Orange Winter: Swindon Town Spirit of 69 Day of Action.

Words: Liam Walsh

Images: Liam Walsh

Paolo Di Canio. Glenn Hoddle. Super Sammy Parkin, Eoin Doyle, our ginger Pele.

The names, the memories, the songs inspired by Swindon Town legends of the past came thick and fast as fans gathered to demand that the owner, Clem Morfuni, puts the Robins up for sale. The Spirit of 69 recently formed on this single point manifesto.

Launching with high personal credibility earned from the excellent Loathed Strangers podcast and fanzine, social media support for them has been passionate and invigorating.

However, would online encouragement translate into feet on the street?

On Saturday, despite miserable December drizzle and a stiff wind it did indeed. The police estimated that 400-500 marched towards Statue Park at the County Ground, a sludgy mess homing a new, beautiful statue of Don Rogers – the hero of Town’s 1969 League Cup winners.

©Liam Walsh/ Terrace Edition. Swindon Town. The Spirit of ‘69 Day of Action.

A silhouette of Rogers scoring has become Spirit of 69s logo, and it’s adorned on hundreds of orange hats and banners.

Harry McKirdy. Nathan Thompson. Louis Thompson. Lou Macari. Ossie Ardiles.

It wasn’t supposed to be like this. When Morfuni, an Australian with a global plumbing portfolio took over, the club was perilously close to post-Covid oblivion.

With worthy plans for a self-sufficient, sustainable, community-based club initially backed by his hands on charisma, Swindon were improbably almost promoted fuelled on goodwill and desperation.

After far exceeding year one expectations, each season since has seen regression on and off the pitch. The bonhomie has ebbed away: Administrative mishaps, meagre refurbishments (and ironically given those plumbing businesses) having a drip, drip of despondency.

©Liam Walsh/ Terrace Edition. The Spirit of ‘69 Day of Action.

The club swims in financially challenging waters, with the Wiltshire Times reporting that a £1,073,519 loss would have been reported for the financial year that ended on May 31 2023, if not “for funds from the Nigel Eady Trust that were used to purchase the County Ground in the joint venture alongside Trust STFC”.

This despite the club averaging well over 8,000 in the bottom tier.

And significantly, with the County Ground now owned 50/50 with TrustSTFC, there is seems to be no visionary masterplan for long overdue renewal and redevelopment.

Almost every league club in the South plays at a higher level, with Swindon yet to be kissed by an investing and game-changing prince.

The opportunity, and potential – at a relatively low entry cost – is staggering.

Of course, protests can be futile if centred around an “anything but the current incumbent” fury and so it’s notable that this orange winter is warmed by the energy of Swindon Town supporters and discussions over what the club could be.

Charlie, Charlie Austin. Alan, Alan McCormack. Fraser, Fraser Digby. Jerry, Jerry Yates.

Today then, feels a long time coming. TrustSTFC, mindful of a hard-won partnership and voice within the club, have been passive and reluctant to agitate. Crucially, they have now backed this campaign for change.

Orange is the chosen colour of protest, as it was during similar strife nearly 20 years ago – itself based on Ukranian opposition to pro-Russian electoral interference.

The march had that heady feel of optimism, solidarity and pride. Chants hesitant and perhaps initially respectful to the residential area grew more confident and the Statue Park destination at the ground neared.

The comedian Ivo Graham charismatically cajoled and encouraged; young fans started songs for their favourites, older ones shared memories of beating Arsenal in 1969.

There was a media whirl for the organisers, Ivo rallied and enthused some more. Through the wind, through the rain.

It was a roaring, resounding, engaging success.

Bobby Howe. Lloyd Isgrove. Giuliano Grazioli. Steve Finney. Christian Roberts. The cults, as well as the icons.

A win in the last home game had dragged Swindon out of 92nd place and this meeting with high-flying Grimsby came with added spice: Manager Ian Holloway resigned after less than a year in charge of the Mariners, and their magnificent turn out of over 600 fans were ready to celebrate ruining Holloway’s 1000th game as a gaffer.

Beneath the showman and the bluster though, he is a football man able to draw on canny nous, demonstrated here with Town’s simplified no frills approach.

Grimsby meanwhile were tidy although ultimately obliging in their meek failure to adapt to the County Ground wind tunnel. Swindon gnarled and snapped and scrapped their way to a wind-assisted 3-1 victory as the longest night set in.

Colin Calderwood. Duncan Shearer. Chris Kamara.

Players that illuminated the past. This was the first day of the future. Tomorrow, the day will be lighter.

The Spirit of 69 cannot and will not wait for Spring.