David Flitcroft "delighted" with Ollie Banks' Swindon Town debut

Swindon manager David Flitcroft thinks January addition Ollie Banks looked a "top, top, top player" on his first appearance for the Robins.

Banks was officially announced as a Swindon player on Friday morning after being part of the club since Wednesday.

He was awarded the man-of-the-match award on his debut, a 1-0 win over Forest Green, for his midfield performance.

Flitcroft was as impressed with Banks as the sponsors were, crediting his new signing for his great start and his willingness to be a part of the Swindon Town project that is aiming for promotion back to League One this season.

"I thought Ollie came in today and just looked like a top, top, top player. He's been in the north, I've watched him a lot, his desire to get down here and come and play for us was unbelievable," Flitcroft began.

"As soon as me and Richie Wellens, the Oldham manager, spoke and I got the chance to speak to Ollie, he couldn't wait to get down.

"He realised the size of the club, realised the potential of what we can potentially achieve this season and wanted to be a part of it.

"I got him in on Wednesday night, he came down on Thursday, it was Wools' (Kaiyne Woolery) birthday, I think 16 of the lads went out to celebrate Wools' birthday.

"Olly Lancashire invited Ollie out and he said [he'd] never been settled into a group as quick and as fast and I think that's helped him in his performance today - he's covered every blade of grass but did it with an elegance and a quality."

Banks already has one League Two promotion on his list of achievements, as he won the title with Chesterfield in the 2013-14 season and that was one of the main attractions for Flitcroft wanting to bring him down to Wiltshire. 

"I think when you look at his CV, there's potential that playing for someone like myself who, I fully commit to players or do anything for them if they commit to me, he saw that warmth and it's up to me to support him now to get the best out of him.

"He's at the right age for us to do that and he's got a good CV, [Oldham manager] John Sheridan trusted him last season in a real relegation scrap, Paul Cook who's a top, top drawer manager played him in a promotion season with Chesterfield and a pal of mine, Micky Mellon at Tranmere, trusted him to come there and give them a revival.

"He was very influential in all parts of the pitch today and I was delighted [with] his debut."

Picture via Swindon Town FC