# 2009–10 Swindon Town F.C. season

The 2009–10 season saw Swindon Town FC, managed by Danny Wilson, finish in fifth place and reach the League one play-off final where they were ultimately beaten by Millwall FC.

## Pre-season

For the third consecutive year, Swindon Town ventured to Austria for pre-season training. This was manager Danny Wilson's first summer as Swindon manager as he took over in late December 2008, replacing Maurice Malpas.
15 players from the previous season, including influential forward Simon Cox, had either been released by Wilson or in the case of Cox sold. Trialist Cherno Samba joined Town during the trip.
The rest of the summer consisted of Town playing against familiar opposition such as Wiltshire outfits Chippenham Town and Swindon Supermarine. Championship club Cardiff City, West Bromwich Albion and Plymouth Argyle were named as Town's home opposition.
Trial players who featured for Swindon Town during Pre-Season
* Cherno Samba: Once a highly rated forward, Samba joined Town for the Pre-Season work out in Austria. He failed to score in four fixtures.
* Anton Ademol: An unknown midfielder played against Hungerford Town and Chippenham Town. He failed to earn a deal.
* Stephen Morrison: Former Everton youth midfielder played against Hungerford Town and scored. Danny Wilson gave him a second chance at Chippenham Town but failed to earn a contract.
* Scott Spencer: Former Everton forward who scored against Hungerford Town. He failed to earn a contract at Swindon but later joined Southend United where he scored a late goal against Swindon during the season.
* Berlin Ndebe-Nlome: The former Cameroon youth forward played in the high profile friendlies against Cardiff City and West Bromwich Albion but failed to impress.
* Yan Klukowski: A Wiltshire native who forged a decent reputation with the American College leagues. He finished the Pre-Season as Town's top scorer with 3 goals in 3 games for Swindon. Despite impressing, he failed to win a contract.
* Bradley Clark: The Hungerford Town forward impressed the Town coaches and was offered a trial.
* Panikos Efythmides: Greek midfielder who played the final two Town friendlies.
* Dean McDonald: Former Ipswich Town forward who played in Town's final friendly of Pre-Season against Cirencester Town. McDonald scored but did not earn a Town deal. He later joined Farnborough.
| Date | Opponents | H / A | Result F–A | Scorers | Attendance |
| 12 July 2009 | CFC Cluj | N | 1–1 | Anthony McNamee 29' | unknown |
| 15 July 2009 | Universitatea Craiova | N | 1–0 | Lescinel Jean-François 17' | unknown |
| 17 July 2009 | TSV St. Johann | N | 3–3 | Billy Paynter 10', 70' Sean Morrison 54' | unknown |
| 20 July 2009 | Hungerford Town | A | 3–0 | Stephen Morrison 47', Billy Bodin 82', Scott Spencer 89' | unknown |
| 21 July 2009 | Luton Town | A | 1–0 | Jonathan Douglas 58' | 1,524 |
| 22 July 2009 | Chippenham Town | A | 0–2 | | unknown |
| 25 July 2009 | Cardiff City | H | 0–0 | | 2,157 |
| 28 July 2009 | West Bromwich Albion | H | 1–0 | Gordon Greer 33' | 3,482 |
| 29 July 2009 | Swindon Supermarine | A | 3–2 | J-P McGovern 25', Yan Klukowski 54', 56' | 279 |
| 1 August 2009 | Plymouth Argyle | H | 0–2 | | 2,064 |
| 4 August 2009 | Cirencester Town | A | 3–0 | Yan Klukowski 20', Dean McDonald 61', Jordan Record 80' | 285 |

