As we are into a new decade, every month I will be looking back at a season from the 00's, also I will be looking at two of the best players from a particular season and how they helped the club. Also I will be looking at a player from the same year who didn't deserve to wear the red and white of Swindon Town.

This month I will be looking at the 02/03 season, with the first season of Super Sammy Parkin, A loan signing we will never forget and Neil Ruddock finally leaving the County Ground Just like the previous season the club were making more headlines on the front pages of the local papers than the back. The club finally come out of administration and settle a dispute of unpaid wages with Neil Ruddock. On the pitch it was a tale of Sam Parkin scoring 26 goals during the season including a couple of hat-ricks along the way.

During August and September Town managed to lose 7 on the bounce and somehow Andy King stayed as the manager. The board even interviewed some potential replacements but the board stood by their manager in the end. After an impressive 6-1 win over Southend in the LDV Van's Trophy, Town's results and performances picked up. Some highlights were the 5-2 and 5-0 wins against Stockport and Notts County respectively and we managed to finish in 10th Place in League One.

Two of the best players from the season … Jimmy Davis signed for Town the day before the season started on a 3 month loan from Manchester United. His debut was on the opening day of the season where he won a penalty for Sam Parkin to complete his memorable hat trick. He was loved by Town fans because of his pace with the ball and ability to get pass players with ease. His last game for the club was on the 9th November 2002 and came off with a standing ovation from the Town fans. Unfortunately Sir Alex wanted Jimmy to be tested at a higher level so he didn’t come back the following season and was loaned out to Watford in the Championship. Tragically on his way to Vicarage Road for his debut Jimmy was killed in a car accident and a life and career was cut very short. Ironically, in a feature in the matchday programme that day, Davis had been picked in a fan's best ever Swindon team. He will never be forgotten by all those at Swindon Town.

Stefani Miglioranzi signed on a month to month contract when he came to Town due to previous injuries he picked up in his career. That contract though was soon made a permanent one after his performances in central midfield. Migs signed from Portsmouth in July 2002 and was soon a fan's favourite by playing in all but 5 league games in his first season. He also played a big part in the success that was going to follow in the next season. Since leaving Town he has gone back to America and has played for 3 major league teams including David Beckham's Los Angeles Galaxy but now plays his football for Philadelphia Union.

And the Worst.....

Once again you could pick from a few different players during this season, special mentions go to John Sutton, (who Town only had for 10 days!) Jon Beswetherick and Luke Nightingale but Daren Dykes just takes my vote as the worst. He was a free transfer signing from non-league Buckingham Town in July 2002 after a successful trial with the club during that summer. Dykes played only 5 games in his town career, 2 of those appearances coming in the league. His only start came in a home defeat against Huddersfield in April 2003. At the end of the season he asked to be released from his contract and Andy King happily agreed. Since then, Dykes has since gone back playing non-league football playing for 6 different clubs and is now with Newport Pagnell Town.