still get the butterflies as get near the CG.

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Lazaat says...
10:30am Sat 17 Nov 12

My first ever game at CG was December 1966 Town v Oldham Athletic, I was still at school and stood on the Town End. I didn't know much about football and didn't know who any of the players were, but I still vividly remember a young lad who played on the right wing that day....he absolutely destroyed Oldham and I believe he scored a hat trick. I still remember one of his goals, he received the ball on the right wing attacking the Town end, he cut inside the full back and from the edge of the area he smashed a low shot just inside the near post! I was hooked from that day on and went regularly, mainly to watch the wonderful Don Rogers! He was a truly magnificent player and head and shoulders above any other player I have seen were the Red shirt. Thank you Don for all the wonderful memories you have given me...and I think it is high time a statue was made in his likeness at the CG!

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Old-Stager, Hilperton says...
10:36am Sat 17 Nov 12

Don came from Farrington Gurney which is in Bristol City territory, so perhaps he should have played for them.
On the other hand John Atyeo came from Dilton Marsh, so perhaps he should have played for Swindon Town.
It would have been best if they had both played for Town.
But seriously, I have to agree with everyone else above, Don Rogers was the best player ever to play for Swindon Town, and my first game to watch the Town was 1951.

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sally2 says...
11:08am Sat 17 Nov 12

I had the pleasure of watching Don.Who was the greatest him or Mike Sumerbee is debateable.They had completely different stiles of play.Mike was a hard player and would move the stand to get the ball. Don was a luxury player.you would watch him wonder why you thought him so great and then he would win the match on his own.I do know that had Paolo been their manager Don would have been out on loan for lack of effort and Mike would have fallen out with him for sure.I like Dicanio but you don't have to be super fit to be great,I haven't noticed our "super second half fitness" yet. is it left on the training ground?? Jimmy Greaves,Garry Lineaker or George Best didn't need to run around at 100 miles an hour.

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yorkrobin says...
11:21am Sat 17 Nov 12

What a great player Don was! He lit up many a dull afternoon at the County Ground, and although he could sometimes 'go missing' for three-quarters of a game, once he got the ball at his feet and made a run at goal, you could count on a positive result. With Don on one wing and Buzzer on the other we were fantastic. Followed Don from his days in the youth team until I left Swindon in the late sixties.........best memory of the lot was his performance at Wembley in March 69 when he helped destroy Arsenal - and I belive he did get his shorts dirty that day!
Thanks for some great memories Don.

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red white says...
11:55am Sat 17 Nov 12

Sir Donald Rogers.

The greatest player i've ever seen.

It was magic to watch him at the CG.

His speed,touch and goal scoring was, like magic,unbelievable.

Thanks to the Don.

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old town robin says...
12:03pm Sat 17 Nov 12

Funny how all us old'uns remember the same things about Don, the clean white shorts, the drop of the shoulder, hit a ball with either foot, his 1 on 1's with goalkeepers puts todays lot to shame. He was a bit like Jimmy Greaves when it came to scoring with his head though, think he did get one and got a standing ovation. lol.

I was at the game when Terry Wollen broke his leg against County. Some may find it difficult to believe, but I swear it's true, there was a big crowd to watch the game, but everyone in the ground heard the crack as his leg snapped and knew what had happened and that was followed by a deathly silence around the ground. I've always remembered it as a sad occassion of a promising footballer career ending, No subs in those days, to win 3-1 with 10 men, was a very good result. Think Owen Dawson came in as our No 2 and spent 9 years with us, I believe Rod Thomas came through the youth team and became a fans favorite around the '64 season..

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Oi Den! says...
12:19pm Sat 17 Nov 12

OTR, this is just from memory but I thought we signed Thomas from Gloucester City.

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Lazaat says...
12:32pm Sat 17 Nov 12

Oi Den! wrote:
OTR, this is just from memory but I thought we signed Thomas from Gloucester City.
I believe you are right Den, but we bought him when he was very young so OTR is partially correct LOL.

