Thetownend.com

Post your messages here. We've a relation (Ray is his Great Uncle) from Blue and Amber proboards (Dale otherwise known as Schizo on their forum) who has kindly posted here. He says:

"My great uncle was the chairman of Swindon in the early 1990's (who gave Glenn Hoddle his first managerial job), I think he was relieved to get out in the end after all the abuse he said he used to get from their charming bunch of supporters!"

That is a pretty accurate summary of his time at the helm of our club, even Hoddle chucked a bit his way after Kerslake was sold to cover the tax bill I seem to remember.  Back in those days, when things were sort of going well, you'd often hear the fans chanting "get your cheque book out"

I used to like Ray Hardman, especially with the enthusiasm he appointed John Gorman after Glenn had gone. John's back must have been stinging for weeks after the slap he gave him.

Hardman did a lot of work for the club, for free, I think he did some work with regard to the Intel stand didn't he? Saved the club a fair bit there if memory serves me right.

I recall that documentary where I think he was unfairly squared up to by the players' entrance by a few fans. Saddens me (a little) though that he has formed that lasting opinion of us, as I think he knew the pressing need to keep financial reigns upon the club and that was to his merit and not tight-fistedness, but many little realised it at the time.

To be honest one of the blokes having a go at him was a complete and utter pleb, retard, moron, whichever insult you'd prefer to use. He was an embarrassment, thought Ray handled himself pretty well.

I watched that documentary the other day and Ray said during the promotion season the club was splashing out £2.1m in salarys and only turned over £1.1m ..... Wowsers!

And that is where our problems all began.

Ha, I remember that. Didn't RH mumble "prat" at the end?

Hyperthetical question, but would you rather we didn't over spend and not have that one season in the prem?

I was three when we were in the prem. I've only lived through the shitty repercussions. So yes, from a selfish view

It takes all sorts but....give me

the prem, the relegations, PDC running on the pitch, Invincibile's late equaliser, SuperSam, the near winding ups (as opposed to actual winding ups), Andy King even

rather than

season after season in League One with a balanced budget

We are Swindon after all.