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Sports Round-Up
With the dust now settled on an up and down 2007-2008 season at the County Ground, it seems that with the club now in safe hands next season promises to be one to remember. Following a failed takeover bid by the BEST Holdings group, it appeared that the club was facing financial ruin - until the Andrew Fitton-led Consortium came in and offered the club a lifeline.
One of their first jobs was to find the successor to Paul Sturrock who had departed for his spiritual home of Plymouth Argyle. The man chosen to lead the team was Scot Maurice Malpas, who was given a real baptism of fire with his first game - a tough home fixture against the high-flying Nottingham Forest. Thankfully, his players produced one of their best performances of the campaign with a 1-0 victory over Colin Calderwood’s men - and the game was one that Malpas will remember fondly as his "highlight of the season". Disappointingly the team were unable to continue in this vein and their play-off push began to unravel, much to the dismay of all the long- suffering Town fans. However, with a good finish to the season, including three wins in the last four games, it appears that the boss has found his feet in Wiltshire.
With a long summer of rebuilding ahead though, Malpas knows that the job is far from done if he is to continue to impress the demanding Swindon fans.
Having already secured the signature of Jamie Vincent and the permanent capture of the classy Michael Timlin, his recruitment plans are well underway. Unfortunately Town were unable to convince player-of-the-year Miguel Commingues to extend his contract, and his departure leaves a massive void in the full-back department – one that Malpas knows he will have to fill.
With Mark Collier’s men tipped to be one of the favourites for relegation, they have defied all the odds to finish in a highly respectable 12th place. Collier was the first to heap praise on his players for their efforts this season. “All the guys have been fantastic this year and full credit to them for the way they have conducted themselves this season,” said Collier. In the end of season awards Ashley Edenborough picked-up Supporters' Player of the Year, Tom King was named Management Player of the Year, Kyle Lapham was awarded the Chairman’s Trophy, and the coveted Players' Player of the Year went to Chris Thompson.
However under the guidance of Alun Rossiter and Leigh Adams, the team has shown they have the ability and determination to be a massive force again this season. Despite Monday’s disappointing defeat on Sky away at Poole, the team still sit a point clear of Eastbourne at the top of the table. With the Abbey Stadium set to host Coventry tonight, Alun Rossiter and his men will be looking to get back to winning ways. Tapes are up at 7.30pm and tickets are available on the gate.
Swindon St George’s eagerly anticipated competitive debut is nearly here with the big kick-off at 2.30pm on Saturday at the Supermarine club. Following months of hard work and preparation, the club will face Coventry in their season opener at the Highworth Road ground. Coach Geoff Norris has done all he can to prepare his players for the big day. “Pre season went well with an encouraging performance against Oxford”, said Norris. However, the coach was also keen to stress that the Coventry game will be a much stiffer test. “Coventry are possibly the best team in the league, and their preparation and facilities are bordering on professional standards,” he added. “But win or lose, I’ll be looking for an encouraging performance from the lads.” |
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