In our series ‘Versus’, we take a look at our next opponents, Swindon Town.
Interesting Facts:
- Swindon are nicknamed “the Robins” because the colour of the sides home shirt in the 1902/03 season matched those of the European Robin.
- Founded in 1879 as Swindon AFC, they became Swindon Town in 1983.
- Former player John Trollope played 770 league matches for the club between 1960 and 1980 a record in English football.
- Swindon have a trophy cabinet containing the League Cup having won the trophy in 1969.
- In 1993 Swindon got promoted to the FA Premier League for the first time in their history under then player/manager Glenn Hoddle (pictured below). Hoddle left Swindon in pre-season to become player/manager at Chelsea and Swindon got relegated.
Memorable Match:
Peterborough United 5-4 Swindon Town
Back in October 2010 Peterborough United beat Swindon Town 5-4 in a nine-goal thriller at the then London Road Stadium. A Mackail-Smith brace and a solitary Frecklington goal gave Posh a 3-0 lead within 22 minutes however that lead was short lived. Two goals from Ball either side of a Ritchie goal meant both teams went into half time level at 3-3. Boyd put Posh back in front, but an Austin penalty cancelled out his goal. It looked like it was heading for a draw until in the 93rd minute Swindon defender Amankwaah scored an own goal to give Peterborough the win.
Head-to-Head:
Peterborough United Wins: 23
Draws: 18
Swindon Wins: 22
Goals Scored: 89
Goals Conceded: 87
Played for Both:
Lloyd Opara
Former football now turned teacher Lloyd Opara signed for Swindon Town in 2004 but left without making a first team appearance. Opara joined Peterborough United in March 2006 initially on loan before joining permanently making 19 appearances and scoring two goals. He left the club in February 2007 after his contract was terminated by mutual consent.
Nicky Ajose
Exeter forward Nicky Ajose played for Peterborough United between July 2011 and August 2014. During that time, he made 27 appearances scoring seven goals and was a part of the squad that was the Football League Trophy in 2014. Ajose played for Swindon Town over two spells. One on loan from Posh between August 2013 and January 2014 and the other between September 2015 and June 2016 after joining on a free. He played 70 times for Swindon over those two spells scoring 40 goals.
Anthony Grant
Current Swindon Town midfielder Anthony Grant has played for his club since September 2019. He has made 35 appearances for the club and was a big part of promotion to League One last season, winning the clubs Player of the Season in the process. Grant played for Peterborough United between January 2017 and August 2018. He made 59 appearances for the club.