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old town robin says...
12:37pm Sat 17 Nov 12

Oi Den! wrote:
OTR, this is just from memory but I thought we signed Thomas from Gloucester City.
Hi Oi Den, if you say so, I believe you as you are usually very good on your factoids. The only reason I thought he was an apprentice is because my brother was under Bert Head around that time and he could count the likes of Rod who would be around the same age as one of his mates.

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Lazaat says...
12:44pm Sat 17 Nov 12

old town robin wrote:
Oi Den! wrote:
OTR, this is just from memory but I thought we signed Thomas from Gloucester City.
Hi Oi Den, if you say so, I believe you as you are usually very good on your factoids. The only reason I thought he was an apprentice is because my brother was under Bert Head around that time and he could count the likes of Rod who would be around the same age as one of his mates.
I think we paid £1,000 to Gloucester for him OTR.

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Lazaat says...
12:58pm Sat 17 Nov 12

Found this on Wikipedia:


Swindon Town manager Bert Head brought Thomas to the County Ground from non-league Gloucester City in July 1964 - paying £500 for his services. Still a youth player, it was almost two years before he made his debut, in a drab 0-0 draw with Scunthorpe, at the end of the 1965-66 season.

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jonesc1a says...
4:15pm Sat 17 Nov 12

Fantastic Don, worth waiting for those magic moments from Don, always a goal on the cards when Don was in the side.
I remember Don taking on Bobby Moore, all Bobby could do was to rugby tackle him down. Swindon won 3-1 against West Ham 1967 - 28000+ in the county ground - what an atmosphere!
Thanks Don for staying with Swindon so long.

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california andy says...
5:18pm Sat 17 Nov 12

The greatest. And that Bert Head team wasn't half bad either. If Mike Summerbee got fouled early, it took him out of the game, as he spent the rest of the time trying to smash the guy who had fouled him :-) In some ways I wish Don had gone to LIverpool when they came in for him - he had the potential to be as good as Best, and if he had begun playing at the highest level at 19 or 20, the whole country would remember him for the wonderful footballer he was. As it is, he left all of those lucky enough to see him in his prime with a lifetime of memories. And I even recall when he came back from Palace late on in his career and played against an overweight George Best when Best played for Fulham. Sad that day to see the decline of two great footballers, but one brought it on himself, whereas Don was unlucky enough to develop a serious problem with his hip. Greatest player we shall ever see in a town shirt, and by all accounts a lovely man.

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Another view says...
7:55pm Sat 17 Nov 12

"Jimmy Greaves,Garry Lineaker or George Best didn't need to run around at 100 miles an hour.”

- Totally agree, Sally. A lot of the greats I remember would be considered lazy by today's standards. Surely the point is - the real class players should be allowed some slack, so that when they see an opportunity they have the energy to go for it.

To add my tuppence worth, the game would have been that bit poorer if Matt Le Tissier had not been allowed to play by his 'lazy' style.

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Oi Den! says...
11:56pm Sat 17 Nov 12

Lazaat wrote:
Found this on Wikipedia:


Swindon Town manager Bert Head brought Thomas to the County Ground from non-league Gloucester City in July 1964 - paying £500 for his services. Still a youth player, it was almost two years before he made his debut, in a drab 0-0 draw with Scunthorpe, at the end of the 1965-66 season.
Cheers Laz, I think that makes OTR more correct than me on this. I didn't realise Thomas was with us as early as 1964.

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the wizard says...
12:50am Sun 18 Nov 12

Update on that infamous school boy rhyme of the time,


In days of old, when players were bold,

Before the internet was invented,

Rogers scored goals in front of many souls,

And sent them home contented.

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RAYSPARROW says...
1:58pm Sun 18 Nov 12

As well as following the first team my father and I used to follow the youth team when Don was playing.
When we drew 3-3 away at West Ham in the cup I was there and London papers voted him player of the month. I still believe his best game was for Crystal Palace against Man U. when they won 5-3.

