Jon-Paul McGovern joined Swindon Town on Friday 31st August 2007, just hours before the close of the transfer window, signing a contract until the close of the 2009/10 season.

A lively winger who can operate out wide or through the middle, McGovern's arrival was a major boost to then boss Paul Sturrock who had been chasing the player for some time.

The 26-year old was a key cog in Sturrock's Sheffield Wednesday side which won promotion to the Coca-Cola Championship and made over 60 appearances for The Owls during two seasons at Hillsborough.

McGovern began his career as a trainee at Celtic but was released by the Scottish giants after one season and subsequently signed for Livingston in July 2003 after a successful loan spell in England with Sheffield United.

A promising season for 'Livi' saw Sheffield Wednesday come in for the midfielder who joined Paul Sturrock's squad in time for the start of the 2004/2005 season.

He was an ever-present during the promotion winning campaign and scored the first goal at the Millennium Stadium to help secure promotion for a side that also included David Lucas.

Having been signed by Sturrock again at Town, McGovern made an immediate impression from the right-wing, before being moved into a more central role by Sturrock's replacement Maurice Malpas.

After Malpas had been sacked mid-way through Season 2008/2009, McGovern struggled to hold down a place in the side under Danny Wilson, and looked set to leave the club.

However, a stunning goal in the 4-1 Carling Cup win at MK Dons helped him cement a place in the side, and he never looked back.

The popular winger enjoyed his best season for the club in 2009/2010, playing 47 games and proving instrumental as Danny Wilson's side reached the League 1 Play-Off Final.