Town will look to end the year if 2023 on a high note as they search for a victory against Forest Green Rovers this evening.
Forest Green Rovers will be frustrated with their form so far in the league, with Troy Deeney’s men sitting bottom of the table, seven points away from the relegation zone.
Their recent form sees them look to improve with no wins in their last 5 games, with Swindon hoping they can do something similar and want to return to winning ways with a performance that shows they are worthy of competing at the higher ends of the League Two table.
A lowdown on the visitors:
Founded back in 1889, Forest Green Rovers has a long history. From the Dursley and Stroud leagues in the early 20th century, through the Gloucestershire Northern Senior League in the 1950s to the Hellenic in the 1980s.
Forest Green won the Hellenic League in the 1981–82 season and lifted the FA Vase after beating Rainworth Miners Welfare in the final at Wembley. They spent the next 13 years in the Midland Division of the Southern League and briefly competed under the name Stroud F.C.
FGR reached the Southern League Premier Division in 1997 before ascending to the National League a year later. Reaching the 1999 FA Trophy final, which they lost, they became the first club to reach the finals of both the FA Vase and FA Trophy.
They also reached the 2001 FA Trophy final, which again they lost.
Twice reprieved from relegation from the Conference National due to the demotion of other clubs, the club was transformed following investment from green energy industrialist Dale Vince in 2010.
Under Vince's chairmanship, Forest Green became the world's first vegan football club in 2015, and the New Lawn was installed with numerous eco-friendly innovations.
Investment in the playing squad saw the club compete for promotion. Beginning at county level, Rovers have climbed the football ladder. Emerging from the National League by defeating Tranmere Rovers in the play-off final at Wembley in 2017, Forest Green Rovers climbed into the English Football League.
During their time in EFL League Two, FGR reached the play-offs in 2019 and 2021, establishing an attractive style of high-tempo football alongside their friendly club atmosphere.
Then, on the final day of the 2021/22 season, FGR were crowned Champions of League Two – another great stride in the club's history, before an unfortunate pilot season in the third tier seeing Rovers fall back into League Two, as they look to rediscover the form soon that previously saw them finish as Champions two seasons ago.
Head-to-head:
2020/21: Swindon Town 0-2 Forest Green Rovers
2020/21: Forest Green Rovers 0-1 Swindon Town
2021/22: Forest Green Rovers 0-2 Swindon Town (EFL Trophy)
2021/22: Swindon Town 2-1 Forest Green Rovers
2023/24: Forest Green Rovers 1-2 Swindon Town
Manager: Troy Deeney
Troy Deeney is new to the world of football management but no stranger to the world of football as a player. Deeney currently is doing both the role of a player and a manager with his contract at FGR.
The Birmingham-born former striker started his playing career at Chelmsley Town where he would impress immediately as he would get his move to Walsall before getting his well-known move to Watford.
Well-recognised for the ‘Deeney’ moment, a moment as a player that saw his injury-time goal against Leicester City secure Watford a place in the Premier League.
Deeney would leave Watford after a famous 11 years to join his hometown club Birmingham City, before seeing himself currently up Forest Green Rovers and after the sacking of David Horseman, make the transition from player to current manager.
One to watch: Fankaty Dabo
After starting at Premier League side Chelsea, Dabo has continued to show his class across the seasons at all levels of the EFL, where he fell just short of Premier League achievements with Coventry City just last season.
A stop-start season for the wide man has now seen Dabo look to come back stronger ahead of the final game before the New Year, with Town well aware of his threat having previously represented Swindon back in 2017.
