Swindon Town Football Club were this week saddened to hear the news of the passing of Sir David Seton Wills, a lifelong fan, and former director. Sir Seton sadly lost his battle with cancer aged 83.
David often went by his middle name ‘Seton’, and he was a huge sports fan from an early age. From his Ramsbury roots, he grew an affinity with Swindon Town and would spend many Saturdays watching the side from the Town End. He introduced his son James to the club in the old Fourth Division in 1983, and daughter Alice in the 90s.
Such was his passion for the game that he rarely missed a game of football, whether it was watching James, or the Robins… and even when he moved further afield.
In 1991, and against the advice of his peers, Sir Seton swapped the Town End for the County Ground boardroom when, along with a number of other local businessmen, he answered a call to arms to help rebuild the board following the troubles that had engulfed the club’s promotion, and subsequent demotion from the top flight, in 1990.
Sir Seton’s involvement didn’t come lightly. He had sought the opinion of close friends Roger Gibbs and Peter Hill-Wood, then Arsenal Chairman, about whether or not he should get involved. And yet despite both advising him categorically to steer clear, such were Swindon’s woes, that Sir Seton couldn’t help but say ‘yes’ anyway!
The club would lean on his support on many occasions between 1991 and 2007.
The highs of promotion to the Premier League in 1993 were followed by relegation a year later, and these formative years formed a barometer for the rollercoaster of emotions Sir Seton would experience while involved with the club. Swindon Town’s precarious finances were an ongoing worry too, and Sir Seton’s funding would help steer the club through various precarious moments in its history.
In recent years, Sir Seton took great delight in watching Swindon Town with friends and family. Those close to him loved his company at the football, and he theirs.
Sir Seton continued to watch on despite his initial cancer diagnosis. He also confounded doctors by surpassing their predicted life expectancy with his positive – and holistic – approach. His response to his diagnosis, as in life, was to smile, make the best of the situation, and get on with things.
A lovely and kind man, Swindon Town will be forever grateful for his support.
Sir Seton is survived by wife Gillian and children Sarah, James, Victoria and Alice, and ten grandchildren (seven of whom now play football, thanks to their grandad’s influence).
