Swindon Town currently compete in League Two and managed to finish 12th in the league, with 15 wins, 17 draws and 14 losses accumulated throughout the year. Known for having a strong attack, they lacked the consistency to push for the playoff positions and marked their season with a midtable finish.
Their inconsistency does not make them a good choice to bet on for those who take part in value betting. They have had some incredible players on their books throughout their history. Here, we will look through some of the most recognisable names that have been contracted to Swindon throughout their history!
Michael Carrick
Dubbed as one of the most underrated footballers of his generation, Michael Carrick had a brief spell at Swindon Town in 1999. Starting his career at West Ham United, Michael Carrick was sent on loan to Swindon, where he made 6 appearances and scored 2 goals, which is not bad for a central midfielder! Despite not having a huge impact on the club, Michael Carrick would go on to have a stellar career as a player, winning the Premier League multiple times and even being part of the Champions League-winning squad in 2007-08.
Charlie Austin
Charlie Austin is most known for his time at Queens Park Rangers, as the striker managed to score 18 goals in a season, leading him to the fourth top goal scorer whilst being with a relegated side. In December 2014, he was awarded the Premier League Player of the Month award, making him only the second QPR player to do so at the time.
However, Charlie Austin was a journeyman, playing for plenty of different teams throughout his career, with one of them being Swindon Town. After a successful stint at Poole Town, where he scored 48 in 42, he moved to Swindon in 2009 and played there until 2011, where he managed to make 54 appearances with 31 goals.
Towards the twilight years of his career, Charlie Austin would move back to Swindon in 2022, playing 66 times for his former team and managing to score 21 goals, which is still quite impressive!
Matt Richie
Matt Ritchie played a significant part in his early career at Swindon Town. After initially joining on loan from Portsmouth, he made the move permanent and played for Swindon from 2010 to 2013.
During his time at the club, Ritchie made over 100 league appearances and was instrumental in Swindon's 2011–12 League Two title-winning campaign, earning individual accolades and recognition for his performances. His success at Swindon helped pave the way for his subsequent moves to Bournemouth and Newcastle United, where he continued to play at higher levels.
Eddie Howe
Eddie Howe, now best known as the manager who led AFC Bournemouth to the Premier League and his time at Newcastle United, had a brief and easily overlooked spell as a player at Swindon Town.
In the 2003/04 season, Howe joined Swindon Town on loan from Portsmouth. However, his time at the club was extremely limited—he did not make any league appearances for Swindon due to injury. As a result, his association with Swindon is often forgotten when reviewing his playing career.
John Swift
John Swift joined Swindon Town on loan from Chelsea in January 2015 during the 2014–15 season. He played as an attacking midfielder or left winger and made 19 appearances for Swindon, scoring two goals. Swift quickly became an important player for the team, helping Swindon to a fourth-place finish in League One that season and a spot in the promotion playoffs.
Unfortunately, he suffered a muscle strain during the playoff semi-final first leg, which ruled him out of the second leg and the final. His performances at Swindon were a key part of his early career development before he moved on to play for Brentford on loan and then Reading permanently.
Harry Toffolo
Harry Toffolo is an English professional footballer who played for Swindon Town on loan from Norwich City during the 2014–15 season. He joined Swindon on 20 October 2014 initially for one month, but due to his strong performances, his loan was extended until the end of the season. Toffolo quickly established himself as a key player, primarily playing as a left wing-back, and became a fan favourite.
He made 30 appearances for Swindon, scoring once and providing several assists. He played an important role in Swindon's push for promotion and was featured in the League One play-off final, in which Swindon lost 4–0 to Preston North End.
Off the pitch, Toffolo was noted for his engagement with the local community in Swindon, participating in charitable events and school visits. The Swindon Town Supporters Trust even funded part of his loan due to his popularity and impact.
