Share this @internewscast.com

No-one expected to see the name ‘Swindon Town’ in the quarter-final line-up for the FA Youth Cup, given that the club is not wealthy, languishes in bottom half of League Two and have had Manchester United and Sunderland standing in their way in the tournament so far.

But history will be on their side when they fight for a semi-final place on Thursday, as the only Category 3 Academy team left in the tournament.

The club’s only previous Youth Cup quarter-final pitted them against a Manchester United side with George Best, David Sadler and Jimmy Rimmer in their ranks, exactly 60 years ago. 

No-one gave the team a prayer when they faced United’s Under 18s in the tournament’s Fourth Round in January. But they drew a lesson from the past before going out to face them at their club’s County Ground. 

Swindon Town are bidding to reach their first ever FA Youth Cup semi-final on Thursday

Swindon Town are bidding to reach their first ever FA Youth Cup semi-final on Thursday

Their only previous Youth Cup quarter-final pitted them against Manchester United in 1964

Their only previous Youth Cup quarter-final pitted them against Manchester United in 1964

George Best, David Sadler and Jimmy Rimmer all featured for United and dumped Swindon out

George Best, pictured here in 1964, helped United dump Swindon out before guiding the side to FA Youth Cup glory

George Best (right, pictured in 1964), David Sadler and Jimmy Rimmer all featured for United during that quarter-final and dumped Swindon out

Don Rogers, a member of the youth side who had faced Best and Co in 1964, and scored twice in Swindon’s 1969 League Cup final win over Arsenal, was asked to speak to the players as they prepared.

‘Be brave and enjoy it. You’ll remember this night for the rest of your lives,’ Rogers told them, remembering his part in the 1-1 second-leg draw against United in Swindon and the 4-1 first-leg defeat at Old Trafford in which United’s Sadler, then an England youth international, smashed a hat-trick before 25,563 spectators.

The players heeded Rogers’ words, with a stunning performance full of heart and organisation as United were defeated 2-0. 

Botan Ameen, the English-Iraqi forward who Swindon have picked up from the QPR academy, was the star, scoring twice before half time and playing with a point to prove. He had questioned why didn’t get a minute on the field in the previous round.

The result was not entirely a fluke, given the reputation that Swindon are building as a developer of young talent, with a clear pathway into the first team for those who flourish.

While United await the arrival of Dan Ashworth from Newcastle, Swindon are witnessing some of the very same principles he has introduced at West Brom and within the England set-up – which are being introduced by the Wiltshire club’s director of football Jamie Russell.

Russell, who worked under Ashworth at The Hawthorns, has helped introduce the notion of a ‘DNA’ for the club, which sees all age groups and senior teams approach the game the same way.

However, having eliminated United in the fourth round, Swindon are eyeing a last-four spot

However, having eliminated United in the fourth round, Swindon are eyeing a last-four spot

If Swindon beat Bristol City Under 18s on Thursday, they will face Manchester City in the semi

If Swindon beat Bristol City Under 18s on Thursday, they will face Manchester City in the semi

‘It means we don’t have a hierarchy across the Academy,’ said Russell. ‘Boys play across age groups. If an Under 14s boy plays for the Under 13s, it’s not seen as a negative because with a team DNA, everything looks the same.’

The club have also developed a multi-disciplinary programme which brings close attention to non-playing aspects of their boys’ development, alongside their football. 

Swindon have invested in their Academy at a time when some other clubs have instead opted to invest in a B team as a way of bringing young players into the first team.

‘Brentford set that B team model but the B teams cost a lot of money to run and a number of clubs have looked at that and now gone back to Academy model,’ said Russell, who worked for Everton and Salford City after leaving West Brom. ‘Clubs have found they are missing out on a lot of the compensation (for developing players they eventually sell) when they close the door on their Academy.’

A small squad and a number of injuries have meant that the League Two side’s managers Michael Flynn and Gavin Gunning, who replaced Flynn, have frequently turned to Academy players this season, with Miles Obodo, Anton Dworzak, and Fletcher Hubbard all having played league minutes, and Sonny Hart, Abu Kanu, Jaxon Brown, and George Alston having been on the bench.

Rogers, who opened the scoring to send Swindon ahead in the Old Trafford quarter final back in 1964, ended his career with a stand at the club’s County Ground named after him. So the club’s current crop need no greater inspiration. 

Thursday’s quarter-final, against Bristol City at Ashton Gate, will be televised by the FA on Viaplay. If Swindon win, they will face Manchester City in the semi.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Kylian Mbappe Honors Diogo Jota with Incredible Scissor Kick as Real Madrid Fends Off Borussia Dortmund in Dramatic Finish Featuring Three Injury-Time Goals, Setting Stage for Semi-Final Showdown with PSG

Kylian Mbappe scored an acrobatic scissor-kick to set up a Club World…

PSG Players Display Maximum Respect for Lionel Messi After Club World Cup Match

Paris Saint-Germain may be the newly crowned champions of Europe and have…

Liga MX Unveils Striking 2025 All-Star Uniform Showcasing Mascots and Team Symbols

Last week, Major League Soccer introduced the jersey for the 2025 MLS…

From Joyful Beginnings to a Heartfelt Goodbye: Ave Maria Echoes from Their Wedding to Diogo Jota’s Funeral Just 13 Days Later

At the end of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva’s funeral…

Welsh Rugby on the Brink: Two Regions at Risk, Pending Strike Talks, and Top Players Considering Departure Due to Financial Turmoil

Welsh rugby is at risk of seeing more of its key players…

Lionel Messi Reportedly Negotiating with Unexpected Saudi Club as Inter Miami Contract Nears End, Hinting at Possible Cristiano Ronaldo Reunion

Lionel Messi is reportedly in talks with Saudi Arabian side Al-Ahli as…

Legendary Sports Stars: Pele, Muhammad Ali, and Tiger Woods Featured in Priceless Memorabilia Collection

IT started with two football shirts. They were placed in the cosy…

Jordan Henderson’s Ajax Contract Ends Early at His Request: Club Issues Statement

Jordan Henderson is set to depart from Ajax right away, clearing a…

USMNT’s 2026 World Cup Roster: Current Team Status and Future Contenders Before the Gold Cup Final

There won’t be many opportunities in the near future for the United…

AFL’s Surprising Strategy to Fast-Track Gout Gout into Action

The AFL is reportedly plotting a surprising move to host Aussie sprint sensation…

Man United’s Pre-Season: Challenges of Selling Unwanted Players and the Influence of the ‘Gang of Five’ at Carrington, by Chris Wheeler

Pre-season is typically an opportunity for fresh starts and clean slates, but…

Myles Lewis-Skelly Shines at Paris Fashion Week, Concludes a Remarkable Week with Arsenal

It’s been a whirlwind week for Myles Lewis-Skelly – and the teenage…