## League One

| Date | Opponents | H / A | Result F–A | Scorers | Attendance |
| 8 August 2009 | Gillingham | A | 0–5 | | 6,852 |
| 15 August 2009 | Milton Keynes Dons | H | 0–0 | | 6,692 |
| 18 August 2009 | Southampton | H | 1–0 | Sean Morrison 9' | 11,673 |
| 22 August 2009 | Oldham Athletic | A | 2–2 | J-P McGovern 83', Billy Paynter 90' | 4,229 |
| 29 August 2009 | Southend United | H | 2–1 | Scott Cuthbert 21', Tope Obadeyi 79' | 6,417 |
| 5 September 2009 | Yeovil Town | A | 1–0 | Terrell Forbes (own goal) 41' | 4,807 |
| 12 September 2009 | Colchester United | H | 1–1 | Tope Obadeyi 45' | 6,621 |
| 19 September 2009 | Walsall | A | 1–1 | Billy Paynter (pen.) 80' | 4,148 |
| 26 September 2009 | Wycombe Wanderers | H | 1–1 | Kevin Amankwaah 17' | 6,929 |
| 29 September 2009 | Exeter City | A | 1–1 | Kevin Amankwaah 53' | 5,337 |
| 3 October 2009 | Brentford | H | 3–2 | Alex Revell 8', 79', Ben Hutchinson 21' | 6,471 |
| 10 October 2009 | Millwall | H | 1–1 | Scott Cuthbert 15' | 7,222 |
| 17 October 2009 | Hartlepool United | H | 0–3 | | 7,096 |
| 24 October 2009 | Norwich City | A | 0–1 | | 24,959 |
| 31 October 2009 | Tranmere Rovers | A | 4–1 | Billy Paynter 34', 39', Anthony McNamee 65', Simon Ferry 90' | 5,811 |
| 21 November 2009 | Carlisle United | A | 1–0 | Charlie Austin 3' | 4,339 |
| 24 November 2009 | Huddersfield Town | H | 2–1 | Billy Paynter 24', Charlie Austin 58' | 6,630 |
| 5 December 2009 | Leyton Orient | H | 3–2 | Billy Paynter (pen) 51', Charlie Austin 76', 85' | 6,815 |
| 12 December 2009 | Bristol Rovers | A | 0–3 | | 7,613 |
| 19 December 2009 | Brighton & Hove Albion | H | 2–1 | Billy Paynter (pen) 31', Charlie Austin 54' | 7,068 |
| 26 December 2009 | Charlton Athletic | A | 2–2 | Charlie Austin 56', Billy Paynter 74' | 17,977 |
| 28 December 2009 | Yeovil Town | H | 3–1 | Billy Paynter 13', Charlie Austin 22', Danny Ward 46' | 8,509 |
| 16 January 2010 | Gillingham | H | 3–1 | Charlie Austin 38', Scott Cuthbert 52', Billy Paynter (pen) 74' | 6,773 |
| 19 January 2010 | Stockport County | A | 1–0 | Billy Paynter (pen) 73' | 3,281 |
| 26 January 2010 | Leeds United | H | 3–0 | Charlie Austin 13', Billy Paynter 60', 63' (pen) | 14,508 |
| 30 January 2010 | Southend United | A | 2–2 | Billy Paynter 1', Charlie Austin 10' | 6,669 |
| 6 February 2010 | Charlton Athletic | H | 1–1 | Kevin Amankwaah 65' | 9,552 |
| 23 February 2010 | Oldham Athletic | H | 4–2 | Billy Paynter 45', 45' (pen), Charlie Austin 48', Danny Ward 58' | 6,183 |
| 13 February 2010 | Huddersfield Town | A | 2–2 | Charlie Austin 10', Danny Ward 27' | 14,610 |
| 20 February 2010 | Carlisle United | H | 2–0 | Charlie Austin, Billy Paynter | 7,704 |
| 23 February 2010 | Stockport County | H | 4–1 | Danny Ward 13', Billy Paynter 45', 79', Simon Ferry 74' | 7,063 |
| 27 February 2010 | Leyton Orient | A | 0–0 | | 4,574 |
| 6 March 2010 | Bristol Rovers | H | 0–4 | | 10,341 |
| 9 March 2010 | Milton Keynes Dons | A | 1–2 | Danny Ward 90' | 8,764 |
| 13 March 2010 | Brighton & Hove Albion | A | 1–0 | Charlie Austin 69' | 6,946 |
| 16 March 2010 | Southampton | A | 1–0 | Charlie Austin 56' | 20,752 |
| 20 March 2010 | Norwich City | H | 1–1 | Gordon Greer 90' | 11,972 |
| 27 March 2010 | Hartlepool United | A | 1–0 | Charlie Austin 22' | 3,536 |
| 3 April 2010 | Leeds United | A | 3–0 | Billy Paynter 43', 48', Charlie Austin 55' | 27,881 |
| 5 April 2010 | Tranmere Rovers | H | 1–0 | Ben Gordon (own goal) 10', Billy Paynter (pen) 37', Charlie Austin 56' | 9,495 |
| 10 April 2010 | Colchester United | A | 0–3 | | 5,111 |
| 12 April 2010 | Exeter City | H | 1–1 | Matt Taylor (own goal) 90' | 8,753 |
| 17 April 2010 | Walsall | H | 1–1 | Charlie Austin 55' | 8,467 |
| 24 April 2010 | Wycombe Wanderers | A | 2–2 | Billy Paynter 48', Alan Sheehan 80' | 7,459 |
| 1 May 2010 | Brentford | H | 3–2 | Billy Paynter 8', 58', Danny Ward 45' | 10,465 |
| 8 May 2010 | Milwall | A | 2–3 | Danny Ward 3', Billy Paynter 85' | 17,083 |

## League One Playoffs

| Date | Opponents | H / A | Result F–A | Scorers | Attendance |
| 14 May 2010 | Charlton | H | 2–1 | Danny Ward 52', Charlie Austin 60' | 13,560 |
| 17 May 2010 | Charlton | A | 2–1 (5–4 p) | Danny Ward 74', | 21,521 |
| 29 May 2010 | Millwall | A | 0–1 | | 73,108 |

