Take a trip down Memory Lane as we summarise a former Town player's career. From 1879-2009, we will feature players from all eras of he club's history. Click on 'Club', then 'History' and get nostalgic!
Alan McLoughlin is one of the most celebrated central midfielders in Swindon Town history, having been inspirational during a five year period club at The County Ground during which he made 136 appearances.
A former Republic of Ireland international, McLoughlin played under two of the club's most successful yet contrasting managers - Lou Macari and Ossie Ardiles - and his experiences at the club ranged from the hugely enjoyable to the devastatingly disappointing.
Brought in by Lou Macari in the summer of 1986, McLoughlin made a stuttering start to his Town career, and by his own admission found it difficult to make an impression on a settled, confident side that had registered a record number of points in winning the Division Four title the previous season.
McLoughlin spent two loan periods at Torquay United during his early Town career, and made only a handful of appearances during his first two seasons at SN1.
However, just as his stay in Wiltshire looked to have been coming to an end, Chris Kamara's suspension gave McLoughlin the chance to finally stamp his authority on the team - which he grabbed with both hands, making 27 appearances for the club towards the back end of season 1988/89 and cementing a place in the side.
Lou Macari, whose all action, physical and direct style of football had brought much success to the club over the previous four years, was replaced by Ossie Ardiles at the start of season 1989/90, and it was under the Argentinean's free-flowing passing game that McLoughlin really flourished in Town colours.
Having previously been deployed in the right-back and central midfield roles under Macari, McLoughlin was given freedom to roam behind potent strikers Duncan Shearer and Steve White during what was a hugely successful season at The County Ground.
McLoughlin made 49 appearances for the club during that campaign, scoring 17 goals including the winner in the now infamous 1-0 Play-Off Final victory over Sunderland.
Following the victory, and before the subsequent demotion of the club over irregular payments to players, McLoughlin travelled to the 1990 World Cup with the Republic of Ireland squad, during which he made two appearances against Egypt and England.
Unbeknownst to the midfielder, all hell was breaking loose with his employers back home who had gone from Division One to Division Three within a matter of weeks - a transition which meant their star assets needed to be sold in order to balance the books.
McLoughlin fell firmly into this category, and as such joined Southampton for £1 million in 1990, cutting short what could have been an even more fruitful stay at The County Ground.
After two seasons at The Dell, he moved to Portsmouth, going on to make over 300 appearances for Pompey, on whose matches he now commentates for local radio station The Quay.
Alan McLoughlin was at The County Ground to host matchday hospitality in The Sponsors Suite for last week's match against Stockport County, and Swindontownfc.co.uk caught up with him before kick-off to discuss his memories of his time at the club, his life and work today, and how he sees the future panning out at Swindon Town.
Look out for the two-part interview later this week on STFC Player.
