Looking for help as well.
ENGLAND masseur Steve Slattery is set to roll back the years at the County Ground as Town boss Dennis Wise seeks to renew an old international friendship.
Slattery and Wise, pictured above, forged a bond during England's Euro 2000 campaign in Holland and Belgium and are set to come together again for Town's League Two promotion push.
Wise has asked Slattery to return to his hometown club as masseur after a 10-year absence and the Highworth man is looking forward to a hands on role' at the club which kick-started his international adventure.
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With almost 150 games and five major tournaments under his belt with the national team, Slattery is well qualified to come to Town's aid and, during a gruelling pre-season, a massage could be just what the doctor ordered.
He said: "Dennis has asked me to help out and I will be happy to do so. It will be good to return to the club where it all started for me.
"If the players are working as hard as I think they will be under Dennis they will certainly be glad of a good massage.
"I am looking for a team of half a dozen qualified masseurs to help me, for a few hours a week. They won't get paid but I did it for Glenn Hoddle for free and look what has happened to me since."
Slattery, who was taken into the England fold by former Town boss Glenn Hoddle in 1996, is excited by the new Wise era and insists under his charge the club are heading in only one direction.
He said: "His appointment is absolutely fantastic for Swindon Town. He demands what he put into the game and that was 100 per cent in every game.
"I just hope Town fans will get to see him as a player. I understand why he isn't sure yet but it would be a shame if he did not play.
"When Hoddle was here, the Town fans were treated to the artist. To watch him play the sweeper's role was a privilege. Dennis will be a different player but still fantastic. He is a great passer and won't settle for second best."
Slattery remembers spending the final evening of England's Euro 2000 campaign with Wise, after their defeat to Romania and exit from the group stages.
He said: "It was probably my best night in international football. We were out of the tournament and so all let our hair down and had a drink.
"Dennis and I had a couple of games of pool and we just put the world to rights. I don't think we went to bed.
"He is a real bubbly character and a fantastic chap to have around the squad. The players who are prepared to dig in and work for him are in for a fun ride."
Slattery is appealing for qualified masseurs to step forward and help him in his role at Swindon Town. Anyone interested should contact the Adver on 01793 501836 or email
[email protected].
