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13 November 2014

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You are in: Wiltshire > History > Archive Films > Swindon Town's 1969 Homecoming

Swindon Town players with FA League Cup

Players with FA League Cup, 1969

Swindon Town's 1969 Homecoming

In 1969, 40 years ago, Swindon celebrated Town's win over Arsenal at Wembley in the League Cup. Points West filmed the celebrations.

In a game that attracts a high number of clich茅s, Swindon鈥檚 match against Arsenal was truly a David-and-Goliath battle.

In 1969, Swindon were lying second in the Third Division while their opponents Arsenal were riding high in the First.

Shining star Don Rogers was to become a legend as a result of his performance during the game.

He had already been described as one of the most sought after players in the country and Swindon seemed confident they could deliver the goods with Rogers鈥 track record and helped by their one and only international Rod Thomas.

Swindon Town fans in Regents Circus

Swindon Town fans in Regents Circus

The two sides faced numerous challenges; as well as Swindon鈥檚 opponents complaining of illness affecting their team鈥檚 strength, the Wembley pitch was worse for wear too, thanks to a recent Horse of the Year Show!

However, undeterred, the two sides went to meet each other in the presence of HRH Princess Margaret, with memories of the year before when Arsenal faced Leeds United in the final and lost 1-0.

In the first half, Swindon took the lead thanks to an easy run past the Arsenal defence by Roger Smart.

Danny Williams

Manager, Danny Williams

An equaliser towards the end of the match by Bobby Gould forced the game into extra time, during which two goals from Don Rogers brought Swindon鈥檚 FA League Cup Final to a conclusion.

Understandably, the Wiltshire town was ecstatic and the borough council laid on a civic reception and heroes鈥 welcome to help celebrate their team鈥檚 3-1 victory over Arsenal.

It made for some impressive pictures 鈥 the following day, on Sunday 16th March 1969, a crowd of 8000 gathered in Regent鈥檚 Circus, as the players emerged onto the balcony of the Town Hall - more reminiscent of royalty or The Beatles than Third Division FA League Cup winners!

Don Rogers

Don Rogers

The Mayor, Alf Brown, raised a glass to the Club and called for 鈥減romotion鈥 鈥 which Swindon achieved after failing to lose any of their nine remaining matches. A draw at Rotherham saw the Town advance confidently into the Second Division.

It was a momentous time for Swindon and one that has never been equalled.听

Don Rogers remains a hero for today鈥檚 fans, many of who hope and pray that Swindon Town FC will be back to Wembley before too long 鈥 however long that may be!

On Sunday 8th March 2009 a special dinner was held in the Winner's Lounge suite at Swindon's County Ground. The event - which saw a reunion of most of the 1969 STFC squad who played at Wembley - was in celebration of the 40 year anniversary of the club's greatest triumph.

last updated: 18/03/2009 at 12:22
created: 06/12/2005

Have Your Say

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molly williams
go grandad (danny williams)xx

Gary
Someone should make replica '69 winning team' shirts, I mentioned it to Don Rogers once (as he's in the trade) and he was as uninterested about it as he was about talking about the final itself

Michael O'Hara Goalkeeper SwindonTown Promotion Sq
Anyone interested in talking to me, please contact the following email address. gideon18@live.com

Michael O'Hare
Michael O'Hara, was your father by any chance 'John'and hailed from Coventry ?

Michael O'Hara
I played alongside Don Rogers in 1962-63.He was a lay back easy going, totally non aggressive human being. After Willi Harbour and Terry Ling had decided to upset Dons girlfriend who lived directly opposite at 1, Shrivenham Road,I layed a huge love bite on his neck at the Swindon Town Club hostel lodgings at 1 Shrivenham Road, run by a magnificent human being called Mrs Pigeon. Don took the evil looking love bite in his stride and minutes later nonchalantly went across the road to where his 15 year old girlfriend was waiting for him. Don married this lovely Swindon schoolgirl, and I understand they are still together today. I quite often wonder what Dons' girlfriend said when she saw the hideous deep purple love bite on Dons neck. I would love to know the answer to this question.And Don Rogers, He was without doubt one of the nicest human beings that ever set foot on this earth.Mike O'Hara [goalkeeper] Swindon Town Football Club, promotion squad 1962-1963.

Ian Baxter
I was there.... (Aged 9)Grandad, dad and me. I remember having a wooden rattle and swinging it so much I hit the lady on the hean in front of us. Such was the joy she didn't even feel it.... Come on ye Reds.

John Crook (Swindon)
Roger Smart had to score to keep Swindon in if he did'nt score Swindon may or maynot have won,he did score through most of the games in this campaign to Wembly, Don Rogers scored in Extra Time to win,It was a better TEAM which won on the day, also don't forget about the Anglo Italian Cup won by more or less the same team, Roger still has his winners medals and still talks about riots etc to this day. Please let us all remember it takes a good team to win a game not one man and we should remember all the Swindon Town Players. Not just Roger and Don. PS Roger Smart is a famliy member of mine and these are his comments about it takes a team to win a game not one or two men.

Grant Williamson
Thoroughly enjoyed seeing some of the celebrations. As some one who was a small laddie is Scotland it was also interesting see some of the team involved. Let us hope Swindon can do it again soon. Thank you.

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