A FRIENDSHIP with the former England assistant manager, getting involved in a very sticky situation and rescuing a black-out has all been in a day's work for Town's Ron Topp.

The Robins' long-serving stadium manager oversees the logistics of the County Ground for the final time on Monday, a strange choice of career for someone who has never had any great love for the game.

But while the 60-year-old arrived in SN1 back in 1991 with little passion or knowledge for the club, he leaves for his retirement with a host of memories that will ensure Swindon Town always holds a special place in his heart.

While Ron and wife Lyn, who is also retiring from her duties as club shop manageress, can look forward to the luxury of free weekends again both of them know the Swindon Town bug has bitten them forever.

He said: "I came up here painting in 1991 and when they found out I was an electrician by trade they offered me the job of maintenance manager. Then I progressed to be stadium manager.

"What I know about football I could probably write on the back of a stamp.

"I have become a football fan. I have to listen to the radio when Town are playing away now."

Ron has been through 13 different managers and has experienced the highs of Premiership football and lows of relegation to football's basement division.

"I have met a lot of people but the one that really sticks in my mind is John Gorman," he said.

"He returned a few years later and I was out at the front and he said Hello Ron, how are things going?' "John had just come from being assistant manager at England and he remembered me."

While the former school maintenance man will retire with a host of happy memories he admits he most vivid recollection will always be one of the more painful moments.

He said: "We were on a tight schedule when we were making over the Winners Lounge and the carpet layers had a huge roll of carpet laid out and the floor was completely glued up ready.

"Some young lads came in the door touching the wet paint. I screamed at them and jumped over the carpet.

"I banged my head, knocked myself unconscious and fell in the glue.

"The paramedics came in to help me and got their tie stuck in the glue, which they needed to cut off.

"My wife thought I was dying because I was laughing and giggling so much. It was because the glue had got to me and made me high as a kite!"