Robins' Descent: The fall and fall of Swindon Town FC.

Words: Liam Walsh

Images: Liam Walsh

However grim, however desolate the lowest tier of the EFL can be, there is always hope.

Indeed, Swindon Town went as far as signing Hallam Hope from Carlisle United in 2020 as the club went on to win a Covid curtailed league title. The one with the asterisk.

These are different times.

Swindon have just endured their lowest finish in football league history, while freshly relegated Carlisle are hovering around those dotted lines between League 2 safety and relegation to the National League.

One of the two teams below them? Morecambe. Hallam Hope’s current club. Of course.

©Liam Walsh/ Terrace Edition. Swindon Town vs Carlisle United.

It was the first game for Richie Wellens, a low key managerial appointment when these two sides met at the County Ground six years ago. It didn’t start well, with Carlisle strolling to a 4-0 victory.

However, within 18 months, Wellens had transformed the club, leading it to promotion with a charismatic, engaging team offering further promise for the years ahead.

Three years ago, post-Covid, that promise had turned to dust. Little more than two weeks from the season’s start, Swindon had six professionals, no manager, no coaching team, no kit, no financial management, no discernible chairman, no income and no bloody hope.

Hallam or otherwise.

When all appeared lost, Clem Morfuni, an Australian with a global plumbing portfolio, assumed control and swept into town with plans for a self-sufficient, sustainable, community-based club.

The first home game - against Carlisle - was a glorious, raucous celebration of survival with nearly 10,000 roaring in gratitude and optimism. That the stronger visitors secured a deserved, streetwise victory seemed but a blip in the club’s renewal.

Failing to build on a promising first season has led to that initial optimism waning. Although the joint-purchase of the County Ground with TrustSTFC was a hugely significant milestone, the limitations of the Morfuni tenure have gradually come to light.

Well-meaning maybe, but off the pitch shortcomings, have become apparent.

Supposedly modest changes, including rebranding the club shop and refurbishing a popular supporter lounge, have not been without criticism. A County Ground fit for the future feels a long way off.

He passionately implores fans to “change your mindset” while it’s difficult to understand his motives.

Swindon Town is a drifting club displaying all the symptoms of one tiptoeing quietly towards non-League; fading memories of promotion to the Premier League offer no insurance against this decline.

Set against this context, to the West, Bristol City and Oxford United, two of Swindon’s rivals giddily indebted to the tune of tens of millions worth of investment, are meeting in front of 28,000 in the Championship.

To the East, Reading remain in rudderless turmoil, a salutary tale that all that glitters isn’t always gold. The supporters of each, like Swindon’s, will enjoy the great times too lightly, and carry the hard ones more heavily.

Back at the County Ground today, Swindon are fresh from their first win of the season, five months since their last victory. Carlisle have a new manager in Mike Williamson, ready to implement a possession-based and progressive footballing philosophy.

So, if between them, their fans can’t find the common ground of hope, then why are they here?

With a half-filled glass, Swindon’s supporter-base has been remarkably resilient, and optimistic and can be a vibrant, encouraging collective.

Desperate for any whiff of success, attendances have held up admirably, despite seasons mired in League Two mediocrity.

Until now.

Today, there are fewer than 7,000 here including 483 admirably enthusiastic Cumbrians.

Swindon dominate the early exchanges, playing with an intent that belies their league position. A lengthy disruption following injury to an assistant referee does little to disrupt the rhythm but the goal will not come.

The quiet apathy during play is disturbed by a child banging an empty seat. There are plenty to choose from. Towards half-time, Carlisle, hitherto composed if cautious, eventually maintain a spell of possession.

When Swindon obligingly concede a soft corner, the resultant simple flick on and nod home routine feels inevitable.

Perhaps feeling sheepish at taking the lead, Carlisle miss an excellent chance to double it just before the break.

Into the second half, and Swindon repeatedly press down Carlisle’s ambitious approach of playing out from deep within their own penalty area, yet lack the quality to convert turnovers.

Similarly, crosses go unmet, shots drift wide, and with desperation come substitutions, to little effect. Carlisle remain resolute, and although against the momentum of the game, it’s not a surprise when another set piece isn’t defended, and they lead 0-2.

The remainder of the game plays out with little drama, and it feels like the leaders’ pantomime time wasting is for practice rather than necessity.

It’s met with resigned indifference rather than urgent fury from the home support. They’ve seen this unfold before, and it might take the full two weeks to summon the hope to be back.

For Carlisle United, maybe their season, and their next upward trajectory starts here. The songs of their gleeful supporters fill the autumn air with fresh expectation and new manager bounce.

They can spend the long, long journey home dreaming again and looking forward: Grimsby Town, Notts County, Colchester United, hope is afresh.

For Swindon Town, to misquote George Orwell, if there is hope, it must lie with the fans. While the feeling is understandably downcast, there remains a wealth of supporter-led activity.

From the long-established ‘Loathed Strangers’ podcast and fanzine to the fresh insight of ‘The Moonraker’, from the extraordinary encyclopaedia of TownEnders.com to the weekly output from the Official Supporters Club amongst others; there remains stoic, informed engagement.

Above all, there is a need for an invigorated TrustSTFC to somehow align, inspire and lead.

For now though, Swindon Town and Carlisle United trouble those dotted lines at the foot of League 2. It’s a good job there’s always hope.