Ahead of Town’s meeting with Bury this evening, Swindontownfc.co.uk takes a look back at a fixture between the two sides from 34 years ago when just over 7,600 fans at The County Ground witnessed the Town hit a rich vein of goal-scoring form.
After a goal-less draw at Gillingham the week before, Bob Smith’s side went in the hunt of maximum points that would take them into the promotion places of Division Three when Bury came to The County Ground in December 1979.
On an amazing afternoon at The County Ground, Town were four goals up at the break. Ray McHale, Chris Kamara, Alan Mayes and Andy Rowland all found the net in the first forty-five minutes.
In the second half, Billy Tucker added a fifth before Rowland notched his second of the afternoon. With just over 20 minutes to play, Ray McHale converted a penalty and Mayes scored again before the end as Town equalled the second-highest league win in their history.
The win pushed Swindon into third place in Division Three just two points behind league leaders Sheffield United.
Interestingly, four of the Swindon starting XI had joined the Town from Bury. Goal-scorers Billy Tucker and Andy Rowland joined Ian Miller and Brian Williams as the four connections. Another of Swindon’s scorers, Ray McHale, would have a spell on loan at Gigg Lane later on in his career. Future Town manager Danny Wilson also played 90 minutes for the Shakers.
