After a disappointing defeat on Tuesday, Swindon is eager to bounce back in their latest league test against Bradford this weekend.
Bradford has faced a tough start to their league campaign, exemplified by the recent departure of their former manager, Mark Hughes, earlier this week. As a result, Kevin McDonald, a former full-time midfielder, has taken temporary charge of the Bantams.
Bradford’s current league record consists of three wins, four draws, and four losses in their first 11 games, placing them in the 18th position in League Two. Their most recent match under Hughes ended in a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Tranmere, who are currently 22nd in the league.
A Brief History of Swindon Town
Swindon Town, founded in 1903, quickly earned a place in the Football League Second Division. They achieved promotion to the top tier after winning the Second Division title in the 1907–08 season and went on to secure the 1911 FA Cup, which remains the club’s sole major honor.
Although they faced relegations in subsequent years, Swindon managed to win the Third Division North title in 1928–29 and the Third Division North Cup in 1939. They experienced another relegation in 1962, landing them in the newly formed Fourth Division.
In the 1980s, under the management of Roy McFarland and Trevor Cherry, they achieved success with promotions in 1981–82 and the Third Division title in 1984–85. However, they faced relegation from the Second Division in 1990.
Swindon’s fortunes improved in the late ’90s when they secured promotions via playoffs in 1996 and 1998–99, eventually reaching the Premier League after a 77-year absence.
Although they made it to the semi-finals of the UEFA Intertoto Cup in 2000–01, they were relegated from the Premier League.
Financial troubles followed, with the club entering administration twice and experiencing further relegations in 2004 and 2007, landing them back in the fourth tier.
In 2013, under Phil Parkinson’s management, Swindon reached the League Cup final and won the League Two play-off final, but they were relegated from League One in 2019. Swindon’s home ground is the 25,136-capacity Valley Parade, known for the tragic Bradford City stadium fire in 1985.
Rivalries and Previous Encounters
Swindon Town and Bradford City have historically had closely contested matches, with a fairly even record of 17 wins for Swindon, 14 draws, and 13 victories for Bradford. This weekend’s game promises an exciting battle for bragging rights.
Recent Head-to-Head Matches:
- 2019/20: Bradford City 2-1 Swindon Town
- 2019/20: Swindon Town 1-1 Bradford City
- 2020/21: Swindon Town 1-3 Bradford City
- 2021/22: Bradford City 1-2 Swindon Town
- 2022/23: Bradford City 1-1 Swindon Town
- 2022/23: Swindon Town 1-0 Bradford City
Meet the Manager: Kevin McDonald
This weekend’s game marks Kevin McDonald’s debut as a manager, taking the reins at Bradford after Mark Hughes’ departure.
The former Scotland international joined Bradford City in the summer of 2025 after a short-term stint at Exeter City. McDonald’s career includes spells at Dundee, Burnley, Sheffield United, and Wolverhampton Wanderers, where he was part of a record-setting League One side in 2013/14.
He also made appearances in the Premier League and Championship with Fulham, Dundee United, and Exeter. Having previously served as Assistant Manager under Hughes and with experience at the club since June, McDonald aims to improve Bradford’s fortunes in this weekend’s match.
Key Player to Watch: Andy Cook
Andy Cook, a proven goal scorer in the National League and League Two, will be eager to add to his impressive tally of five goals and one assist in eight games for Bradford in the 23/24 season. Initially joining Bradford on loan from Mansfield, where he scored eight goals in 21 games, Cook is determined to help lift his team in the league standings.
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