Swindon Town's year in review

JANUARY: Swindon Town kick off the new year with a memorable victory over promotion rivals Plymouth Argyle at Home Park. Eoin Doyle scores the winner before jumping into the crowd and enjoying the smell of “pure man love and lager.”

‘Ginger Pele’ returned to parent club, Bradford City shortly after but triumphantly arrived at the County Ground permanently until the end of the season on transfer deadline day along with strike partner, Jerry Yates.

Town also beat promotion rivals Crewe Alexandra 3-1 in a thrilling game at the County Ground in which Jerry Yates and Danny Rose help Swindon score two goals in quick succession.

FEBRUARY: As the positive momentum rolls on, Swindon beat Exeter City 2-1 in front of over 13,000 at the County Ground – Hallam Hope’s late first-half header won the game in Eoin Doyle’s first game back.

10 days later, Jordan Lyden’s late header secured three points against Northampton Town on a tense night that all but sealed Town’s promotion to League One.

Richie Wellens signs a new three-year deal as manager of Swindon Town days after rejecting an approach from Blackpool to become their new boss.

MARCH: Swindon beat Scunthorpe 2-0 at the County Ground before losing to Forest Green Rovers by the same scoreline in what turned out to be the final game of the 2019-20 season. Covid-19 had begun to take effect on society, and all forms of football were indefinitely postponed.

APRIL & MAY: Town players are placed on furlough as the first National Lockdown comes into effect. Many fans fear they won’t return to watch live football for the rest of the year.

League One and Two clubs voted to abandon their respective seasons – bar the play-offs – and an alternative method of deciding promotion and relegation would have to be decided on.

JUNE: Swindon Town were crowned champions of League Two and promoted alongside runners-up Crewe Alexandra, as well as third-placed Plymouth Argyle, after it was decided a points-per-game system would be used to decide the final standings.

As a result, Paul Caddis made history by becoming the first Swindon Town player to win the League Two title twice.

Later on that month, the Town squad gathered together on the County Ground pitch for a socially-distanced trophy presentation, watched by just a handful of media and club officials.

JULY: The League One season is confirmed as restarting on September 12 with two cup games scheduled to take place in the week prior.

Fan favourite, Eoin Doyle announces he will not be signing a new deal at Town – preferring a move to Bolton Wanders, who have recently been relegated to League Two. Doyle thanks fans for everything and says he will always hold them dear to him.

There was a further blow for Town as Jerry Yates opted to join Keshi Anderson at Blackpool, instead of signing for Swindon.

Meanwhile, Diallang Jaiyesimi signs a three-year deal to join Swindon after being released by Norwich City.

AUGUST: Town players start pre-season on August 2 – the club’s first game was an 8-0 victory over Nuneaton Town a week later.

Despite rumours of a move to Blackpool, Anthony Grant signs for Swindon on a year-long deal and says he never dreamed of signing for anyone else over a chaotic summer. Matej Kovar and Matt Smith also join on season-long loans.

The fixtures are released, and Town are drawn to play Oxford United for the first time in October. Meanwhile, Swindon are drawn at home to Charlton Athletic in the first round of the League Cup.

SEPTEMBER: The new season eventually begins, and although Town lose their first two cup fixtures, a 3-1 victory over Rochdale at home sees the League Two champions sitting pretty at the top of League One after the first round of games.

Despite winning two of their first three, things begin to trend in the wrong direction for the club as influential midfielder Michael Doughty announces he is leaving the club for personal reasons. Meanwhile, an injured Tom Broadbent is told he can find another club by Richie Wellens.

OCTOBER: A frustrating end to the summer transfer window saw no incomings for Town, while Matt Palmer goes out on a short-term loan to Wigan where John Sheridan is manager.

Town lose all five of their October fixtures before a brilliant 2-1 win against Hull City on the final day of the month.

Rumours of Richie Wellens departing for Salford City begin to hot up after a handful of Covid-19 cases among the Swindon squad and coaching staff. Swindon’s derby against Oxford is called off as a result.

NOVEMBER: Richie Wellens quits as Swindon Town boss a few days before his second anniversary, citing a lack of ambition from the club as the main reason for his decision to join League Two Salford City instead. Wellens is later replaced by John Sheridan.

Tom Broadbent returns to the fold and stars in a memorable A420 derby where Town come from a goal down to beat Oxford United – their first league success in 19 years – following Tyler Smith’s injury-time winner. The players are greeted by a large crowd upon their return to the County Ground.

DECEMBER: Noel Hunt leaves Swindon Town as assistant manager.

Town see a second game of the season postponed due to Covid-19 as the club’s Boxing Day trip to Portsmouth is called off.

Swindon go on a six-game winless run and end the year second bottom of League One.