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Vic Morgan: A funny old season, and a thank you from Dave Syrett
Life long Swindon Town fan Vic Morgan gives his authoritative say on the club, every Tuesday on Total Sport. This week Morgan looks at the season as a whole, players past and present who have impacted Swindon Town, and an honourable mention for the incredibly brave Dave Syrett.
It's been a weird season hasn't it?
At times exhilaration, like the second half display in the opening game of the campaign against Bradford City and downright misery like the six-nil drubbing at Scunthorpe.
There have been decent runs which led us to hope, yes that word, that the play offs may be a possibility. For the most part though, it's been a flirtation with the relegation trap door. Thankfully that door is now closed and we'll remain in League One next term.
What is evident is that over the summer a new squad will be put together. Whether that's made up of permanent signings or a few loan deals remains to be seen. I'd imagine the latter is the most likely with a smattering of full time Town players.
I guess that's the way of the modern game in the lower leagues. A loan signing was something teams never really considered when I first started watching Swindon. It seemed it was back in the early Seventies that clubs would begin to borrow from others to cover injuries and maybe look at someone before considering whether or not to splash the cash.
I guess the most obvious early example would be Peter Eastoe. A forward from Wolves, Peter scored a couple on his debut and then signed permanently for a bargain eighty thousand pounds.
And what a bargain! Later to go on to play for the likes of Queen's Park Rangers, a swap deal which brought the Don back to the County Ground, and Everton. Peter scored goals wherever he went. A class act no doubt about it.
One player that the club should, without doubt, have signed full time was Danny Ward. Brought in on a season long loan, Danny was a more than valuable member of Danny Wilson's side that reached the play off final at Wembley. You know the one with the bobble and the rain.
What endeared Danny to the Town faithful was his attitude. Full of skill, he also cared deeply about Swindon. I know from having spoken to him after he'd left, he would have loved to have returned. I think we file Danny under the 'one that got away' section.
Another more than successful loan signing is now enjoying life north of the border with Rangers. Wesley Foderingham. Signed originally from Palace on a temporary deal, Wes became one of Swindon's best ever stoppers. Cool and downright excellent between the sticks, there's no doubt he's destined for a very good career and already this season has a title and cup under his belt as well as an "Old Firm" derby win in the Scottish cup semi final.
Presently we have the likes of Michael Doughty in the squad. Michael has scored some crucial goals and been one of the mainstays of the team. Just a few examples of some of the loan signings that have made their mark over the years in Town colours. There are many more, some of which perhaps are best forgotten. Sometimes they work, sometimes they don't.
Finally a word about a Town striker from the past who's fighting a more serious battle than a game of football. Dave Syrett has an inoperable brain tumour. Bravely he's lived with this and faced it over the past few months. It appears, sadly, that the tumour is finally winning.
Dave has asked me to thank all those who've been in touch with messages of support. Dave is a top man and an inspiration. I can say no more.
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