UST a few words to say how sorry I was to hear of the sad passing of Andy King, a manager who, in my eyes, had a somewhat losing battle with a small minority of Swindon supporters.

The fact that he saved us from relegation by the skin of our teeth when Bristol Rovers lost all their remaining five games in hand should have endeared him.

He found revelations and gems in the form of Danny Invincible, Michael Reddy, James Milner and Jerel Ifil to name but a few.

The stand-out season was of course 2003-04 with the striking duo of Tommy Mooney and Sam Parkin.

That season was only mired by the ending, but it still holds dear.

Brian Howard was another gem in the box of delights. The list of superlatives that season is endless.

Unfortunately, the season after when I thought we should have pushed and bettered ourselves we failed and the side were lacking.

It was frustrating because the players left in droves and the rebuild was imminent.

Losing the likes of Mooney, Parkin and Brian Howard among others was a bitter pill to swallow and Swindon and Andy King never really recovered, although we still had the sublime manoeuvres and movements of Jerel Ifil to keep us entertained.

It took the whimsical notion of Danny Wilson to restore the passion and talents which were lost.

Andy King should be proud of the season that brought near promotion and the delights of Reddy, Ifil and the unknown James Milner and the masterful duo of Mooney and Parkin that will be held in Swindon folklore for years to come.

God bless you Andy King. RIP.

IAN MILLAR Highworth Swindon