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grovesie says...
10:08pm Sun 18 Nov 12

I may be wrong but I am pretty sure the Don scored a great goal on debut. I certainly remember a great strike towards the Stratton Bank end from fully 25 yards out against Southend very early in his career. For me one of the best memories was when Don was marked by the current England full back Keith Newton of Blackburn Rovers. Don ran rings around him so much so that the England full back had to fake injury he was so exhausted. I was also lucky enough to live near Crystal Palace when he played there. Certainly one of the best players never to play for England. I even wrote a letter to Sir Alf Ramsey suggesting he play Don and received a very polite response too. Thanks for so many happy memories Don. Love the way this season is shaping up. Visiting from Aus in Dec/Jan and hope to be at the Carlisle and Bournemouth games.

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Parkhead67 says...
10:10am Mon 19 Nov 12

RAYSPARROW wrote:
As well as following the first team my father and I used to follow the youth team when Don was playing. When we drew 3-3 away at West Ham in the cup I was there and London papers voted him player of the month. I still believe his best game was for Crystal Palace against Man U. when they won 5-3.
The game against Crystal Palace was a 5-0 win for Palace, but they also relegated that season. Don's best game for Palace was against Everton. He stayed two seasons before going to QPR. I think Don also wonITV's goal of the season in 1973

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Parkhead67 says...
10:11am Mon 19 Nov 12

oops should have been Crystal Palace v Man Utd.

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Parkhead67 says...
10:23am Mon 19 Nov 12

May as well finish the 'potted history'. Don was considered CPFC's first legend. He scored in that debut game against Everton - he scored on all is debuts. The goal of the season was against Stoke City

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stevehalloz says...
6:17am Tue 20 Nov 12

Memories of Don. Playing against George Best in the 63 Youth Cup final, turning Peter Rodrigues of Sheffield Wednesday inide out so much he fell over and went off injured. Bill Shankly calling him a "disgrace" because he only touched the ball twice in the entire game - and scored both goals to beat Liverpool 2-0.

His deflected shot that looped over the Derby keeper for a 1-0 win in the 69 league cup. Destroying West Ham away and then at home in the replay.

When he got the ball on the halfway line in the last minute at Wembley against Arsenal I relaxed and said "3-1" to my mate John - I knew Don NEVER missed those chances. The way he rounded Bob Wilson was pure class - but inevitable.

Scoring a header - his one and only I think - in a pre-season friendly. Scoring penalties with ease - I think he only every missed one in his entire Town career.

Scoring a glorious goal from 30 metres with 2 minutes to go to give us a (I think) 3-2 win in his last game before being transferred. Scoring again on his first game back.

Hearing the crowd roar "give it to Rogers" in his early days in 1963-64.

Meeting him at Wantage cricket club in an exhibition game where he was shy and modest. Hitchhiking at Malmesbury roundabout trying to get to Bristol and seeing him drive past.

Watching JanTomaszewski almost singlehandedly keep England out of the 1974 World Cup and knowing Don would have scored at least three of the many chances that "sniffer" Clarke and his cronies missed.

Don truly was better that Eusebio, a sub 11 second 100 yards runner, and almost as fast with the ball at his feet under perfect control. He had speed, vision, skill, a thundering shot, and amazing swerve and could dribble like a 3 month old on 4x.

I never saw Harold Fleming but Don was head and shoulders better than any other town player since 1963. A true legend.

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gaz2612 says...
4:00pm Tue 20 Nov 12

In my opinion, Don Rogers is the best player to play for STFC since I started watching them in 1966. He was just brilliant. I recently took my two grandsons to his shop and we had a long chat with him. I introduced them to him as the best player and he was kind enough to sign their Swindon shirts for them. They are proud to tell people who has signed the shirt. A true gentleman and it is great to see him at the ground each week.

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