## F.A. Cup

After losing the First Round to Non-League Histon last season - Town were once again given the task of meeting Non-League Woking a year on. Despite a less than convincing display, Billy Paynter's first half goal was enough. The Second Round saw Swindon beat Wrexham in Wales a couple of weeks later, Gordon Greer scored the only goal ten minutes time.
Town were knocked out of the competition in the Third Round to Premier League outfit Fulham, Bobby Zamora scoring for the Cottagers.
| Date | Opponents | H / A | Result F–A | Scorers | Attendance |
| 7 November 2009 | Woking | H | 1–0 | Billy Paynter 36' | 4,805 |
| 28 November 2009 | Wrexham | A | 1–0 | Gordon Greer 80' | 3,011 |
| 2 January 2010 | Fulham | A | 0–1 | | 19,623 |

## League Cup

Swindon Town entered the League Cup in the First Round and were drawn to play Milton Keynes Dons. Swindon had recently lost 5–0 at Gillingham on the opening day of the league season. Town beat the Dons comfortably at Stadium:MK by four goals to one.
Town's next game was away from Wiltshire against Premier League outfit Wolverhampton Wanderers. Wolves manager Mick McCarthy fielded an under strength team but did enough to beat Swindon Town 6–5 in a penalty shoot-out after 120 minutes of football without a goal. Swindon Town captain Gordon Greer missed the only penalty.
| Date | Opponents | H / A | Result F–A | Scorers | Attendance |
| 11 August 2009 | Milton Keynes Dons | A | 4–1 | J-P McGovern 41', Billy Paynter 56', 72', David McCracken (own goal) 74' | 4,812 |
| 25 August 2009 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | A | 0–0 | | 11,416 |
* Wolverhampton Wanderers won 6–5 on penalties.

## Football League Trophy

Swindon Town were drawn to play Exeter City at St James Park where a late Stuart Fleetwood strike cancelled out Anthony McNamee's goal in the first half. The game won by Swindon 5–3 on penalties with Phil Smith saving two of the spot kicks.
Swindon were knocked out in the next round by Norwich City, penalty kicks settled the tie again - the only missed penalty was taken by Craig Easton.
| Date | Opponents | H / A | Result F–A | Scorers | Attendance |
| 6 October 2009 | Exeter City | A | 1–1 | Anthony McNamee 17' | 2,006 |
| 10 November 2009 | Norwich City | H | 0–0 | | 4,978 |
* Swindon Town beat Exeter City 4–3 on penalties
* Norwich City beat Swindon Town 5–3 on penalties

## Squad statistics

Swindon Town 2009/10
| No. | Pos. | Name | League (inc. P-O's) | League (inc. P-O's) | FA Cup | FA Cup | League Cup | League Cup | Football League Trophy | Football League Trophy | Total | Total | Discipline | Discipline |
| No. | Pos. | Name | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | | |
| 1 | GK | David Lucas | 41 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 45 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2 | DF | Scott Cuthbert | 39 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 45 | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| 3 | DF | Alan Sheehan | 22 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 24 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| 4 | MF | Jonathan Douglas | 43 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 49 | 0 | 6 | 1 |
| 5 | FW | Vincent Péricard | 2+12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2+12 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 6 | DF | Gordon Greer (captain) | 43+1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 50+1 | 1 | 5 | 0 |
| 7 | MF | Jon-Paul McGovern | 45 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 52 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| 9 | FW | Frank Nouble | 3+5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3+5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 10 | MF | Michael Timlin | 6+15 | 0 | 1+2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 9+17 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| 12 | GK | Phil Smith | 5+1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 8+1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 14 | DF | Sean Morrison | 8+1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9+1 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| 15 | DF | Kevin Amankwaah | 33+3 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 40+3 | 3 | 4 | 0 |
| 17 | DF | Callum Kennedy | 4+4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1+1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6+5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 18 | MF | Alan O'Brien | 3+6 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3+8 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 19 | DF | Lescinel Jean-François | 27+6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 31+6 | 0 | 7 | 0 |
| 20 | FW | Billy Paynter | 46 | 26 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 52 | 29 | ? | ? |
| 21 | DF | Stephen Darby (loan) | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 23 | DF | Nathan Thompson | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 24 | FW | Danny Ward (loan) | 24+4 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 25+5 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| 26 | GK | Jakub Jesionkowski | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 28 | GK | Mark Scott | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 30 | MF | Simon Ferry | 40 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 43 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| 31 | FW | Billy Bodin | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 32 | FW | Charlie Austin | 29+4 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0+2 | 0 | 29+6 | 19 | 2 | 0 |
| 11 | MF | Matt Ritchie (loan) | 0+4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0+2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |