FOR Louis Thompson this bank holiday weekend has provided mixed emotions.

The silver lining of parent club Norwich’s win over Middlesbrough atoning for Town’s defeat, though one senses they could not quite balance each other out.

Thompson has been a Swindon player since a young age and the affection he feels for the club he grew up is strong. He was hurting on Sunday after coming on to make his final appearance in a Town shirt.

It could have been a different story, Town’s disappointing defeat might have been averted had the 20-year-old not been injured at Crewe. Many of the qualities embodied by Thompson, determination, drive and vigour, were absent in Swindon’s defeat at Wembley.

As it was Thompson was trotted out for a half-hour farewell with Town 4-0 down and no hope of a turnaround.

“I’m disappointed for everyone associated with Swindon Town,” reflected Thompson on the defeat.

“I hope I’ve given them a little bit back by playing for them again but I’m disappointed for me, for the fans and for everyone associated with Swindon.

“I always had it in the back of my mind that I wanted to have one last game for Swindon, but I would rather have not played and for us to have won today. I would have quite comfortably made that decision.

“Unfortunately it didn’t happen like that but we have to move on and the club needs to rebuild.

“I’m gutted for all the fans that have come and all the fans that supported us this season, but there will be many a time where Swindon fans will be joyous again.

“On a personal level I have a massive affiliation with Swindon, they brought me right through, so this will cut me deep. I have to rebuild myself because there are new challenges in life and you can’t just live in the past.

“The main thing I have to say to the Swindon fans is thank you, they’ve done an awful lot for me and will continue to do so. The support I’ve had since my move has been great, it really has and I’ve busted a gut to get back for them.

“Swindon have done an awful lot for me, they will continue do so. I will be looking out of for them. Everybody associated with Swindon has been fantastic for me."

When asked whether he would consider a loan return to the County Ground, if that was ever an opportunity, he said: “Absolutely, no question about it.”

Thompson has not had much chance to consider himself a Norwich player, but now has the summer to get accustomed to the idea. Though the midfielder might take longer than most.

“I’ll go away and enjoy my holiday now and then wait and see when I’m in (at Norwich), I’m not really sure when I’m in,” he added.

“I don’t know when I’ll start to consider myself a Norwich player, it will be before pre-season, but I can’t put a date on that.”