大象传媒

Unearthed from the 大象传媒 West region archives in early 2004 and shown on 大象传媒 Four was a 40 minute film made in 1963 about a week in the life of Swindon Town Football Club.

Headlines in the Swindon Echo in 1963

The film, entitled 'Six Days to Saturday' is all the more fascinating to watch 45 years later as it's an example of the early work of acclaimed film director John Boorman.

Boorman, who has since become world famous for directing classic movies such as Hell in the Pacific, Deliverance and Excalibur was, in 1963, the head of the 大象传媒's Bristol-based Documentary Unit.

In 1963 things were very rosy for Swindon Town FC. They'd recently won promotion to Division Two under the guidance of manager Bert Head who was hailed as a local hero.

One excitable sports reporter in The Swindon Echo newspaper wrote at the time; 'It took Swindon 42 years to get into the Second Division, it will take them 42 games to get into the first.' The pressure was on.

Striker Ernie Hunt cuts manager Bert Head's hair

As a result of their recent success, home match attendances at the Country Ground steadily increased and more and more young girls and women were attracted to games.

Fresh-faced young players such as Don Rogers, John Trollope and Ernie Hunt were a big draw, and enjoyed their status as local celebrities.

'Six Days to Saturday' offers a fascinating insight into the Swindon Town team of the day. It shows their camaraderie both on and off the pitch, at work and at play, in the days leading up to their next match.

Highlights include players Ernie Hunt and Mike Summerbee enjoying a kick around with some youngsters on a Swindon street, the members of the board planning the addition of a 'grandiose' new stand and defender Owen Dawson and his wife window shopping in Swindon town centre.

A 17-year-old Don Rogers talking to Owen Dawson

The film culminates with lengthy footage of Swindon's dramatic home game against Leyton Orient which they triumphantly went on to win 5-0.

If you're a Swindon Town fan then 'Six Days to Saturday' is essential viewing, and a chance to see the team in their sixties heyday, with a score of legendary players on the team.